The First Facility Management Blog

Older adults are more vulnerable to a number of risks including fire, either at home or in assisted living facilities such as nursing homes. In a recent nationwide survey conducted by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), Americans correctly identified adults age 65 and older as the most at-risk group.

Thirty-nine percent of Americans named older adults as the most at risk of fire danger, while 26% of respondents indicated that infants and toddlers were most at risk. At the same time, 63% of Americans stated they think about fire less than once a year.

“I’m not surprised that Americans recognize the increased risk of fire to older adults. People with limited physical and cognitive abilities, especially older adults, are at a higher risk of death from fire than other groups,” says Chris Jelenewicz, engineering program manager at SFPE, and a scheduled speaker at The TFM Forum this coming April. “At the same time, it’s dismaying that most people don’t think about fire even once a year when over 3,000 people die each year as a result of fire. Without a doubt, the public does not fully understand the enormity and seriousness of the fire problem.”

While fire is a noteworthy risk for people of all ages, federal government statistics cite older adults to be almost twice as likely to die in a fire as compared to the rest of the population. Older adults are more likely to suffer from reduced sensory abilities and mental capacities as well as physical disabilities. Moreover, medical devices, cooking equipment, and electrical products can pose serious fire risks to older adults.

There are numerous ways that fire protection engineers play an essential role in designing safe facilities that house aging populations. For example, they analyze how buildings are used, how fires start, how fires grow, and how fire and smoke affects people, buildings, and property.  Additionally, they use technology to:

• Design systems that control fires, alert people to danger and provide means for escape
• Evaluate buildings to pinpoint the risks of fires and the means to prevent them
• Conduct fire safety research on consumer products and construction materials
• Investigate fires to discover how fire spreads, why protective measures failed, and how those measures could have been designed more effectively

The Society seeks to increase the public’s awareness of how science and technology is used to protect people from fire.  “Whether they live in a small house or a large assisted living facility, it’s critically important to take the time to evaluate your loved ones fire risks and ensure the best technology is available to protect them from fire, “ said Jelenewicz. “Their life may depend on it.”

The survey, commissioned by the SFPE and conducted in January 2010 by Synovate, polled more than 1,000 American adults. The findings have a margin of error of +/- 3%.

Tips On Fire And Elderly Populations

As part of National Engineers Week, February 14-20, SFPE published a list of ways that fire protection engineers enhance the safety of public and private buildings and what American should look for in their loved ones living facilities.

Fire protection engineers use science and technology to protect our aging population from fire. Fire protection engineers enhance the safety of facilities that house the elder by designing:

• Active Fire Protection Systems: Fire protection engineers design active fire protection systems such as fire detection systems, sprinkler systems, notification systems, and means of egress systems. These systems detect fires, control fires, alert people to danger, and provide means for escape.
• Passive Fire Protection Systems: Fire protection engineers design passive fire protection such as fire barriers, smoke barriers, and fire doors that block the spread of smoke and fire in a building. In an assisted living facility, passive systems also provide an area of refuge for people who are not mobile.
• Testing and Maintenance Programs for Fire Protection Equipment: Once fire protection systems are designed and installed in a building, the facility must should an inspection, maintenance, and testing program for these systems. Records for all testing, maintenance, and inspection activities should be available at all times.
• Emergency Planning: Every assisted living facility should have a documented emergency plan that addresses the many types of emergencies that can occur including fire. This plan should include an evacuation plan and a plan for exit drills. Exit drills are necessary so that occupants will know how to make an efficient and orderly escape. Moreover, the plan should be coordinated with the local fire department. All staff should receive periodic training and understand their responsibilities in implementing the emergency plan.

You see them everywhere—intersections, parking lots, and storefronts—but in Houston, TX, the public will no longer be subjected to inflatable marketing devices. This comes after an incident on a shopping center rooftop just yesterday (1/28/10), when an out-of-control inflatable gorilla deflated and caused a fire.

From the AP:

District Chief Fred Hooker says some type of a “blowup doll” was on the roof, the item deflated and landed on some lights, leading to the fire. Fire authorities say two stores suffered minor water damage. Part of the rooftop also was seen to have suffered fire damage. No injuries were reported in the fire early Thursday.

(However, the gorilla is not doing so well…)

This Web Exclusive article comes from Jeff Razwick, vice president of business development for Technical Glass Products (TGP).

Do life jackets really need labels? All life jackets offer users some degree of flotation, but improperly fitted vests can fail to keep people afloat in times of need. Labels help prevent improper use by quickly pointing users to the jacket’s size, weight and type.

In the same way, building industry professionals rely on fire-rated building material labels to help select and inspect appropriate products—which is critical for protecting building occupants and valuables from the spread of flames and smoke. Of the various fire-rated building materials available, fire-rated glazing is one product class whose label is essential to understand for effective use. Such labels are mandatory, and are required to be compliant with current codes.

An example of a fire-rated glass label

A Look At The Basics
Fire-rated glass labels include basic product information, such as product name, characteristics (e.g., tempered, laminated), and whether it is listed by an independent testing agency like Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Labels compliant with the 2006 International Building Code (IBC) also include four easy to decipher marking categories (example label at right):

• suitability per testing requirements for use in doors, openings or walls;
• conformance with the hose stream test;
• conformance with any temperature rise door criteria; and
• fire-rating in minutes.

Suitability per testing requirements
The label includes one or more specific designations that describe where the system may be appropriate for use based on applicable testing standards:

• “D” indicates Doors (doors, sidelites, and transoms meeting NFPA 252)
• “O” indicates Openings (window openings meeting NFPA 257)
• “W” indicates Walls (fire-resistant glazing meeting ASTM E119)

Products marked with a “D” or “O” are designed to remain intact during a fire as a door or opening for the specified number of minutes in the fire rating. A “W” marking is for products tested as wall assemblies that are intended to block the spread of smoke and flames, as well as provide a barrier to radiant heat. Such fire-rated walls may be suitable for areas where people can be trapped for extended periods of time, such as exit corridors and stairwells.

The hose stream test
Performance on a required hose stream test is indicated on the label by:

• “H” indicates glazing meets the NFPA HOSE STREAM test standards (required for all windows and door assemblies with ratings of 45 minutes or more)
• “NH” indicates glazing does NOT meet HOSE STREAM test standards (an NH marking is only appropriate for some 20-minute fire-rated door assemblies)

The hose stream test is an essential part of fire-rated glass testing. It addresses the “cooling, impact, and erosion effects” of a stream of water and is designed to eliminate “inadequate materials or constructions.” Products that fail the test may be at risk for breaking or shattering if heated in a fire and cooled by water from fire hoses or sprinklers.

Temperature rise door criteria
Similarly, conformance with temperature rise criteria is shown on the label with:

• “T” indicates glazing meets TEMPERATURE RISE door criteria per codes
• “NT” indicates glazing does NOT meet TEMPERATURE RISE criteria

Fire rating in minutes
The final marking is a two- or three-digit number showing the fire rating in minutes. Fire-rated glass can earn anywhere from a 20-minute to a 3-hour rating, depending on how long it can be expected to perform in a fire.

Safety Is Key
Correctly installed fire-rated glazing materials can buy individuals more time to escape burning buildings before firefighters arrive, as well as help reduce building damage. By taking the time to understand labeling systems, building industry professionals can decipher which materials are suited for use in various applications.

A nationwide survey conducted by Bethesda, MD-based Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) reveals that building security topped a list of characteristics as Americans’ most important feature in public buildings. The list included comfort, fire safety, environmental friendliness, and other amenities. 

“The findings are not surprising, given the threat from crime and terrorism that we face today,” says Chris Jelenewicz, engineering program manager at SFPE. “However, Americans should recognize that thousands of people die each year in fires, and fire safety features are critical to protect people and property.”

The results of this survey revealed 28% of Americans feel security is the most important feature, while 12% of respondents indicated that fire safety is the most important aspect of a building’s design. Americans also ranked comfort and amenities higher than fire safety. The results are similar to SFPE’s 2006 survey, in which the same question was asked.

“Throughout history, the desire for increased building security has contributed to countless deadly building fires. The most notable fire occurred at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City in 1911, where locked exit doors contributed to 146 fatalities,” said Jelenewicz. “Although the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire occurred almost 100 years ago, the threat can still exist today if security is not balanced with fire protection.”

The survey also revealed that when compared to natural disasters, 45% believe fire is the event that will most likely cause harm to them or their family. Included in this list were lighting strikes (18%), hurricanes (15%), earthquakes (12%), and floods (10%).

These findings support statistics that show people are more likely to be harmed by fire when compared to natural disasters. Although natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes are covered widely in the national news media, many more people die each year as a result of fire.

Another noteworthy finding reveals that over 58% of those surveyed worry about the dangers of fire less than once a year. At the same time, wealthy Americans think about the risk of fire less frequently than those with lower incomes.

“As a nation, we face widespread misconceptions about fire safety, and that’s worrisome,” said Jelenewicz. “That is why it is important that fire protection engineers devote their careers to protecting people and property from fire.”

The survey commissioned by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers and conducted in February, 2009 by Synovate, polled more than one thousand American adults. The findings have a margin of error of plus (+) or minus (-) three percent.

SimplexGrinnell has passed the review of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to earn certification for its security, fire, and life safety systems integration services under the SAFETY (Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies) Act—a federal law that encourages the creation and sale of anti-terror products and services to help protect the nation’s citizens.

The designation and certification of SimplexGrinnell’s security, fire, and life safety systems integration services under the SAFETY Act provides important liability protections to the company and its customers in the event of an act of terrorism at a site where the approved technologies have been deployed.

“SimplexGrinnell is proud to bring the benefits of the SAFETY Act certification to our customers,” says Tom Giannini, CPP, director of security and emergency communications marketing. “We believe strongly in the underlying principles of the Act and share the Department of Homeland Security’s commitment to the safety of our country, our citizens, and our critical assets through the application of advanced anti-terrorism technologies.”

The security, fire and, life safety system integration services that SimplexGrinnell can deliver under the SAFETY Act certification include its fire alarms, fire sprinklers, and fire suppression, integrated security, emergency communications and special hazards systems and services.

Pinpointing Critical Infrastructure Industries
According to Giannini, the SAFETY Act certification is particularly relevant for owners, senior leaders, and facility executives in critical infrastructure industries such as government, commercial real estate, sporting venues, utilities, transportation, healthcare, education, and financial services. “SimplexGrinnell has a wealth of experience in delivering solutions that help customers protect life and property in mission critical operations,” Giannini said. “The SAFETY Act certification strengthens our ability to meet critical needs in these vital industries.”

SimplexGrinnell’s certification comes as the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council releases a new report, “Why Robust Use of the SAFETY Act is Critical to Homeland Security & How to Get There.” The full Council report is available at: www.homelandcouncil.org.

“In order to achieve a strong, robust market of anti-terror technologies, the federal government, state and local governments, private industry, and the nation at large all have a stake in widespread utilization of the SAFETY Act,” said Marc Pearl, president and CEO of the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council, commenting on the release of the report. “Companies that seek SAFETY Act certification are working in the best interest of their customers, their shareholders and the industry at large.”

Passed by Congress as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the SAFETY Act provides incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies for homeland security. The Act helps ensure that the threat of liability does not deter the development of technologies that could significantly reduce the risks and effects of a terrorist act. To achieve SAFETY Act protection, a company must demonstrate that its products or services can in some way deter, defend against, identify, respond to, or mitigate an act of terrorism.

Earlier this month, International Code Council members debated and voted on code change proposals shaping the future of building safety and fire prevention. The hundreds of approved code changes will be included in the 2009 version of the International Codes, used to guide construction in all 50 states and Washington, DC.

“We are exploring improvements in the areas of structural and fire safety alongside sustainable and energy efficient building, all of which will have enormous impact on virtually every aspect of safety in the built environment,” said Code Council President Adolf Zubia, Fire Chief for Las Cruces, NM.

Several code changes will be directed at residential structures, but among the major changes relevant to facility professionals in commercial buildings are:
• A new standard, ANSI/APSP-7-06, brings the I-Codes in line with the Virginia Graeme Baker Federal Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007. It addresses suction entrapment avoidance in swimming pools, wading pools, spas, hot tubs, and catch basins.
• For skyscrapers, buildings greater than 420 feet in height, an additional stairwell is required to assist firefighter access to upper floors. The additional stairwell is not required if the building includes special elevators that can be used to evacuate occupants during an emergency.

Members did not approve the comprehensive energy package in EC-14 purporting a 30% increase in energy efficiency. However several energy efficiency-related changes were approved, including:
• A requirement to install programmable thermostats in new homes and buildings with forced air furnaces.
• Maximum fenestration u-factors are lowered in warmer climates to reduce the amount of heat loss or gain through windows and doors to lower energy costs during cooling periods.
• An increase in insulation R-values for walls, floors, and basements in cold climates to achieve heating and cooling savings.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including schools. Most U.S. cities, counties, and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.

Fire-Lite Alarms MS-9050UD addressable fire alarm system recently help save the historic Inn at Danbury, in Danbury, NH. According to local news accounts, the four alarm fire summoned firefighters from nearly 20 area departments. They extinguished the fire that originated in the three story barn before it reached the attached inn and restaurant.

Less than a year ago, the local fire chief requested the Inn install a new fire alarm system throughout its restaurant, barn, and main house/guest quarters. Consequently, the installation of a new addressable system was complete by mid-November.

Chief Thomas Austin of the Danbury Fire Department directed the emergency response efforts to save the Inn. “The barn suffered water and smoke damage throughout, but there was no damage to the Inn at all,” claimed Austin. Bob and Alexandra Graf, proprietors of the inn, lived in the 150-year old barn with their family.  

According to the fire department, the Inn’s fire alarm notified fire and police five minutes prior to the first phone call from the premises to report the fire. “Had it been five more minutes, the Inn would have suffered total devastation,” says Austin. “I can’t compliment the alarm system enough. If it hadn’t worked, they might not have realized the situation until it was too late.”

Born out of a farmhouse built in 1850, the Inn at Danbury is an historic landmark that resides in a rural area of central New Hampshire. Run by a family of six, the Inn’s 14 guest rooms, indoor pool and award winning Alphorn Bistro restaurant provide a combination of old world German hospitality and New England charm.

The facility’s fire alarm system was restored and put back into commission within 48 hours after the fire. All operations are now back in order, and the inn is once again open for business.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that will help communities across the country adopt and administer building codes to save lives and protect property. The Community Building Code Administration Grant (CBCAG) Act, sponsored by Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS), would provide awards to local governments to establish and enforce building safety and fire prevention codes.

CBCAG funds would be used to recruit, hire, train, and equip “First Preventers,” building and fire safety officials who prevent harm by ensuring compliance with safety codes before disasters occur. The bill now goes to the Senate.

“We are very excited that the House of Representatives passed the CBCAG Act,” said International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. “This legislation provides desperately needed resources to many vulnerable communities that do not have the trained personnel or tools to translate safety codes into proper compliance. With the bill moving through the Senate, we are inching closer to the major goal of supporting our First Preventers in the vital roles they play in protecting the public through implementation of building and fire safety.”

“Government at all levels is recognizing the central role in public safety performed by code adoption and code compliance,” said Code Council President Steve Shapiro, who is director of codes compliance for Hampton, VA. “The safety value of building and fire codes as well as the essential job done by code officials, America’s First Preventers, to prevent harm to people and property come into sharper focus when lawmakers consider how best to protect the public at home, at school, at work and at play.”

In the Senate, the measure is expected to be referred to the Banking Committee where the Senate’s version of the bill is being considered. The Banking Committee could act on the House or Senate version of the bill before it passes out of committee and goes to the full Senate for a vote.

Fire is a danger that can affect entire communities. For example, each year in the U.S., more than 3,000 people die as a result of fire. To combat its destructive force, fire protection engineers use their acquired skills and the latest technology.

Fire Protection Engineer Tony Caro studied industrial engineering at New Mexico State University before switching to an education in fire protection engineering. “I realized I wasn’t as interested in industrial engineering as I was in the fire service. I also knew that I wanted to do more than just fight fires while still providing a service to society,” he says. “Fire protection engineering was the right fit.” Caro now works for the City of Denver’s Fire Prevention Bureau and Investigation Division.

Using science and technology, fire protection engineers perform a wide range of roles that include:

• Evaluating buildings to pinpoint the risks of fires and the means to prevent them;
• Reviewing building design documents for fire departments, fire marshal offices, and/or code enforcement agencies to assure compliance with the applicable building and fire regulations;
• Designing building systems that: detect fires, control the spread of fires, control the movement of smoke, alert people to danger, and provide a safe means for building occupants to exit a building;
• Conducting fire safety research on consumer products and construction materials;
• Investigating fires to discover how they spread, why protective measures failed, and how those measures could have been designed more effectively.

“Fire protection engineers are in high demand and short supply,” said Chris Jelenewicz, a fire protection engineer with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). In a recent SFPE survey of the largest employers of fire protection engineers, an overwhelming majority currently has difficulty recruiting enough qualified engineers. “Those surveyed believe this imbalance in demand will continue at least five years into the future,” said Jelenewicz.

These employers cover a wide range of industries, including private consulting firms, large corporations, fire departments, local building code officials, insurance firms, federal, state and local government agencies, and architectural and design firms. Frequently, fire protection engineers assist architects, builders, and fire departments in the design and construction of new facilities.

A fire protection engineer uses science and engineering principles to protect people, homes, workplaces, the economy, and the environment from the devastating effects of fires. Fire protection engineers analyze how buildings are used, how fires start and grow, and how fires affect people and property. They use the latest technologies to design systems to control fires, alert people to danger, and provide means for escape. Fire protection engineers also work closely with other professionals, including engineers of other disciplines, architects, state and local building officials, and local fire departments to build fire safe communities.

For more information about a career in fire protection engineering, click this link.

The Wrigley Global Innovation Center serves as an office and research facility for the confectionery industry. One notable element of the facility is the atrium in the center of the building, which provides meeting areas in a garden setting, featuring 25 plant species from four continents under 540 glass panels. While the rest of the building was only three stories, the four story high atrium reclassified the building, requiring high rise consideration under the Chicago Building Code (CBC).

Rolf Jensen and Associates (RJA), the fire/life safety and building code consultants for the project, worked closely with architects, Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK) to achieve code compliance and retain the building’s design elegance and functionality. “We recommended using a sprinkler protected glass wall to separate the atrium from the rest of the building,” said
RJA Senior Vice President Dick Evenson. “The sprinkler system would spray water on the glass to keep it cool. Because occupied spaces facing the atrium would not have to be included as part of the atrium volume once the glass sprinklers were installed, we demonstrated that the glass sprinkler concept met the high rise code requirements of the CBC and the City of Chicago.”

“The Wrigley project brought out RJA’s performance based design skills,” Evenson said. “It was another great collaborative effort between the architects and RJA to achieve design excellence and safety.”