Firetechs Logo

 

Tech-News & Views
August 2010

Your IP Address is:
72.51.24.226

Tech-News & Views

NFPA RELEASES KEY FINDINGS FROM SPRINKLER EXPLOSION IN TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA!

In a follow-up to the July 2010 safety alert published by the NFPA, a recent report reveals fresh findings relating to the tragedy involving a sprinkler system caused explosion in Truckee, California. It was determined that "antifreeze solutions with concentrations of propylene glycol exceeding 40% and concentrations of glycerin exceeding 50% have the potential to ignite when discharged trhough automatic sprinklers." Furthermore "both the 40% propylene glycol and 50% glycerin solutions demonstrated similar performance to that of water alone for fire control throughout the series of tests." The report concludes "based on the results of this research, antifreeze solutions of propylene glycol exceeding 40% and glycerin exceeding 50% are not appropriate for use in residential fire sprinkler systems".

The safety alert from NFPA and some more information can be viewed at www.nfpa.org/antifreeze.

 

BC FIRE CHIEFS SUPPORT INITIATIVE TO ADOPT ASTTBC CERTIFICATION PROVINCE WIDE!

At a recent convention held by FCABC (Fire Chief's Association of British Columbia) a resolution was passed that will table an initiative to the Provincial Fire Commissioner to adopt formal technical certification for fire protection service technicians working in the Province of British Columbia. ASTTBC is the hands down favourite to manage the program, and we hope to be able to report this inititiative's success shortly! You can read more about this HERE! This is a huge step towards improving the Standard of Practice in the Province. Kudos to Brian Stegavig, the management and staff at ASTTBC for all their efforts and the member delegates at FCABC for recognizing that formal technician registration and oversight is a huge step in the right direction! BRAVO!

 

CFAA TO HOLD TECHNICAL SEMINAR IN VANCOUVER!

CFAA has announced plans to hold their second BC Technical Seminar at the New Westminster campus of the Justice Institue on October 14, 2010. For details and a registration package, go HERE! Don't miss this opportunity to hear from top industry reps like Ark Tsisserev, Paul Jewett, Ken Baird, Rob Mennie and more!!

 

CO DETECTOR RULES!

Many Canadian municipalities now require the installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors in new residences with gas burning appliances. That means a lot of Strata buildings (condominiums and high-rise apartments) will have these units installed within individual dwelling units. For those of us engaged in annual testing of building life safety systems, we will eventually be faced with having to test these units and ensure that they are installed correctly (in accordance with the manufacturers installation criteria). Are you ready? We're compiling a list of model numbers and relevant documentation to help you. Stay tuned!

 

WATER MIST SYSTEMS PREDICTED TO SURPASS SALES GROWTH OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS!

According to data released by IMS Research (a UK Based "think-tank"), water mist systems are predicted to surpass sprinkler system sales growth in the next five (5) years (we're talking double digit growth here).

"As a relatively new technology compared to other fire suppression products, water mist systems continue to gain traction in the market on the back of the technology's ability to be easily refit after discharge, and its reduced water consumption", states the analyst who wrote the report, Justin Siller.

"In the Americas, water mist systems are beginning to find their way into a number of leading hotels, museums and other high-end industry while in Asia, the use of water mist systems is expected to ramp up each year due to the large ship building industries in countries such as South Korea and China," comments Siller. "The successes in both regions, coupled with a decreasing average selling price, is likely to drive the shift to water mist systems for some time to come."

What does this mean for the North American market? So far there are only a few companies (and individuals) with the expertise to install and service these systems. ANSUL® has recently released their Aquasonic™ suppression system. I think it behooves any professional to aquaint themselves with the latest in extinguishment technology (I don't think Canadian approval for the product is very far off). For more information on ANSUL's newest addition to their product line-up, click HERE!

 

THE SUMMER'S HEATING UP! ACTIVE FIRE AND SAFETY SERVICES LTD. THREATENS TO SUE US (AGAIN)!

Vancouver, BC - Legal action has been threatened in a letter we received on the morning of July 29th concerning a story we filed about two senior technicians with Active Fire who were involved in a bogus annual inspection in a downtown Vancouver building. We take correspondence like this very seriously and immediately undertook steps to review the the story located HERE. We've also posted Boughton Law Corporation's letter and our official reply both here and on the referenced page as an UPDATE. We've been accused of publishing "a number of untrue, disparaging and defamatory imputations" concerning Active Fire and Safety Services and Mr. Harjit Sangha to our website. Imputation is a word whose most common meaning is to "ascribe (a crime or fault) to another" (at least according to my trusty Houghton Mifflin Canadian Dictionary). I suppose Active is now taking the position that they're not responsible for the actions (mistakes or oversights) of their technicians, or perhaps they're saying they're not aware of (or don't have the means to verify) their technicians work, level of competence or professional integrity. Disturbing to say the least (considering what they promote on their website)! Hopefully we'll be able to get some clarification from Mr. Sangha (or his Lawyer) on this aspect soon. Stay tuned! You may also want to review a previously filed story located HERE and our most recent EDITORIAL (while we're all waiting).

 

AFAA ANNOUNCES ANOTHER TECHNICAL WEBINAR!

Jasper, Georgia

Following up on the success of their first Webinar on August 13, 2010, the Automatic Fire Alarm Association plans to host another on September 21, 2010 from 11:00 - 12:30 (Eastern Daylight Time). The subject of this one is "The Demise of the Dialer" and will be presented by Art Black of Carmel Fire Protection Associates. To register for the Webinar, click HERE! AFAA plans to allow their members to be able to review any of the Webinars they've hosted although the interactive features won't be available.

 

 

LAUNCHING A NEW (OR IMPROVED) DOO-DAD? GOT A STORY? SOMETHING OF INTEREST AND/OR NOTE-WORTHY?

Email us! We'll make sure it gets out there!

 

TECH-NEWS & VIEWS (Main Page)


JOIN US!

Individual members will receive Fire Technicians Network shoulder patches which they can wear as a visible demonstration of their commitment to the higher standard. You'll also enjoy access to manuals and the resources you need to shift your career into high gear. Our goal is help you improve your knowledge and skillset and, ultimately, your own community's LIFE SAFETY standards. Remember:

We are not a professional union but together, we are a union of professionals!

 


WWW.FIRETECHS.NET Contact Information

24/7

Telephone: 604-468-8324 (TECH)

North America Toll Free: +1 (888) 340-3473 (FIRE)

email: tech@firetechs.net

 

 
Copyright © 2008 - 2011 by The Fire Technicans Network
All Rights Reserved
E&OE