Residential Fire Sprinklers .com

Protecting Your Home & Family

Gold Coast News

A SURFERS Paradise apartment building hit by a fire last week did not have a sprinkler system, stairwell exhaust fans or hydrants on every floor, said firefighters.

The 22-storey International Beach Resort is one of a dozen buildings on the Gold Coast built before 1974 that do not have to comply with more recent fire safety legislation.

The blaze last Thursday night has sparked fears that a death in one of these older buildings could hurt the reputation of the city’s ‘rock solid’ high rises which do comply with legislation.

Guests who were evacuated from the high rise in The Esplanade on Thursday night were yesterday relocated to other accommodation as fire inspectors sought to determine the cause of the blaze and checked for damage.

Fire investigator Marcus Barrett said it appeared the fire, which started on the third floor and spread to levels four and five, was sparked by an electrical fault in the sub-distribution board.

Damage was confined mainly to electrical connections.

United Firefighters Union Gold Coast branch president Mark Gribble said the pre-1970s buildings were a safety hazard and made the job of evacuating and rescuing people ‘immensely difficult’. He estimated there were about 12 such buildings on the Coast.

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Fox41 WDRB

Jeffersontown’s fire chief plans to sue the state Thursday over a dispute involving residential sprinklers.

The issue is whether an ordinance passed by the city of Indian Hills can stand. The ordinance requires all new homes to have sprinkler systems.

But state officials say the ordinance must be rescinded because local governments cannot create building codes more stringent than state building codes.

Jeffersontown Fire Chief Jack Reckner says, “The term that’s used in the industry is mini/max, which means, minimum standards are indeed also maximum standards. But there was no wording in the state building code or the residential code. It simply isn’t there.”

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News-Leader.com

An early morning fire was quickly extinguished in a downtown loft apartment building today.

The fire, in the 400 block of South Jefferson, began on the stove and quickly spread to the cabinets while the residents were asleep, a news release from the city said. The smoke alarm sounded, alerting the residents, but the sprinkler system had already extinguished the fire. The fire was at the front of the apartment cutting off the residents’ means of escape, according to Fire Marshal John Marion.

“This makes a clear case for residential sprinklers,” Assistant Fire Chief Randy Villines said. “Without a functioning sprinkler system, the two occupants would most likely have perished.”

A recent study by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that fire sprinklers reduce deaths per one thousand fires by 77 percent. Villines went on to add that having a working smoke alarm is key in preventing fire deaths. A separate study by the NFPA shows that 50 percent fewer people die per one thousand fires in homes with working smoke alarms than those without one.

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By Sean Myers – Calgary Herald

Builders say changes to the provincial building code designed to improve fire safety will cost new homebuyers thousands of dollars and create as many problems as they solve.

The Alberta chapter of the Canadian Home Builders Association sent copies of its critique to its 1,500 members Tuesday, hoping to rally enough support to force the province to revamp the code again, before it’s implemented early next year.

“The challenge for us is the Alberta government didn’t follow the normal National Fire Code review process and didn’t give stakeholders the opportunity to take a real close look at it,” said Michael Nyikes, the association’s director of safety and technical services. “As a result, there might have been a couple things overlooked.”

One of the key changes the building association challenges is the new standard of installing a fire retardant material such as gypsum under vinyl siding.

According to Nyikes, industry analysts and technicians say the drywall material may slow the spread of flames but could also break down under Alberta’s weather cycles, trapping moisture and causing a potential mold problem.

“We may be solving one problem, but are we creating another problem?” said Nyikes.

The changes to the building code are aimed at averting fires that rapidly spread from building to building. Fire chiefs across the country have been calling for changes to construction standards they say have led to fires rapidly engulfing multiple homes, including several incidents in Calgary and Edmonton.

The new National Fire Code won’t be finished until 2010 — too long to wait, say Alberta fire officials.

“We’re very pleased with the revisions for the Alberta Building Code,” said Calgary fire Chief Bruce Burrell. “We’d like to see it done as rapidly as possible.”

Burrell said two fires on Aug. 17 that destroyed three houses and damaged another three in Citadel and Douglasdale were examples of the type of high-intensity blazes the new code is meant to avert.

The province took action to address building standards following a massive blaze in an Edmonton neighbourhood in July 2007 that destroyed nine duplexes and damaged another 76 homes.

The legislature passed the altered building and fire codes in May with implementation planned for January.

New rules include restrictions on windows; adding sprinklers on balconies, attics and patios in multi-family buildings; and using gypsum wallboard and heat detectors in residential garages.

“What we’re saying is here’s what we’ve seen in the fire industry and here’s what we can do about it,” said Burrell.

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The Record

KITCHENER — A fire at a Kitchener apartment building last night was contained thanks to a functioning alarm and sprinkler system.

Platoon chief Ron Taves said when firefighters arrived at the second-floor apartment at 25 Joseph St. at about 8 p.m., the sprinkler was keeping the fire under control.

A flourescent light fixture in the bathroom is believed to be the cause of the spark. The fixture has been sent for testing to determine the problem.

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By Valerie Hurst – KATU

PORTLAND, Ore. – A 57-year-old woman died and two others were injured early Wednesday when a mattress caught fire at a southwest Portland retirement community, authorities said.

The fire ignited in an apartment on the fourth floor of the Bronaugh Apartments at 1434 S.W. Morrison St. shortly after midnight, according to Kim Kosmas, a spokeswoman for Portland Fire & Rescue.

When firefighters arrived, sprinklers in the building were controlling the blaze, and crews were able to quickly extinguish it, Kosmas said.

Two people lived in the apartment; the woman died and another was rescued by another tenant, both of whom were taken to an area hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, Kosmas said.

Fire officials did not release the names of anyone involved.

The building was evacuated due to smoke that had filled the hallways, Kosmas said.

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A pot holder too close to a lit burner or a space heater left on overnight could be all it takes to start a home fire. In fact, cooking and heating are among the leading causes of home fires in the United States, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

That’s why fire departments across the country are teaming up with NFPA from October 5-11 to urge residents to prevent home fires during Fire Prevention Week. This year’s campaign focuses on preventing all the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating and electrical equipment, and smoking materials. Additionally, fire safety educators will be teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs.

According the latest research from NFPA, more than 2,500 people died in home fires in the United States in 2006, and 12,500 were injured. Fire departments responded to 396,000 home fires, which accounted for 80% of civilian deaths and 76% of injuries that year.

“While the number of home fires is daunting, the good news is that many are easily preventable when residents take simple steps to increase their safety from fire,” said Ryan Smith, President of Fire Smarts, LLC. “Whether it’s smoking outside the home, keeping space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, or staying in the kitchen when you are using the stovetop, there are easy things you can do to keep your home and family safe from fire.”

Do you know how to keep your home safe from fire hazards? Reviewing the following information and taking action can help you prevent home fires during Fire Prevention Week and year-round.

• Cooking: Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.

• Heating: Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.

• Electrical: Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords; use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.

• Smoking: If you smoke, smoke outside; wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

For more information on “It’s Fire Prevention Week – Prevent Home Fires!” visit www.firepreventionweek.org

View more articles for Fire Prevention Week

By Pete Bosak – Centre Daily Times

A fire that broke out in a bathroom fan Tuesday morning forced a temporary evacuation on Building J of Lion’s Crossing apartments at 201 Vairo Blvd.

A sprinkler system put out the fire in the third-floor apartment just before 8 a.m., limiting damage to the bathroom, said Steve Bair, of Alpha Volunteer Fire Company and the fire director for the Centre Region Council of Governments. Bair did not believe the tenants had to be displaced by the fire, due to the sprinkler system quickly putting it out.

One maintenance worker was treated for smoke inhalation after rushing to the apartment when the alarms sounded, Bair said.

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Bothell Reporter

One person sustained injuries during an apartment fire Friday, Aug. 22 at the Vintage Apartments in Silverdale. The facility’s sprinkler system extinguished the blaze and limited smoke and fire damage to the apartment of origin.

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue crews responded to the fire at 9:15 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters smelled smoke and discovered the building’s sprinkler system was activated. Firefighters pulled the central fire alarm station to evacuate the residents and upgraded the call to a commercial structure fire at 9:25 p.m. Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Services also responded, putting a total of 23 firefighters on scene.

Crews found the source of the smoke on the fifth floor of the 240-unit apartment complex and forced their way into the room. Firefighters made their way through thick smoke and found a person lying on the floor in the living room. The resident was transported to Harrison Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.

About 135 people evacuated the apartment complex and were outside for nearly two hours while firefighters conducted a systematic search of the facility to check for fire, water and electrical damage. Power was secured to 14 apartments directly impacted by water damage and determined uninhabitable until repairs have been made.

The American Red Cross was on scene to assist the 15 individuals displaced by the incident and all other residents returned to their apartments.

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By Statesman staff – Idaho Statesman

Ten homes were destroyed and nine homes were damaged by a grass fire that started at Amity and Holcomb roads around 7 p.m., Boise Police spokeswoman Lynn Hightower said. The homes destroyed are on E. Sweetwater Dr. and E. Immigrant Pass Ct.

Currently the fire is not under control but is beginning to calm, Hightower said. Gusty winds are causing spot fires to continue in the area.

Officials say about 41 fire crews are on the scene. Assistance has come from many fire departments throughout the Treasure Valley including Meridian, North Ada County, BLM, Kuna, Star, Melba, Gem County, Payette County, Nampa and Caldwell.

At least 50 homes were evacuated and officials say they are not letting homeowners back in their homes tonight. Displaced families should go to Trail Wind Elementary at 3701 E. Lake Forest Dr. for assistance. City officials are working with the Red Cross to assist those families evacuated.

Boise schools superintendent Dr. Stan Olson said school will open at Trail Wind Elementary and Les Bois Junior High Tuesday morning.

Seven Boise police officers who were taken to local hospitals to be checked for smoke inhalation appear to be OK and are being evaluated. The officers were conducting evacuations of the fire area when they were overcome by smoke. One Boise firefighter is being treated for a laceration on the hand that appears minor and is being transported by Ada County Paramedics to St. Luke’s for treatment.

“This was the perfect storm. We had high winds, high heat and shake roofs. It was jumping from roof to roof,” Doan said.

“Its a nightmare,” said Chris Taylor, who evacuated her home on Immigrant Pass.

Taylor was at work when her son, a senior at Timberline High School, called at about 7 p.m. and said, “Mom, the side of the ridge is on fire. We left and came back and got the dog because we’re not sure we’ll have to evacuate.”

About 15 minutes later he called her back and said, “We have to evacuate.” Taylor said.

“Who told you that?” Taylor asked, and he said, “The fire department.”

The Taylors were able to save photo albums, computers and their two dogs and cat.

When their shake roof caught on fire, Walt Taylor jumped up with a hose and wet it down.

“Wow. Crazy,” he said. “Two houses behind ours just went up.”

The fire department took over for Taylor so he could leave.

While he thinks the house may have been saved, he doesn’t think they’ll be living in it for a while.

Chris Taylor said they plan to spend the night at a friend’s house and wait until morning to see damage.

As residents of the Homestead Rim subdivision saw the fire coming down the ridge toward them, they got out equipment, including a brush hog, and began clearing out brush along the wooden fences that line the neighborhood. Everytime the fire would go further down the ridge, they would retreat, wait until it calmed down then tackled the fire again.

People in the area also turned on sprinklers to wet down the area, doing what they could to act as their own firefighters.

Brian McMaus works at NFIC but also lives in Homestead Rim. He credited his neighbors with saving the subdivision, “They got that line in just in time.”

Just before the fire got close enough to reach their line, Boise firefighters arrived and began cutting a larger line. Trey Glineski, who works for BLM, was driving a bulldozer and took a wide swath of brush out. “The guy went right through that fire with that thing,” said Bruce Fast, a Homestead Rim resident.

Jenifer Pfautsch knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight so she came down to Trailwinds Elementary to help out with the displaced.

She had been celebrating her birthday at home with her kids, when she noticed the dog and cat were acting strange.

Pfautsch opened the window, and smoke came in. They grabbed a few things, but had to leave the cat behind.

There are only two ways out of Columbia Village, and one was blocked off. At one point traffic wasn’t moving, and that was scary, she said.

“You never think when you live in a subdivision with 1,000 homes that you’re going to be evacuated,” Pfautsch said.

The Rowe family moved to a house on E. Aphrodite Drive just 2.5 months ago. Monday evening Kari Rowe got a call from her realtor who said a house they had looked at earlier was on fire.

“Black came up all the way around the yard … But it didn’t cross the fence,” Rowe said. She was standing in the street with her daughter, Kimmie. “I’d rather have a stinky house, than no house,” she said.

Rowe was standing in her yard, watering down the house, when a firefighter walked up to her. He put his arm around her and told her they had a good line behind the house and that he thought it would be ok. Then she burst into tears.

Idaho Power has one transmission line that comes into Boise from Mountain Home which is out because of the fire, but it shouldn’t affect delivery of power to the area, said company spokesman Russ Jones.

“The Boise Bench substation is in the vicinity of the fire, but BLM is protecting that facility in the fire goes in that direction,” Jones said.

Fire officials said all available Boise firefighters and equipment are on the scene. Several calls were made to help replenish oxygen and water.

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