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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Fire-Resistive Construction Repairs
"Many residential-type occupancies employ garbage, linen, or (as pictured) laundry chutes that enable housekeeping staff to easily send rubbish or laundry materials to a terminal room where they can be processed. The model building codes typically require that these conveyances be treated as vertical shafts, and have minimum fire-resistive construction
requirements of 1 or 2 hours depending upon the height of the building in which they are
located. In today's example, the fire-resistive integrity of this 1-hour-rated shaft has been
compromised, evidently to provide access to the plumbing utilities. These openings create a serious vulnerability to the shaft's structural integrity, and perhaps the entire building, if a fire occurred in or entered the shaft and ignited the combustible framing."
United States Fire Administration
2012-01-10
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Hot Work Operations
"Welding, cutting, and other hot work operations ignite thousands of structure fires each year in the United States. Carelessly controlled sparks, hot slag, and direct open flame contact can ignite combustibles with disastrous results."
United States Fire Administration
2011-01-04
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Smoking Regulations for Fire Safety
"Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials remain a leading cause of fires in the United States. The model fire codes give the fire official great latitude in regulating smoking for fire safety. Smoking includes lighted pipes, cigars, cigarettes, or any other type of smoking paraphernalia. Where smoking is considered a hazard, the code
official is authorized to order the owner to post 'No Smoking' signs in conspicuous, designated locations where smoking is prohibited. The size, shape, color, and construction of the signs may be determined by the code official. 'No Smoking' signs may not be removed, defaced, obscured, or damaged."
United States Fire Administration
2011-01-11
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: 'Normal' Vents for Atmospheric Flammable and Combustible Liquid Tanks
"Vent devices are installed on some flammable and combustible liquid tanks to balance the pressure between the tank and atmosphere, and prevent damage when the tank is filled or emptied. These are known as 'vents for normal venting' or operating vents. (Coffee Break Training 2010-42 explained the purpose of emergency vents.) Tanks that store product at ambient pressure (or that operate at less than 2.5 psig [17.2 kPa]) are known as 'atmospheric' tanks. This category includes some aboveground and underground tanks. When tanks are filled, flammable and combustible vapors are
expelled through the vent outlet. When an aboveground tank is warmed by the atmosphere, vapors also will escape. If vapors are heavier than air, they may accumulate on the ground and- depending upon atmospheric conditions-travel great distances where they may come into contact with an ignition source. The vent cap in today's photograph discharges downward, worsening the potential."
United States Fire Administration
2011-03-01
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Coffee Break Training: Commercial Cooking: Upblast Exhaust Fan Assemblies
"Commercial cooking equipment that produces smoke or grease-laden vapors must have an adequate exhaust system to remove highly combustible vapor/air mixtures from the kitchen area. The illustration shows an upblast fan assembly connected to an exhaust duct. Upblast exhaust fans are popular due to their low cost and ease of installation. They commonly are installed in one- or two-story restaurants or locations close to property lines or other buildings where horizontal exhaust may not be permitted (See Coffee Break Training 2006-5). The fan housing typically is made of spun aluminum, and the motor and the belt drive are outside the airstream or may be in the center of the airstream as illustrated in the photograph."
United States Fire Administration
2011-02-15
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Retarding Chambers
"Wet-pipe sprinkler systems may be equipped with an alarm check valve assembly that contains a free-pivoting clapper that opens when the incoming water moves due to a sprinkler operating, a broken pipe, an inspector's test valve opening or even a water surge. The alarm check valve typically has two attached pressure gauges (supply pressure and system pressure), as well as an outlet piped to a water motor gong or electronic flow alarm device. Where alarm check valves are installed under conditions
of variable water pressure, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, 'Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems', requires the installation of an alarm retarding
device so periodic pressure surges do not result in unwanted false alarms. Alarm retarding devices may consist of listed, time-delayed flow or pressure switches, or mechanical devices such as the retarding chamber in today's illustration."
United States Fire Administration
2011-02-22
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Coffee Break Training: Means of Egress: Assembly Seat Spacing
"Timely evacuation of large numbers of persons from sports, theater, and other entertainment venues is an essential requirement for life safety, and is influenced by the configuration of seats and aisle accessways in the means of egress. The aisle 'accessway' is that portion of the means of egress that leads to an aisle: in this case the space in front of the seats. According to the model fire and building codes, where seating rows have 14 or fewer seats, the minimum clear aisle accessway width must be 12 inches (305 mm) measured as the 'clear horizontal distance from the back of the row ahead and the nearest projection on the row behind.' This wordy description simply means measure in a straight line from one seat back to the armrest or seat in the next row."
United States Fire Administration
2011-03-08
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Spill Control for Aboveground Tanks
"Bulk flammable and combustible liquid storage facilities-often called 'tank farms'-are susceptible to significant environmental damage in the event of a spill or fire. In order to prevent such damage, spill control and containment is required by the model fire codes. In today's photograph, one or more tanks are separated into containment areas by dikes: soil or other materials intended to keep spilled liquids in the vicinity of the failed tank. The model codes allow diking as one means to prevent accidental liquid discharge from endangering adjacent tanks, adjoining property, or reaching waterways. Drainage control, channeling liquids away from tanks, is another acceptable method."
United States Fire Administration
2011-03-15
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Coffee Break Training: Building Construction: Water-Cooling Towers
"Water-cooling towers are heat removal devices used to transfer waste heat from various sources such as machinery or heated process material to the atmosphere. Common applications include cooling the circulating water used in oil refineries, chemical plants, power plants, and building cooling. Smaller towers are normally factory-built, while larger ones are constructed on site. The water-cooling tower in today's illustration is an 'induced draft' device that pulls air through the tower. The fan induces hot moist air out the discharge. This produces low entering and high exiting air velocities, reducing the possibility of recirculation in which discharged air flows back into the air intake, but also affects potential fire behavior."
United States Fire Administration
2011-03-29
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Breakaway Devices for Fuel Dispenser Hoses
"From time to time a careless motorist will drive away from a fuel dispenser without first removing the nozzle from the automobile's fill opening. In that case, there is potential for a fuel dispenser to continue delivering product through an open orifice. To minimize the chance of unwanted flow, the model fire codes require dispenser hoses for Class I and II liquids to be equipped with a listed breakaway device that is designed to retain liquid on both sides of the breakaway point. These devices are required to be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions."
United States Fire Administration
2011-03-22
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Electrical 'Classified Locations' (Part 1)
"The use of electrical wiring and equipment is truly pervasive. Business, industry, dwellings, hospitals, schools, government buildings, and even rural agricultural facilities could not operate as we know them today without the convenience and power of electrical
energy. Despite its benefits, every safety inspector knows that electrical wiring and equipment are blamed for a substantial number of fires. In some cases, the installation or maintenance was faulty, or there was some unauthorized tampering with the equipment. In some cases, the equipment and devices installed turned out not to be suitable for their environment."
United States Fire Administration
2011-05-10
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Fire Protection System Repairs
"There is very little that frustrates a tenant of a sprinklered building more than leaking pipes. In today's illustration, a leak at the joint between the pipe and fitting caused someone to apply putty as a stop-gap measure. Repair guidance for situations like this is found in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 25, 'Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems'. The property owner or designated representative is responsible for correcting or repairing deficiencies or impairments found during the inspection, test, and maintenance required by the standard. NFPA 25 also requires that corrections and repairs be performed by qualified maintenance personnel or a qualified contractor."
United States Fire Administration
2011-05-03
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Dust Collection Explosion Vents
"These large metal structures are cyclone dust collectors installed at an industrial cabinetmaking facility. They are connected to a dust collection system that is designed to remove suspended combustible particulates in the factory. When organic materials-in this case wood dust-are mixed with air, there is a chance the mixture will ignite in a deflagration creating an explosive pressure increase in the duct system. To reduce the damages that could be caused by explosion, dust collectors are provided with exhausts or vents that allow the explosion to go out of the system before causing additional further damage. In today's illustration, the square devices mounted on the cyclones are panels that release in the event of a pressure increase."
United States Fire Administration
2011-04-05
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets
"There are a variety of circumstances in the model codes where flammable and combustible liquid containers must be kept within approved flammable liquid storage cabinets. These cabinets must meet specific construction requirements to satisfy the codes. One option is to purchase a flammable liquid cabinet meeting the listing requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1275, Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets, but cabinets do not have to meet this standard as long as they are constructed in accordance with the following specifications."
United States Fire Administration
2011-04-19
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Electrical 'Classified Locations' (Part 2)
"The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70®, 'National Electrical Code'®, Chapter 5 'Special Occupancies' provides descriptions of the various areas that might be classified as hazardous where electrical equipment could cause a fire or explosion. These areas are divided into 'classes' for general descriptions and are further detailed into 'divisions' for specific hazards. This week's Coffee Break Training will identify the three hazard classes, and next week it will explain the 'divisions.'"
United States Fire Administration
2011-05-17
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Antifreeze System Expansion Chambers
"This past winter's frigid and snowy weather served as a reminder that some sprinkler systems may be installed with antifreeze solutions to protect the pipe from cold temperatures. Antifreeze systems often are used for isolated portions of sprinkler systems where the expense and maintenance of a dry-pipe valve is undesirable. Antifreeze systems, though, have their own special set of conditions that must be in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, 'Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems'. Perhaps most importantly, a temporary interim amendment to NFPA 13 prohibits the use of antifreeze within the dwelling unit portions of a sprinkler system."
United States Fire Administration
2011-04-12
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Low Point Drain Assemblies
"Dry-pipe sprinkler systems are intended for protecting low-temperature environments such as unheated loading docks, cold storage facilities, or any property where the ambient temperature is less than 40 °F (4.4 °C). These systems contain pressurized air or dry nitrogen that is released when the sprinkler system operates."
United States Fire Administration
2011-04-26
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Unprotected Attic Storage
"Large open attic spaces generally occur as the result of an architectural decision to have a tall roof line on a building. Often, these spaces are unheated, have limited ventilation, marginal access, and no fire protection because they are not meant to be occupied spaces. The structural supports may be there solely to support the roof and ceiling elements, and may not be capable of handling additional loads. Almost as often, however, this unused space provides the building tenant a simple solution to storage problems. Whether the storage occurs in the attic of a multi-family dwelling, the weather-resistant crawl space of an office occupancy, or in some other concealed space, there is a potential for combustible storage to add to a building's fire load and weaken its structural integrity."
United States Fire Administration
2010-02-02
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Coffee Break Training: Storage Practices: High-Piled Storage: Banding or Encapsulating?
"This stack of palletized products awaits loading into the nearby rack storage system. Each pallet of material is known as a 'unit load.' Notice how the unit loads are wrapped with a thin plastic sheet. This sheet stabilizes the load and prevents small items from slipping off. However, the arrangement creates a potential problem that the fire inspector may need to address. If a unit load of combustible commodities is wrapped with a plastic sheet completely enclosing the sides and top (all five faces) it is classified as encapsulated. On the other hand, if it is wrapped only on four sides, it is said to be banded."
United States Fire Administration
2010-02-09
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Coffee Break Training: Access and Water Supplies: Protecting Underground Water Pipe
"Underground water mains are a crucial part of many water-based fire protection systems, and must be installed and tested in a way that assures their reliability. Generally, pipe should not be run under buildings but there may be circumstances where that is unavoidable. In those cases, the predominant installation criteria for private water lines, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 24, 'Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances', allows it when special precautions are taken."
United States Fire Administration
2010-01-26
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Coffee Break Training: Portable Extinguishers: Minimum Hydrostatic Test Pressures for Extinguishers
"Other than rudimentary hand-pump devices, most portable fire extinguishers employ some sort of internal or cartridge-applied pressure to discharge the fire extinguishing agent. To minimize the risks associated with catastrophic container failures, high-and low-pressure portable extinguishers must be periodically pressure tested."
United States Fire Administration
2010-01-19
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinklers Near Heat Sources
"Sprinklers installed near heat sources should be selected with consideration for the potential accidental operation as a result of short- or long-term exposure to elevated temperatures. According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, 'Standard for the Installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems', these locations should be given special attention to provide sprinklers having other than ordinary-temperature classification (135 to 170 °F [57 to 77 °C]), unless other temperatures are determined or unless high-temperature sprinklers are used throughout the remainder of the space."
United States Fire Administration
2010-02-16
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms and Detection: Smoke Detector Placement for Elevator Recall
"The location of this spot-type smoke detector for the adjacent elevator's Phase I Emergency Recall Operation is intriguing and deserves closer scrutiny. According to NFPA 72®, 'National Fire Alarm Code', a lobby smoke detector to initiate Phase I recall must be located on the ceiling within 21 feet (6.4 m) of the centerline of each elevator door within the elevator bank under control of the detector. Spot-type smoke detectors should be located on the ceiling not less than 4 inches (100 mm) from a sidewall to the near edge or, if on a sidewall, between 4 inches and 12 inches. (100 mm and 300 mm) down from the ceiling to the top of the detector. The purpose of Phase I Emergency Recall Operation is to have the elevator automatically return to the recall level before fire can affect its safe operation."
United States Fire Administration
2009-01-12
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinkler Temperature Ratings
"Automatic sprinklers have various temperature ratings at which their fusible or frangible element (see Coffee Break Training 2008-48) is expected to fail and release water onto a fire. The temperature rating of fusible element automatic sprinklers is stamped on the fusible link. For glass bulb sprinklers, the temperature rating is stamped or cast on a visible part. Color codes also are used for glass bulbs and the frame arms of fusible element sprinklers. In general terms, one must be careful to match the temperature rating of the sprinkler to the maximum expected ceiling temperature to avoid inadvertent discharges. There are many specific rules in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, 'Standard for the Installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems' regarding sprinkler placement and temperature rating, so the code official should always check the details carefully."
United States Fire Administration
2010-02-23
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Coffee Break Training: Portable Extinguishers: Portable Fire Extinguisher Hydrostatic Testing
"Periodic hydrostatic pressure testing is performed on portable fire extinguishers to evaluate the containers' strength against unwanted failure. The tests are performed by qualified service technicians in a controlled environment to minimize the risk of injury or damage. Hydrostatic testing is performed by filling the container with water or another non-compressible fluid that is compatible with the fire extinguisher container. The pressure is then increased on the container to a specific point as required by the manufacturer or Federal safety standards, and the container is inspected for potential failure points. The pressure must be maintained for at least 30 seconds. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 10, 'Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers', provides the following hydrostatic test frequency based on the different types of portable fire extinguishers."
United States Fire Administration
2010-03-02
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Smoke Detection in Duct Systems: Part 1
"Smoke detection is installed in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct networks to prevent smoke from migrating through a structure's air handling system. Circulating, closed-air handling systems often use the terms 'supply' and 'return.' Supply air is that air which has been conditioned (heated or cooled) and is being supplied to an occupied space such as a classroom, bedroom, kitchen, etc. Return air is taken from the space and is returned to the air handling system for conditioning. Generally, those air handling systems where the return air volume equals or exceeds 2,000 cubic feet per minute (56,700 Lpm) require smoke detector shutdown and local mechanical codes or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems to provide specific requirements. NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code recommends the use of wall- or ceiling-mounted open area detectors for smoke control in buildings because of the chance that smoke in the HVAC systems will be diluted by the air movement. Detectors may be ionization type, photoelectric, or both."
United States Fire Administration
2012-07-24
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Smoke Detection in Duct Systems: Part 2
"Another important consideration of duct detector installation is the device's location in relation to duct bends or return-air inlets. As air changes direction in a duct, or as it first enters the duct from a room, it tends to have excessive turbulence. In order to ensure a good laminar flow and mix with products of combustion across the detector sensing element, light beam, or sampling tube, the detector should be installed between 6 and 10
'duct diameters' downstream of the duct bend or return-air inlet. Thus, if the detector is installed in an 8-inch (203 mm) diameter duct, it should be located not less than 48 inches (1,220 mm), nor more than 80 inches (2,032 mm), from the duct bend or return-air outlet. For extremely large ducts (greater than 36 inches (914 mm) wide or tall), additional detectors may be required. Students should refer to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code for guidance on detector placement."
United States Fire Administration
2012-07-31
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Rate Compensated Heat Detectors
"A rate-of-rise device is a common type of heat detector that responds when there is a rapid temperature increase in the space where it is located. In some cases, however, a spot-type rate-of-rise detector may not be suitable for the environment that needs to be protected. A rate compensated detector may offer an appropriate alternative. A rate compensated detector operates when the ambient air temperature reaches a predetermined level, regardless of the rate at which it increases. The detector will operate at its design temperature during slow-building fire conditions or will respond promptly during rapid fire buildup. A rate compensated detector relies on the physical property
that metals expand when heated. Rate compensated detectors have typical temperature ratings between 135 °F and 220 °F (57 °C and 104 °C). These are spot-type detectors that have a sealed, external metallic tubular casing. Inside, there is a pair of electrical contacts that are attached to the sealed end of the tube. The alloys of the external tube and internal struts are different materials that heat and expand at different rates. Designed to resist thermal energy absorption and sealed inside the outer tube, the struts respond to temperature changes more slowly."
United States Fire Administration
2012-07-17
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Line-Type Heat Detectors
"Spot-type heat detectors-those that are installed on a specific ceiling location and protect an area of listed spacing- may not be suitable for all applications. For example, if an electric utility wanted detection in its cable trays, or a wood processor on its conveyor, or even a bulk flammable liquid storage operator around its tanks and valves, spot detectors would not be suitable. In those cases, and similar unique situations, a line-type heat detector may be an appropriate selection. Line-type heat detectors are installed in a looped, continuous configuration from the fire alarm control panel, throughout the protected asset or premises, and back to the fire alarm control panel."
United States Fire Administration
2012-07-10
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Electrical 'Classified Locations': Combustible Dusts and Fibers Divisions (Part 4)
"Last week's Coffee Break Training explained the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70®, 'National Electrical Code'® hazard divisions for electrical wiring and equipment where flammable vapors and gases exist. This Coffee Break Training will explain the dusty environments that may need classification. Combustible dust is any finely divided solid material that is 420 microns (0.017 in) or smaller in diameter (material passing a U.S. No. 40 Standard Sieve) and presents a fire or explosion hazard when dispersed and ignited in air."
United States Fire Administration
2011-05-31
