NEWS IN BRIEF
Public safety forum
The five candidates aspiring to be governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania participated in a forum focused on public safety issues affecting fire and emergency medical services.
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fire Services Institute (PFSI) and supported by the state’s fire and medical emergency responders, the debate, which took place in September. was televised on public and local stations and narrated by Hal Bruno, political director of ABC News and a long-time firefighter.
The candidates appeared before an audience of 520, according to Marko Bourne, PFSI’s executive director. They addressed issues vital to volunteer and career firefighters and emergency services personnel, such as recruitment/retention, funding for fire departments and EMS companies, statewide building codes, and training.
In addition. Bourne notes, four of the five candidates promised that if elected they would make major changes in the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, which has come under criticism by the state’s emergency responders.
Among some of the proposals discussed by the candidates were initiating tax credits for firefighters and EMTs to help recruitment and retention; working with the business sector to develop policies that would permit employees who serve as volunteers to respond to emergencies during work hours; and incorporating funds for training and department operations in municipal budgets, thus relieving volunteer departments of the burden of having to raise a great portion of the funds needed to run their departments. At least two of the candidates so far have included some of the points in their platforms. Bourne reports.
All the candidates were extremely wellprepared. according to Bourne, who adds. “They really did their homework.” From the firefighter, EMS, and haz-mat perspectives. Bourne predicts that, as a result of reaching out publicly to these gubernatorial candidates. these emergency services will have greater access to state government and “become more of a partner with the state” instead of simply having to comply with mandates.
The idea to attempt to have state government recognize the issues vital to the emergency services in a public forum was conceived at the conclusion of a fund-raising dinner. Bourne reports. The PFSI board of directors spent seven to eight months ironing out the details for the debate. Follow-up will include rerunning videotapes of the debates throughout the state.
Stihl recalls chain saws
Stihl Inc. of Virginia Beach, Virginia, in cooperation w ith the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has announced it is recalling approximately 50,000 series 1127 chain saws, models 029 (serial #226585676) and 039 (serial #227236569), manufactured between March 7, 1993, and August 12, 1994.
An ignition ground wire on the saw can wear out prematurely and possibly start a fire if it comes in contact w’ith gasoline from the saw or with any other combustible substance. The company has received at least one report of a fire associated with a wornout ignition ground wire.
The saws were sold nationally through Stihl dealers. The model number is located on the top of the saw’s engine, and the serial number is stamped on the saw’s housing, adjacent to the exhaust/muffler opening.
Owners of these saw’ models should immediately discontinue their use and return them to an authorized Stihl dealer for a free repair of the ground wire. For more information. contact your authorized dealer or Stihl directly at (800) 467-8445.
FMRC approves extended coverage (EC) sprinkler for light-hazard occupancies
After two years of extensive research, the Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) Approvals Division has approved the Central ELO-16-GB-FR sprinkler for use in light-hazard occupancies. The sprinkler protects larger areas with low-pressure requirements. This type of sprinkler, notes FMRC, is being used more extensively for occupancies such as hotels, offices, and schools.
Sprinkler systems using FMRC-approved EC sprinklers should be designed and installed according to FMRC installation guidelines, cautions FMRC. For more information, contact Pat Sullivan, FME&R, at (617) 255-4671.
ISEA moves to develop consensus standard for respiratory protective escape devices
The Industrial Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has created a provisional product group for respiratory protective escape devices (advanced air-purifying products for use by individuals escaping from fire).
The group’s goal is to develop a national consensus standard for these devices through a national consensus process. For more information, contact Patricia A. Gleason, ISEA director of communications, at (703)525-1695.
FMRC approves halon alternatives
Three fire extinguishing replacement agents for halon and a variety of delivery systems recently were tested and approved by Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC).
Great Lakes Chemical’s FM-200, 3M’s CEA-410, Du Pont’s FE-241, and Ansul’s Inergen were approved as part of a delivery system. (Extinguishing agents are approved separately and as components of delivery systems.)
Approval is only for agent uses sanctioned under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP) and in accordance with NFPA 2001. Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems. The agents were comparison-tested with halon for products of decomposition, materials compatibility, and required extinguishing concentrations.
For more information, contact Pat Sullivan, FME&R, at (617) 255-4671.
Ice buildup can render sprinkler systems in cold storage facilities “useless*’
A Factory Mutual Engineering and Research (FME&R) study of 11 dry-pipe automatic sprinkler systems in cold storage facilities (freezers) revealed that ice buildup in the pipes had rendered 10 of the systems useless for suppressing a fire. According to the study, precipitation that forms as compressed air cools when entering the freezer causes frost to accumulate in the pipes through which the compressed air enters the freezer, and the resulting ice blocks water from entering the pipes during a fire.
FME&R points out that “current national standards covering the installation of drypipe systems inaccurately assume that ice buildup will not occur in these dry-pipe sprinkler systems if the system’s air supply is taken from the lowest temperature freezer or is fed through a chemical air dryer.”
Taking the following steps, says FME&R, will resolve the ice buildup problem and will cost about $3,000.
1. Dehumidify the compressed air supplied to the sprinkler system so that its pressure dew point is 20°F below the nominal freezer temperature.
2. Feed the compressed air into the freezer sprinkler pipes through separate lines, which can be easily removed for inspection and cleaning; and eliminate the compressed air input just above the control valve.
3. Install a check valve (with a bleed hole in it) just downstream of the trip-test cut-off valve to block moisture from entering.
For more information, contact Diane Viera, FME&R, at (617) 255-4660.
Free fire safety materials
Free smoke detector batteries, smoke detectors, and educational materials are being made available to fire departments that participate in the annual “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” program, a prominent part of the observance of National Fire Safety Month in October.
Under Energizer® brand Batteries’ “Save for Safety” program, proofs of purchase from any type of Energizer® brand batteries may be redeemed for Energizer® nine-volt batteries. First Alert smoke detectors, First Alert’s “Plan to Get Out Alive” fire safety video, gift certificates for any merchandise presented in the National Fire Protection Association catalog, and Energizer® “Fire Safety” stuffed bunnies. Proofs of purchase and order forms must be returned to Energizer by May 30, 1995.
While community components, such as elementary schools, also can collect the proofs of purchase and redeem them for materials, the materials must be ordered through a local fire department participating in the “Change” program.
Free “Change” and “Save for Safety” program guides may be obtained by calling the “Change” hotline at (314) 995-3939.
Fire safety kit in Spanish
The U.S. Fire Administration, the American Red Cross, and the National SAFE KIDS Campaign have developed fire safety public educational materials to assist fire departments, EMS providers, educators, and other groups in teaching fire safety to Spanish-speaking community members. The Hispanic organization National Council of La Raza and the Univision network also assisted in the project.
A Community Action Kit includes a two-part educational video in Spanish for children and adults, a variety of collateral print materials (poster, doorknob hang-tag, and illustrated brochure) written in Spanish and English for all age levels, and a collection of media outreach tools (press releases, opinion editorials, and print and broadcast public service announcements).
Request the free materials by writing to the USFA Spanish Campaign Kit, P.O. Box 34386. Washington, DC 20034.
CPSC identifies potential fire hazards
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued the following advisories concerning products that may pose fire threats.
Series CTH-10 and CTH-40 tankless electric water heaters manufactured by Productos Electricos Corona Ltd. of Sao Paulo, Brazil: Imported in the late 1980s by Pecbras of Dania, Florida, and in 1989 and 1990 by Host Products Inc. of Laguna Hills, California, these heaters may be in use primarily in southeastern United States and the Virgin Islands. A design defect in the pressure switches can cause the heaters to explode and catch fire.
Since importers Pecbras and Host have gone out of business, there is no refund or repair program. Any of these tanks in use now immediately should be replaced with other heaters. They are dangerous and cannot be repaired.
“Char-Broil, ” Brinkmann, and COOK’N CA’JUN charcoal water smokers: A hole in the exposed charcoal pan can cause a fire if used over a flammable surface, such as a wooden deck. (Using the smoker over a flammable surface is contrary to current warnings and instructions included by the manufacturers.) About 80,()()() of the Char-Broil smokers have been sold since March 1993. They are red or black and have a label reading “Char-Broil IK) Smoker” on the body. Char-Broil is offering a free kit to close the hole in the pan. To order it, call (800) 241 8981.
Only Brinkmann and COOK’N CA’JUN smokers distributed before 1993 have a hole in the charcoal pan. The smokers were sold by major retailers nationwide. In some of the Brinkmann smokers, the metal brackets holding the water pan or grills have sharp edges that can cause cuts.
Brinkmann is providing a kit containing parts for closing the hole and redesigned replacement brackets. Brinkmann has recorded about 10 claims of fires allegedly involving holes in the smokers’ charcoal pan and six claims of cuts allegedly involving the brackets. For free modification kits, call Brinkmann at (800) 675-5301.
CPSC views all charcoal water smokers with exposed charcoal pans with holes that may allow coals to fall out as a potential fire risk and is investigating other brands of charcoal smokers that may present fire risks.
