Articles of Interest for FPEs and the Fire Service
The SFPE Fire Service Committee has provided a listing of articles that might be interesting to fire protection engineers and those in the fire service. If you have any articles to share with fire service professionals, contact Chris Jelenewicz, P.E. at chris@sfpe.org.
2007
Lstiburek, Joseph, W. – “Thermodynamics: It’s Not Rocket Science” ASHRAE Journal -- (December 2007)
A nice review of the basic theories we all learned in our thermodynamics classes so many years ago!
IAFC On Scene – “Underwriters Laboratories Receives DHS Grant” -- (October 1, 2007)
DHS awards UL $991,900 Fire Prevention and Safety Research Grant to enhance understanding of the hazards to firefighters in structural fires. The project will investigate the structural stability of engineered lumber and evaluate the effectiveness of extinguishing agents used to fight fires in modern structures.
Dettmers, Daniel J., and Douglas T. Reindl “Mechanical Integrity and Carbon Steel Refrigerant Piping” ASHRAE Journal --(October 2007)
29CFR 1910.119 – Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals requires that end-users of systems using hazardous or flammable chemicals implement mechanical integrity (MI) programs to prevent unintended release of chemicals. This article focuses on programs and prevention for ammonia refrigeration systems as well as recognizing the common failure modes of carbon steel refrigerant piping.
IAFC On Scene – “NIST Begins Technical Study of South Carolina Warehouse Fire” -- (August 15, 2007)
NIST is performing a technical study of the June 18, 2007 fire in Charleston that killed nine firefighters in concert with NISOSH and the Charleston Fire Department. It is hoped that the results will improve how buildings are designed, constructed, maintained and used; improve tools and guidance for the fire service and building owners; recommend revisions to current model codes, standards and practices; and improve public safety.
Miclea, Paul C. et al “International Tunnel Fire-Safety Design Practices” ASHRAE Journal -- (August, 2007)
This article addresses design practices for tunnels for mainly smoke management and control but also deals with other fire-safety issues such as egress and security. Discussion covers codes and standards, minimum design requirements, minimum fire sizes for design and also discusses how all of this criteria changes throughout the world.
ASSE – “NFPA Produces Evacuation Guide for the Disabled” Professional Safety -- (July, 2007)
The Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities features a checklist that building services managers, responders, and people with disabilities can use to design an evacuation plan conducive to occupants with disabilities. The guide can be found at www.nfpa.org
Hasbrook, Chris and Gene Ryan – “When Science Meets the Street: Chicago Fire Department and UL Partner on Class-A Foam Experiment” IAFC On Scene -- (May 1, 2007)
The Chicago Fire Department and UL designed and conducted a laboratory-based experiment comparing the use of water versus a Class-A foam-water mixture for suppressing residential fires. The results for a two bedroom fire was that water suppressed the fire in the first bedroom within 15 seconds, but the fire reignited within seconds after the hose was shut off. The water-foam mixture suppressed the fire in the second bedroom within 15 seconds and the fire did not re-ignite. Data from the thermocouples in both bedrooms revealed that the room temperatures were reduced more quickly in the fire suppressed with the water foam mixture than in the fire suppressed with water by itself.
ASSE - “OSHA Publishes Updated Electrical Installation Standard” Professional Safety -- (April, 2007)
The first modification of OSHA’s electrical installation standard in 25 years will now reference the 2000 edition of NFPA 70E and also provides a new alternative method for classifying and installing equipment in Class I hazardous locations; GFI technology and new provisions on wiring for carnivals and similar installations.
Hopper, Howard – “Smoke Research Underway – Underwriters Laboratories Examines Smoke Characteristics of Household Contents” IAFC On Scene -- (February 15, 2007)
Partnering with the Fire Protection Research Foundation and the Fire & Life Safety Section of IAFC, research is currently being done to study the characteristics of smoke generated by common household contents. The scope included small- and intermediate-scale tests on materials, mock-ups and finished products. Experiments represent a wide variety of smoldering and open-flame ignition scenarios. This research was completed in April, 2007 and the May 15, 2007 issue of “On Scene” provides a summary of the results. Additionally, a copy of the complete report can be obtained from the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation at www.nfpa.org/Foundation and in the reports section it is under Detection and Signaling.
Klaene, Ben and Russ Sanders – “Determining Flow from Attack Lines” – NFPA Journal -- (Jan/Feb 2007)
For buildings that require more than two pre-connected attack lines, it is recommended calculating the rate of flow using the V/100 calculation, unless there is an extra-hazard fire load, when we suggest using sprinkler flow rate. The article continues to consider varied building sizes and attack flows and this information could be important to the fire protection engineer when designing a building. See also the book “Structural Firefighting” written by these same authors and available through the NFPA.
Carson, Chip – “Egress Capacity Factors. Why Is There a Difference in the Two Codes?” – NFPA Journal -- (Jan/Feb 2007)
There is not increase in exit capacity in the Life Safety Code for the presence of sprinklers in buildings. The International Codes permit this increase. The BOCA Building Code introduced this concept as an attempt to encourage the installation in buildings. This article explains that the means of egress technical committee did not adopt this concept because there are several emergencies that might require a total or partial building evacuation. This might include a gas leak, tornado, earthquake, act of terrorism, or chemical release where the presence of sprinklers would not control the emergency.
Behnke, Joe, Dale Edlbeck and Keith Olson – “Liquefied Natural Gas” – NFPA Journal -- (Jan/Feb 2007)
The demand for LNG is escalating and this article reviews and updates effective fire protection methods.
Avillo, Anthony – “Live-Produce Store Fire Poses Unique Problems” Fire Engineering -- (January, 2007)
Some stores sell live animals and this article discusses the unique approaches necessary when dealing with a fire in this type of occupancy. Controlling livestock that is trying to escape and also confused and running around on the inside of the building. Scared chickens are vicious animals and can harm entering firefighters.
Murphy, Jack J. – “Code Development: Whose Battlefield Is This?” Fire Engineering -- (January 2007)
Discusses the key chapters in a building code that affect firefighters on the fireground:
Ø Use Group/Occupancy Type
Ø Means of Egress
Ø Fire-Resistive Construction
Ø Fire Protection Systems
Ø Construction Assemblies and Fasteners (roofs, floors, and exterior walls)
Ø Special Use (garage, atrium, high-rise buildings)
Ø Other Building Systems (elevators, chimneys, electrical wiring, mechanical)
Ø Accessibility for People with Disability
Calderwood, Paul E. – “Passive Fire Protection Increases Student Fire Safety” Fire Engineering -- (January, 2007)
There have been 89 student deaths since 2000 on U.S. campuses. Dorms in earlier years used furnishings made of natural products and had a heat release rate of about 370 kw for a cotton easy chair. Furnishings these days now consist of foam mattresses, plastics and man-made fibers with heat release rates as high as 1,990 kw for a polyurethane easy chair. This article discusses methods of passive and active fire protection and the testing used to develop improved approaches to fire safety in dormitories.
Bachman, Eric G. – “Preplanning Facility Emergency Planning” Fire Engineering -- (January, 2007)
This article discusses the importance of preplanning what should be included and the FPE can learn how he/she can assist in this important aspect of fireground operations.
Chow, W.K. and Fiona S.C. Tsui – “Designing Performance-Based Sprinkler Systems” Fire Engineering -- (January, 2007)
This article compares the sprinkler designing requirements used in Hong Kong to the prescriptive requirements in the United States and the United Kingdom. The article discusses how the Fire Service Installations (FSI) codes in Hong Kong are more rigorous and demanding, providing some examples as duplicating installation valves for wet-pipe systems and limiting the maximum number of sprinkler heads to 200 per installation/zone.
2006
Foskett, Janelle - “A Model Station” Fire Rescue Magazine -- (December, 2006)
For the FPE involved in the design of fire stations, this article is very informative.
Crawford, Jim - “Making the Connection” Fire Rescue Magazine -- (December, 2006)
Discusses the major problems with fire department connections after they are installed, including debris, caps, and threads.
Havel, Gregory – “Hazards of Precast Concrete Wall Panels” Fire Engineering -- (December, 2006)
Concrete wall panels are more and more common replacing the use of concrete block and other masonry materials in large buildings. Panels can be prestressed and also have insulation included in their pre-fab construction. First look at a panel, a person may think they are 12” of solid concrete, when in actuality they are thin layers of concrete on each side of foamed plastic insulation (usually polystyrene or polyethylene billets). Buildings using these panels are usually considered as Type II – Noncombustible construction. The weak points of these buildings are the connections between the parts of the building. Most connections are welded. Even if all the connections are of high quality, every building deteriorates with age and this deterioration is accelerated by lack of maintenance, changes in the load structure. During fire conditions, these buildings can collapse early. The roof supports are usually more securely connected to the walls; hence the roof may collapse before the wall connections fail. These buildings tend to have high ceilings and heavy fire loading and early support by a sprinkler system is very important. Ventilation is difficult and often unsafe for firefighters if the steel and roof deck have been heated by fire.
Davis, Larry - “The Jolly Farmer Fire Brigade” Fire Rescue Magazine -- (November, 2006)
This article presents a discussion on a unique solution for protecting a very large rural agricultural/industrial complex and its people. The FPE should be involved in this protection scheme from the early design phases.
ASHRAE - "CO2 System for U.S. Supermarket" - ASHRAE Journal -- (October, 2006)
What is believed to be the first CO2 low-temperature refrigerant system in the U.S. was installed in Phoenix, AZ. This refrigerant is known in the industry as R-744. R-744 has ten noteworthy characteristics:
• Non-toxic
• Non-flammable
• Environmentally benign
• Low triple point
• Low critical point
• High pressure
• High refrigeration volumetric capacity
• High heat transfer characteristics
• Inexpensive
• Readily available
These characteristics are discussed as follows, in relation to its use as a refrigerant.
Tubbs, Jeffrey S. - "Smoke Management in the 2006 IBC" - ASHRAE Journal -- (October, 2006)
Provides summary of changes to the 2006 edition of the International Building Code related to smoke management. A majority of the revised provisions affect the exhaust method for atrium smoke management. Smoke management within underground buildings and provisions related to the location of the fire command centers also were updated.
ASSE – “OSHA Offers New Fire Service Publication” Professional Safety - (October 2006)
OSHA’s new publication “Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems” highlights ways to increase the safety of building occupants and emergency responders by streamlining the fire service interface with buildings and systems. To download free copies go to www.osha.gov
“Maine Woman Throws Children out the Window from Fire” – Firehouse.com - Fire/Rescue News -- (August 15, 2006)
Go to www.Firehouse.com and look for archived Fire/Rescue News articles. This article provides a story of a woman and her children who were not awoken by their smoke detectors.
National Safety Council – “NIST Develops Turnout Gear Selection Software” Safety+Health -- (August, 2006)
NIST developed software to determine what type of turnout gear they need, called “Turnout Gear Selector” to analyze factors such as system weight, thickness, thermal protective performance, breathability and durability. The software ranks 41 turnout gear systems by degree of suitability.
ASSE – “DuPont Launches Fire Safety Technology Website” Professional Safety -- (August 2006)
DuPont Fire Extinguishants launched a new website designed to provide critical new product and technical information about the portfolio of DuPont FE clean agent fire extinguishants. Go to www.cleanagentsdupont.com
Abrams, Adele L. – “New Law Addresses Mining Tragedies” Compliance Magazine -- (July/August 2006)
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is now enforcing a new federal law signed into law on June 15, 2006 that affects and improves accident preparedness and response, evacuation, maintenance of individuals trapped underground, redundancy of emergency systems including air supplies and communications, as well as escape-ways, flame-resistant directional lifelines, post-accident wireless communications and electronic tracking of personnel. This would directly affect responding fire service and any FPE’s involved in design of these systems. See also:
Ø ASSE – “Miner Act Ensures First Mine Safety Reform in 28 Years” Professional Safety (August, 2006)
Ø National Safety Council – “Bush Signs Sweeping Miner Act Into Law” Safety+Health (August, 2006)
http://www.msha.gov/MinerAct/MinerActSingleSource.asp
The link above should take the reader to the new language.
“Operating In Modern Subdivisions: Single-Family Dwellings” – Fire Engineering Magazine -- (July, 2006)
Go to www.FireEngineering.com and click on the Print Edition tab and look for archived articles. “Imagine being a firefighter in a rural community when, seemingly overnight, a local farm is sold and 1,000 or more new homes are built on the property.” This article discusses immense housing market growth and how it affects the local fire department.
“Big Box Structures” – Fire Engineering (July, 2006)
Go to www.FireEngineering.com and click on the Print Edition tab and look for archived articles. This article provides roundtable discussions from fire department and fire protection experts in dealing with, preventing and preplanning for fires in Big Box Structures.
“Fire guts Maryland Zoological Park” – Firehouse Magazine -- (July, 2006)
Go to www.Firehouse.com and click on the Magazine tab and look for archived articles. This article provides insight the unique challenges of fighting a fire and dealing with and/or attempting to rescue the zoo’s residents…the animals.
“Firefighting Strategy for Places of Worship” – Firehouse -- (July, 2006)
Go to www.Firehouse.com and click on the Magazine tab and look for archived articles. This article discusses the unique hazards and recommended tactics and strategies when fighting fires within a place of worship.
“Self-Storage Facilities” – Firehouse Magazine -- (June + July, 2006)
Go to www.Firehouse.com and click on the Magazine tab and look for archived articles. This article provides a look at the problems and mysteries (not knowing what is stored in the spaces!) surrounding fighting these type of structures. This is a 2-part article that discusses hazards, construction, tactics and strategies as well as approaches to suppression (systems and municipal).
Fire Engineering “The Dangers of Lightweight Steel Construction” (June, 2006) + “Lightweight Steel Construction” (November, 2005)
Go to www.FireEngineering.com and click on the Print Edition tab and look for archived articles. This article provides information on the hazards of lightweight steel construction during fire suppression operations as well as injury prevention and tactical discussions.
ASSE “NIST Researchers Propose Test Methods for Thermal Imagers” Professional Safety -- (April 2006)
After work completed by NIST on test methods for Thermal Imagers, the NFPA Technical Committee on Electronic Safety Equipment is developing a standard on thermal imaging cameras for the fire service. The assigned document number is NFPA 1801. NFPA 1801 currently is in the fall 2009 standards cycle, which means it should be published late 2009 or early 2010.
Unfamiliar Territory: Industrial Fires Pose Unique, Dangerous Challenges -- (FireRescue Magazine, February, 2006)
Written by one of SFPE’s own, Greg Jakubowski, this article provides an important look into the unique hazards facing firefighters involved with industrial hazards. Key points discussed:
“Inspector Accountability – Managing Inspections in an Expanding Community” – Fire Engineering -- (January, 2006)
Go to www.FireEngineering.com and click on the Print Edition tab and look for archived articles. This article provides a discussion on accountability, responsibility, risk analysis and logistics of managing a fire inspection bureau.
2005
“Saving Old Dumps” – FireRescue Magazine -- (November, 2005)
Go to www.firerescue1.com and click on the News tab and look for archived articles. This provides discussion on the hidden dangers posed by buildings undergoing restoration.
“Industrial Firefighters Are Firefighters, Too!” – Fire Engineering Magazine -- (November, 2005)
Go to www.FireEngineering.com and click on the Print Edition tab and look for archived articles. “It is estimated that there are more than one million firefighters in the United States today, consisting of career, volunteer, part-time paid, municipal, marine, military, wildland, and various combinations of each. The vast majority of these firefighters fall under the banner of municipal…but there is one fairly significant type of firefighter who does not get a whole lot of recognition today-the industrial firefighter…who protect the thousands of manufacturing facilities throughout the world…”
“Dry Hydrants – A Success Story” – FireRescue Magazine -- (November, 2005)
Go to www.firerescue1.com and click on the News tab and look for archived articles. This provides a discussion on how to maximize dry hydrant output.
“Poolside Pumps” – FireRescue Magazine -- (November, 2005)
Go to www.firerescue1.com and click on the News tab and look for archived articles. This provides a discussion on the use of poolside pumps during wildland fire scenarios.
“H2O on the Go” - FireRescue Magazine -- (October, 2005)
Go to www.firerescue1.com and click on the News tab and look for archived articles. This provides an important discussion on how varying pump capacities on apparatus affect the required hoseline diameter for water supplies.
“Defending the Code” – FireRescue Magazine -- (August, 2005)
Go to www.firerescue1.com and click on the News tab and look for archived articles. This provides a short discussion on the importance of understanding the reason behind fire regulations and not just saying ‘because the code says you have to do it.’
“The Facts and Dangers of Rooftop Transmitters on High-Rise Buildings” – Firehouse -- (April, 2005)
Go to www.Firehouse.com and click on the Magazine tab and look for archived articles. This article provides a look at the problems and technology associated with rooftop transmitters that are beginning to crowd the tops of our high-rise buildings.
“Commercial Kitchen Fires” – FireRescue Magazine -- (April, 2005)
Go to www.firerescue1.com and click on the News tab and look for archived articles. This provides a short discussion on tactics for fires involving commercial kitchen equipment.
“Industrial Emergency Response Brigades – Voluntary vs. Mandatory” – Code Red Resource -- (Winter, 2005)
Go to www.coderedresource.com and click on archives. This article discusses the pros and cons of mandatory and voluntary industrial emergency response brigades. If you have problems getting access to the article, contact SFPE and we will assist in getting a copy of the article.
“Fire Investigation Safety” – FireRescue Magazine -- (February, 2005)
Go to www.firerescue1.com and click on the News tab and look for archived articles. This provides a detailed discussion on the safety of fire personnel that remain on the scene performing origin and cause activities.
National Safety Council – “Blueprint for Safety – Aggressive Plans Needed to Defend Construction Sites against Fires” – Safety + Health -- (February, 2005)
“Fires at construction sites cause tremendous property loss and expense, and are extremely dangerous for both workers and responding firefighters.” Key points discussed in this article are:
Ø Preplanning is essential to fire safety.
Ø Firefighters are at an increased risk of injury on construction sites and are urged to fight construction site fires defensively if no one is inside.
Ø Construction firms and fire departments should coordinate their pre-incident planning efforts and keep the lines of communications open.
Search www.nsc.org for archived article or contact SFPE and we will assist in getting a copy of the article.
“Fire Department Response to Penal Institutions” – Firehouse -- (February, 2005)
Go to www.Firehouse.com and click on the Magazine tab and look for archived articles. This article discusses the unique hazards and recommended tactics and strategies when fighting fires at a penal institution.
“NIOSH Line-of-Duty Death Report” – FireRescue Magazine -- (February, 2005)
Go to www.firerescue1.com and click on the News tab and look for archived articles. This provides a detailed discussion on a restaurant fire and the collapse of the roof truss structure that claimed the lives of two firefighters and recommendations from NIOSH for prevention of such tragedies.
NFPA – “Firewatch - Heater Ignites Combustibles” – NFPA Journal -- (January/February 2005)
Go to www.nfpa.org and click on Publications and then on NFPA Journal. Look for archived articles. This article provides insight to the problems created when battery operated smoke alarms are installed as partial protection, when the remainder of the house was protected with a smoke detection equipment monitored by an alarm company.
“Los Angeles County - Two Firefighter Emergency Incidents within 20 Days” – Firehouse -- (January, 2005)
Go to www.Firehouse.com and click on the Magazine tab and look for archived articles. This article discusses two separate fires where firefighter emergencies were declared because of trapped personnel. The article talks about communications procedures when these emergencies are declared and includes communications involving their dispatch centers.
ASSE - “Matching Protective Apparel to Electric Arc Flash Hazard” – Professional Safety -- (January, 2005)
Go to www.asse.org and click on Professional Safety tab at top and click on the tab that will get you to archived articles. This article discusses the thermal injury involved with this hazard that occurs without any electrical contact to the body. This is an ongoing issue in safety and fire protection and response.
National Safety Council – “Assisting the Disabled Worker” – Safety + Health -- (January, 2005)
“Crisis planning for workers with disabilities is often overlooked, although many require assistance or have special needs during emergency situations
Search www.nsc.org for archived article or contact SFPE and we will assist in getting a copy of the article.
“Understanding the Core” – Firehouse -- (January + July, 2005)
Go to www.Firehouse.com and click on the Magazine tab and look for archived articles. This is a two-part article that provides good discussion on techniques of stairwell operations and utilizing building services in high-rise commercial fires.
National Safety Council – “The Power of Cooperation” – Safety + Health -- (January, 2005)
“Emergency responders face numerous electrical hazards during all types of responses, from vehicle crashes to structure fires and mass-casualty disasters.” Key points discussed in this article are:
Ø All wires should be considered live until proven otherwise.
Ø If power lines are down, firefighters should secure the scene until utility workers arrive to de-energize the wires.
Ø Hybrid vehicles pose particular risk to responders because they contain multiple power sources. Responders should receive training to deal with these hazards.
Ø Electrical hazards abound in structure fires. Fire departments should work with utility companies to ensure power is shut off in burning structures.
Search www.nsc.org for archived article or contact SFPE and we will assist in getting a copy of the article.
2004
NFPA – “Large-Loss Fire Incidents of 2004” – NFPA Journal -- (November/December 2004)
Go to www.nfpa.org and click on Publications and then on NFPA Journal. Look for archived articles. This article provides discussion into various large-loss fires related to property characteristics, fire protection systems, fire development and contributing factors.
NFPA – “Rick versus Benefit Analysis” – NFPA Journal -- (November/December 2004)
Go to www.nfpa.org and click on Publications and then on NFPA Journal. Look for archived articles. This article provides discussion into the decision making process for fireground procedures when confronted with a working structure fire. Further discussion is also available from the book published by NFPA entitled “Structural Fire Fighting.”
ASSE - “Secondary Dust Explosions” – Professional Safety -- (November, 2004)
Go to www.asse.org and click on Professional Safety tab at top and click on the tab that will get you to archived articles. This provides an important look into the hazards of plastics manufacturing and prevention.
ASSE - “Protecting Firefighters from Roof Collapses” – Professional Safety - (September, 2004)
Go to www.asse.org and click on Professional Safety tab at top and click on the tab that will get you to archived articles. This provides a short discussion on new FREE software developed by NIST related to firefighter operations safety on roofs.