Lawrence
Written by Lawrence on 2009-01-05 14:52:16
Hi, I am interested in fire protection and sprinkler system design. However, before I devote my entire time to study in this industry I need to know if there is potential jobs. If sprinklers systems will soon be mandatory in new condos and new homes, it will be worthwhile for me to study. Can anyone shine some light on this, please? My background is automation & robotics, currently working as a CAD operator with a tool design company. thanks.
Lawrence |
Guest William J. Timmons- Fir
Written by Guest William J. Timmons- Fir on 2008-02-29 22:57:00
Steve: Prior to my retirement, the city inacted a new law making it mandatory for all new buildings as far back as 1989, residential or otherwise, required them to be sprinklered. Private Residents would be required under NFPA 13R,
All buildings under the grandfather clause undergoing alterations, would be required to be sprinklered if the alterations would exceed over 50% of the building's property value.
This all came about after a high rise fire (15 story office Tower) of the "Alexis Nihon Plaza" had a major fire causing damages to the building and it's contents. It took more than thirteen hours to extinguish the fire.
The large commercial complex was divided between the City of Montreal and the City of Westmount
The complex was in four separate divisions that occupied three high rise towers of which only one was sprinklered.
The office building in question approx. 31,700 sq.ft per story was built in 1970 on top of a six story large shopping plaza and parking area that was built in 1966.
The total dollar value of the loss exceeded $100,000,000 mark. Damage to building approx. $30,000,000. Damage to contents approximately $25,000,000 and art collection for approximately $6,000,000.
Business interruption losses were expected to exceed $50,000,000
Building codes and municipal by-laws required total replacement of the building. Structural steel needed to be replaced over 60% of the building and the rebuilding of the roof. Sprinklering of the building was required throughout and reinsulated for fire proofing.
Approximately 30 pumps, 12 aerial
ladders and 200 firefighters from Montreal, Westmount and 6 mutual aid departments were on sight.
This fire was reported to have been one of the most major fire losses in Canadian history, hence the reason for city authorities to inacted a new by-law that would see all new buildings requiring sprinklering throughout.
It is obvious that if the building had been sprinklered, the fire may have been extinguished and/or confined at the early stage of the fire, hence, preventing the major loss that it had become.
Regards: William J. Timmons
Director of Fire (Ret'd.)
e/mail:
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If you would like a copy of my presentation I gave at the CAFC Annual Conference in Edmonton 1987 re: Fire Safety in High Rise Bldgs.
Please contact me requesting same. |
Steve Kraft
Written by Steve Kraft on 2008-01-18 11:32:02
Today I attended the media event that was held in Toronto, at one of their fire academies. The Ontario Fire Chiefs Association and the Fire Marshal did a great job moving this cause forward. There was an incredible demonstration whereby two rooms were set on fire. In one of the rooms, a smoke detector and sprinkler system was installed and of course, the other room just had a smoke detector. It really hit home to see the two rooms set on fire simultaneously and then compare the damage between the two of them. Within a few minutes, the room without a sprinkler system was fully engulfed, giving a potential occupant no chance of survival. However in the room with a sprinkler system, very little damage was noticed, as the sprinkler system kept the fire in check, until it could be fully extinguished by the fire fighters.
Sprinkler systems will save lives, not to mention make interior fire fighting safer. |
