NFPA Journal - November/December 2012 - (Page 65)

and coverage. Five of the eight systems operated effectively, while the operation or effectiveness of the other three was not reported. Information about automatic suppression equipment was reported for all 17 structure fires. Seven of the structures had no suppression equipment and sustained a combined loss of $119.4 million. Of the remaining 10, nine had wet-pipe sprinklers, three of which provided complete coverage and three of which provided partial coverage. The coverage of the other three was not reported. The tenth structure had a dry-powder system that provided local coverage. Five of the 10 suppression systems operated, and three did not. Whether the other two operated was not reported. Of the systems that operated, one was not effective, and no reason for the failure was reported. Another was not in the area of ignition and was overwhelmed by the spreading fire. The third was overwhelmed by the volume of fire, the fourth was not adequate for the fire load, and the fifth system failed for reasons not given after about five minutes of operation. Of the three systems that failed to operate, two were not in the area of the fire. In the third, the fire was too small to activate the system, since it was confined to a large generator. Complete information on both detection and suppression equipment was reported for 15 of the 17 large-loss structure fires. Both types of systems were present in eight structures. Two structures had only suppression equipment, but it is unclear if they operated. Five, or 29.4 percent, of the structures had neither a detection nor a suppression system. Property loss in these five fires came to more than $73 million. What we can learn The status of this one-story, 90,000-square-foot (8,361-square-meter) craft store of unprotected ordinary construction not reported. Fire Protection Systems Smoke alarms of an unreported type were present. The system activated and alerted the occupants. A wet-pipe sprinkler system also operated, although it was not effective as it was not adequate for the building and contents. Fire Development This was an incendiary fire. The area of origin and method of ignition were not reported. Contributing Factors and Other Details The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is investigating the fire, as well as the local fire department. IOWA Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss January, 3:17 a.m., $10 million Property Characteristics and Operating Status This was a five-story, 20,000-square-foot (1,858-square-meter) office building of protected noncombustible construction that was closed for the night. The only occupant was a security guard. Fire Protection Systems More than one type of detection equipment was reportedly present and operated, although its types and coverage were not reported. There was also a wet-pipe sprinkler system. Its coverage was not reported, either, and investigators could not determine whether it operated. Firefighters used a standpipe system. Fire Development A fire of undetermined cause broke out in a fourth-story office cubicle. Contributing Factors and Other Details The structural loss was reported as $7 million, and damage to contents at $3 million. One firefighter was injured. WILDFIRES TExAS Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss September, 2:20 p.m., $400 million Setting This was a wildland/urban interface fire. Climate The temperature was 98oF (37oC), winds were in excess of 45 miles (72 kilometers) per hour, and the relative humidity was 12 percent. Origin and Path High winds toppled trees onto power lines, causing the lines to come together, sending sparks into dry brush and grass in a vacant lot. Contributing Factors and Other Details Texas was experiencing a severe drought with very dry conditions, low humidity, and extreme fire danger. The fire destroyed 1,645 structures and burned 34,069 acres (13,787 hectares). Two civilians died, and three firefighters were injured during this fire. Large areas were evacuated during the blaze, which burned for more than a month. This was one of many large wildfires in the state at the time. TExAS There were five more large-loss fires in 2011 than there were in 2010, and associated property losses increased by more than $147.2 million, or 22.6 percent. In seven of the past 10 years, at least one fire has resulted in a loss of more than $100 million, and in at least two years, one fire resulted in a loss of more than $1 billion. Both of these fires were wildfires. Adhering to the fire protection principles reflected in NFPA’s codes and standards is essential if we are to reduce the occurrence of largeloss fires and explosions in the United States. Proper construction, proper use of equipment, and proper procedures in chemical processes, storage, and housekeeping will make fires less likely to occur and help limit fire spread should a fire occur, while proper design, maintenance, and operation of fire protection systems and features can keep a fire that does occur from becoming a large-loss fire. Where we get our data NFPA identifies potential large-loss incidents by reviewing national and local news media, including fire service publications. A clipping service reads all U.S. daily newspapers and notifies NFPA’s Fire Analysis and Research Division of major large-loss fires. NFPA’s annual survey of the U.S. fire experience is an additional data source, although not the principal one. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 NFPA JOURNAL 65

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - November/December 2012

NFPA Journal - November/December 2012
Contents
First Word
In a Flash
Perspectives
Firewatch
Research
Heads Up
Structural Ops
In Compliance
Buzzwords
Outreach
Electrical Safety
Wildfire Watch
Past + Present
Easy Being Green?
Pressure Points
2011 Large-Loss Fires
2011 Firefighter Injuries
Section Spotlight
What’s Hot
Looking Back

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