UL prohibits O-rings in sprinklers after Jan. 2003; adds sprinkler tests to UL 199
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has revised UL 199, Standard for Safety for Automatic Sprinklers for Fire Protection Service, to prohibit the use of O-ring water seal constructions in sprinklers after January 2003. The revision was published July 9.
The action follows a two-year UL-funded investigation of the field performance of sprinklers containing O-rings. The project included extensively examining, testing, and analyzing sprinkler samples from more than 200 locations across the country. The samples were from hospitals, schools, offices, warehouses, and residences.
According to Jim Beyreis, UL’s vice president of global engineering, the research revealed that “some O-ring sealed sprinklers can degrade over time due to corrosion or buildup of minerals, salts, and other elements in water that could affect how the sprinklers activate in a fire.”
The revised UL standard incorporates the following additional tests: a dry sprinkler deposit loading test that will expose representative samples to a carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide atmosphere at elevated temperatures and a dezincification test for brass sprinkler parts exposed to sprinkler system water and that contain more than 15 percent zinc; selective removal of zinc from brass sprinklers can weaken pressure-retaining capabilities and potentially cause leakage or inhibit sprinkler operation, according to UL.
UL has issued public notices pertaining to the operating performance of certain sprinklers and has recommended precautionary actions. The most recent notice (April 24, 2001) concerned Model GB series sprinklers manufactured by Central Sprinkler Company. Central has recently initiated a voluntary replacement program for these and other similarly constructed sprinklers. Information on the replacement program may be obtained from the Web site www.SprinklerReplacement.com.
UL is urging, as a precautionary measure, that sprinkler systems not part of the Central Sprinkler replacement program be inspected immediately and that all sprinkler systems with O-ring water seals be sample tested, regardless of their year of manufacture or installation location. Building managers and property owners can determine whether sprinklers use O-ring components by contacting the sprinkler manufacturer or UL.
Building owners may have their installed sprinklers tested by UL without charge. They should consult with the sprinkler manufacturers for information regarding how to remove and replace test samples and the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty before sending the representative sprinkler samples to UL. The samples should be sent to Kerry Bell, UL, 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 for operational testing. Bell can be reached by phone at (847) 664-2629 or by e-mail at kerry [email protected].
Trelleborg Viking, Inc. recalls drysuit rotating intake valves
Trelleborg Viking, Inc., in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is recalling all Viking rotating intake valves marked ME2, MK6, ML7, and NA1 purchased in North America between Sept. 1, 1998 and Sept. 1, 2000. The valves may be part of drysuits or may have been purchased separately as spare parts.
According to the company, “A potentially hazardous problem may exist with the valve swivel base being brittle due to overheated compound after molding interruption. This has caused the swivel base to crack with the result that the valve can leak or fall off. If this occurs during diving, use of the subject rotating intake valve could be dangerous to the safety of the diver. Consumers are warned not to dive with the valve.”
Replacement inlet valves will be provided free of charge; Trelleborg Viking Inc. will pay all shipping costs. For additional information, call the company’s hotline at (800) 344-4458 (+46-411-6790 outside Canada and the U.S.) or visit www.vikingdiving.com.
NFPA Standards Council votes to issue NFPA 1710 and 1720
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards Council, after considering the appeals presented at its July meeting, voted to issue the 2001 editions of NFPA 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, and NFPA 1720, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments. The Council has added the following equivalency statement to both documents:
“1.3 Equivalency. Nothing in this standard is intended to prohibit the use of systems, methods, or approaches of equivalent or superior performance to those prescribed in this standard. Technical documentation shall be submitted to the Authority having Jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency.”
Also, the Council directed the Technical Committees for these standards to enter the documents into the revision cycle reporting to the 2004 Annual Meeting.
Two members of the Standards Council voted against issuing the standards.
FEMA awards $7.3 million in grants to fire departments
The Federal Emergency Management Agency/U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA/ USFA) has awarded two rounds of grants to fire departments under the Assistance to Firefighters Program as of July 30.
In the first round, 108 fire departments were awarded more than $2.9 million in grants for training. More than $4.4 million in grants was awarded to 81 fire departments in the second round-more than $2.6 million for apparatus purchases and $1.7 million for training. Additional awards will be made in both categories in coming weeks.
The awards are part of more than $100 million in grants to be distributed through September 30. More than 19,700 volunteer and career fire departments applied for grants totaling almost $2.98 billion.
Applications for the grants, authorized last year by Congress, are being processed by the U.S. Fire Administration and rated by representatives from seven fire service organizations. A list of grant recipients is posted on the USFA web site at www.usfa. fema.gov/grants. Future grant recipients will be listed as awards are made.
Senate Appropriations Committee allots $150 million for FY2002 FEMA grant program * The Senate Appropriations Committee has included $150 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency/U.S. Fire Administration Assistance to Firefighters Grant program in the VA/HUD and Independent Agencies budget for Fiscal Year 2002, according to the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI). Earlier, the House Appropriations Committee had approved a spending bill for VA/HUD and Independent Agencies that included $100 million for the firefighter grant program. The FEMA/USFA grant program is authorized to receive up to $300 million for FY 2002.
The full Senate and House must approve their versions of the spending bill. Then, a conference committee of members from each chamber will work out a compromise bill, which must be approved by the full Senate and House. The legislation will then go to the President for his consideration.
UL warning: fire extinguishers do not comply with UL standards
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has found that certain fire extinguishers distributed by American Products Company of Corona, California, do not comply with UL’s safety requirements and are not authorized to bear the UL mark.
The packaging or product has on it the markings “American Products Company Corona CA92879,” “PARTS NO. 10.9110,” and “Made in Taiwan” as well as an unauthorized UL mark. UL encourages consumers to return these extinguishers to the place of purchase or to contact American Products Company at (909) 898-9840 or visit the company’s Web site at www.4apc.net.
CFSI issues summary of fire service legislation before Congress
The following fire service legislation is pending in the 107th Congress, according to the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
House of Representatives
- Access to Thermal Imaging Cameras Act (H.R. 827). Introduced by Rep. Felix J. Grucci Jr. (R-NY) on March 1, 2001. This bill would establish a $100 million grant program to aid in the purchase of thermal imaging cameras. Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act (H.R. 471). Introduced on February 6, 2001, by Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ). This bill provides for disclosure of fire safety standards with respect to campus buildings. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
- Child Care Construction and Renovation Act (H.R. 286). Introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-MO) on January 30, 2001. Among other things, this bill would provide mortgage insurance for childcare facilities that purchase and install fire safety equipment. Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Children’s Sleepwear Safety Act (H.R. 329). Introduced by Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) on February 7, 2001. This bill would require that children’s sleepwear be manufactured in accordance with stricter flammability standards. Referred to the House Commerce Committee.
- Home Ownership Must Expand for Teachers and Public Safety Officers Act (H.R. 421). Introduced by Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) on February 6, 2001.
This bill would make single-family properties owned by HUD available at a discount to teachers and public safety officers. Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Home Ownership Opportunities for Uniformed Services and Educators Act (H.R. 674). Introduced by Rep. John J. LaFalce (D-NY) on February 14, 2001. This bill would provide for 1 percent down payments for FHA mortgage loans for teachers and public safety officers. Referred to the Committee on Financial Services.
- Mandatory Separation Age for Federal Firefighters (H.R. 93). Introduced by Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) on January 3, 2001. This bill would amend Title 5, United States Code to extend the retirement age from 55 to 57 for firefighters under the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System, making the mandatory separation age for federal firefighters the same as that for federal law enforcement officers. Passed the House on January 30, 2001. Referred to the Senate.
It was introduced in the Senate (S. 271) by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on February 7, 2001. Referred to the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.
- Preparedness Against Terrorism Act (H.R. 525). Introduced by Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-MD) on February 8, 2001. This bill would establish a Presidential Council on Domestic Terrorism. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Survivor Benefits Tax Fairness Act (H.R. 710). Introduced by Rep. John Sununu (R-NH) on February 14, 2001. It would provide for consistent treatment of survivor benefits for public safety officers killed in the line of duty. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Senate
- Sustaining Access to Vital Emergency Medical Services Act (S. 587). Introduced by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) on March 21, 2001. Would establish a $50 million grant program to aid emergency medical personnel for equipment, apparatus, hiring and recruitment, and retention. Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Copies of these bills are available at http://thomas.loc.gov, or contact the House Legislative Research Center at (202) 226-5200, fax (202) 226-4362 or the Senate Document Room at (202) 224-7860, fax (202) 228-2815.
Federal firefighters presumptive legislation introduced in the House
The Federal Fire Fighters Presumptive Disability Bill (H.R. 2163) would make it easier for federal firefighters to prove that heart and lung disease and certain cancers and infectious diseases are job-related, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. The legislation, introduced in June, was sponsored by Reps. Ciro Rodriquez (D-TX), Connie Morella (R-MD), Lois Capps (D-CA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), and Jo Ann Davis (R-VA). The IAFF is working with federal firefighter locals to gain support for the legislation among members of Congress.
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Line-of-Duty Deaths, 2001
June 30: Fire-Police Joe Vargason, 69, of the Maine (NY) Fire Department, was struck and killed by a pickup truck while directing traffic at a vehicle fire.
July 10: Crew Chief Tom L. Craven, 30; Firefighter Karen L. Fitzpatrick, 18; Firefighter Jessica L. Johnson, 19; and Firefighter Devin A. Weaver, 21, of the United States Forest Service Wenatchee and Okanogan National Forests, died as the result of being overcome by the Thirty Mile Fire in the Chewuch River Valley, north of Winthrop, WA. The fire grew from approximately five acres to more than 2,500 acres within 21/2 hours.
July 10: Firefighter/EMT Cynthia Verburg, 47, of the Clayton (OH) Fire Department, died of blunt trauma; a tree in excess of 4,000 pounds fell on the cab of her Medic vehicle.
July 10: Pilot Doug Gilbert, 52, of the Idaho Department of Lands, Coeur d’Alene, was killed when his single-engine air tanker crashed for a reason yet undetermined. He was dropping retardant on the north-central Idaho backcountry while battling a 500-acre fire.
July 12: Firefighter Jeff Chavis, 22, of the Lexington (SC) County Fire Service, succumbed to injuries sustained while fighting a fire in a Lake Murray subdivision on June 16. He had suffered second- and third-degree burns to more than 50 percent of his body. He was caught by falling debris in a garage area of one of the two homes destroyed by the fire.
July 16: Lieutenant Eddie Dean Mathis, 45, of the Dallas (NC) Volunteer Fire Department, sustained fatal injuries in a motor vehicle accident while responding on his privately owned motorcycle to a motor vehicle/pedestrian accident.
July 22: Firefighter Donald Myrick, 49, of the Ludlow (IL) Fire Protection District, died of injuries sustained when he was ejected from his privately owned vehicle after it had left the roadway and crashed while he was responding to another single-vehicle automobile accident.
July 27: Firefighter Kirk Schafer, 36, of the North Central Fire District, Kerman, California, was killed as a result of being struck in the head by debris. He was filling a new fire truck’s tanks with water from a hydrant when a nearby 300-pound pressurized tank catastrophically failed. The reasons for the failure are to be determined. The failed tank rocketed into the air and landed on the fire truck Schafer was servicing.
July 28: Firefighter Lazaro Martinez, 70, of the Fisher’s Peak Fire Protection District, Trinidad, Colorado, collapsed and died after exiting the burn structure in which he was participating in a live burn exercise with other members of his department.
August 1: Firefighter Ralph “Warren” Blackmar, 66, of the South Foster Volunteer Fire Department, Foster, Rhode Island, died from an undetermined cause, possibly a heart attack, while returning from a structure fire. The fire truck he was driving left the roadway, struck a pole, and rolled over.
