NEWS
Energy-Efficient Sprinkler
Building sprinklers have been combined with heat pumps at St. Mary’s Home for the Aged in Manitowoc, Wis., to provide an energy-efficient means of heating the home. The sprinkler system is incorporated with the heat pumps, eliminating half of the heating piping normally needed because the sprinkler lines are used as the return piping in the heat pump loop. No equipment is connected between the sprinkler head and the supply line, and check valves prevent backflow through the heat pumps, while supply water for the pumps will pass through pressure-sensitive balancing valves, regulating the volume of water to each unit.
The system was designed by Daniel Dehnert, a design engineer, and the Tri-Water system, as it is called, was supplied by American Air Filter of Milwaukee.
Arson Info Rewarded
An arson committee which established a fund to award people for information which leads to arson arrests, made 32 awards in August in Hamilton County, Ohio. An arson task force, established in 1980, works with the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee of Ohio, which is composed of insurance representatives who work with fire and law enforcement officials to combat arson. A $10,000 awards fund was established by them.
Toxic Cargo Restrictions
New York City has restricted the transport of hazardous materials through city limits, except during scheduled pickup and delivery times. The travel ban applies specifically to the George Washington Bridge and Washington Bridge over the Harlem River, which truckers use as a shortcut to New England
Violation of the new regulations carries a $1000 to $10,000 fine, and a possible 30 day jail sentence.
Heaters Banned in Ohio
Cabinet-type space heaters fueled from integral containers of liquified petroleum gas or natural gas, with containers larger than 2-½ pounds water capacity aggregate, have been banned for sale and use in Ohio. William Sanders, the state fire marshal, has determined that the fuel bottles exceed allowable amounts.
