Natural Hazards and Extreme Weather
47 articles in this category
Lowering the Chance of Fire After an Earthquake
In previous articles we discussed earthquake protection for fire protection systems. We now turn the discussion from maintaining the ability to control a fire to lowering the chances of a fire or...
Fire Barrier Designations
Floors and walls designed as fire separations have been recognized for many years as efficient tools for restricting fires to the area of origin or limiting fire spread. Prior to 1900, relative fire...
Another Look at Seismic Protection for Sprinklers
Determining the need for seismic protection for a sprinkler system and designing the protection used to be a straightforward task. The designer would look on an Earthquake Zone Map in NFPA 13 to see...
Wildfires
Wildfires have always been a concern in the United States. There have been recent wildfires in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida. Wildfires can cause ignition to a building by: flying...
Changes to NFPA 13 Regarding Earthquake Protection
It is important to maintain sprinkler systems in service for fire protection following a major earthquake. Present standards for sprinkler system earthquake resistance are mostly satisfactory;...
Flood Exposures and Mitigation
In last month's article, we dealt with the definitions for severe weather watches and warnings with respect to the upcoming hurricane season in the Northern Hemisphere. One peril that accompanies...
Severe Weather Watches and Warnings
As a reminder, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 in the Northern Hemisphere. Windstorm is the second highest cause of property loss after fire. Recent severe windstorms have proven...
Ice Plugs
What Is An Ice Plug? When, Where, And Why Do They Form? Ice plugs can be a grave problem since they have the ability to seriously impair sprinkler system piping. Contrary to popular belief, ice...
Lightning
A typical summer thunderstorm is predicted for later in the day. You dread the incoming weather change because you were hoping for a nice dry weekend. This rain will ruin your weekend. This...
Flooding
We've all heard the word, and we all think it won't happen to us. Not to our buildings, our buildings are too well protected. Are they really? For some of you, your plant may be well elevated above...
Earthquake Protection for Sprinkler Systems
It is important to remember that the building causes the strains on sprinkler piping during earthquakes. If sprinkler piping could be isolated from the building, earthquake strains could only enter...