ConstructionDeal.com Update: The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition has a great new website called Sprinkler Smarts to help educate everyone about the value of having fire sprinkler systems in the house. It's got cartoon graphics and characters to appeal to various age groups. Captain Splash and the Drop-lettes give a fun twist to fire safety education.

There are interactive games for kids from Kindergarten to Two and from Three to Five. The site also has sections for teachers and parents, as well as a resources area for links to additional info.

Check out the Parents section for a list of downloadable PDF files that include planners, worksheets, and fire safety details.

It's a wonderful, interactive site that can help children of all ages learn a little something about protecting themselves, their families, and their home.

DON'T FORGET:

If you feel that you're ready to retrofit your home with a fire sprinkler system, Construction Deal.com can help!

Simply post your residential fire sprinkler request online and we'll have as many sprinkler installers call you as you would like. Look over the bids, find the best one at the right price, and get started on protecting your most valuable assets! There's no obligation and there is no charge to find local, qualified sprinkler companies.

Labels: Fire Safety, Fire Safety Resources

I'm always amazed at the people who object to mandatory sprinklers in new homes. In nearly every case, the person or organization who opposes sprinkler systems in homes is someone who's business may be hurt by an additional cost.

In this case, Oregon real estate agents oppose adding sprinklers to new homes. It is my opinion that the only reason there is an objection is due to the added cost on the sale of a new home because it might prevent them from receiving a commission.

It's sad that they would put the lives of the firefighters as well as the adults and children that they are selling these homes to before their own personal gain.

This City Council requirement isn't even for every new home built, only the ones on a certain grade that slows down fire company response time. It's always painfully obvious they have no argument when they make claims like the ones below:

From OregonLive.com: "MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — House builders and real estate agents want the City Council to overturn a rule that requires fire sprinklers in new single-family homes."

"The Medford Fire Department began imposing new standards last year that require sprinklers in new homes that a fire truck would have to climb a 10 percent grade to reach. The policy includes many areas of Medford because there are several steep street sections around the city."

"Dreyer said there are not enough studies that indicate sprinklers really make a difference. She said the benefits are negligible and the costs are expensive — a sprinkler system for a new 2,400-square-foot house costs $6,000."

"Kuntz said he doesn't object to the city requiring sprinklers in certain homes, but he does object to making a policy change without a public hearings."

By stating there are "not enough studies" that prove how effective, safe, and reliable a fire sprinkler system is, they have no credibility. Even the overstated costs of $6,000 is out there. In new home construction, the costs are much less because the systems are put in while the house is being built. A retrofit certainly costs more but not in a new building project.

Fire Sprinklers put fires out faster, with more efficiency, than waiting for and endangering the lives of firefighters. And with less damage.

It's been proven time and time again.

* photo - life safety fire protection

Labels: Fire Safety, Fire Safety News, Fire Sprinkler Regulations

From NY1.com: "Mayor Michael Bloomberg is once again urging New Yorkers to keep fire safety in mind, in the wake of this week's tragic fire in the Bronx.

In his weekly radio address on 1010 WINS, the mayor stressed the importance of preparing for an emergency.

'If a fire does occur, get out of the house as quickly as possible, and you can help contain it and possibly save lives by closing the doors behind you. Then, use the nearest phone to call 911,' he said. 'Every family should develop and discuss a fire escape plan and practice it. That's especially important if you have children. It only takes a few minutes, but it could save lives.'

Investigators say the Highbridge fire started with an overloaded electrical cord leading to a space heater. The building had smoke detectors, but there were no batteries in them.

Investigators also say residents did not call 911 immediately, delaying the response. "

This should be a lesson to us all. Check your batteries, replace your batteries or add more smoke detectors if you only have one or two. If sprinklers are out of the question in your project, detectors and fire extinguishers could save your life and lives of your family.

Labels: Fire Safety, Fire Safety News

From WNBC TV in New York - 10 fire safety tips:

"Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors warn you of fire in time to let you escape. Install them on each level of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Follow the manufacturer's directions, and test once a week. Replace batteries twice a year, or when the detector chirps to signal that the battery is dead. Don't ever take the battery out for other uses!

Plan and Practice Your escape
If fire breaks out in your home, you must get out fast. With your family, plan two ways out of every room. Fire escape routes must not include elevators, which might take you right to the fire! Choose a meeting place outside where everyone should gather. Once you are out, stay out! Have the whole family practice the escape plan at least twice a year.

Space Heaters Need space
Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet (1 meter) from paper, curtains, furniture, clothing, bedding, or anything else that can burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed, and keep children and pets well away from them.

Be Careful Cooking
Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles, and don't leave cooking unattended. Keep your pot's handles turned inward so children won't knock or pull them over the edge of the stove. If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames, then turn off the burner.

A Match is a Tool for Adults
In the hands of a child, matches or lighters are extremely dangerous. Store them up high where kids can't reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. And teach your children from the start that matches and lighters and lighters are tools for adults, not toys for kids. If children find matches, they should tell an adult immediately.

Use Electricity Safely
If an appliance smokes or begins to smell unusual, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Check all your electrical cords, and replace any that are cracked or frayed. If you use extension cords, replace any that are cracked or frayed; and don't overload them or run them under rugs. Remember that fuses and circuit breakers protect you from fire: don't tamper with the fuse box or use fuses of an improper size.

Cool a Burn
If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes to ease the pain. Do not use butter on a burn, as this could prolong the heat and further damage the skin. If burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately.

STOP, DROP, AND ROLL
Everyone should know this rule: if your clothes catch fire, don't run! Stop where you are, drop to the ground, and roll over and over to smother the flames. Cover your face with your hands to protect your face and lungs.

Crawl Low Under Smoke
If you encounter smoke using your primary exit, use your alternate route instead. If you must exit through smoke, clean air will be several inches off the floor. Get down on your hands and knees, and crawl to the nearest safe exit.

Practice Candle Safety
The popularity of candles as home decorations in recent years, has resulted in an increase of candle related fires. Some safe tips include: Never leave a lit candle unattended in any room of the house; Never leave candles burning when you go to bed; and never use candles near combustible materials such as curtains, drapes, bedding and cabinets. Visit our candle safety page for more information."

Labels: Fire Safety, Fire Safety News

Fire sprinklers can protect the interior of the house, but a fire can start outside and work it's way in. Having sprinklers cannot protect your home and family as easily so it's important to maintain the outdoor areas as well. Here are some tips from Fire Safe House.com on making sure the outside of your home is as protected as the inside:

Stored Firewood

"Storing wood in your backyard requires that you follow the basic fire prevention rules to minimize the chance that wood will catch fire that may lead to a larger scale disaster. If you make sure to maintain your wood safely, you can reduce the occurrence, size, and intensity of a fire. As a first line of defense, create a 30 feet safety clearance around stored wood. A green lawn is a good safety parameter, as long as clean of fire catching debris."

Roofing Materials

"In the past, roofs were built of hazardous, flammable materials and many home losses were a direct result of the roof catching fire. Nowadays, there are new trends that promote fire safety. Consider using non-combustible roofing materials. When building or replacing the roof. Non-combustible materials include class A shingles, metal, or terra cotta. If you don’t have plans to rebuild your roof any time soon, you can still treat it with fire retardant processes and reduce roof flammability."

Barbecue Grills

"Barbecue frills require maintenance. Clean your grill and keep it free of dirt and debris build ups. You will find it easier to clean the grill after every use and remove dust and cobwebs before they build up. Check your hose and confirm it is in good condition and cracks free. Never use damaged propane tanks."

Outdoor Plants

"As there are some plants that ate more fire resistant than others, it is smart to plant these plants in the safety zone. Even with this kind of plants you must remove dry leaves, dead limbs, twigs and debris to prevent them from fueling a small fire into a more intense fire. Thin out trees and keep a fifteen feet space between crowns. This will help reducing the chance of fire spreading. If you own high trees or cannot perform this job yourself, hire a professional to do that for you. In addition, remove limbs and dead branches from 6 to 10 feet of the ground to prevent fire from spreading from the ground to the trees."

If you need to have your home inspected by a fire safety professional, or you would like to have fire sprinklers installed in your home for added protection, you can find help for free. On ConstructionDeal.com. Simply post your inspection request and a network of fire safety companies will come out to your home to assess your needs. It's fast, simple, and free to use our service.

Labels: Fire Dangers, Fire Safety, Outdoor Fire Safety

From the Current Online.com "What do you need to know about fire prevention? And more importantly, do you know what to do should you need to get out?

Getting out takes practice, according to Tom Harwin, fire chief for the Normandy Fire Protection District. "No matter what your plan, when smoke fills the hallway, you become disoriented," said Harwin. "Practice in perfect conditions."

While in perfect conditions without a fire, know your route, and count the doors from where you are to the hallway or exit. Smoke is the greatest risk in a fire situation. Heat and flames are not normally the cause of death. Fires give off several gases, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide.

"Smoke is hazardous, for inhalation, and because it blinds you," said Harwin. The smoke can disorient you, then the carbon monoxide can impact your body's systems, making an escape more difficult to achieve.

Harwin said the best prevention is to protect yourself. "Smoke detectors are the best protection we have. And they do work as long as they are maintained," he said. In that maintenance, the batteries should be checked and the detector regularly tested.

Fires can occur at any time of day, but according to Harwin, nights are usually worse than days. People are asleep, so there are less people around when the fire is still at the incipient stage and able to be seen from first signals. There is also the trouble of rousing individuals to get out.

Early detection products, such as smoke alarms, can help act as a witness to a developing fire when people are not awake or around to do so.

Aside from smoke detectors, sprinkler systems are some of the best protection against fire available. According to Harwin, 95-97% of fires that are sprinkled are contained to that area. He said that most fires can be contained with no more than three sprinkler heads.

If a fire is between two, two will activate, at most three. The sprinklers keep the developing fire in check until the fire department can arrive.

Harwin said that the majority of fires happen in the kitchen, which is primarily why there are not kitchenettes in most dorms.

People will set something on to cook late at night, sit on the couch while the food is cooking, then doze off.

"Usually the food is just smoking, but people have perished in kitchen fires," he said.

Of all kitchen fires, Harwin said, "Grease fires are terrible." If using an open skillet instead of a contained heating coil, such as one found in a fry daddy, the oil can splash over the side and ignite. The entire pan of oil then combusts into flame and can easily catch the cabinetry nearby.

Labels: Fire Safety, Fire Safety News

Fire safety news from the Post-Bulletin.com: "Austin's effort to revitalize downtown is confronted with several long-range problems, such as parking and access to upper levels of buildings, according to city officials.

A third issue relates to finding ways to help older, downtown structures meet today's building codes, particularly by installing fire sprinkler systems, and Austin City Council is supporting a proposed program to help in that endeavor.

Council members voted 6-1 at a work session Tuesday to recommend Port Authority designate an initial $200,000 in funds for low- or no-interest loans to owners of older buildings downtown to install sprinkler systems. The proposal is for buildings 80 years or older.

Several downtown buildings date to the 1880s and 1890s.

The 10-year loans also could be made to upgrade electrical systems in the older buildings, which would decrease the risk of fire, City Administrator Jim Hurm said.

The program could help revitalize downtown and save lives and structures, Hurm said. The fire department is concerned with an entire downtown block burning down, as the buildings are connected, he said.

In a memorandum to the council, Hurm stated the loan program's first priority should be the older buildings that are connected.

The nonprofit Austin Main Street Project, which aims to revive downtown, would administer the funds. Money for the program would come out of Port Authority's budget, which would be in addition to the roughly $760,000 it already has for downtown revitalization, officials said.

Council member Dick Pacholl voted against supporting the program, saying he wouldn't get that kind of loan offer as a homeowner. It's the building owner's problem to handle, he said.

His son and fellow council member Scott Pacholl disagreed, saying the program makes sense considering the money the city already has invested in reviving downtown. If buildings burn down, the city's investment is wasted, he said.

Several insurance agents, according to Hurm, have told him an older building's insurance rate could be reduced by 20 percent to 50 percent with the installation of a sprinkler system, depending on various factors. An electrical-system upgrade could lead to another 7 percent to 10 percent decrease in insurance for an older building."

Labels: Fire Safety, Fire Safety News, Fire Sprinkler Regulations