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...
Commercial Cooking Equipment
The following summary provides guidance in assessing the thoroughness of inspection, maintenance and cleaning activities for equipment and systems related to commercial cooking equipment. Commercial...

Fire Protection in Electric Generating Stations
You have moved the fuel, burned it, generated the steam to drive the generator and sent the power on its way. You might think you are in good shape if you have addressed the fire hazards associated...
Halon Alternatives
Bromochloroflourocarbons (Halons) were developed in the 1930s. Halon is low in toxicity, non-flammable, non-corrosive and very compatible with many materials. Halon has thermodynamic and physical...
Fire Protection Statistics
Automatic Sprinklers 1 in 16 million sprinklers will leak or accidentally discharge due to mechanical failure. Between 1 and 9 sprinklers are usually required to control a fire. Sprinklers are...
Fire Extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers can be a first line of defense in the early stages of a fire. With proper training, they can be very effective is preventing a small fire from growing rapidly out of...
Fire Pumps
Fire pumps and fire booster pumps are critical pieces of equipment when it comes to providing an adequate fire protection water supply for many industrial and commercial properties. Fire pumps are...
Cafeteria Extinguishing Systems
It is common to find pre-engineered extinguishing systems in commercial cafeterias. These systems serve to suppress grease and oil fires in fryers, grills, hoods, and exhaust plenums. In the past dry...
Maintaining Dry-Pipe Sprinkler Systems
The owner of the large glass plant couldn't remember the last time he tested the building's dry-pipe sprinkler system. The facility had been sitting idle for at least a year, and he had three other...
Protection of High Rise Buildings
High rise buildings have several unique fire hazards due to the height of the building. A high rise building, as defined in the Uniform Fire Code, is "any building or structure having floors used for...

Pre-planning the Installation of a Fire Sprinkler System
One of changes in the 2002 Edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems that often goes unnoticed or enforced is the requirement of a building owner or their authorized...
A Financial Incentive for Building Owners to Install an Automatic Sprinkler System
There are thousands of buildings in the United States that were built involving building codes that did not require automatic sprinkler protection. Most of them now have grandfather status and are...