NASFM issues plastic pallet
Safety Alert
The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) recently has issued a Safety Alert concerning plastic pallets in general storage and is urging all code enforcement officials to determine the levels of compliance for plastic pallets relative to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 1999, and in some jurisdictions NFPA 231, Standard for General Storage, 1998, and NFPA 231C, Standard for Rack Storage of Materials, 1998, where plastics may be in use.
The NASFM noted that as many as 48 million plastic pallets may now be in circulation and that they are slowly replacing wooden pallets, especially in automated materials-handling facilities.
Relative to NFPA code requirements, the NASFM explains the following: “NFPA 13 (and, where applicable, NFPA 231 and 231C) permit the use of such pallets if fire protection measures are significantly upgraded ellipse.” Also exempted are plastic pallets “that present a hazard ‘equal to or less than that presented by idle wood pallets’ and are listed accordingly. UL 2335 was recently adopted to cover this exemption. Pallets meeting UL 2335 will carry the UL or comparable label.”
At press time, one pallet was reported to be covered under UL 2335-a GE Plastics pallet made from NORYL MHT and XENOYT resins.
The NASFM is alerting all fire code enforcement agencies of the situation and is “seeking the cooperation of all affected industries to determine the exact nature and scope of this potential hazard.” It has asked affected companies to contact local code enforcement officials. The objective, according to the NASFM, is to “identify and address situations where the most obvious significant hazards exist, and then to work in a systematic and orderly way toward full compliance with these sections of the code.” n
Fumes and dust from burned-out vehicles pose health threats
Firefighters should use their self-contained breathing equipment when investigating a fire that occurred in a burned-out vehicle, according to fire investigators.
Pennsylvania State Trooper Ronald Jarocha, who also has been part of the Fire Marshal unit for more than five years and has attended various training classes at the State Fire Academy, reports that in October 1999, he was called to investigate a fire in a 1997 Dodge Ram pickup truck that had burned and self-extinguished. While investigating the area beneath the steering column, he was overcome by a heavy ammonia odor. A few hours after the investigation, he began to cough and experience pain in his sinuses.
After making several inquiries about the ammonia odor, he was referred to North Eastern Technical Services, Inc., in Fall River, Massachusetts, a forensic and analytic company specializing in automobile fires. He spoke with Richard J. Pacheco, senior analyst. Pacheco told Jarocha that his company had encountered the ammonia situation on numerous occasions in the field and in the laboratory. Pacheco said the automobiles involved were usually Chrysler products, although the odor had also occurred in Chevrolet and Ford vehicles manufactured in 1997 or later years. The vehicles had burnt and self-extinguished. When wet by rain or the washing of debris, gases were released from the vehicle. Pacheco attributes this phenomenon to “an exotic compound” created by the fire’s melting various components, such as the airbag, plastics, and so on, that combine and then form the dust. When wet, the dust fizzes similar to the way peroxide does on a cut.
Jarocha recalls that it had rained the day he had encountered the ammonia odor in the Dodge truck.
Pacheco noted that this gas is very toxic. He recommended that anyone who has inhaled it see a physician immediately. He also said that at least a carbon filter mask should be worn when investigating all car fires involving vehicles made in 1997 or later. He further warned that if the dust is inhaled, the fluid in the responder’s lungs may cause the dangerous ammonia gas to react. Furthermore, warned Pacheco, full respiratory protection should be used for the investigation if any fumes are detected.
Jarocha consulted a doctor, who found his throat and sinuses irritated and inflamed.
A week later, he again encountered the ammonia odor in a 1998 full-size Chevrolet van.
Jarocha is asking that anyone who has had a similar experience contact him by e-mail (rjarocha@psp.state.pa.us), supplying the vehicle’s make, model, year of manufacture, and date of the incident.
Sources: Ronald Jarocha letter and Pennsylvania Fireman, December 1999.
NVFC Volunteer of the Year named
Robert “Red” McKeon, a volunteer firefighter for 56 years, was named 1999 National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Firefighter of the Year. The NVFC award is sponsored by Scott Health and Safety.
McKeon, a member of the Occum Volunteer Fire Department in Norwich, Connecticut, served as chief from 1960 to 1994. He has had many accomplishments in and made numerous contributions to the fire service. He spearheaded the drive to acquire an automatic external defibrillator for his department and worked with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, to develop an EMT training program that now serves as the basic course of study for EMT certification. In 1977 and 1978, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation, he assisted the CDC in Atlanta in establishing guidelines for the HIB and the HBV virus. He negotiated with Hartford Hospital to secure the Life Star helicopter. Internationally, McKeon led the first group of U.S. firefighters to visit four Russian fire service units.
He has served as NVFC Connecticut director since 1979. In that capacity, he has represented the United States at meetings of the World Federation of Firefighters in Denmark, Indonesia, Argentina, and Japan. He was chairman of the NVFC from 1991 to 1995. During his tenure as second vice-chairman, from 1986 to 1991, he was instrumental in starting the NVFC Foundation.
In recognition of his Firefighter of the Year award, McKeon received a $2,000 gift certificate for Scott Health and Safety products. In keeping with his philosophy of serving others, McKeon used the award to help Chief Bobby Joyner of the Farmville (NC) Fire Department and his family, who had suffered extensive property damage and losses as a result of the flooding that accompanied Hurricane Floyd. The certificate was auctioned, and the proceeds were donated to Joyner.
Retired from his position with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, McKeon continues to work with committees and organizations dedicated to firefighting and EMS. He is a member of numerous advisory, educational, and training committees. A Connecticut-certified emergency medical technician instructor since 1972, he is an instructor and monitor for numerous other certifications and courses.
The 2000 NVFC Firefighter of the Year Award will be presented in Daytona Beach, Florida, in October. For nomination information, call (888) ASK-NVFC, or visit the NVFC Web site at www.nvfc.org.
NFPA and ICC settle trademark
dispute
The trademark infringement suit filed by the International Code Council (ICC) against the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been settled.
According to the terms of the agreement, the NFPA recognizes that ICC is the exclusive owner of a family of trademarks in the form of “International ____ Code,” and the ICC and its constituent organizations recognize that the NFPA is the exclusive owner, worldwide, of the trademark “International Electrical Code.” No monetary settlement or admission of liability applies to either party. The parties have agreed not to disclose other details of the settlement agreement.
March 1 is deadline for NVFC Marc Mueller Award
March 1, 2000, is the deadline for nominations for the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Marc Mueller Award of Excellence. The award, which honors a volunteer firefighter who exemplifies the philosophy of fire prevention, is cosponsored by Master Protection Corporation. Nominees must be from a member state of the NVFC. For information on criteria, contact the NVFC at (202) 887-5700, fax: (202) 887-5291.
OSHA receives eight-percent increase for FY2000
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has received an eight-percent increase ($27.6 million) in its budget for Fiscal Year 2000. The total budget appropriation for this period is $382 million: $97 million (plus 12 percent) for compliance assistance, $141 million (plus five percent) for enforcement, and $23 million (plus 51 percent) for statistical programs.
Patches sought for Michigan child
John Terry, a firefighter with the City of High Point (Station 9) and the Whitsett Fire Department (Station 32) in North Carolina, is requesting badges of the emergency services (fire, EMS, law enforcement, and so on) for nine-year-old Andy Noble, who has been afflicted with severe health problems since birth. Born prematurely and weighing only three pounds, Noble was born with kidney abnormalities and spinal deformities and is afflicted with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a form of epilepsy that typically cannot be controlled with medications.
Noble is an avid fan of the emergency services. Patches may be sent to Andy Noble, 29045 Dembs, Roseville, MI 48066.
Line-of-Duty Deaths, 1999
November 4: Firefighter William Korte, 59, of the Southampton (NY) Volunteer Fire Department, died after suffering a heart attack while operating at the scene of a motor vehicle accident.
November 13: Fire-Police Officer Walter Vaughan, 80, of the Warminster (PA) Fire Department, died of injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic at the scene of a fire.
November 14: Firefighter Bert Bruecher, 46, of the Pleak (TX) Volunteer Fire Department, was killed when the tanker he was driving overturned en route to a fire.
November 16: Firefighter Brian A. Lee, 38, of the Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department, died after suffering a heart attack while in quarters.
November 18: Fire Chief Fred Broussard, 69, of the Maurice (LA) Volunteer Fire Department, died after suffering a heart attack while operating at a fire.
November 20: Firefighter Jack Garnett, 54, of the Quapaw (OK) Volunteer Fire Department, died after suffering a heart attack while responding to a brush fire.
November 27: Assistant Chief Wayne Yost, 48, of the Cochranville (PA) Volunteer Fire Department, died after suffering a heart attack while responding to a structure fire.
November 29: First Assistant Chief Alton L. Lewis, 55, of the Montour Falls (NY) Volunteer Fire Department, died after suffering a heart attack after responding to a motor vehicle accident.
November 29: Firefighter James McCay, 22, of the Logan (WV) Fire Department, died after being struck by a vehicle while responding to a nonfire emergency call.
December 3: The following members of the Worcester (MA) Fire Department were killed after being trapped in a large commercial building that subsequently collapsed:
- Lieutenant Thomas E. Spencer, 42, a 21-year veteran assigned to Ladder 2;
- Firefighter James F. Lyons III, 34, a 12-year veteran assigned to Engine 3;
- Firefighter Joseph T. McGuirk, 38, a three-year member assigned to Engine 3;
- Firefighter Timothy P. Jackson, 51, a 27-year veteran assigned to Ladder 2;
- Firefighter Paul A. Brotherton, 41, a 16-year veteran assigned to Rescue 1; and
- Firefighter Jeremiah M. Lucey, 38, a 10-year veteran assigned to Rescue 1.
