LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Sprinkler initiatives
In light of heightened interest about the use of residential fire sprinklers to prevent death by fire, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you efforts undertaken by the U.S. Fire Administration on this issue. Since 1985, the USFA has conducted several programs with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), both directly and through its subsidiary organizations. Here are some examples of USFA/NAHB sprinkler initiatives:
- using demonstrations, exhibit booths, and presentations to promote quick-acting residential sprinkler technology at NAHB conventions and industry meetings.
- contracting with the NAHB/National Research Center to conduct a two-year societal and cost benefit study of residential fire sprinkler systems.
- funding an interagency agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In Phase I, NAHB provided technical assistance to residential fire sprinkler retrofit projects for multifamily dwellings in Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Harrisburg, PA; St. Louis, MO; and Prince George’s County, MD. In Phase II, NAHB will provide technical assistance to residential fire sprinkler retrofit projects in single-family dwellings at locations in Denver, CO; Seattle, WA; and several cities in Florida and Ohio.
- entering into another joint venture with HUD to provide information on new affordable fire safety systems for multifamily residential buildings across the country.
- beginning work with the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB) to build
- a fire-safe modular house for persons with disabilities. The NAHB/National Research Center will conduct a yearlong program to promote the demonstration house.
In addition, the USFA has and continues to support suppression technology research such as IAFC Operation Life Safety Residential Sprinkler workshops in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. The USFA is the only source of funding for such research directed to an audience of builders, code officials, and city officials. The resulting findings have been invaluable for the NFPA consensus code makers and other private-sector organizations.
Edward M. Wall
Deputy Administrator U.S. Fire Administration Emmitsburg, Maryland
Try PPV and see
I read with great interest Larry Hughes’ article “Positive-Pressure Ventilation in a Test Setting” (December 1989). He provided convincing arguments for the use of PPV and backed them up with solid data. He also hinted at the direct benefits to the firefighters working lines or searching inside the involved structure. I would like to offer the following supporting observations to his article.
I was fortunate enough to participate in PPV tests run by Hughes and Ken Briscoe (also of the North Carolina Department of Insurance) at Davidson County Community College’s burn building in Lexington, North Carolina. These exercises took place in March 1989 as part of an SCBA instructor program. The tests were nearly identical to those conducted in Chapel Hill. Temperature, oxygen, and CO levels were monitored and recorded and the same three firefighting scenarios were used. The only difference was in the layout of the structures used. What the other instructors and I found was that the early utilization of PPV gave us and our firefighting crews several direct and noticeable benefits.
First, interior visibility was greatly improved. In evolutions where the PPV was initiated prior to entry the smoke actually cleared out faster than the crews could move in. When fans were positioned shortly after entry the lifting of the smoke could be observed by interior crews. In short, reduced visibility was simply not a problem when PPV was used. Second, the heat level was reduced. The influx of large volumes of fresh, cool air from the exterior made the interior that much more tenable.
These two benefits produced other advantages as well. Firefighting teams were able to move in quicker, advancing lines and searching with greater speed, yielding the potential for quicker knockdowns and more lives saved. Also consider the reduction in heat stress to personnel operating in cooler and clearer environments for shorter periods of time. Another direct benefit is a cleaner overhauling environment and the potential preservation of fire cause and origin evidence. How many times have firefighters unknowingly hosed precious evidence out of a hot, smoky room?
Critics may argue that the tests were just that—tests, run under controlled conditions in structures atypical of those we encounter on the fireground. As Larry Hughes stated in his article, “The only way to judge these advancements is through careful, unbiased scientific testing and practical application in controlled conditions.” You don’t take a newly developed SCBA and throw it on a firefighter’s back without extensive testing. The critics should try PPV on their firegrounds to experience the benefits firsthand.
The North Carolina Department of Insurance did what the vast majority of us do not have the time or resources to do: They tested a concept and gathered factual supporting data. Those departments that are trying to justify the purchase of new ventilation equipment or are just trying to convince their ranks that PPV works should use this data to their advantage. The NC Department of Insurance has proven that PPV works. It is up to us to use their test results to our best advantage in learning, teaching, practicing, and implementing PPV as a part of our standard fireground operations.
Jeffrey K. DeBell
Chief of Training Overland Park Fire Department Overland Park, Kansas
Use tags for accountability
After reading “Fireground Accountability: SOPs Can Save Lives” (January 1990, Volunteers Corner), I would like to comment on Chief John Wood Jr.’s recommendation to use Velcro tags.
Our department and three other departments are implementing a “cowtag” system for fireground accountability. Each firefighter will be issued two tags for his turnouts. Each department has separate color tags for its respective department. Each cow tag has large numbers for identifying firefighters. A list of names of firefighters is kept with apparatus and safety officers.
Upon arrival at the incident, firefighters leave one tag with the driver of the apparatus and the other tag with a safety officer at a control point. As stated in Chief Wood’s article, SCBA usage and communications are maintained for the firefighters’ accountability.
SOPs play a vital role in fireground accountability and firefighter safety. SOPs should be implemented in all incidents. It provides for smooth operations and safety.
Robert Timko
Lieutenant Wormleysburg Fire Company Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Save Bureau of Fire Prevention
There is a movement afoot to “dissolve” the Bureau of Fire Prevention in many cities around the country, the rationale being that bureau personnel in these cities are unable to fulfill their duties as prescribed by the governing building code. The building code outlines the number of times each year an occupancy needs to be inspected. In addition, it requires that fire inspectors be state-certified firefighters before seeking their inspector’s license.
Many of these cities are functioning with minimum manpower in their bureaus due to restrictive budgets. Recruiting is not an easy matter when suppression personnel do not understand completely the full extent of an inspector’s responsibilities.
The solution being promulgated is to decertify the current inspectors and remove the requirement of having been a state-certified firefighter. This would allow the hiring of civilians with minimum training and very little understanding of the need to educate the public and suppression personnel about a particular hazard or life safety problem. Naturally, there would be a substantial savings in salaries.
Has your department or sector experienced this problem? How did you combat it? Pro or con, if any departments or sectors can assist us, please write:
Inspector T. Bradford
Bureau of Fire Prevention
Office of the Fire Marshall
3401 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, FL 33021
Thomas Bradford
