Update on Antifreeze Sprinkler Systems

In August of 2010, NFPA banned all new installations of Antifreeze Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies.  This is due to a number of incidents where the antifreeze system did not suppress the fire but unfortunately caused the mixture of Antifreeze and Water to flash-over or flame up.

When NFPA banned the antifreeze systems in new installations, it began to research into the possibility if antifreeze solutions do pose a hazard to the public safety.   This research was broken into two phases.   NFPA has finished both phases of research and is currently reviewing the results and applying any code modifications.

An update from NFPA regarding this issue can be found at: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//Antifreeze.safety.alert.Aug.2010.pdf

A copy of the Research Final Report can be found at: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/RFAntifreezePh2.pdf

New Potter Product: Potter Air Vent and Automatic Air Release

Potter has just announced the only UL-listed air vent for fire sprinkler systems in the industry. Reducing the amount of air in a fire sprinkler system is essential to help protect the system piping from the effects of corrosion that is often found at the air/water interface in the fire sprinkler system piping.

The newly updated Potter Automatic Air Release (PAAR-B) utilizes the PAV and automatically eliminates air trapped in pressurized sprinkler systems.

The Potter Air Vent (PAV) is listed for Fire Sprinkler Branch line applications per UL subject 2573 -- "Automatic Air Release Valves for Fire Protection Service".

More info at: http://www.pottersignal.com/news_sprinkler_PAVPAARB.aspx

West Kelowna garage up in flames

West Kelowna fire officials are in the process of trying to determine why a garage attached to a home on Gregory Road went up in flames Friday morning. "Basically when we arrived it hadn't broken through the roof yet, but there was lots of heavy smoke coming out of all the eaves," says Klonteig. "Crews gained entry (to the garage).

Assistant Fire Chief, Kerry Klonteig, says they were alerted to heavy smoke and flame coming from the garage area of the home. It originated in the back side of the house, flames went up the exterior of the building then got into the eaves and the attic area.

The fire also got into the eaves in the front of the house.

 Read more: http://www.castanet.net/news/West-Kelowna/57731/West-Kelowna-garage-up-in-flames

Fire engulfs Langley mushroom farm

An early-morning fire at a Langley mushroom farm has destroyed a massive barn and thousands of mushrooms.
 
The 3,700-square-metre barn was largely engulfed in flames when crews arrived, according to Rob Clausen, assistant fire chief for the Township of Langley.

Clausen could not comment on the cause of the fire, which is still under investigation, but said that past mushroom barn fires in Langley have been accidental.  "The way mushroom barns are constructed, there are multiple growing areas inside --- and lots of dividing walls."  Firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses and outbuildings, Clausen said.

© Copyright (c) The Province

Esquimalt resident escapes from burning home

OCT 19 -- An Esquimalt resident managed to escape a burning home early this morning after his kitchen caught on fire. He had been cooking when his stove went up in flames, the fire department said. Firefighters re-entered the house and tackled the blaze located above the stove. The fire was quickly under control and fire crews removed the blackened stove from the home.

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Esquimalt+resident+escapes+from+burning+home/3695835/story.html

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

Body found after garage fire

NORTH DELTA - A man's body was found in a mechanic's garage in North Delta after firefighters extinguished a fire there late Monday afternoon. Police barricaded the small shop at 11945 94th Ave. with yellow police tape and a constable kept guard while mechanics from nearby garages milled about.

Delta police Sgt."At this time the Delta police are treating the death as suspicious and maintaining the scene as a crime scene until it can be determined otherwise through autopsy results and further follow-up investigation," Brooks said.

Full story: http://www.thenownewspaper.com/Body+found+after+garage+fire/3696171/story.html

Fire at Alberta Hospital causes $200,000 damage

A burning loveseat forced the evacuation of 106 patients at the Alberta Hospital Sunday night. An employee in building 12 at the psychiatric hospital smelled something burning around 9:30 p.m. and walked through the building. The blaze damaged a loveseat, some chairs and curtains, while causing heat damage to a wall and light smoke damage to the building. The patients were evacuated to another building at the hospital.

Full story at: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Fire+Alberta+Hospital+causes+damage/3688227/story.html

Wittmeier, Brent . "Fire at Alberta Hospital causes $200,000 damage." (2010): n. pag. Web. 18 Oct 2010.

Fire Prevention Month special!!

Active Fire & Safety Services Ltd is offering a 10% Discount on all Fire Safety Plans valid from October through to November, 2010.

• Custom plans and project specific manuals for commercial, residential and industrial projects.
• We have an excellent rapport with all local fire departments throughout the lower mainland.
• Rush jobs are welcome.
• Details and info avaliable at www.activefire.ca

Home Plumbing and Fire Sprinkler Combination Saves Cost and Installation Time

A growing number of new-home builders are choosing multipurpose fire sprinklers over traditional standalone or independent systems because of their affordability and ease of installation.

In the 15 years since Prince George's County enacted a residential fire sprinkler ordinance, there has not been one single fire fatality in a home with sprinklers, compared to more than 100 deaths in homes without this protection.

"It's important to realize that not all fire sprinkler systems are created equal," says Jayson Drake, senior product manager, Plumbing and Fire Safety, for Uponor North America. "The same plumber who installs the kitchen sink can install the fire sprinklers, saving builders time and expense," explains Drake, whose company has been manufacturing such systems for more than a decade.

As more states require this life-safety technology, costs of both standalone and multipurpose fire sprinkler systems are expected to decline.

Read the full story here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/home-plumbing-and-fire-sprinkler-combination-saves-cost-and-installation-time-104938719.html

Winterization Fire Sprinklers

It is forecasted to be an El Nina year, so that means colder than normal temperatures.   It’s always important to ensure that your sprinkler systems have been properly maintained. Sprinkler systems come in a variety of types of systems however the two most common types are Wet and Dry Sprinkler Systems.

Wet Sprinkler Systems have water running through the pipes on a constant basis. These systems must be kept in areas with temperatures above freezing or the water could potentially freeze, expand and cause major problems. All building areas containing a Wet Sprinkler System should be kept at a minimum 15 degrees Celsius.

Dry Sprinkler Systems, use an air compressor and valve system to ensure that there is only air in the pipes while the sprinkler system is not in use, when a head is broken the valve system allows water to enter the pipes. Dry Sprinkler Systems are great for parkades and any exposed areas that require sprinkler coverage.   

To properly winterize you should do and have a contractor perform the following steps:

1)  All Drum drips should be drained of all excess water and moisture, and valves properly set in position.
2)  All valve rooms must be heated, ensure that all heating systems are operational and functioning and will       continue to do so for the remainder of the winter.
3)  Priming system must be drained to proper levels.
4)  The Air Compressor should be inspected to ensure that it is functional and it’s life will extend beyond the winter. 

(Since colder air contracts in the cold, the air compressor will always be working harder during the winter) Following these simple steps can prevent thousands of dollars of damage from happening due to the colder temperatures.

Three Fires in North Delta

Last Monday, North Delta firefighters fought three house fires on Monday - two during the daytime and one at night. North Delta firefighters fought a third house fire in the 9400-block of 118th Street and one resident was sent to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The first fire happened in the 8200-block of 114th Street, in the garage part of a house. Then, Delta firefighters and police were called to a house fire in the 9200-block of 119A Street and managed to contain it to the front door area and extinguished it before it spread.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Three+fires+North+Delta/3628260/story.html

Fire Prevention Week

As British Columbia wraps up Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Sunday, Oct. 9, the provincial government is requesting British Columbians to test their smoke alarms and have a home fire-safety plan.  Fire Prevention Week is an annual event during the week of Oct. 8, the date of one of the most significant fires in North America, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed 10 square kilometers of Chicago.

Earlier this year, the province introduced new regulations under the B.C. Fire Code requiring every private dwelling, hotel and motel room in the province to be equipped with functioning smoke alarms.

Homeowners are also asked to check the manufacture date on installed smoke alarms. The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home.