Editor’s note: the opinions and views expressed in this article are the those of the author; they do not represent the opinions and/or views of this association or the author’s employer.
I am starting my 29th year in fire code enforcement. I started doing fire prevention inspections in late- 1982. Like many careers, after a while you begin to look back and reflect on things you have seen happen and where you perceive that things are heading.
For the record I wish to categorically state that I strongly believe in fire codes and fire code inspections. I feel it necessary to make this statement as you may be tempted to think otherwise as you read this article. I am certain that a few of my fire code enforcement counterparts will consider some of my comments to be blasphemous.
It is my sincere belief that fire codes have saved thousands and potentially hundreds of thousands of lives over the years. This is evidenced by the reduction in annual fire deaths from 12,000-plus to under 4,000 in the past three decades at the same time that the population has almost doubled in this country.
2010 was a banner year here at Inspector911.com and we have many great things in store for 2o11. In reviewing our data for the previous year we found some interesting trends in clicks and what the site is used for.
These FACTS are complied and here for your viewing pleasure
Top Posts
Does This Meet Code 12 which discusses flexible arm-over sprinkler installations and the challenges if not properly installed
Watch the Station Night Club Fire Video till you Understand it was a guest post from our Friend Dave Statter with Statter911.com which relieved the challenges of this tragic fire.
Does This Meet Code 13, reviewed the red goop syndrome. This is viewed by every inspector and is a challenge to make sure the product is installed in accordance with manufacture recommendations.
The Final Inspection, a post which provided a broad overview of what is necessary to get that one piece of paper, the Certificate of Occupancy
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division has just released The Residential Fire Sprinkler Challenge, its new online fire safety game. It is a fun, interactive 16-question question quiz designed to test your knowledge about home fire sprinklers. This game is a great tool for firefighters, inspectors, and home owners on home fire sprinklers.
Developed by Sprinkler Plan Reviewer Ralph Peterson and Public Educator Becki White, the games includes questions on common misconceptions, water requirements, maintenance, and other miscellaneous points. What a great innovative way to raise awareness on [click to continue…]
So it’s Christmas Day and I wondered who conducts inspections at the North Pole (yes these are the things I think about). I started to wonder aren’t the elves employed by the Big Jolly Red Man and if so does it create a conflict of interest? Do they tell you its the busy time of year and well come back December 27?
So use your imagination and write your code violation in the comments below. Will it be presents blocking the exit, overcrowding in the the elf inn, or [click to continue…]
Are you a code professional under the age of 35? Then the ICC would like to get your input.
ICC is conducting a series of in-depth telephone interviews with code department staff under the age of 35 to gain insight into perspectives toward code development. Results from the study will inform ICC’s ongoing discussion about how to maximize participation in the code development process.
Please consider participating in the study by consenting to participate in an interview and by providing contact information below. The interviews, which will take approximately 20-30 minutes, will be conducted between January 3-14, 2011. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Armstrong, ICC Senior Vice President, at marmstrong@iccsafe.org.
The pictures below are provided from one of Inspector report subscribers. Its important that we set up these pictures. The art work and other decorations are hung to the wall. The decorations are located in an exhibit hall on one of the exit cooridoors located in the building.
The building is provided with automatic sprinkler system and you can see the doors are held open with hold open devices that are connected to [click to continue…]
Wet-Chemical fire suppression systems are important systems that have prevented countless kitchen fires. The systems are typically installed at the requirements of the International Building Code or National Fire Protection Assocation (NFPA) 1, The Uniform Fire Code.
Systems are installed due to code requirements adopted in a community. Many contractors refer to the the term “grease ladden vapors” as the minimum requirement for the system to be installed. Over the years the basis for installation has been tweaked and modified. You can see in the most recent IBC the language from section 904.2.1 truly refers to the type of exhaust hood. Similar language can be found in NFPA 1 or NFPA 101.
The systems are typically pre-engineered by the manufacture. The system go under very specific testing and scrutiny. This means the system is has limitations on what and how it protects appliances, plenum spaces, and exhaust ducts. The qualified contractor (attended training by the manufacture) would provide working shop drawings that show the system complying with the manufacture requirements. [click to continue…]
Changes to the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule Needs Comments
The Building Official and Fire Code Official (AKA the Fire Marshal) are key in reducing the exposure a community has to fire and life safety in the built environment. ISO is a key tool utilized by many insurance carriers that provides evaluation and grading based on fire department. If we can reduce our communities overall cost (not just taxes) we are helping our community become competitive!
The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS®) assesses building codes and amendments adopted in a particular community and evaluates that community’s commitment to enforce them.
A fire that killed 85 people and injured nearly 700 occurred 30 years ago. The fire which is one of the deadliest in the United States at a hotel. This anniversary reminds each inspector about the need for studying the past and understanding how code changes have been implemented.
The MGM Grand Hotel/Casino was located at 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South, City of Las Vegas (Clark County) which was occupied at the time of the fire has changed the shape of the Las Vegas strip.
Nevada (southeast corner of the intersection of East Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard South). Classified as Type 1 construction, it is a 26-story high rise hotel and casino complex (approximately 2,000,000 square feet). At the time of the fire there were approximately 5,000 people in the building. The fire which started in the deli and spread to the casino resulted in 84 deaths and an additional 679 were injured.
It’s something of an irony that we don’t often realize the value of fire inspectors unless they fail to do their job well, because that’s when fire accidents happen and lives, livelihoods and property are lost.
A fire inspectors’ job is to ensure that a location is safe from fire accidents, and that in case a fire breaks out, the exits are well defined and that people can be evacuated quickly and safely, and that there are adequate fire-fighting provisions placed at strategic locations in the building so that initial control measures can be taken.
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