NFPA Journal - November/December 2012 - (Page 66)

2011 U.S. LARGE-LOSS Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss April, $40 million, 2:20 p.m. Setting This was a wildland/urban interface fire. Climate The temperature was 75 to 80oF (24 to 27oC) with winds of 30 to 40 miles (48 to 64 kilometers) per hour. Origin and Path High winds caused power lines to come together, sending sparks into dry brush and grass around an abandoned house. Contributing Factors and Other Details Texas was experiencing a severe drought with very dry conditions and low humidity. The fire destroyed 40 structures and burned 314,444 acres (127,251 hectares). Two firefighters were injured. Structural loss was listed at $35 million, and damage to contents was estimated at $5 million. This was one of many large wildfires in the state at the time. Texas Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss April, 2 p.m., $15 million Setting This was a wildland/urban interface fire. Climate No information was reported. Origin and Path The cause and origin was undetermined. Contributing Factors and Other Details Texas was experiencing a severe drought with very dry conditions, low humidity, and high winds. The fire burned 40,575 acres (16,420 hectares). Structural loss was listed as $10 million and damage to contents at $5 million. This was one of many large wildfires in the state at the time. sTORaGe PROPeRTIes Texas Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss February, 7:45 p.m., $35 million Property Characteristics and Operating Status This was a 36-foot-high (11-meter-high), one-story structure shared by two companies. The fire broke out in a facility that stored empty soda and drink cans. The facility was closed to business, although one person was awaiting a pickup by a delivery service. The other part of the building was operating. The total area of both companies was 403,133 square feet (37,452 square meters). The construction method was not reported. Fire Protection Systems Smoke detection system and manual pull stations were present. The smoke alarms operated, alerting the lone occupant and an alarm company. A full-coverage wet-pipe sprinkler system operated but was not effective, as one section of the system was in a test mode and the other did not send a signal to the alarm company. Fire Development The cause and origin were undetermined. Contributing Factors and Other Details One firefighter was injured when pallets of empty cans collapsed on him. CalIfORnIa Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss April, 3:30 p.m., $10.3 million Property Characteristics and Operating Status This was a one-story, 45,000-square-foot (4,181-square-meter) fruit and produce storage building with cold storage of unprotected ordinary construction. The business was operating at the time. Fire Protection Systems No automatic detection or suppression equipment was present. Fire Development Heat from a torch being used for roof work ignited combustible roofing materials, and the fire entered the structure through a hole in the wall, spreading to cork and foam insulation between wood structural members and to wooden ceiling components. Contributing Factors and Other Details A worker who smelled smoke in the cold storage area investigated by opening a compartment door and found heavy smoke. The front desk was told to call 911. When firefighters arrived and initiated an interior attack, they found the fire burning across the ceiling and heavy smoke inside. Their first attempt to reach the fire was unsuccessful as its seat was some 200 feet (61 meters) into the structure. They found product stored on wood pallets to a height of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) and very tight access. Firefighters were withdrawn from the building and went to defensive operations. The fire burned and smoldered for three days. VeHICle flORIda Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss December, 6:27 a.m., $10.08 million Property Characteristics and Operating Status This fire involved four large yachts docked at a marina. There were two occupants aboard the yacht where the fire broke out. Fire Development A fire of undetermined cause broke out in a 65-foot (20-meter) yacht. Contributing Factors and Other Details Upon arrival, firefighters found four yachts involved in fire. A 65-foot (20-meter) vessel was fully involved; an 85-foot (26 meter) and two 70-foot (21-meter) vessels were partially involved. As firefighters fought the fire with portable master stream devices and hand lines, one of the yachts was towed from its slip to prevent the fire from spreading down the line of docked boats. A mutual-aid fire boat fought the fire on that yacht. Two civilians aboard the yacht where the fire started were injured. PUBlIC asseMBlY PROPeRTIes COnneCTICUT Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss November, 9:53 p.m., $10 million Property Characteristics and Operating Status This was a large, two-story, 24,242-square-foot (2,252-square-meter) church. The steeple height was not reported. The sanctuary was an addition to the church and was separated by a fire wall. Fire Protection Systems A full-coverage heat and smoke detector system activated and alerted the fire department. A wet-pipe sprinkler system protected the new addition. However, it did not activate as the fire was confined to the older section of the church. Fire Development A fire of undetermined cause broke out in the attic and spread through the older section of the church. Contributing Factors and Other Details Firefighters initiated an interior attack upon arrival. Due to deteriorating conditions and the structural instability of the roof, which began to sag, firefighters were withdrawn to a defensive attack. Fire officials credited a good water supply, the fast response of mutual-aid companies, and a well-placed trench cut, as well as a fire wall, with saving a large part of the building. 66 NFPA JOURNAL NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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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