Monthly Technical Articles
Explore our collection of articles written by engineers, for engineers. Categorized based on the COPE approach to assessing risk within a facility, the archives below contain essential information for the development of engineers in our field.
Managing Your ESFR Sprinkler System
Early Suppression Fast-Response (ESFR) sprinklers are now commonly referred to as Suppression Mode Sprinklers. This is due to the fact that they are designed to actually extinguish a fire rather than...
Legislative Review
In the November 2007, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations affecting...
Fire Protection System Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
The National Fire Codes (NFPA 25) and the GM Global (FM) Data Sheets (2-81) have both had substantial fire protection system updates in 2007. This would be an opportune time to see if your program...
Seismic Considerations for Flammable Gas Piping
In our July 2006 article, we described methods for lowering the risk of a fire after an earthquake. One portion of the article discussed ways to protect piping used to transfer flammable liquids and...
Recall Program for Globe Model "J" Dry Sprinklers
In June 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation of Standish, MI announced a nationwide recall of up to 300,000 Model J Series dry fire sprinklers...
NFPA 25 vs. VdS CEA Guidelines for Sprinkler Systems
The standard commonly used in the United States for sprinkler system testing and maintenance is NFPA 25, "Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection...
Exterior Walls, Foam Insulating Materials, and Property Risk Considerations
Potential for irony exists when the scales tip from prudent efforts to conserve building energy with insulating materials only to discover they have become a fuel source for hostile fire. Since the...
Changes to NFPA 20
The use of fire pumps for fire protection is certainly not new - the initial NFPA Technical committee to establish uniform guidelines for proper and effective installation of fire pumps dates back to...
Plastics In Construction
Plastics are increasingly being used in construction for their relatively low cost compared to other materials and as well as energy savings as an insulation material. Their use presents other...
Hailstorms
Facts about Hailstorms: Hail develops during most mid-latitude thunderstorms, often melting before reaching the ground. Hail forms in the updraft of a thunderstorm with stronger storms producing...
19th Annual Legislative Review
In the November 2006, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its 19th annual legislative review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations...
Changes in NFPA 13
The recent release of the 2007 edition of NFPA 13 brought with it various changes with respect to general protection for Class I – IV commodities and miscellaneous occupancies. Organization of the...