Propylene glycol and glycerin are Class IIIB Combustible Liquids in their pure form. When mixed with water, the flammability of these compounds is greatly diminished. However, recent tests have shown in high concentrations of greater than 70% glycerine and 60% propylene glycol, there is a potential for a “large-scale” ignition. The results of these tests combined with a recent fatal fire has prompted the NFPA to issue the alert.

AFP is following NFPA recommendations and advising our customers with residential sprinkler systems that contain antifreeze to drain these systems and fill them with water. In addition, customers should take a look at the protected spaces, particularly attics and crawl spaces, to make sure that these areas are properly heated and/or insulated to prevent freezing of the sprinkler piping.  If you have any questions regarding this safety alert or you need to have antifreeze removed from your sprinkler system, please call us at 973-684-4500.

Important links:
NFPA Safety Alert
“Antifreeze Solutions in Home Fire Sprinkler Systems: Literature Review and Research Plan” (2010)

As part of our new marketing campaign, AFP has recently launched a new website (www.associatedfire.com) and a new online newsletter. The website is now driven by a new content management system to make it easier for people to update new content to the site. New enhancements have also been made to AFP’s customer extranet which allows customers to keep track of inspection reports, equipments lists, work orders and invoices online.

For those of you that have been around for awhile, you may remember our print newsletter, The Detector.  We have resurrected the name and we will be sending it out periodically throughout the year to keep everyone informed about the latest happenings at AFP and to keep people infomed about the latest news in the fire protection industry. We hope you enjoy the articles and other bits of information. Please send through any comments or questions.

Regards,
Brett Straten
President

The rule amends the retrofit requriements of the State’s Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A. C5:70-4.7), which previously had allowed nursing homes constructed of non-combustible materials to be exempt from the sprinkler system requirment. These type structures, however, still pose the risk of fatal fire due to combustible building contents.

There were two fatal nursing home fires in 2003: one in Hartford, Connecticut in which 16 residents died and one in Nashville, Tennesse resulting in 15 deaths. Both of these homes were constructed of non-combustible materials and did not have sprinkler systems.

Analysis by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of data from 1994-1998 shows that there were 10.8 deaths per 1,000 fires in nursing homes without sprinklers versus 1.9 deaths per 1,000 fires when automatic suppression systems were present. in July, 2004, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on nursing home fire safety. This report was prepared in response to the fatal fires mentioned above. The GAO report begins its findings by pointing out that “sprinklers are considered to be the single most effective fire protection feature” and that “there has never been a multiple-death fire in a fully sprinklered nursing home.”

For more information on the new nursing home sprinkler requirements contact Associated Fire Protection at sales@associatedfire.com or call us at 866-812-3473

Local Law 58/09 Color Coding, Effective 3/2/2010
A new local law 58/09 concerning the painting of sprinkler and standpipe has been made effective as of 3/2/2010 and is retroactive.  The law states: “All exposed standpipes and sprinkler piping must be painted red.”  There are exceptions, such as branch piping.  The new law applies to all buildings- no matter the size or occupancy.
• Dedicated standpipe valve handles must be painted RED
• Combination standpipe valve handles must be painted YELLOW
• Dedicated sprinkler valve handles must be painted GREEN
For buildings under construction:
• The special inspector will confirm compliance before the walls are enclosed.
•  The color-coding certificate must be kept on the premises at all times for Buildings and Fire Department inspections.
For existing buildings:
• Owners of buildings with exposed sprinkler piping and standpipes must comply and hire one of four types of contractors to certify the color-coding.
• The color-coding certificate must be kept on the premises at all times for Buildings and Fire Department inspections.

Local Law 60/09 Cutting and Capping, Effective 3/2/2010
A new local law 60/09 concerning cutting and capping of standpipe and sprinklers states: “Permits are required to cut and cap standpipes or sprinklers.”
• Authorized Licenses: Only licensed master plumbers or master fire suppression piping contractors may cut and cap standpipes or sprinklers during demolition.
• Local law incorporates TPPN 3/7: For demolitions and gut rehabilitations, a registered design professional must have a variance to remove damaged or inoperable sprinklers. This filing must include a damage report and explanation why the system can’t be restored. (The design professional must first file the variance with the Fire Department and have FDNY approval before filing it with the Buildings Department)

Local Law 63/09 Pressure Testing, Effective 2/4/2010
Freezing temperatures can damage a pressurized system. Compressors without air dryers generate moisture in the line, which can freeze. Exposed valves can also freeze, causing the system to depressurize and triggerering the alarm. The new local law 63/09 concerning pressure testing states:
• New or Altered Sprinkler or Standpipe Systems: A licensed master plumber or licensed fire suppression piping contractor must conduct hydrostatic pressure testing. (Read local law 63/09 for limited excpetions for standpipe in freezing conditions)
• Removing Stories: A licensed master plumber or licensed fire suppression piping contractor must conduct hydrostatic pressure testing before work begins.
• New Buildings Under Construction: An initial standpipe hydrostatic pressure test must be performed when the building reaches 75 feet high; additional tests are required when the building reaches 175 feet high and every 100 feet thereafter.
• Enlargement Triggering a New Standpipe System or Addition to an Existing Standpipe System: A hydrostatic pressure test is required at every 75 feet in height added to the system.

Local Law 64/09 Standpipe Pressurized Alarm Systems, Effective 2/4/2010
The new local law 64/09 concerning standpipe pressurized alarm system states:
• Vacant Building Being Demolished: Existing standpipes must be dry standpipes and have an air-pressurized alarm.
• New Buildings Higher than 75 Feet: Temporary and permanent dry standpipes must have an air-pressurized alarm.
• Prior Notification for Scheduled Work: Contractors must notify the Fire Department before any planned alarm dactivaction.
• Out of Service Standpipes: Contractors must notify the Fire Department.
• Site Safety Manager’s Log: Alarm activations, inspections and repairs must be logged.
• Installation Applications: A registered design professional must file the application.
• Installation Permits: A licensed master plumber or licensed master fire suppression piping contractor and a licensed electrician must have a permit.

For more information regarding these new laws, contact Associated Fire Protection at sales@associatedfire.com or call our customer service department at  866-812-3473 .

Information taken from: NYC Buildings Standpipes & Sprinkler New Safety Regulations Flyer

In an article posted by 1010 wins, click here to read full article http://www.1010wins.com/Officials-Inspect-Jersey-Shore-Rentals-for-Violati/7019949, officials are conducting more and more inspections, and writing up more and more violations, on Jersey Shore vacation home rentals after a January fire in which firefighters found six beds in an attic. The most common deficiency they are finding is dead batteries in the smoke detectors.

Few of us realize the importance of functional smoke detectors in the home. Smoke detectors provide an early warning in the event of a fire, which may allow sufficient time to reach safety. Experts report that consumers may cut their risk of dying in a home fire in half simply by having a smoke detector installed.

It is not only important to have multiple smoke detectors installed in the home, but also to make sure those detectors are working properly. Smoke detectors most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries. The NFPA recommends that home-owners replace smoke detector batteries with a new battery at least once per year, when it starts chirping (a signal that its charge is low), or when it fails a test, which the NFPA recommends to be carried out at least once per month by pressing the “test” button on the alarm.

Contact Associated Fire Protection for more information regarding smoke detectors and other fire protection and safety needs. Also visit our online store to browse a variety of smoke detectors available for purchase.

Associated Fire Protection * 100 Jackson Street, Paterson NJ, 07501 * 866-812-3473 * www.associatedfire.com

Background
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) creates codes and standards for fire protection and suppression systems. The NFPA was formed by a group of insurance companies in the late 1800’s to create uniform codes that the group could follow. Different numbers correspond to different NFPA codes, for example, NFPA 25 covers sprinkler systems and NFPA 72 covers fire alarms. There is a full list of code numbers and names on the NFPA website. Codes are updated every three to five years and different states and municipalities often adopt different versions of the code. Information on how codes and standard are developed can be found on the NFPA website.

NFPA 72
NFPA 72 governs the installation, inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems, and now emergency warning equipment. One of the most significant changes in the lastest revision is the name of the code which has changed from the National Fire Alarm Code to the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Increasingly, building owners, companies, and university and school administors are looking for new ways to communicate with building occupants, employees and students. Highly publicized acts of terrorism and school shootings have increased this need to stay connected. Manufacturers have responded to this need by creating a new type of system called Emergency Communication Systems or Mass Notification. NFPA 72 2010 edition has made large structural changes to include these new types of systems.

What are Mass Notification Systems?
Emergency Notification Systems and Mass Notification Systems are systems designed to get different types of messages to people through multiple communication channels. These systems will most likely be found at colleges, large buildings, large venues, or large corporate campuses; buildings that currently are required to have a voice evacuation system. In addition to informing occupants about a fire condition, these new systems will inform people about other emergencies such as a medical event, weather event or shooter in the vicinity. In addition to notifying occupants via speakers and horn strobes in the building, notification via text messaging, email, LED screens, LCD monitors and outdoor speakers are now options. It is important note that these technologies extend outside the building to inform building occupants while they are not in the building.

These systems will make use of existing infrastructure of fire alarm systems, computers, advertising/notification display screens, LED message signs, indoor & outdoor speaker systems, PBX/VoIP/POTS telephones, and e-mail server combined with intelligent hardware and programming.

How will this affect the fire alarm industry?
Over the long term, we may see the integration of fire alarm systems and paging systems. As a result more players will likely enter the fire alarm business so we can expect to see increase comptetion. Speakers will most likely replace the traditional horn or bell because of the need for voice communciation. In addition, recent studies have shown that people who are hearing impaired or have consumed alcohol can hear lower Hz levels around 520 Hz which is produced by a speaker.

At this particular meeting time was spent reviewing the changes to the recently adopted NFPA 72 2010 edition (see blog post).  Impending changes to NFPA 2001 were also discussed.  One key speaker spoke about how social networking will affect business in general.  One of the lead in videos is posted here.    ]]> http://www.associatedfire.com/266/afp-attends-fssa-meeting/feed/ 0 http://www.associatedfire.com/46/services/ http://www.associatedfire.com/46/services/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:14:24 +0000 admin http://www.associatedfire.com/?p=46 One Call. One Company. Associated Fire Protection eliminates the need to contact multiple service companies by offering total fire protection. We design, install and inspect all types of fire protection systems.