Posts Tagged: Building Codes
Standpipe Crowding
The picture shown is a stand pipe in a hotel. I went to ice in the hotel I was staying in and this was right next to the ice machine. I didn't measure it, but this standpipe would be very difficult to connect to. Additionally, if we did get connected with hose only, there would certainly be a kink at the coupling, further reducing our pressure.
Read More »
Kitchen Suppression Dump Test and Suggestion
When these systems are designed they are equipment specific. Meaning that the flow points are determined by the type of cooking appliance and its location under the hood and suppression system. Moving or replacing any appliance requires reevaluation of the system and could mean an alteration to keep the system adequate.
Read More »
Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire; Final NIST Report Issued
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released its final report on its study of the June 18, 2007, fire at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., that trapped and killed nine firefighters, the highest number of firefigh…
Read More »
Type II Construction
So, what is Type II construction. The easiest way to define a Type II building is that is has the same structural characteristics as a Type I in that it is non-combustible construction. The major difference is that it is not protected.
Read More »
Collapse of Bowstring Truss Roof Seriously Injures Fire Fighter
[caption id="attachment_1367" align="alignleft" width="371" caption="Fire suppression operations on Alpha side prior to collapse. Firefighter is seen in the immediate collapse zone"][/caption]
The NIOSH Fire fighter Investigation and Prevention Progr…
Read More »
Type I Construction
We hear it all of the time in the fire service and many of us agree; we don't spend enough time training and learning building construction and fire behavior. So, in the spirit of practicing what I preach, here is a short lesson on Type I construction, or otherwise referred to Fire Resistive construction.
Read More »
Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems
Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems
Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems is a very useful manual that was developed and published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Departm…
Read More »
Residential Fire Sprinklers: A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH FOR COMMUNITIES
Residential Fire Sprinklers: A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH FOR COMMUNITIES
Residential Fire Sprinklers…A Step-By-Step Approach for Communities (Second Edition) – National Fire Sprinkler Association and International Association of Fire Chiefs – ha…
Read More »
Taking it to the Streets; “Redefining the Fire Ground” Rescheduled
[caption id="attachment_837" align="alignleft" width="579" caption="Taking it to the Streets with Christopher Naum"][/caption]
Wednesday Night’s Program has been postponed due to Emergent Server issues at BlogTalkRadio.
The Program has been r…
Read More »
Taking it to the Streets; “Redefining the Fire Ground” Rescheduled
Many would argue that the fire ground doesn’t need to be “redefined”; that the way we do business in the Streets is just fine and that the American Fire Service knows how to get the job done, at any cost.
Read More »
Taking it to the Streets; “Redefining the Fire Ground”
[caption id="attachment_1129" align="aligncenter" width="511" caption="Taking it to the Streets with Christopher Naum"][/caption]
For a Rockin’ Hot Time, Tune in this coming Wednesday night, November 3rd to FireFighter NetCast.com and Taking it to t…
Read More »
NIST Study on Charleston Furniture Store Fire Calls for National Safety Improvements
Major factors contributing to a rapid spread of fire at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2007, included large open spaces with furniture providing high fuel loads, the inward rush of air following the breaking of windows and a lack o…
Read More »
Whole New Meaning to Modular
Make it interesting and stop at a building and put up your ladder just for practice. Sit and consider the obstacles or water supply issues with a certain area or complex. Just get out and do it.
Read More »
Things Aren’t Always What They Seem
What you see in this picture is just a row of windows, right? Well, they are labeled, which is nice because if they weren't there could be big problems.
Read More »
Standpipe or Not?
Not all of the stairwells have standpipes in them. Most were typical connections with a valve and 2 1/2 inch connection. As you can see in this picture, this one was not a typical seen in a stairwell.
Read More »
Elevator Operations
This is a good video on operating a typical elevator. I understand that there are many different types of elevators and different operating methods, but most are very similar to this. You can have different types of keys but the systems should be pretty standard.
Read More »
Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire Remembered
These factors are all too familiar. We see the same failures in these large loss of life fires in assembly occupancies. We sometimes take our inspections and prevention activities lightly because it is not "fun" or interesting to some. Remember these fires and the lives that have been lost because of poor prevention measures and a lack of life safety measures in these buildings.
Read More »
Cleveland School Fire of 1923
That night 77 people lost their lives at a school event that should have ended with celebration and refreshments. Instead the community was tasked with finding the bodies of those who did not make it out.
Read More »
False Exterior Walls
Not only will it hamper rescue efforts, performing ventilation or suppression from this side of the building would be challenging at best.
Read More »
Addresses on Inspections
Then I look at my list and see the same numerics on another inspection form with a different business name. This is what I find.....
Read More »
Light Fixtures?
Now, let's say that you get a call for an "odor of" or something similar that makes you check the attic. You pop open the hatch and here you have this.
Read More »
Light Weight Strip Malls
As you look at this building you can see that it seems to be a series of stores or spaces in a commercial building. Most likely a strip mall type building.
Read More »
Fire Stopping Pillows
Basically, the way that these pillows work is that when they are heated, they expand (the plastic will melt away) and fill the void. This maintains the fire rating and prevents fire from spreading and smoke spread is contained.
Read More »
Making Sure Beams Fail
Steel will deform and twist and this beam will meet little, if any, resistance during a fire. I understand that a pocket of concrete will not keep this beam from dislodging, but it there is a reason for properly pocketing these beams.
Read More »
Heavy Timber and Open Junction Boxes
These old buildings are almost extinct and most that are still around are not occupied anymore. But, the one's that are still need to follow the code. Take a look at the heavy timber construction and the open junction boxes.
Read More »
