Tag Archives: Carbon monoxide detector

ORNL Physicist Creates Smarter, Safer Smoke Detector Technology

January 22, 2012 By in News Tags: , , , , , , , 2 Comments

A physicist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a new smoke alarm technology that could help save lives. The device can differentiate between nuisance smoke, like that from a burnt piece of food, and actual danger in a room.

Bruce Warmack said his design is smarter, safer, and hopefully won’t drive homeowners crazy by chirping at unnecessary times.

“The important thing is, if it is a nuisance, it knows that… then it knows to be quiet,” he said.

The technology fits inside a small micro-controller, about the size of a pinky nail. That piece can analyze a room for normal levels, or detect different types of smoke.

According to The National Fire Protection Association, from 2005-2009 more than one-third of all home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms, while one-quarter resulted from fires in homes in which smoke alarms were present but did not operate.

“Sometimes people will place a smoke detector in a kitchen area where smoke comes up from the stove and it sets off every night at suppertime,” said KFD Captain D.J. Corcoran “It becomes a nuisance. So what they’ll do, is take that battery out, and that’s that last thing we want them to do.”

Warmack calls the technology “linear discrimination analysis,” a mathematical technique that differentiates between different types of smoke. The alarm can tell if someone has burned food, or if the situation has escalated to smoldering fire or flames.

The device also includes a carbon monoxide detector, as well as a lower-frequency tone. He said the sound is easier for young children and elderly people to hear.

Warmack hopes companies will see the benefit of this technology and put it on the market.

“We want to make this knowledge public for the manufacturers to compete with one another and to present the public with the best technology that’s out there,” he said.

Until that point, he simply hopes the devices fully serves its purpose: to save lives.

“I’d love to have a hand in saving a few lives, and this has a really good potential of doing that.”

Source:Jennifer Meckles WBIR

Fire Prevention News: Weekly Roundup – November 30, 2011

November 30, 2011 By in Fire Prevention, Firefighter Training & Safety, News, NFPA, Personal Safety, Public Safety, Training, Workplace Safety Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Selected Fire Prevention related articles appearing in the past week from scores of e-sources in the news media. Updated each Monday morning.

Campaigns / Other Fire Prevention Efforts

  1. Campus Fire Safety
  2. Inspections/Code enforcement
  3. Smoke Alarms
  4. Sprinklers
  5. Wildland Fire Safety
  6. Other Fire Safety News
  7. Smoke Alarm Saves
  8. Sprinkler Saves
  9. International News

Links to Fire Prevention-related news articles – Updated 11/28/2011

Campaigns/ Other Fire Prevention Activities

  1. Warm reception for smoke alarms
  2. Holiday fire safety campaign kicks off
  3. Three Tulsa fires related to faulty heating equipment The Tulsa Fire Department is taking Monday’s heater-related fires as an opportunity to stress the importance of fire safety. There were three separate instances of fires related to heaters, according to TFD Spokesman Stan May…
  4. Morgantown Code Enforcement Office Provides Free Smoke Detectors - The Morgantown Code Enforcement Office is already in the giving spirit thanks to a grant from local stores. It’s giving smoke detectors to residents who need one but can’t afford it. “We do it this time of year …
  5. Youngstown Fire Department giving away smoke detectors
  6. Keep the wreath green fire prevention. Local fire departments have a unique program to encourage fire safety. Here’s how it works: anytime a fire happens in one of the participating communities a green bulb is removed from the wreath on display outside the fire stations and replaced with a …
  7. Students learn about fire safety – UK
  8. Project SafeOklahoma – Local residents can get free smoke detectors
  9. As temperatures drop, fireplace safety is key – “Make sure you have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and be sure to change the batteries in them twice a year,” Kennedy said. The Algonquin-LITH department offers smoke alarm inspections as part of their 100 Percent Club program. …
  10. NeighborWorks offers home fire safety class – NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources will hold a class on “Fire Safety for your home” on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 5:30 pm, at its office at 795 Main St. in Deadwood. The one-hour class for the public will be hosted by the Deadwood Volunteer Fire …
  11. Firefighters deliver pizza, check home smoke alarms; Residences with working … the delivery was part of a partnership between local fire departments, Domino’s and the National Fire Prevention Association. “We are excited to be working with Domino’s Pizza to promote good fire safety precautions by rewarding residents who have …
  12. San Rafael firefighters, Rotary plan installation of smoke/CO detection devicesThe San Rafael Fire Department and the Mission San Rafael Rotary Club are teaming up to install for free a combination photoelectric smoke alarm/carbon monoxide alarm device in the homes of local seniors. The Rotary Club is making a list of seniors to …

Campus Fire Safety

  1. Emporia State fire tragedy calls for fire education – On a busy college campus like Emporia State University , fire safety is not always the first thing on students’ minds. “I think that a lot of times we just get so busy that we don’t think about it,” said Stephanie Wren, a sophomore. …
  2. ESU to launch campus fire safety program – Emporia State University and the Emporia Fire Department are partnering up in an effort to increase fire safety awareness among college students. ESU officials say, they hope that something positive can come out of a recent tragedy. …

 

Inspections / Code enforcement

  1. Law to help douse odds of school bus fires The Citizens for Fire Safety Institute, a California-based national fire safety advocacy group, supported the law , which raises standards that had not been updated since the 1960s. “Regardless of those statistics,” said CF SI spokeswoman Lydia Pelosi, …
  2. Private Hydrant Malfunctions During Apt. Blaze – The West Metro Fire Protection District has issued a Notice of Fire Code Violation to management at the Timberleaf Apartments in Lakewood after one of the complex’s private hydrants malfunctioned during a major fire Sunday. A few minutes later, …
  3. Deadly Station nightclub fire continues to generate new safety measures All establishments that hold a liquor license, or any large entertainment halls that fire safety officials say could get rowdy, must follow two guidelines: The establishments must train and test “crowd managers,” at least one for every 250 occupants. …
  4. Egg Harbor Township to add community-owned fire hydrants to inspection rolls Swartz said international fire code requires all hydrant owners to go through that process. But it is up to the municipalities to ensure the work gets done, he said. For some municipalities, Swartz said, that’s easier said than done, since many private …

 

Smoke Alarms

  1. San Rafael firefighters, Rotary plan installation of smoke/CO detection devicesThe San Rafael Fire Department and the Mission San Rafael Rotary Club are teaming up to install for free a combination photoelectric smoke alarm/carbon monoxide alarm device in the homes of local seniors. The Rotary Club is making a list of seniors to …

Sprinklers

  1. N.J. Assembly panel advances home sprinkler system measure
  2. A cautionary tale – Demonstration shows benefits of home sprinkler system
  3. Cape Councilman says: Home Fire Sprinklers will save lives
  4. VA Confirms Sprinkler Mandate for Nursing Homes The codes are NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers; NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities; NFPA 101; and NFPA 101A, Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety. For more information, contact Brian McCarthy, Office of Patient Care …
  5. Chief fire officer in the United Kingdom issues call for home fire sprinklers Fire sprinklers can save lives and should be put in all new home construction, says Des Prichard, Chief Fire Officer of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. According to a report in the Eastbourne Herald, Chief Prichard has given his full support to the National Fire Sprinkler Network which is appealing for fire sprinklers to be fitted in all new-build residential properties.

Wildland Fire Safety

  1. Nevada resources for post-fire safety and pre-fire preparedness
  2. GAO links 30 Ariz. wildfires to immigrants
  3. Out-of-season wildfire triggers safety concerns in Nevada Firewise tips can reduce a home’s risk from wildfire

 

Other Fire Safety News

  1. Thanksgiving Holiday Fire Safety – More home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year per the National Fire Protection Association. Statics from 2009 show that the number of cooking fires was three …
  2. Cooks warned of fryer fires With traditional holiday cooking methods being replaced by innovative techniques, area fire departments encourage a watchful culinary eye and working smoke detectors to ensure safe celebrations. Illinois ranks second in the nation for the…
  3. TODAY: Don’t let Thanksgiving go up in flames
  4. Fire marshal urges caution with heat sources
  5. Books can help ease children’s fire anxiety
  6. Commit A Minute To Safety This Holiday Season – Muppet Matters
  7. New Boston fire victims offer warning about prevention, stressful aftermath – During one of the state’s worst power outages, Jim and Pat Hansen ran a generator to keep their New Boston home humming. Jim stepped out of the shower the evening of Feb. 26, 2010, and smelled smoke. When he opened a bedroom door, …
  8. State Fire Marshal Issues Holiday Safety Information – Alabama
  9. Holiday fire safety tips of note – West Virginia
  10. Fire Safety for the Holidays Alaska State Fire Marshal David Tyler adds, “fire safe behavior can keep a fire from starting. Working smoke alarms, planning and practicing your fire escape plan and adding residential fire suppression sprinklers can ensure your family’s safety from a …
  11. Fire Marshal Urges Winter Heating Safety Remember to change smoke detector batteries, clean chimneys and operate heating equipment in a safe and correct manner. By Jamie M. Rogers Colder and shorter days don’t only mean it’s time to prepare for the much-anticipated holidays, it also means …
  12. A greener way for fire safety
  13. Home Heating Safety Tips to Prevent Fires
  14. Fire is a particular hazard in vacant buildings, Wichita officials warn
  15. Don’t be a turkey on Thanksgiving Day

 

Smoke Alarm Saves

  1. Residents escape early morning Greeley house fire Greeley — Smoke alarms helped eight people, including four sleeping children, safely escape a Greeley house fire early Monday morning. The blaze caused about $2500 in damage at the home in the 600 block of 23rd Avenue…
  2. Young boy, dad escape burning home He kicked in the bedroom door and pulled the boy out to safety. Both suffered minor burns but are otherwise OK. Smoke alarms were activated inside the house. The Red Cross is helping the family as it searches for a new place to live…
  3. Chimney fire damages wing of New Haven home – Homeowner Micah Heilveil, 38, was awakened by smoke detectors shortly after midnight and escaped unharmed from his house
  4. 2 Teenage Girls Escape St. Paul Fire
  5. Newly installed smoke alarms save 3 from Houston house fire – Anybody can contact their local fire department and get a smoke alarm ,” he said. “We’ll even come out and install them for you so they are in the right place.” Hartley said the smoke alarms have 10-year batteries so people don’t have to remember to …
  6. Cresaptown house fire highlights value of smoke alarms Thursday’s fire at 12826 Darrows Lane highlights the value of working smoke detectors, according to Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Chief Jeremy Athey. A family of six escaped the fire at about 6:30 am, after smoke alarms activated to awake
  7. SMOKE ALARM ALERTS CONDOMINIUM OCCUPANTSFirefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 30 minutes. A smoke alarm activated in the condominium, providing the occupants early warning to escape unharmed. Two adults have been displaced. Red Cross is providing assistance. …
  8. Family of Nine Escapes House FireThe fire was started by a pot left unattended on the stove, but investigators do not know if it was left unattended by the teenage boys. The parents had removed the smoke alarm because it kept going off while cooking. The fire was caused an estimated …
  9. Keizer family escapes burning home

 

Sprinkler Saves

  1. Fire hits Quarryville area plant A sprinkler system in the building activated, and contained the fire to one area, he said. The damage was mostly water damage. The cause of the fire is …
  2. Sprinkler stops dryer fire at hospital
  3. Sprinkler system prevents small fire at BGA from becoming major … – In an unusual incident, the air compressor that was part of the fire sprinkler system at Battle Ground Academy’s middle school gymnasium overheated …
  4. Sprinkler extinguishes apartment fire before firefighters arrive
  5. Culver Mill Fire Causes $93000 in Damage – quicklly doused by sprinklers
  6. Sprinkler System Contains Fire at SunOpta Ingredients Fire crews confirmed that smoldering product was contained to a filter receiving system. The facility’s fire sprinkler system had suppressed and contained the fire. Crews helped ventilate the building and employees were able to return to the facility …

Fire Prevention News: International

  1. Nottinghamshire firefighter says sprinkler systems should be mandatory – NOTTINGHAMSHIRE’S top firefighter has called for automatic sprinklers to be made compulsory in all new homes to save lives. Chief Fire Officer Frank Swann says the number of people who die or are injured in house fires will be significantly reduced if …
  2. Calls to make nursing home sprinklers mandatory – “We were quite shocked after the fire to find out sprinklers were not installed at this home. Without pre-empting the review, it would seem to us that they could save lives in many instances,” said policy officer Paul Versteege. …
  3. Sunderland burns victim Connor’s story travels Down Under A TRAGIC tale of a Sunderland schoolboy who suffered horrific burns is being used as part of a fire safety DVD – in Australia. An educational video put together by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service will be used down under, helping teach young teens …
  4. Campaign instils awareness of fire prevention in kindergarteners – Starting them young to deal with emergency situations is what Kelab 3K, a fire-safety club for kindergartens, is all about. Yesterday more than nine kindergartens took part in a fire prevention and awareness campaign at the …
  5. Chief fire officer in the United Kingdom issues call for home fire sprinklers Fire sprinklers can save lives and should be put in all new home construction, says Des Prichard, Chief Fire Officer of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. According to a report in the Eastbourne Herald, Chief Prichard has given his full support to the National Fire Sprinkler Network which is appealing for fire sprinklers to be fitted in all new-build residential properties.

Fire Prevention News: Weekly Roundup – April 26, 2011

April 26, 2011 By in Fire Hazard, Fire Prevention, Firefighter Training & Safety, News, NFPA, Public Safety Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Selected Fire Prevention related articles appearing in the past week from scores of e-sources in the news media. Updated each Monday morning.

  1. Campaigns / Other Fire Prevention Efforts
  2. Campus Fire Safety
  3. CO Detectors
  4. Inspections/Code enforcement
  5. Smoke Alarms
  6. Sprinklers
  7. Wildland Fire Safety
  8. Other Fire Safety News
  9. Saves
  10. International News

Campaigns/ Other Fire Prevention Activities

  1. Philadelphia Fire Department uses data to stop fires before they start Fackel said it also can use the data for several efforts, such as to provide those households with fire alarms or to send them direct-mail flyers about fire safety. Indeed, the data lets the fire department focus its fire-prevention efforts, …
  2. Fond du Lac Firefighters Deliver Pizzas and Smoke Detectors Responding to calls of a different nature, firefighters in Fond du Lac took up pizza delivery Wednesday night, hoping to educate Domino’s customers on fire safety by inspecting smoke detectors. “If the smoke detectors work and everything is set to go …
  3. Students learn cooking, fire safety – The dangers of cooking are in every place where the art is performed. Long the subject of jokes, pouring water on hot grease can be anything except funny. The Sealy Volunteer Fire Department showed Sealy High School chemistry and physics students why. ..
  4. Fire Department Offering Several Community Outreach Programs Topics will include fire safety, water safety, weather safety, bicycle and pedestrian safety, motor vehicle safety and much more. To learn more about any of these community outreach programs, or to register, please visit the Fire Department Web site at …
  5. Fort Edward prepares to roll out smoke detectors won by students in national … Fort Edward firefighters could have a busy schedule in upcoming weeks, thanks to awareness efforts led by an eighth-grader. Money teenager Caitlyn Hunt won through the national Pepsi Refresh Project contest funded 150 new smoke detectors …

Campus Fire Safety

  1. Students lobby at Capitol For example, funding could provide for the installation of fire sprinklers, which are currently absent in 61 percent of Greek housing across the nation. Every week throughout the country, two off-campus fires arise, but no deaths ever have been …
  2. Normal Fire Department fights flames at Illinois State fraternity house Groves added that the home didn’t have sprinklers. He says the home was scheduled to be retrofitted for sprinklers this summer.
  3. Desks removed because of fire hazard After two days of students using the desks, the Fire Marshal determined the amount of the large desks in two of the classrooms to be a fire hazard. With the amount of desks necessary to hold the amount of students within the course, the larger desks …
  4. ASSE Offers Campus Fire Prevention Safety Tips – According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), US fire departments responded to an estimated 3570 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks in 2003-2006. In light of the fraternity house fire at Illinois …

CO Detectors

  1. Nothing to report

Inspections / Code enforcement

  1. Proposed fire code changes may help attract businesses – The vote is still two weeks away, but proposed changes to the Independence fire code received plenty of feedback and discussion Monday night. Local fire officials, along with City Council members, …
  2. Vacant and Abandoned Building Marking Systems Our fire prevention bureau performs the inspection on a vacant or abandoned building, and files the report with the local construction subcode official. An additional copy of this report is given to the responders, and the information is updated into …
  3. Bellevue senior-care facility warned of fire code violations“The alarm system must alert an outside agency with a 24-hour dialer on the system that calls 911,” Beaver said. Beaver said the building also did not have strobe lights and smoke detectors in every room and that Burpee recently submitted plans to the …
  4. Fire Department loses housing inspections in new city plan Regulatory services will oversee the inspections program “for a period of two years, or as determined by the City Council,” Hodges’ amendment states, and an independent audit will be conducted of the Fire Department’s inspection program in the second …
  5. Renters want stronger code enforcement The city is looking at allocating grant money to fund an additional code enforcement position for two years. Barrett says the Fire Department made more than 500 inspections in 2010 but he would like to make the overall inspection process more …
  6. Amish have trouble with government rules The non-profit Becket Fund for Religious Liberty sued Middletown, NY, on behalf of 12 Amish residents who said their religious rights were violated by building codes requiring smoke detectors, certain window sizes and specific types of lumber. …

Smoke Alarms

  1. Pastor’s death raises questions about smoke detectors – Many of us think testing a smoke detector is as simple as pushing a button and listening for the beep. But that’s not necessarily the case, and investigators say it may have been a factor in a fire that killed a Grand …
  2. Why you should have a smoke alarm In both the Finley house fire last week and the Ellensburg duplex fire over the weekend, smoke alarms were missing batteries. Firefighters say more than half of the house fires they respond to don’t have working smoke alarms, and it is a huge problem. …
  3. Firefighters Stress the Basics of Fire Safety They are also frequently seeing homes with missing or dead batteries in smoke alarms. “These fires are preventable and often survivable, yet they continue to result in tragedy,” stated Fire Marshal Jakki MacLean. “We need to understand that fire can …
  4. Firefighters give out smoke detectors – There have been five fire-related deaths in Terre Haute so far this year. That’s why the Fire Department reached out to the community Saturday. Recent fire tragedies caused the Terre Haute Fire Department to take action in …

Sprinklers

  1. Home fire sprinkler systems a practical investment – If you’re building a new home, you will likely spend thousands of dollars in upgrades designed to make your home more beautiful. Carpet, cabinet and lighting upgrades can easily drive up the total cost of the home significantly. …
  2. Citation Issued for Faulty Sprinklers in N.C. – Fire investigators have concluded the sprinklers were not working during a four-alarm fire at an Uptown apartment complex this week, and one legal expert said that makes lawsuits more likely. “In our society, when there’s negligence — and that means …
  3. Volunteer firefighter in Pennsylvania responds to vote on sprinklers In response to an editorial regarding the recent House vote to repeal the mandate for sprinkler system installation in all new construction, volunteer firefighter Pat Egan indicated that those in support of the the bill often inflate the cost of sprinklers to validate their case for anti-sprinkler legislation. “It has never been more affordable to protect your life, home and belongings from fire damage.” says firefighter Egan. “Gone are the days of ugly pipes running across the ceiling.…
  4. Independence sprinkler code could change – That is true even though the firefighters steadfastly support sprinkler systems, Klick said. “It is proven that fire sprinklers save lives,” Klick said. When answering fire calls, he added, “we have a very short time window when conditions inside these …
  5. Greeley Council nixes required indoor sprinklers – The Greeley City Council tonight eliminated a requirement they had previously approved for sprinklers to be installed inside all new residential homes in Greeley. The city two years ago adopted new guidelines to require sprinklers as of Jan. 1, 2011. …
  6. Home fire sprinkler systems a practical investment The reality is that for the same amount of money it would cost to upgrade your carpet or cabinets, you could install a life-saving fire sprinkler system. On average, the cost to install a fire sprinkler system in a new home is 1 to 1.5 percent of the …
  7. Sprinklers in homes can reduce damage and even save lives – You’ve seen fire sprinklers in commercial buildings with silvery heads spotted across the ceiling ready to shower the area with water. The fire -suppression system has protected many commercial and …
  8. Corbett will sign repeal of mandate for home sprinklers – Advocates for sprinkler systems argued that the technology saves lives of not only residents but firefighters, too. Single-family dwelling fires resulted in the highest fire death rates, …
  9. Gov. vetoes sprinkler bill Brian Schweitzer on Monday vetoed a Bozeman lawmaker’s bill that would have prohibited state building codes from requiring fire sprinklers in some residential buildings. House Bill 307, by Republican Rep. Tom Burnett of House Dist. …
  10. Delaware government: Sprinkler proposal on New Castle County Council agenda A controversial plan to require sprinkler systems in new homes and town houses goes before New Castle County Council on Tuesday. Fire companies are expected to make their case for requiring sprinklers in new homes, while county home builders are likely …

Wildland Fire Safety

  1. Preparation is key to fire prevention – This wasn’t exactly the “Welcome to Austin” that Steven Schrage was hoping for. The former New Yorker who moved to Austin just three months ago lost most of his backyard in the fires that devastated the Oak Hill section of Southwest …
  2. Prepping your property for fire Arizona Firewise, a cooperative effort of state and federal forest, wildfire and wildlife organizations, has published a booklet called “Living With Wildfire: Homeowner’s Firewise Guide for Arizona” to help educate residents about how to lessen the …
  3. Week designated for wildfire awareness According to Mark Hansen, Michigan State University Extension wildfire specialist and co-coordinator for Michigan’s Firewise Communities Project, many of those fires occur in the spring, partly due to dead vegetation that remains after the snow melts, …
  4. CalFire Is Offering Free Defensible Space Inspections For Home CalFire is now offering free defensible space inspections to get your home closer to being fire-proof . State law requires homeowners to create one hundred feet of defensible space around your home, which is the distance between your house and a fire. …
  5. Woodlands Community is ‘Firewise’ – Texas – A single community in southeast Texas has earned the distinction of being “firewise.” Simply put, that means residents of Windsor Hills in the Woodlands have done everything they can to protect their community from flames. …

Other Fire Safety News

  1. Outdoor fireplaces may pose fire threat Sunjoy Industries has recalled about 20400 freestanding steel outdoor fireplaces sold exclusively at Lowe’s stores due to a fire hazard. The decorative bronze powder coat finish on the fireplace chimney can ignite during use, posing a fire hazard to …
  2. Texas Fires Could Happen Anywhere: 5 Fire Safety Tips But if there’s any good in this tragic situation it’s that such fires remind us all about the importance of fire safety. So, I’ve compiled a list of 5 fire safety tips you might want to make sure your family is following…
  3. Firefighters Stress the Basics of Fire Safety In light of the recent fire casualties in Washington, the Yakima County Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding the public to get back to the basics of fire safety.
  4. Cooking fire-prevention tips from the chief Think fast: The fried chicken you are cooking on the stove has suddenly caught fire. Do you: a) throw water on it and hope for the best; b) grab your fire extinguisher from the garage and extinguish the flames; …
  5. Weird fire tales can help teach prevention How many of us have responded to fires that were caused by people doing stupid things? Put another way, how many of our fires were caused by intelligent rational thoughts? While we are tasked with educating our community …
  6. Fire hazard prompts massive candle recall - More than 7 million candles are being recalled because of concerns the cup holding the candle could melt or catch fire. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the tea lights were sold under the Chesapeake Bay Candle and Modern …
  7. Fire Safety for Children on the Autism Spectrum – Lately, much attention has been given to the problems of autism wandering and the risky interaction between autistic individuals and the police. A less discussed and equally important issue that combines elements of the other two is fire safety for …
  8. Easter Safety Tips From The El Paso Fire Department If cooking outside please take the necessary fire safety precautions when utilizing outdoor grills. — Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure all tubes and lines are not blocked. …

Saves

  1. Fire causes major damage to home; family members escape harm thanks to smoke alarm The smoke alarm sounded, waking the male adult occupant. The father was then able to reach his two teenage sons in a nearby bedroom and safely exit the home. No injuries were sustained. Damage to the interior and content of the home is estimated at …
  2. Candle Blamed For Binghamton Fire Fire Marshals say the house had working smoke detectors, which woke the couple up and helped them get out safely. The home was heavily damaged by the fire and water and the couple can’t live there right now, but the fire department says the house is …
  3. Kilbourn Fire responds to two house fires, river rescue Two people were home asleep when they were alerted by their smoke detectors and escaped the home unharmed. When the 17 firefighters and seven units arrived they found the house filled with smoke to such an extent it could not be entered without …
  4. Residential structure fire causes $2000 of damage Orange County EMS transported the apartment’s occupant to the hospital to receive treatment for smoke inhalation. The investigation following the fire found that neighbors woke the occupant after hearing a smoke alarm and attempted to put out the fire …
  5. Crews Put Out Mobile Home Fire West of Springfield Tuesday Night A Brookline fire spokesman tells KSPR that the fire started in the kitchen of the trailer, and spread to the bathroom. Crews were able to contain the flames to those 2 rooms. The home had working smoke detectors, and everyone who lived there made it …
  6. Two saved from fire; smoke alarm credited At least two lives were saved early Tuesday morning when the occupants of a Wildwood apartment complex were awakened by their smoke alarm, county officials said. Shortly after 4 am, Willie McCants was awakened by the sound of the smoke alarm in the …
  7. Small fire at Cobb County nursing home The sprinkler system helped prevent a fire from spreading Wednesday night at an east Cobb County nursing home. A ventilation fan in a bathroom caught fire and fell to the floor, igniting a floor mat and causing flames to spread to the …
  8. Sprinklers douse Siam Orchid kitchen fire No one was injured, and the flames were quickly extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system, according to the Concord Fire Department. Fire crews arrived on Main Street shortly after the building’s alarm system sounded, and safety inspectors stayed …
  9. Sprinkler douses afterhours in Coon Rapids restaurant fire Damage was minimal, about $1000 to property and contents, according to the fire department run report. “There was just minor smoke and water cleanup,” Williams said. The restaurant reopened for lunch April 15 following an inspection by the Anoka County …
  10. 12-year-old boy saves sister, house from fire Durham said that fire safety education in McKinney is stressed at elementary schools but that it’s taught to all ages, including to people in assistant living homes. It starts in preschool through the program, “Learn Not to Burn,” which teaches …
  11. Pontiac family escapes overnight house fire – A fire in a two-story home in Pontiac caused damage to the upper floor Thursday morning, but officials say a smoke alarm awoke a family of six and enabled them to escape the fire that was discovered around 12:30 am Two adults and four …

Fire Prevention News: International

  1. Fire safety plans at fatal blaze care home ‘seriously defective’ – FIRE safety plans at a residential care home where a blaze killed 14 residents were “systematically and seriously defective”, a fatal accident inquiry concluded today. The fire at Rosepark care home in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, broke out in a cupboard …
  2. Bushfire survey to target Hills residents … about topics including what the communities knew about bushfire safety prior to the fires, how they interpret and respond to messages the fire services send out before and during fires, and how communities understand their role in fire safety. …
  3. Why was fire risk ‘ignored’ at Rose Park? As exclusively reported in yesterday’s Evening Times, a Fatal Accident UInquiry found that the 14 elderly victims at Rosepark Care Home in Uddingston were let down by lax fire safety and faulty electrical installations which were never properly …
  4. WEYMOUTH: Free fire home safety checks This is all free of charge with the aim of encouraging residents to think about fire safety in the home. The new online form for requesting one of these home safety checks can be found at www.dorsetfire.gov.uk. Individuals need to fill out the form …
  5. Fire safety plea from surviving children’s father – The father of the two children rescued from a Kapiti house fire nearly two weeks ago speaks for the first time about the blaze that killed their Mum. The fire on April 13 gutted the Paraparaumu house on Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington, killing mother …

Fire Prevention News: Weekly Roundup – April 19, 2011

April 19, 2011 By in News, NFPA Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Selected Fire Prevention related articles appearing in the past week from scores of e-sources in the news media. Updated each Monday or Tuesday morning.

  1. Campaigns / Other Fire Prevention Efforts
  2. Campus Fire Safety
  3. CO Detectors
  4. Inspections/Code enforcement
  5. Smoke Alarms
  6. Sprinklers
  7. Wildland Fire Safety
  8. Other Fire Safety News
  9. Saves
  10. International News

Campaigns/ Other Fire Prevention Activities

  1. Preschool fire safety classes a hit with local kids The classes were part of Start Safe, a grant-funded US Department of Homeland Security program that provides materials for fire departments and preschool teachers to help educate young kids in fire safety. It includes a educational cartoon, …
  2. Only you, and this Scout, can prevent house fires During each of his inspections, Evan will check to make sure that the property has the appropriate number of smoke detectors, install new batteries, replace older smoke detectors with new ones and will go over basic home fire safety with homeowners. …
  3. Elderly Residents Learn Fire Safety A fire safety class was in session at one assisted living facility in Franklin County. The Russellville Fire Department conducted the safety class at the Village Square Apartments. Firefighters spent a day last week teaching the residents what to do …

Campus Fire Safety

  1. Mock dorm fire tests fire safety systems Known as “Oak Flame,” the event set two mock dorm rooms, which were constructed in Oak Lane, on fire to demonstrate the importance of sprinklers. The two rooms were built to model a real college dorm, complete with …
  2. Professors continue class through fire alarms Disorderly conduct includes the refusal “to obey an official order to disperse issued to maintain public safety in dangerous proximity to a fire, hazard, or other emergency.” According to Chief Willis, “it’s always a possibility” someone would be …
  3. Safety strides at UNC Greek houses help extinguish fire In addition to the sprinkler system, all Greek houses at UNC are inspected twice a year, and each house has its own student fire marshal. “I have no doubts that sprinklers in fraternity houses are a great idea,” said sophomore Justin Miller, …
  4. Fraternity volunteers to check on smoke alarms“Our intent here is to try to canvass a neighborhood where we’ve had an umber of fires since the beginning of the school year,” said Jim Patton, the Corvallis Fire Department’s fire prevention officer.

CO Detectors

  1. 11 hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning Officials said saving that many people from one place, on one tiny island, taxed the public safety of the community, and makes clear how even one working detector can save a lot of lives. “You need that early warning,” Coan said. …

Inspections / Code enforcement

  1. No Building Codes in Columbus Jct. There are state fire codes that cover rental properties, but officials say they rarely get enforced. Columbus Junction fire officials say the town is one of many in Iowa to not have building codes. Iowa is what’s called a “home-rule” state, …

Smoke Alarms

  1. Bill inspired by 17 News investigation one step closer to becoming law –  Four people were killed and 17 News later discovered the home was not required to have a working smoke alarm because it was built before 1976. Currently, California law says mobile homes built before 1976 don’t have to have smoke alarms unless they are …
  2. Fire marshal urges residents to install smoke detectors – Working smoke detectors are so instrumental in saving lives that a deal has been worked out to provide them for free. Nationwide, someone dies in a fire about every three hours. And in 40 percent of those blazes, there was no working smoke detector. …

Sprinklers

  1. Sprinklers don’t hold water in Fairbanks residential building rules – The city fire department, along with firefighter groups nationwide, says sprinklers should be required because they save lives and property. And the majority of fires occur in one- and two-family homes. “From my standpoint, having residential ..
  2. Fire sprinkler codes reverts to 2006 version due to complexity of 2009 version – The city code regulating automatic sprinkler systems is going back to the 2006 standards, instead of 2009 standards being used. City Manager Rod Swope admitted that the code is overly-complex and confusing for plan examiners, …
  3. Fatal fire fuels debate over sprinkler system – Those are the words printed in big red letters on the back of the Fritz Fire Protection Co.’s van parked recently at the Clouse family farm in Southwest Madison Twp. The farm is the site of a fatal fire in which seven of Ted and..
  4. Galena council votes to make residential sprinkler systems optional – Town council members voted unanimously last week to “opt out” of a regulation to require installation of residential sprinkler systems in new home construction in Galena despite heavy lobbying last month from firefighters to maintain the new …
  5. FREE ONLINE TOOL AIDS DECISIONS ON FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS FOR HOMES – NIST’s new, Web-based “sprinkler use decisioning” tool, developed by information technology specialist Priya Lavappa and economist David Butry, enables experts and non-experts alike to assess the cost-effectiveness of fire sprinklers for their …
  6. Pa. bill to repeal fire sprinkler law sent to governor – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has sent to Gov. Tom Corbett a bill to repeal the state’s fire sprinkler mandate for most new homes. The legislation, House Bill 377, would remove a requirement from the Uniform …
  7. Repeal of Sprinkler Law Likely – ” TV Politics as usual,” said Williamsport City Fire Inspector Sam Aungst. The likely repeal would dash the hopes of firefighters, like Aungst , who said the cost of installing sprinklers in new homes is relatively small, especially if they save lives. ..
  8. Tragic fire in Pennsylvania results in rebuild with sprinklers The tragic home fire that claimed the lives of seven children in Pennsylvania necessitated the construction of a new home for the surviving family members. Across the street from the remains of their farmhouse, a new home was being built that will be outfitted with a sprinkler system, among other safeguards. Ironically, the House recently passed HB 377, a bill that would repeal the current mandate for residential sprinklers in all new construction, and it now awaits final decision by the Governor.
  9. EATERIES SAY FIRE SPRINKLER COST COULD FORCE THEM TO CLOSE Several dozen Albuquerque restaurants are nearing a new deadline to retrofit their buildings with automatic fire sprinkler systems at a cost of $60000 to $100000 — a price tag some say could force them to close their doors. …
  10. April issue of the Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter now available! Our latest issue of the Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter features valuable information on the new Safety Alert issued by NFPA regarding antifreeze in sprinkler systems. Also, for our Faces of Fire campaign: Tonya Hoover, Acting State Fire Marshal in California, touts residential sprinklers in a new video, and a recently published Faces of Fire ad in USA Today was seen by millions.

Wildland Fire Safety

  1. Wink Recognized For Fire Safety Efforts – As many West Texas communities deal with devastation today, one local city was celebrating an accomplishment. Though The Texas Forest Service is busy with the fires sweeping across the state they still made time to stop in Wink where they …
  2. Briarcliffe Acres getting dirty for fire safety – The small town Briarcliffe Acres is now just one of only thirteen communities in South Carolina recognized as firewise ready, safeguarding themselves against fire like the Barefoot Fires that came too close for comfort. …
  3. Opinion: It’s time to reduce Del Mar’s fire hazard The Fire Department and the city do not want to abate property and prefer voluntary compliance, and past experience shows that forced abatement is a rare outcome of these programs. Fire safety is one of the highest priorities for this community, …
  4. Grass fire safety to be explored Saturday in Truro – A safety fair to raise public awareness about the dangers of burning grass and scrub brush will be held in Truro this weekend. Safe burning practices and protection of properties will be explored Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at the Truro Mall. …
  5. Sunday marks start of Wildfire Prevention Week in Minnesota; most wildfires … Larry Himanga, wildfire prevention coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources, encourages people to make a special effort to control their fires not only this week, but all year long. The No. 1 cause of wildfires in Minnesota is …

Other Fire Safety News

  1. Fire department offers spring safety tips Spring is a great time to assess your home’s fire prevention tools. Following these simple maintenance and prevention tips can help keep you and your loved ones safe. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working. …
  2. Active Leisure tents recalled due to fire hazard Hazard: The tents do not meet the flammability label claim on the unit, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Description: The recall includes Active Leisure 10′ by 10′ folding canopy tents. Item number 544803 is printed on the original packaging near the …
  3. State Fire Marshal Reminds All Of Clothes Dryer Safety The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. …
  4. Cub Cadet Recalls Riding Lawn Mowers Due to Fire Hazard Hazard: A fuel leak can occur near the rear mounting screws on the bottom of the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard. Description: The recalled 2011 Cub Cadet zero turn riding lawn mowers, intended for both commercial and private use, have yellow and black …

Saves

  1. Firefighters put out basement blaze in Millstone Twp. Smoke detectors alerted the homeowner to the fire, and the homeowner was able to safely evacuate the house and call 911, according to the Millstone Township Fire Department. Millstone firefighters, under the direction of Chief John Fiore, …
  2. 1 family displaced by fire Three other sustained water damage. When firefighters arrived, the fire was mostly extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system although heavy smoke was still present. Fire investigators have not said what caused the fire. No one was hurt.
  3. Smoke detectors save family from fire - A Dayton family and their three dogs are put out of their home after flames take over one bedroom. Fire crews were called to their house overnight in the 4500 block of Farnham Ave. The family woke up to smoke coming from one room …
  4. Free smoke detector program saved GI family’s lives – A free smoke detector saved the life a Grand Island family. Over the past year the Grand Island fire Department gave away and installed smoke detectors in more than a 1000 mobile homes. 1600 other smoke detectors were installed in the homes of Grand …
  5. Family escapes fire on second floor of their home A woman inside the home heard the smoke detector go off and was able to wake up her two children and get them safely out of the home. Fire crews say the flames sparked inside a bedroom closet. The second floor suffered $15000 in smoke and heat damage. …
  6. Residents Escape Morning House Fire The fire was in the bathroom of a single family dwelling and the two occupants of the home were awoken and made aware of the fire by the smoke alarms within the home. The fire was determined to have started in a bathroom fan. …
  7. Early morning Oxnard fire displaces family of six The fire in the single-family residence in the 4900 block of Clover Drive was discovered when one of the residents heard a smoke detector go off about 2:50 am, Oxnard Battalion Chief Gary Sugich said. The woman found the front bedroom was filled with …
  8. Little Girl Burned in Fire Called “Hero” To see her recuperate as rapid as she is from just Monday to today is a dramatic difference.” Doctors at Shriner’s Hospital says this really underscores the presence of working smoke detectors. They had them in Kylie’s home and they say it probably …

Fire Prevention News: International

  1. Firefighters clear house of smoke then give fire safety advice in the community … the fire had burnt itself out, and firefighters used fan equipment to deal with the smoke in the house. After the incident, they went into the local community, informing residents there has been a fire, and getting them to test their smoke alarms.
  2. Fire safety advice – use smoke alarms – In the vast majority of the thousands of house fires the New Zealand Fire Service is called to every year, the homes are not properly protected. In 80% of cases, they either do not have smoke alarms fitted or have smoke alarms which are not working …
  3. Cambridge firefighters tackle student safety message with social media The page aims to build up a rapport with the youngsters to encourage them to think more carefully about fire safety and evacuation. Students are an at risk group for the fire service as for many it is the first time they have lived away from home and …

Fire Prevention News: Weekly Roundup – April 11, 2011

April 11, 2011 By in Fire Prevention, Firefighter Training & Safety, News, NFPA, Public Safety Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Selected Fire Prevention related articles appearing in the past week from scores of e-sources in the news media. Updated each Monday morning.

  1. Campaigns / Other Fire Prevention Efforts
  2. Campus Fire Safety
  3. CO Detectors
  4. Inspections/Code enforcement
  5. Smoke Alarms
  6. Sprinklers
  7. Wildland Fire Safety
  8. Other Fire Safety News
  9. Saves
  10. International News

Links to Fire Prevention-related news articles – Updated 04/11/2011

Campaigns/ Other Fire Prevention Activities

  1. Sioux City Fire and Rescue Wants To Make Your Home Fire Safe Your home is probably your most cherished possession and losing it to a fire could be devastating. That’s why the Sioux City Fire & Rescue is trying to help make you and you’re home fire ready. The Department announced a new free three-step fire safety …
  2. Perkins firefighters to go door-to-door April 16 – The CDC reports that two-thirds of those lives could have been saved if a working smoke alarm was present in the home at the time of the fire . It is not uncommon for firefighters to find smoke alarms with batteries that do not work or batteries that …
  3. Preparing kids for fire safety Dr. Robert Cole, a psychology professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center and a nationally respected authority on teaching fire safety to young children, will conduct a workshop for hundreds of firefighters, preschool teachers and daycare …

Campus Fire Safety

  1. Fire in MU quickly doused – Newberg said the building’s lower level was closed throughout the morning. Mike Reichling of the Tempe Fire Department said the sprinkler system saved the building. The building’s system was upgraded following a fire in November 2007, he said.
  2. Nothing replaces a visual image’ Called Oak Flame 2011 and sponsored by Tech’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety, the project was designed to educate Tech students about fire safety as well as demonstrate the advantage of a sprinkler system, said organizer Tolga Durak. …
  3. Fire set in mock Virginia Tech dorm room The importance of smoke detectors and sprinkler systems has been taught as an important part of fire prevention for years. But for college students, sometimes seeing is believing. Two typical college dorms are set up on Virginia Tech’s campus. …
  4. Smoke alarms offered to college students Local fire departments will be tasked with going to the residence and properly installing the smoke alarms. In addition, a brief discussion on fire prevention and a survey form will be completed to conform to the requirements of the grant program. …

CO Detectors

  1. Jersey City deaths put spotlight on state fire code mandating carbon monoxide … – After news surfaced that carbon monoxide poisoning killed two Jersey City residents in the same apartment within the last month, even top county and city officials were confused about whether state law requires the presence of carbon monoxide detectors

Inspections / Code enforcement

  1. No Building Codes in Columbus Jct. There are state fire codes that cover rental properties, but officials say they rarely get enforced. Columbus Junction fire officials say the town is one of many in Iowa to not have building codes. Iowa is what’s called a “home-rule” state, …

Smoke Alarms

  1. Northeast Ohio: 3 cities will require smoke detector switch – Photoelectric smoke detectors would sense the fire as soon as the smoke breaks the light. Photoelectric smoke detectors cost anywhere from four to eight dollars more than a regular smoke detector . Shaker Heights Fire Chief Kevin Jacobs said if …
  2. Firefighters Giving Away Free Smoke Detectors Terre Haute firefighters say 40 percent of residents don’t have a smoke alarm in their home. In effort to save lives and make the statistic lower, they’ll be giving away some for free. Fire Chief Jeff Fisher says when he works with school aged children …

Sprinklers

  1. Multipurpose Plumbing-Fire Sprinkler Systems Help California Meet New Fire … “We know that fire sprinklers save lives, reduce injuries and decrease property damage,” explains California Acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover, who says this fact is borne out by decades of studies across the nation. “The goal of any sprinkler …
  2. Fire sprinklers not required in GA homes – They are charged with setting building standards, recommending in 2009 that all states and municipalities adopt codes requiring sprinkler systems in homes and town houses less than three stories high. Just last year, Georgia law …
  3. House douses governor’s proposed changes to sprinkler bill Montana – “The bill with my amendments still prohibits state building codes from adopting a state wide requirement on fire sprinklers. However, my amendments to House Bill 307 permit our state building codes to adopt a rule that would allow local jurisdictions …
  4. NFPA Establishes Sprinkler Antifreeze Requirements An updated Safety Alert from the National Fire Protection Association addresses the use of antifreeze in new and existing occupancies. It replaces July and August 2010 Alerts that said antifreeze shouldn’t be used in residential sprinklers. …
  5. Repeal of sprinkler legislation up for vote A state Senate committee is slated to vote on legislation Wednesday morning that would reverse a mandate requiring new single-family and duplex homes to be equipped with residential sprinkler systems. …
  6. Home sprinklers will save lives and won’t kill the housing recovery – What does all of this have to do with residential fire sprinklers ? Plenty. For the last 30 years, since residential fire sprinklers first became available, the home building industry has fought vigorously to block regulations that would require fire .
  7. Builders, fire officials spar over sprinkler rule – A regulation recommending that homes built after Jan. 1, 2011, install fire sprinklers has sparked a nationwide fight between fire officials and home builders. Fire officials say the sprinklers save lives.
  8. Commissioners watch fire sprinkler demonstration – For once in their careers, dozens of firefighters stood watching as two buildings burst into flames Tuesday afternoon near the County Administration Building in Elkton. Luckily for all involved, the fire was well under control as a demonstration to …
  9. Calvert Commissioners Approve Home Sprinkler Requirement Is the extra safety provided by a sprinkler system worth adding $1000 to $6000 to the cost of a single family home? The Calvert Commissioners decided it was at their April 5 meeting, voting 4-1 to require that all new homes have the …
  10. Committee approves legislation to remove sprinkler system mandate The Senate Labor and Industry Committee today approved legislation that will remove the current mandate to install automatic sprinkler systems in new single family homes, according to Senator John R. Gordner,R-27 of Berwick, the committee chairman. …
  11. Despite fire retardant materials in new homes, fire danger demands use of … – Many times, I’ve thought, “what if this home had a sprinkler system?” Much has been said about how safer new homes are today with fire retardant materials used in construction and that sprinkler systems are not needed, but the fact of the matter is, ..

Wildland Fire Safety

  1. Southwest New Mexico residents urged to prepare for fire season Residents living in southwest New Mexico are urged to take aggressive fire prevention measures. That follows last month’s Quail Ridge fire which burned 1500 acres and 13 homes. The US Drought Monitor indicates severe drought …
  2. The Texas Tribune: Forest Service Copes With a Busy Wildfire Season The Forest Service, facing budget cuts, is in for an unusually busy season for wildfires, with more than 600 fought already this year.
  3. Early warning system When a forest fire burned about 1000 acres near Montvale, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department used its Reverse 911 system to notify and urge evacuation for about 500 residents. It was one of the largest emergency-notification …
  4. Education, preparation can help prevent wildfires Please take the opportunity this month to educate yourself about fire prevention and learn how to protect your family and home. There are many organizations that will provide you with information you can share with your friends and family about fire …

Other Fire Safety News

  1. Fire prevention: Four focus areas to help reduce risk and increase safety Safety experts have developed fire prevention and response procedures focusing on four major areas in order to reduce risk to building occupants: Means of egress — When a fire or other emergency occurs, occupants must have the chance to leave. …
  2. FDNY Shares Fire Safety Tips Through Comic Book – Children at Midtown Comics were in awe as superheroes helped Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano unveil a new comic book that includes valuable fire safety tips. Its creators say the city’s firefighters are the real heroes. ..
  3. Kingsport marks four years with no fire fatalities – Tennessee – “The combined efforts of highly skilled firefighters, fire inspections , fire code enforcement, and the fire and life safety education personnel of the Kingsport Fire Department have paid off. These efforts, along with the heightened awareness of ..
  4. Michigan Adopts NFPA 1, Fire Code Michigan has updated its adoption of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) NFPA 1, Fire Code, the comprehensive industry standard for fire code regulation and hazard management. The adoption became effective on March 18, 2011. …
  5. Fire safety – Sean Sperry Bozeman Fire Department deputy chief Greg Megaard sorts through rubble after a fire tore through a South 18th Ave. apartment building in March. The three-story building where two men died in a fire more than a month ago still stands at 215 …
  6. Longtime Lemon Grove Firefighters Bring ‘History Alive’ – Lewis added that today’s firefighters don’t have time to do fire inspections . Thus, he and Rosenberger returned to work shortly after retirement to help conduct fire inspections . They also travel throughout the county to educate the public about fire …

Saves

  1. 4 adults, 1 child left homeless by blaze in Roanoke A smoke alarm sounded when the fire started about 1 pm in the 1500 block of Loudon Avenue Northwest, allowing one adult and the child, the only people home at the time, to safely escape, said Tiffany Bradbury, Roanoke Fire-EMS spokeswoman. …
  2. 3 injured in Mahanoy City fire that destroys 2 homes “Smoke from the fire extended quickly into adjoining homes, but every homeowner had a working smoke detector which made it possible for them to get out safely,” he said. “I cannot stress enough, had it not been for those smoke detectors, …
  3. Fire in MU quickly doused – Newberg said the building’s lower level was closed throughout the morning. Mike Reichling of the Tempe Fire Department said the sprinkler system saved the building. The building’s system was upgraded following a fire in November 2007, he said.
  4. Family loses home to fire Smoke alarms alerted them, and both escaped the burning structure. “Friends are offering to help,” he said. “We’re just trying to get one …
  5. ESCONDIDO: Early-morning fire displaces eight families The fire was reported at 4:08 am at 250 West 15th Ave. and arriving firefighters found smoke in a third-floor hallway and a fire sprinkler system operating, according to an Escondido Fire Department report. Although the sprinklers had extinguished the …
  6. Family saved, thanks to boy’s smarts, courage As a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Junior Fire Patrol, Darrell Scott, 12, took a fire-safety-awareness pledge, created an escape plan for his home and learned what to do if a fire struck. On March 14, that training helped …
  7. Family escapes burning apartment in Paris Paris firefighters respond to Winwood Apartments on Paris Hills Road early Friday morning after a smoke alarm woke residents to a fire in a master bedroom. No one was injured. Smoke drifts from the window of an apartment building at …

Fire Prevention News: International

  1. Fire safety checks reach 10000 landmark – Coventry Telegraph Fire safety checks reach 10000 landmark Coventry Telegraph A MASSIVE safety campaign by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has seen a landmark 10000 homes checked by firefighters. The service hit its target a month early – at the end of February – when a record 10300 had received home fire safety checks. …
  2. Duracell campaign helps fund volunteer fire departments across Canada “Not to mention a lot of fire departments do blitzes in their communities and go out just to see if homes have smoke alarms and the ones that are battery-operated they will check them,” said Wagner. “A lot of fire departments will install brand-new …

Fire Prevention News: Weekly Roundup – April 5, 2011

April 5, 2011 By in Fire Prevention, Firefighter Training & Safety, Firefighters, Jack Benton, News, NFPA, Public Safety Tags: , , , , , , ,

Selected Fire Prevention related articles appearing in the past week from scores of e-sources in the news media. Updated each Monday morning.

  1. Campaigns / Other Fire Prevention Efforts
  2. Campus Fire Safety
  3. CO Detectors
  4. Inspections/Code enforcement
  5. Smoke Alarms
  6. Sprinklers
  7. Wildland Fire Safety
  8. Other Fire Safety News
  9. Saves
  10. International News

Campaigns/ Fire Prevention Efforts

  1. San Antonio VFD takes fire safety on the road A piece of cloth, specifically T-shirt material is lit on fire and within seconds the sprinkler system is set off, quickly dousing the fire. “No one thinks of putting a sprinkler system in the home,” Wheeler said. “They can save a lot of lives and …
  2. Safe Kids Greater Toledo receives funds to help local families Fire safety educators installed the smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping area per Toledo’s city code. Fire safety education was also provided to each family. “On behalf of the families of South Toledo, we wish to express our deep …

Campus Fire Safety

  1. Students Raise Awareness in DC – Kean University‘s Office of Fire Safety advised members of the college community to attend Capital Hill Day, because “one can make a difference for campus fire safety “. Kean students were very successful last March. The activists, who represented more …
  2. FSU students get lesson on fire safety – In his decades-long career, Terry Gearhart has given fire safety talks to hundreds of people — from pre-school students to senior citizens. But until Tuesday night, he’d never presented to college students. About 150 Frostburg State …
  3. One mother’s tragedy drove her to help residents get free smoke detectors (VIDEO) She said their mission is to assist those in need and educate high school seniors and college students on the importance of fire safety. “We wanted to do whatever in order to help families be more fire safe,” Minger said in a phone interview last week …

CO Detectors

  1. Oregon CO detector law goes into effect – A new law that went into effect Friday requires carbon monoxide detectors in many Oregon homes. Before a home can be sold, its owner will have to install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The law applies to any residence that …

Inspections / Code enforcement

  1. State Buildings Closed By Fire Marshal Nearly 170 state workers currently don’t have a place to work after the state Fire Marshal’s Office ordered their buildings closed. The inspector issued an “immediate closure” order Monday at the state Division of Rehabilitation Services buildings in …
  2. Group home operator says city fire inspections violate residents’ civil rights The registration process is a way for the city to know whether the residents inside could escape on their own power if necessary, such as during a fire, and if not, whether there is sufficient assistance from another source. The life safety inspections …
  3. Fire marshal ruled: Jail was overcrowded, unsafe He based the ruling on the 1991 National Fire Protection Association Fire Safety Code. He said each cell needed to provide 120 square feet of space to each inmate. When the jail was inspected, there were 13 inmates in custody. A week earlier, there had …
  4. Fire Marshal orders immediate closure of Rehab Center The state Fire Marshal has shuttered the former state Rehabilitation Center complex at Institute, saying electrical problems at the facility posed an “imminent threat” to its occupants. State Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis issued an immediate closure …
  5. Regulations = prevention: A look at the daycare fire – As a result of the Jessica Tata case, City Council member Sue Lowell proposed a new city ordinance. The ordinance will require all home-base day care operators to register with the city and submit to an annual public safety inspection. …
  6. Fire Safety Experiment ‘Oak Flame 2011′ “We want students and others to see how these furnishings and decorations contribute to a fire and make them realize the reason behind fire codes and other safety regulations in dormitories with visual representation,” says event organizer Tolga Durak …
  7. Fire probes concern towns – Layoffs that take effect in Camden County Monday will gut the county fire marshal’s office, causing concern among some towns about how fire inspections will be carried out. Among the 260 county employees expected to be laid off are 10 of the 11 …
  8. Year after fire killed 6, Mpls officials say it’s too soon to tell if .. Records showed the apartments had not been inspected for possible fire-code violations in at least 16 years. On Jan. 1, the city started a new inspection system, including shifting responsibility to the city’s regulatory department and requiring use of …

Smoke Alarms

  1. Fire chief credits smoke detector with saving lives – “I tell people all the time, ‘Smoke detectors will save your life.’” By the time firefighters arrived on the scene, Carey added, “the fire had already ventilated itself. By that, I mean it had already burned through walls and windows and it was finding ..
  2. Alarming warning on smoke detectors – Hobsons Bay firefighters have urged residents to change their smoke alarm batteries when they wind back their clocks at the end of daylight saving on Sunday, April 3. Of the 67 fires in the city attended by the MFB, 49 per cent of the venues lacked a …
  3. Smoke detector program recognized for success Lavon Cooper said the department has taken part in the Smoke Alarm Installation and Fire Safety Education (SAIFE) Program since 2002. Since beginning the program, the department has installed about 6500 smoke alarms in homes throughout Moultrie. …
  4. JFD offers smoke detectors to locals – Jacksonville citizens who either can not afford or install smoke detectors in their homes can contact the Jacksonville Fire Department for help now. The department, with the help of East Texas Medical Center, recently purchased more …
  5. Fire marshal: Photoelectric alarms essential to saving lives The biggest improvement has been that more people are leaving their smoke alarm batteries installed because the photoelectric technology does not have as many false alarms. The ionization-based alarms can be set off by steam or other fumes; …

Sprinklers

  1. Fire Officials Push For Sprinklers In Homes – With city building codes only requiring them in new buildings, some people are questioning if their homes are safe.
  2. Nursing homes approved for sprinklers – First More than $5.5 million in fire sprinkler upgrade projects were approved in recent weeks by state regulators for 15 area nursing homes. The projects are part of a federal mandate requiring fire safety equipment at long-term-care facilities that …
  3. Trust the experts on fire safety – http://bit.ly/fh8JQj
  4. Builders, fire officials spar over sprinkler rule Jan 1, 2011, to install fire sprinklers has sparked a fight around the country between fire safety officials, who say the sprinklers save lives, and home builders, struggling to recover in the weak economy, who say sprinkler installations should be …

Wildland Fire Safety

  1. Wildfire danger on way; support slow for suppression plans For 2011 there is also a push for county and township governments to write a wildfire protection plan as part of a state-wide effort, the Michigan Firewise Program. So far, though, the program has not caught, eh, fire among townships in Leelanau County …
  2. Jeff Foxworthy offers serious help to wildfire-prevention team Public-service announcements recorded by comedian Jeff Foxworthy and others raise awareness about suspicious fires. By Gary Taylor, Orlando Sentinel You might be a redneck if you set a wildfire. You also might be in a lot of trouble if you get caught. …
  3. Wildfire Awareness Week In other cases, especially where communities have expanded into the wildland, fire is more of a threat and may negatively impact the health and safety of residents. The theme “Where We Live, How We Live…Living with Wildfire in the Southwest” reflects …
  4. Ready, Set, Go! Wildland Fire Program Now Available to All Fire Departments The program works in complimentary and collaborative fashion with Firewise and other existing wildland fire public education efforts. It amplifies their messages to individuals to better achieve the common goal we all share of fire-adapted communities.
  5. Thinking fire safety outside the home – Despite the massive amounts of snow and a fair amount of rain recently, Oklahomans are facing dry conditions. When moisture levels are low, the chance of wildfires increases. In the early 1990s, …
  6. Michigan: Below-average winter snow means greater wildfire threat up north … Fire prevention specialist Paul Kollmeyer says the ground is becoming snow-free earlier this year and woodlands will have less moisture. He says spring is a peak period for wildfires in Michigan because of the exposure of dead vegetation. …

Other Fire Safety News

  1. Attorney general says Indian Point lax on fire safety, asks feds to act WHITE PLAINS — The state attorney general wants federal regulators to take enforcement action against the Indian Point nuclear plant for what he called the company’s failure to comply with fire safety requirements. “In the wake of Japan’s crisis, …
  2. The National Fire Protection Association Invites Parents and Children to .. “It is so important for parents to take part in educating their families about fire safety, and we want to give them the tools and ideas to get these crucial messages across in a way their children will identify with and remember,” said Lorraine Carli, …
  3. Fight Fire With … Electric Wands? The current, experts believe, shifts the position of the gases and particles that constitute the flame; the process can weaken or put out the fire entirely. Along with the wands, the idea could lead to electric “sprinklers,” a researcher notes—and …
  4. Fire heavily damages outbuilding in rural Champaign Coleman said the Walstens were alerted to the fire by a security company that detected the smoke alarm going off. Laura Walsten went outside and saw smoke and flames coming from the building, he said. Several area fire departments, including Sadorus, …
  5. Fire fatalities rose in 2010 – Paul said members of the state’s fire service are working hard to spread the message of fire safety to reduce the risk of fires and to save lives. “ Fire safety education goes hand in hand with modern smoke detectors, sprinklers and fire alarms,” Paulk …
  6. Eau Claire hospitals plan for fire safety “In my 27 years of experience, this is the same procedure to rescue patients and insure patient safety for fire safety issues,” says Bob Wilcox. Wilcox says working together with other emergency management groups in the city is also important. …

Saves

  1. Sprinkler helped quell fire As more firefighters arrived, it was determined the bags had ignited and were extinguished substantially by a fire sprinkler system in the facility. Investigators and plant personnel said they believe the larger pellets may have retained more heat than …
  2. Stove fire sets off sprinklers, causes evacuation in South Berwick The sprinklers quickly extinguished the fire, although firefighters evacuated the first two floors of the five-floor, 48-unit building as a precaution. No one was injured during the fire, and crews had to carry two dogs out of the burned apartment.
  3. Three-year-old boy puts out fire A 3-year-old boy in Florida has proven that it’s never too early to learn about fire safety. A lamp fell over and lit the carpet on fire. Little Aiden doused the carpet with water from a tupperware container he had been playing with. …
  4. Kitchen fire quickly quelled OCALA – A fire sprinkler system is credited by Ocala firefighters for quickly controlling a kitchen fire in a three-story apartment building. The tenant, Louis Arroyo, told fire officials Thursday that he left the kitchen while he had food on the stove …
  5. Donations Sought To Assist Disabled Vet Displaced By House Fire The family managed to escape the fire without injury after an adult heard a smoke detector. Their son was at school when the blaze broke out and the home was considered to be a complete loss. The news prompted Jack Ondrus, a Vietnam-era Veteran with …
  6. Family escapes thanks to smoke detectors – Smoke detectors got a 675D Hale St. family out of the house safely and prevented more serious damage after fire broke out in their home moments after midnight Wednesday night. Firefighters saw “moderate smoke” …
  7. Sprinklers save powerboat business – The fire started at around 2 pm in building four, which handles the assembly of the powerboats in the facility at 11700 Belcher Road. However, the facility’s sprinkler system kept the fire in check and eventually extinguished the flames. …
  8. Fire Destroys Port Byron Home – According to investigators, the woman awoke to the sound of the smoke alarm . She grabbed her kids and they all got out. Her husband was at work at the time. Crews worked hard to save the home, but it burned to the ground. The fire was so intense, …
  9. Fire Sprinkler Saves Life During Hotel Room Fire Firefighters say the fire burned in the pan for some time, and eventually spread up the wall reaching the cabinets and range hood. That’s when the room’s automatic fire sprinkler system kicked in. Fire Marshal Andy King released a statement with more …
  10. Woman injured in Southeast Portland apartment fire Sprinklers put out of the fire, allowing firefighters to focus on rescuing the injured victims, Simmons said. This fire was contained to the apartment of origin and damage to the building itself was kept to a minimum. Damage includes smoke and fire in …
  11. Smoke detector saves family of 8 from burning home – Firefighters want to remind everyone to have at least one working smoke detector in every home. Smoke detectors do save lives. The American Red Cross is assisting the family.

Fire Prevention News: International

  1. Fire focus to stop landmark buildings becoming history This is especially relevant in “heritage” properties, which tend to have poor fire safety precautions. As well as protecting historic buildings, the new strategy is also aimed at protecting the city’s image around the world, which, it has been argued, …
  2. BBC in talks over airing ads for community groups and charities However, it is thought that about the equivalent of £1m a year in TV advertising for governmental campaigns on issues such as road safety, fire safety and fireworks safety does run late night on BBC services. In addition the BBC has for a number of …
  3. Rough sleeper is saved from blaze – UK – The tragedy led to a number of smoke alarms being fitted in empty properties. Yesterday’s fire is believed to have been started by carelessly discarded smoking materials. Crews had finished dealing with the incident just before 2am. …
  4. Fire service marks a year on Twitter The service was the first in Scotland to use Twitter, and has since amassed more than 1000 followers, posting messages about a range of issues including community safety initiatives and station open days, fire safety advice, live incidents and the role …
  5. Leading the way on fire safety – EAST Renfrewshire Council has teamed up with the fire service to install smoke alarms in the homes of vulnerable people. The link-up, which also involves NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, is thought to be a Scottish first. East Renfrewshire’s Community …
  6. High-rise and shine, but how safe? Fire safety measures adopted at these eminently inflammable structures are just not what they ought to be. A close look at the safety steps at both the residential and commercial high-rises leaves you aghast. Life in high places needn’t be so risky at …