The First Facility Management Blog

TRACTION TREAD GLOW stair nosings are recommended for high traffic installations demanding maximum non-slip safety. Part of ZERO International’s Photoluminescent Exit Marking System, the TRACTION TREAD GLOW product is designed to help guide facility occupants during evacuations in darkness, smoke and crowds.

TRACTION TREAD GLOW is part of ZERO International’s Photoluminescent Exit Marking System.

The non-slip stair nosings have profiled grooves with rubber or epoxy inserts to provide durable, attractive surfaces that do not collect dirt or water. The photoluminescent strips are integrated in the outer four grooves along stair edges. Available in standard aluminum finish, they are designed for cutting and drilling on-site. This can provide an aesthetic solution to ADA requirements for detectable warnings on stairs and hazardous surfaces.

ZERO International’s photoluminescent products provide the marking systems and signage needed to comply with the demanding codes and standards for photoluminescent exit path markings. For instance, the company’s signs and marking systems satisfy New York City’s Building Code Standard RS 6-1/1A to facilitate safe emergency exits during building evacuations when power and back up power systems have failed.

The NYC standard calls for photoluminescence both in directional signs pointing to exits and in markings showing outlines of egress paths, stairs, handrails, and obstacles. These signs and markings must be placed close to the floor to allow visibility in smoke and crowded, as well as dark, conditions. Mandated signs and markings are required in both new and existing high-rises.

All ZERO marking systems and signs feature aluminum backing and/or foam tape for adhesion to brick and other uneven surfaces found in many buildings. The marking systems can also be mechanically fastened, if preferred.

Shortly before the end of classes on December 1, 1958, a fire broke out at the Our Lady of Angels Elementary School in Chicago. Ninety-five people died in the fire, and numerous others were injured. This fire, which occurred 50 years ago, is still one of the deadliest school fires in the history of the United States.

Chris Jelenewicz, engineering program manager with the Bethesda, MD-based Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), says of the tragedy, “Poor fire protection design was a major contributing factor to the significant number of deaths and injuries. Additionally, many lives were lost because the fire burned out of control for a considerable amount of time before the children were notified that an emergency existed in the building.”

At the time of the fire about 1,600 children, from kindergarten through 8th grade occupied the two-story brick and wood joist building.

The fire started in the basement at the bottom of one of the building’s interior stairways. The open stairway did not have fire-rated doors at the top of the stair. As a result, the fire spread quickly up the stair into the second floor corridors.

“Once the fire started, the stairway effectively became a chimney–allowing the hot smoke and deadly gases to spread quickly up this stair and throughout the second floor corridors,” says Jelenewicz. “This prevented the occupants from exiting through the corridors which was the only safe escape route.”

The fire department rescued many children with ground ladders or by catching those who jumped out the windows. Despite these efforts, many of the children died in their classrooms and others were forced to jump out windows to their deaths.

Also, the building was not equipped with a sprinkler system or an automatic fire alarm/detection system.

“Because of the delay in notification, the lack of adequate fire protection systems and the unprotected stairs, the occupants just didn’t have enough time to get out alive,” explains Jelenewicz.

Additional contributing factors to the number of deaths and injuries included a delay in calling the fire department.

As a result of the fire, many building requirements were enhanced to make schools safer from fire. Some of these requirements include the installation of fire alarm and automatic fire suppression systems and increasing the frequency of exit drills.

“The Our Lady of Angels Fire reminds us of the threat that is posed by fire and the importance of designing buildings that that keep people safe from fire,” says Jelenewicz. “The fact of the matter, however, is that today schools are much better protected. This is in large part due to the fire safety strategies and systems designed by fire protection engineers that make our world safer from fire.”

SEEMS Inc., a Japanese company which focuses on fragrance and biomimetics to develop products for environmental, medical, and security applications, has developed the “Wasabi Fire Alarm”.

The pungent fragrance of Wasabi may save lives.

Actually a smoke detector, the product is designed to assist in notifying deaf people of a fire event using the pungent aroma of Wasabi–the spicy green horseradish condiment known for its ability to make eyes water. Upon detecting smoke, the unit sprays out a synthesized wasabi smell that wakes up people who might have slept through a conventional fire alarm.

Prototype of SEEMS Inc.'s Wasabi Fire Alarm

Assistant professor Makoto Imai from the Shiga University of Medical Science, who built the alarm in collaboration with SEEMS, stated the smoke detector may save lives among the hard of hearing. In studies, Imai reported that the Wasabi smoke detector was tested on 14 people, including four deaf people. Except for one person with a blocked nose, all woke up within two minutes of the smell reaching them.

The product may enter the market in Japan within two years.

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.

Each year, many students lose their lives or are injured in preventable fires. Now that students have moved into college residence halls, off-campus housing, or fraternity/sorority houses for the school year, the American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) Fire Protection Practice Specialty (PS) is urging them them to be aware of life-saving fire prevention knowledge. ASSE has prepared (and is distributing) free fire safety tip sheets and a flier with information on how students can stay safe (see the “on/off campus fire safety tips” portion of the ASSE site).

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 3,300 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks in 2002-2005. These fires caused an annual average of seven civilian deaths, 46 civilian fire injuries, and $25 million in property damage. In addition, fires in dormitories or dormitory-related buildings have increased by 3% from 1980 to 2005.

“Every year, we hear of repeated tragedies involving college students injured and killed in fires. One of the largest losses of life in recent history occurred in 2007 claiming the lives of seven University of South Carolina college students in a single tragic event,” said ASSE Fire Protection PS Administrator Frank Baker, CSP, CFPS. “Although the incident occurred away from campus, it involved students nonetheless and points out the need to be aware of the risk of fire and how devastating the results can be in any situation where many persons occupy a single structure.”

Though a number of student-related fire tragedies occur both on and off-campus, the majority of campus fires occur off-campus. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), out of the 129 campus-related fire fatalities that occurred from January 2000 to the present, 108 occurred off-campus.

On May 21, 2008, a Tompkins Cortland Community College student was killed in an off-campus fire near Ithaca, NY. On August 2007, a Bradley University student died in an off-campus house fire; the building was not equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system. In 2006, an off-campus fire that started in a plastic container used for discarding smoking materials took the life of one Cornell University student and injured another; in 2005, an off-campus arson related fire killed one University of Maryland student and critically injured another; in 2004, a Greek-Fraternity house fire with an unknown cause killed three Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity members at the University of Mississippi; and in 2003, five Ohio State University students were killed from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning caused by an arson related off-campus fire.

“Students and parents should plan and ask questions about fire safety when moving into on or off-campus housing,” said Maureen Kotlas, CSP, CPEA, member of the ASSE Fire Protection Practice Specialty Advisory Committee and director of environmental safety at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. “Students should always follow safe practices and realize the role of alcohol in fire fatalities. Behavior as well as planning and asking questions, are all factors in preventing on and off-campus fires.”

The USFA notes that there is a strong link between fire deaths and alcohol stating that in more than 50% of adult fire fatalities, the victims were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fires. The USFA also states that in cases where fire fatalities occurred on campus, alcohol was a factor. Drinking alcohol impairs judgment and can hinder efforts to evacuate during a fire.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Fire Deaths and Injuries Fact Sheet, most victims of fires die from smoke or toxic gases, not from burns. And, according to the USFA, smoke inha­lation alone accounts for 39% of residential building fire injuries. Smoke inhalation occurs when one breathes in the products of combustion during a fire.

With that said, each residence hall should be equipped with properly operating doors with self-closers that are not propped open; clearly marked exits; corridors that are kept clear and are not blocked; heating and ventilation systems that are routinely inspected and repaired for any deficiencies; and properly operating fire alarm and extinguishing systems, and equipped where required.

On August 14, President Bush signed the Higher Education Opportunity Act into law (Public Law No: 110-315), which includes language requiring colleges that maintain on-campus student housing facilities to provide information on campus fire safety practices and standards to the U.S. Department of Education. The data reported should include: the number of fires and the cause of each fire; the number of injuries and deaths related to a fire; the value of property damage caused by a fire; a description of on-campus student housing fire safety systems; the number of regular mandatory supervised fire drills; policies or rules on portable electrical appliances, smoking, and open flames, procedures for evacuation, and policies regarding fire safety education and training programs provided to students, faculty, and staff; and plans for future improvements in fire safety, if necessary.

Baker added, “The ASSE Fire Protection Practice Specialty strongly supports all efforts being made by local enforcement officials and school housing bureaus to improve the awareness of students and parents in the area of fire safety. To that end, ASSE has assembled information to assist all students and parents to ensure their living situation is as safe as possible. These tips are intended to remind both students and parents to identify potentially dangerous conditions that could cause fires, result in students not being alerted to a dangerous situation or prevent them from safely evacuating in the event of an emergency. Fire prevention and preparation for on/off campus fires and all emergencies are keys to life safety.”

On and off-campus fires can be prevented by implementation of sound fire safety activities such as not overloading extension cords, power strips or outlets; cooking safely; avoiding open flames, and; correctly discarding smoking materials. Injuries and fatalities can be avoided by developing a fire escape plan; having and knowing how to work fire extinguishers, escape ladders and fire alarms and detectors; as well as knowing where exists are located. ASSE is providing free fire safety tips on statistics, prevention tips, fire escape planning, fire safety equipment for off-campus and Greek housing, information on recent incidents, a parents guide to fire safety: what you need to know when your child leaves home for college, a list of key resources, and an on/off campus fire safety flyer.

The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association recognizes Fire Prevention Month by reminding facility managers about the importance of fire safety planning and preparedness, centered on a balanced fire protection approach.

According to the Association, balanced fire protection means that fire safety should not rely on one single safeguard, but rather a complete and balanced design, including a variety of fire equipment products ranging from portable fire extinguishers and standpipe fire hose stations to pre-engineered suppression systems, as well as an evacuation plan. 

“While property managers and tenants need to work together everyday to minimize the risk of fires in their buildings, Fire Safety Month is a fitting time…to re-evaluate [a] fire protection plan, ensure equipment is in proper working condition, and communicate evacuation steps with tenants,” says Joe Beranek, president of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. “With a balanced design, proper training, and a well-identified evacuation plan, loss can be minimized and lives can be saved.”

The Association is offering facility managers the following fire safety checklist, including seven steps to help save lives and protect property:

1. Know building codes: Evaluate your building’s fire protection plan, communicate it with occupants, and become familiar with local building code requirements, going above and beyond the minimum required for precautionary measures.

2. Assess the building: When determining what fire equipment is needed, consider what type of building it is, what it is used for, and how it was built.

3. Check fire extinguishers: Monthly, check to make sure fire extinguishers are operable and pressurized. Report any damage, such as leaks or corrosion to your equipment distributor. If damage is found, it should be replaced immediately.

4. Inspect standpipe and occupant fire hose stations: Defend-in-place fire fighting equipment is a must have item, and should be thoroughly inspected. This equipment is easy-to-use on small fires after the fire department has been called and everyone is safe.

5. Understand fire suppression systems: Mandated by National Fire Protection Association standards in special hazard situations, such as in commercial kitchens and industrial areas, fire suppression systems provide fast, on-site protection at the early stage of a fire.

6. Implement and communicate an evacuation plan: Exit signage and emergency communications are important components of escape planning. Every building should have visibly placed signs to indicate exit routes, and emergency drills should be practiced regularly. 

7. Train and educate: Equipment training is critical. For training information and interactive programs, facility managers can visit www.fireextinguisher.com, www.rackhosetraining.com, and www.firesystemstraining.org.  

During the first few minutes of a fire, an occupant’s first defense is a portable fire extinguisher or a standpipe occupant fire hose station. But prior to attempting to extinguish a fire, the occupant should first contact the fire department; assure everyone is safe; confirm the fire is small and does not appear to be spreading; and there is a clear path between the fire and the exit.

About the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association

Located in Cleveland, OH, the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association is a more than 60 year-old non-profit trade association dedicated to saving lives and protecting property by providing education of a balanced fire protection design.

On August 21, Johnson Controls, Inc. announced a new strategic alliance with Carter Brothers, LLC, an Atlanta-based Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) that offers electronic security, fire and life safety products and services.

“The alliance will help both Johnson Controls and Carter Brothers reach customers in new and creative ways,” said Carolyn Woznicki, vice president, global purchasing and supply chain, Johnson Controls. “Carter Brothers has a great project management approach to commercial projects, strong local fire alarm presence, and solid construction management experience in multiple markets. Johnson Controls has a global network of branch offices, relationships in a variety of markets and deep enterprise technology expertise.”

With the alliance, Johnson Controls and Carter Brothers are able to offer a fire and security service platform, MBE participation, major projects capabilities, and a full palate of local services.

“This is an exciting milestone,” said John Carter, president and CEO of Carter Brothers, “We are proud to align with Johnson Controls, a Fortune 100 company, to provide our customers with local presence, expertise and the scale at a national level to meet their fire and security needs.”

The alliance will satisfy customers who require a certain level or percentage of MBE certified companies or workers in their projects. Both corporations view diversity as key to their continued success. Johnson Controls belongs to the Billion Dollar Roundtable, an organization of corporations that spend $1 billion annually with minority and women-owned suppliers. Both Carter Brothers and Johnson Controls are National Corporate Plus® Minority Business Enterprises. (To be eligible for Corporate Plus® eligibility, MBEs must conduct business nationally and be recommended by a National Corporate Member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) among other criteria.)

Fire protection systems – including fire detection, alarm and suppression systems – play a significant role in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public. These systems alert children to danger when fires occur at schools and control fires that start in high-rise apartment buildings. As such, it is essential for fire protection systems to be designed by qualified professionals.
 
Because of industry wide concerns over the inconsistencies in state and local engineering regulations regarding the qualifications for those who design fire protection systems, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has joined the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) to develop a unified position statement entitled The Engineer and the Technician – Designing Fire Protection Systems. The purpose this position statement is to describe reasonable and prudent roles and responsibilities of licensed professional engineers and certified engineering technicians when designing fire protection systems.
 
“In the United States, the design requirements for fire protection systems are governed by state and local regulations. As a result, the required qualifications for professionals who design these systems differ from state to state,” said Chris Jelenewicz, Engineering Program Manager with the SFPE. “In fact, some state and local authorities do not require a licensed engineer to take part in the design of these important life safety systems.”
 
The licensing of engineers is important because of the essential role engineering has in society. Normally, structures and systems that impact the public’s safety are required to be designed by licensed engineers. For example, bridges, roads, electrical systems, drinking water systems, and building structures are all required by state engineering laws to be designed by licensed engineers.
 
The engineering profession is regulated by licensing boards in each U.S. state and territory, and they set high standards for professional engineers to protect the public. By law, many jurisdictions require engineers to be licensed in order to practice.
 
Legally, the practice of engineering is a responsibility that cannot be delegated to non-licensed engineers (individuals). The role of the engineering technician is to understand the engineer’s design intent and help implement that design.
 
“The position statement stresses the point that both engineers and technicians play an essential role in the process as long as both practice within their areas of competence,” said Jelenewicz. “Moreover, it establishes basic rules for the relationships between design, code compliance and construction entities. As a result, the general public, firefighters, property and the environment will be better protected from fire.” 

The HON Company, through its new partnership with G3 Technology Innovations, LLC (G3i), is one of the first manufacturers to offer G3i’s GreenShield™ FR finish on its seating, upholstered in 100% polyester Striae, Tile, and Panorama fabrics. This technology for fabric treatment offers protection from water and stains with advanced flame retardant properties. 

G3i develops environmentally responsible solutions that eliminate or dramatically reduce the use of chemistries, typically fluorocarbons, in traditional finishes. Fluorocarbons, as identified by the Environmental Protection Agency, are possible carcinogens, and are persistent in the environment and have been found to accumulate in human and animal bodies. Traditionally, adding protection to fabrics has been provided by using fluorochemical-based finishes.

“We achieve more with less,” explains Dr. Suresh Sunderrajan, one of G3i’s founders. “We can use fewer chemicals to achieve the functionality we need and reduce the amount of treatment textiles require.  We make every atom count.”

The manufacturing of the GreenShield FR finish by G3i is based upon green nanotechnology principles, a practice that offers the opportunity to head off adverse effects before they occur. The processes used eliminate waste, use ambient temperature and pressure, and also solely use aqueous solvents, thereby no volatile organic compounds are released after application onto the fabric.

“We’re constantly searching for ways to reduce the amount of chemicals and emissions that enter the environment,” explains Mindy Billingsley, HON’s environmental marketing manager. “When we learned about G3i’s new textile finishes, we knew they would be a perfect fit for our polyester seating fabrics.

“Kandice Tjebkes, HON’s product business manager for surface materials, says the reduction in chemicals in GreenShield FR benefits the appearance and texture of the treated polyester fabrics. “Unlike other traditional flame-retardant finishes, this one makes the fabric feel ‘normal’ instead of giving it a more stiff texture,” Tjebkes says.  “The fabric’s colors remain true to its original palette, as well.”

GreenShield FR is certified both as a Low Fluorocarbon Treatment and Indoor Advantage™ Gold by Scientific Certification Systems, a third-party auditor, certifier and standards developer for environmental, sustainable and product quality claims.