For more information or to order your DVD visit NFPA.org Fire Dog®'s ABCs of Fire Safety DVD
Friday, May 30, 2014
Sparky®'s ABCs of Fire Safety
This exciting new journey of fire safety discovery for little learners features the Sparky the Fire Dog® puppet, who leads kids on a journey into Letterland, a magical world where anything is possible! Using a fun song, Sparky® helps children remember what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. The programs ends with a director's cut of laugh-out-loud bloopers and a short Sparky "Pup Quiz."
For more information or to order your DVD visit NFPA.org Fire Dog®'s ABCs of Fire Safety DVD
For more information or to order your DVD visit NFPA.org Fire Dog®'s ABCs of Fire Safety DVD
Friday, May 2, 2014
The Role of Product Testing & Certification in Fire Protection
Understand the role that product testing and certification play in helping reduce fire and fire hazards and how you can exploit that role to make buildings safer. During the webinar, we will discuss the various types of testing product go through – whether a building product or electrical product - and take a deep dive into understanding the importance of each in fire protection. Attendees will learn how to use and understand the information provided by testing agencies in the test and certification reports.
Upon completion of this presentation, attendees will:
- Understand testing and certification applicable to the fire protection industry
- Recognize the different types of testing utilized on applicable products and the benefits they provide for overall public safety
- Know the actions required to validate product claims and differentiate products
- Understand the knowledge and value third party testing, inspection and certification service providers bring to the building products industry
There is no charge to attend this webinar. Members of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers will receive 0.1 CEUs for participation in the entire live webinar.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Video Flame and Smoke Detection: Benefits and Applications
There is no charge to attend this webinar. Members of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers will receive 0.1 CEUs for participation in the entire live webinar.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Westminster, CO adopts home fire sprinkler requirement
Westminster, CO adopts home fire sprinkler requirement.
The Denver Post reports that fire sprinklers are now required in all new single-family homes built in the City of Westminster, CO.
The new rule went into effect January 1 and applies to new construction only. This city joins numerous other communities throughout the U.S. that require fire sprinklers in all new home construction.
The article quotes Bob Hose, fire marshal for the Westminster Fire Department: “With the addition of residential sprinklers, it allows the property really to be saved before our arrival…It’s safety for the residents and our firefighters.” Hose also said the requirement fits well with the Westminster City Council’s strategic goal to be a safe and secure community. According to the Post, Dave Horras, Westminster’s chief building official, said city officials decided to adopt the rule in keeping with the recommendation of a statewide committee made up of building officials, fire officials, industry representatives and home-builders.
The Denver Post reports that fire sprinklers are now required in all new single-family homes built in the City of Westminster, CO.
The article quotes Bob Hose, fire marshal for the Westminster Fire Department: “With the addition of residential sprinklers, it allows the property really to be saved before our arrival…It’s safety for the residents and our firefighters.” Hose also said the requirement fits well with the Westminster City Council’s strategic goal to be a safe and secure community. According to the Post, Dave Horras, Westminster’s chief building official, said city officials decided to adopt the rule in keeping with the recommendation of a statewide committee made up of building officials, fire officials, industry representatives and home-builders.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Sustainable Design for FPEs
In the 21st century, sustainable building design is an increasingly popular and important client requirement as well as a growing focus for professional engineering firms. For the fire protection engineer, integrating sustainable, or "green," building design aspirations presents the challenge of resolving conflicts between architectural vision and code expectations for fire safety.
At the heart of fire protection engineering is meeting the challenges of clients' innovation. It is often the case that the fire protection engineer contributes to a broad spectrum of building solutions that significantly affect many other members of the design team.
By discussing the challenges that fire protection engineering must overcome to support sustainable building design, this article seeks to embellish on a simple philosophy " that the fire protection engineer's use of performance-based design can both liberate the design team from code restraints, which might other wise hinder the building's sustainability rating, and serve to address the more holistic aspects of true sustainability.
In order to understand the implications of sustainability for fire safety, it is first necessary to understand what is really meant by "sustainable building design."
In the first instance, a sustainable building is the physical end product of a design philosophy to improve the "performance" of the built environment by increasing the efficiency of the resources used in building during its lifecycle: construction, operation and demolition. Such performance is typically measured through a range of international environmental performance-rating systems for buildings.
All of the systems are fairly similar in their approach, with scores for the incorporation of sustainable design under areas such as energy, water, pollution and waste. The higher the total building score the more sustainable the design is considered to be.
In the second instance, a truly sustainable building is also a socially sustainable one; that has a positive social impact on the local environment for the duration of the building's existence. Wider issues such as societal needs, maintenance of heritage, provision of social amenity, accessibility for all and future-proofing of a building so that it continues to be useable for a longer lifespan than a more conventionally designed building can all be considered.
Clients' design aspirations and tenant demands increasingly lean towards the provision of large open floor plates, the incorporation of open atria and the interconnection of spaces and stories. These approaches maximize a building's bright and airy feel of daylight and natural ventilation while being harmonious with the principles of sustainability.
This desire for open planning alone presents the fire protection engineer with a concept design that is at odds with most international building codes that seek to limit large open compartments and the interlinking of floors. Achieving a "good" or "excellent" rating is often required for funding, good corporate governance, or for attracting tenants and premium rental returns; therefore, the design team seeks to achieve quantified reductions in the use of resources such as energy and water. Fire protection engineers, as part of these design teams, must rise to the challenge of contributing to these reductions without significantly compromising the client's aesthetic requirements, or the resulting level of fire safety.
Aside from the client-driven challenges, there are other aspects that relate to sustainability that are likely to become stronger influencing factors for designs of the future - such as the actual population of the buildings.
A global trend towards aging populations and longer working lives means sweeping code assumptions that building occupants are generally mobile are becoming less appropriate. Typically, greater provision is made where, for example, it is known that a building is designed to accommodate a high proportion of wheelchair users.
The issue of obesity, and the challenges it poses to fire safety are perhaps felt most acutely in hospitals and treatment centers.
At the heart of fire protection engineering is meeting the challenges of clients' innovation. It is often the case that the fire protection engineer contributes to a broad spectrum of building solutions that significantly affect many other members of the design team.
By discussing the challenges that fire protection engineering must overcome to support sustainable building design, this article seeks to embellish on a simple philosophy " that the fire protection engineer's use of performance-based design can both liberate the design team from code restraints, which might other wise hinder the building's sustainability rating, and serve to address the more holistic aspects of true sustainability.
In order to understand the implications of sustainability for fire safety, it is first necessary to understand what is really meant by "sustainable building design."
In the first instance, a sustainable building is the physical end product of a design philosophy to improve the "performance" of the built environment by increasing the efficiency of the resources used in building during its lifecycle: construction, operation and demolition. Such performance is typically measured through a range of international environmental performance-rating systems for buildings.
All of the systems are fairly similar in their approach, with scores for the incorporation of sustainable design under areas such as energy, water, pollution and waste. The higher the total building score the more sustainable the design is considered to be.
In the second instance, a truly sustainable building is also a socially sustainable one; that has a positive social impact on the local environment for the duration of the building's existence. Wider issues such as societal needs, maintenance of heritage, provision of social amenity, accessibility for all and future-proofing of a building so that it continues to be useable for a longer lifespan than a more conventionally designed building can all be considered.
Clients' design aspirations and tenant demands increasingly lean towards the provision of large open floor plates, the incorporation of open atria and the interconnection of spaces and stories. These approaches maximize a building's bright and airy feel of daylight and natural ventilation while being harmonious with the principles of sustainability.
This desire for open planning alone presents the fire protection engineer with a concept design that is at odds with most international building codes that seek to limit large open compartments and the interlinking of floors. Achieving a "good" or "excellent" rating is often required for funding, good corporate governance, or for attracting tenants and premium rental returns; therefore, the design team seeks to achieve quantified reductions in the use of resources such as energy and water. Fire protection engineers, as part of these design teams, must rise to the challenge of contributing to these reductions without significantly compromising the client's aesthetic requirements, or the resulting level of fire safety.
Aside from the client-driven challenges, there are other aspects that relate to sustainability that are likely to become stronger influencing factors for designs of the future - such as the actual population of the buildings.
A global trend towards aging populations and longer working lives means sweeping code assumptions that building occupants are generally mobile are becoming less appropriate. Typically, greater provision is made where, for example, it is known that a building is designed to accommodate a high proportion of wheelchair users.
The issue of obesity, and the challenges it poses to fire safety are perhaps felt most acutely in hospitals and treatment centers.
Increasing flexibility and minimizing business loss also improves sustainability. Sprinkler protection of buildings, although using resources, can be seen as inherently improving sustainability both for flexibility and as they reduce the potential size of polluting fires. Residential sprinkler protection, particularly in higher risk occupancies, can be argued to be socially sustainable as they reduce risk of loss to life and property and protect some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Some of this may appear to lead to overly conservative designs and hence not be sustainable; however, if future flexibility can be increased, the lifespan of a building can be increased and hence its sustainability. All of these decisions should be made by the client, and the fire protection engineer can help provide their clients with information and options.
Some of this may appear to lead to overly conservative designs and hence not be sustainable; however, if future flexibility can be increased, the lifespan of a building can be increased and hence its sustainability. All of these decisions should be made by the client, and the fire protection engineer can help provide their clients with information and options.
References:
- Building Code of Australia, Australian Building Codes Board, Canberra, 2009.
- NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA, 2009.
- McGrattan, K., et al. Fire Dynamics Simulator (Version 5) User's Guide, NIST Special Publication 1019-5, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 2009.
Monday, December 10, 2012
'Tis the Holiday Season for Fire Safety
Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire.
Your Christmas Tree is likely the centerpiece of your holiday decorations and its a fun family tradition every year. However, surprisingly that Christmas tree can be unsafe.
To make sure your Christmas and the rest of the holiday season merry and bright, but above all safe. Follow these tips for Christmas tree decorating and holiday lights.
- If you have a natural Christmas tree, make it's a container that holds water and water it so it won't dry out.
- Do not place your Christmas near wall space heaters, coal or wood burning stoves and fireplaces. And make sure it doesn't block any door ways or exits.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
- Always check the decorative lights wiring before putting it on the tree to insure that there isn't any lose or frayed wires. Also check each light socket for any damage and that the light bulb fits in properly.
- Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Try not to keep your Christmas tree lights and indoor/outdoor decorative lights on longer than necessary, especially unsupervised. And make sure you turn them off before you go to bed.
- Use a surge protector for all your lighting and don't overload the surge protector and any wall outlets you consider using. Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
- Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
My family and I want to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.
Our Best Regards,
The Chabre Family
Our Best Regards,
The Chabre Family
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Facts of Fire Sprinklers and Fire Systems
Fire Sprinkler System Facts
- The chances of a fire sprinkler head accidentally going off is extremely remote unless it's physically damaged.
- Fire sprinkler heads are heat-activated and smoke does not activate the fire sprinkler head.
- Each fire sprinkler head is rated for a certain degree depending on the building occupancy application.
- Each fire sprinkler discharges individually, all fire sprinklers do not set-off at once.
- Residential fires are more often than not controlled with one fire sprinkler head.
- 92% of all fires are controlled with six or fewer heads.
Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
The automatic fire sprinkler system is the most widely used fire protection system today. The whole philosophy of sprinklers is based upon the premise of applying the right amount of water in the seat of the fire, at the right time and as quickly as possible. Many ordinary hazard fire sprinkler systems for industrial and commercial buildings have a water tank and pump to guarantee adequate water flow and pressure. Most cities and counties provide adequate water supply for residential, industrial and commercial occupancies.
 |
| Semi-recessed Sprinkler |
There are several types of fire sprinklers:
Quick responseStandard response
Residential
ESFR
Quick, residential and standard response fire sprinklers release 8 to 24 gallons of water per minute as compared to a fire hose that releases from 50 to 125 gallons per minute.
 |
| Concealed Residential Sprinkler |
Each fire sprinkler head is rated for a certain degree (see chart below), depending on the occupancy application. As soon as the surrounding temperature reaches the rated degree the bulb or fusible link will burst and thus operate the flow of water in the fire sprinkler system.
 |
| Fire Sprinkler Head Chart |
Property losses are 87% less in residences with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers.
Water damage from a home fire sprinkler system will be much less severe than the damage caused by water from fire-fighting hose lines or smoke and fire damage if the fire goes unabated.
Two common types of fire sprinkler systems
A wet fire sprinkler system is commonly installed in areas where the ambient temperature is above 32 degrees F.
The fire sprinkler system is constantly charged with water under pressure. When a fire sprinkler head is activated water instantly flows on to the fire.
A dry fire sprinkler system is commonly installed in areas where the ambient temperature is at or below 32 degrees F.
The dry fire sprinkler system is constantly charged with compressed air, which holds the fire sprinkler valve in closed position. When a fire sprinkler head is activated, the air pressure is lost, the valve opens and water flows into the system to the open sprinkler head and on to the fire.
Testing and Certification of Fire Sprinkler Systems
The laws set forth by your local fire department and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) protect you by making sure that all fire related systems are tested at regular intervals to insure proper operation of that system.
Certification of automatic fire sprinkler systems in most jurisdictions should be certified annually. Check with your local Fire Department or local building code enforcement department.
Should I have my fire sprinkler system tested?
YES. Your local fire department will notify you as to when and how often this should be done. The minimum testing would be annually and the maximum would be quarterly. Check with your local Fire Department.
Who can test my fire sprinkler system?
Only a certified technician can test and certify your fire sprinkler system.
There are many publications that can provide further details of fire sprinkler systems. Also, visit your local fire department for free consultation and advise or contact the National Fire Protection Association, they have valuable pamphlets with lots of information. If you contact a fire sprinkler contractor check with the your state to make sure they are licensed, bonded and insured.
Remember "Fire Sprinklers Save Lives"
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