Recent trend of glass bulb sprinklers not having the proper amount of fluid in the bulbs. 
These sprinklers have been discovered installed in systems that are “in service” during inspections. Also, some contractors’ field personnel have come across them prior to installation.
As you are well aware, the amount of fluid in the glass bulb plays a critical role in the proper activation of the sprinkler head. The fluid in the glass bulb expands when exposed to heat. When the rated temperature is reached, the fluid expands sufficiently to shatter the glass bulb, allowing the sprinkler to activate and water to flow.
The small air bubble within the glass bulb determines the activating temperature of the sprinkler. As heat expands the liquid, the air bubble is compressed and absorbed. When the bubble disappears the pressure rises rapidly until the bulb shatters. The larger the air bubble the longer it takes before the sprinkler activates.
Please have your personnel carefully inspect all sprinkler heads prior to installation.
Also, please report any occurrence with these sprinklers to our office. If possible, please send the sprinklers to our office.
Thank you for your concern with the correct design and installation of a very important life safety system. Please know that we are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safety and quality in the systems that are designed and installed in the State of Minnesota. We are encouraged by your commitment and hope that this information is helpful in that goal. Please contact us with any questions or comments you may have.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Check the heads
Friday, July 30, 2010
Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show
Next weekend is the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show
Shinny red fire engines on parade.... Helicopters buzzing-overhead.... An opportunity to operate our 150 year-old hand-pumped fire engine.... Smoke and flames.... Police S.W.A.T. teams... The "Jaws of Life".... Fire engine rides... Tow trucks capable of lifting a school bus... Smiling children wearing fire helmets.... Yep, there will be LOTS to see and do at next weekend's Emergency Vehicle Show.
Festivities begin with a lights-and-sirens parade thought the village of North Aurora. Parade staging begins at 6:30pm at Tinseltown Theaters, 320 S. Lincolnway (Rt. 31), North Aurora, IL. Parade steps off at 7pm -- going north on Rt. 31 to John Street, west to Willoway, north to Oak Street, west to Randall Road to the Clock Tower Plaza. The arrival of the parade at the Clock Tower Plaza kicks off the North Aurora Days Festival and the Emergency Vehicle Cruise Night.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Interesting –You taking call these days?
Most deadly times and places to drive
An important part of defensive driving is to make good choices about when and where you drive. To help you minimize your risk, we’ve compiled some useful facts. Putting them all together suggests that you run the least risk of a fatal crash by driving on Christmas Day between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. The risk is even lower if Christmas falls on a Monday.
On the other hand, you run the maximum risk of having a fatal accident by driving on I-95 in Florida on June 10th between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. when that date falls on a Saturday.
Here’s a round up of the deadliest times and places to drive based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (data is from 2008 or an average of the most recent three years) and from The Daily Beast, which recently compiled information on the most dangerous highways.
Most deadly days of the year to drive:
1. June 10
2. June 16
3. July 4
5. July 15
6. June 17
Noteworthy finding: Nine of the top ten deadliest days to drive are in late spring and summer.
Least deadly days of the year to drive:
1. December 25
2. February 27
3. March 20
4. January 24
5. January 15
Most deadly days of the week to drive:
1. Saturday
2. Sunday
3. Friday
4. Thursday
5. Tuesday
6. Wednesday
7. Monday
Noteworthy finding: You are 53% more likely to be in a fatal crash on Saturday than you are on Monday.
Most deadly times of day to drive:
1. 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
2. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
3. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
4. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
5. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Least deadly times of day to drive:
1. 4 a.m. to 5 a.m.
2. 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.
3. 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
4. 3 a.m. to 4 a.m.
5. 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Noteworthy finding: There is a 52% drop in fatalities from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. and between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Most deadly Interstate highways:
1. I-95, Florida
2. I-76, New Jersey
3. I-4, Florida
4. I-15, California
5. I-10, California
Most deadly atmospheric conditions:
1. Rain
2. Snow/Blowing snow
3. Fog, smog, smoke
4. Sleet/hail
5. Crosswinds
More interesting tidbits:
Over half of all fatal crashes in 2008 took place in rural areas.
60% of fatal crashes were one-car accidents.
In 2008 74.5% of all fatal accidents occurred on two-lane roads. Check on fatalities along roads you drive with SafeRoadMaps.org’s http://saferoadmaps.org/home/ marvelous new interactive map to crash data.
Fatal car accidents are down 15% from the peak in 2005, while fatal motorcycle accidents are up by 13% in the same time period.
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/07/13/most-dangerous-times-places-to-drive/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl3|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walletpop.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F13%2Fmost-dangerous-times-places-to-drive%2F
USFA LODD reports
Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Trout Run, PA
Richard L. Springman of the Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company in Trout Run, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-14
Initial Summary:
Firefighter Springman was responding in his personal vehicle to a fatal two-vehicle collision on Route 15 when his truck reportedly struck a guardrail and crashed. Firefighter Springman was ejected from his vehicle and passed away from injuries sustained in the accident. Incident Location: US Hwy 15 @ Powys Curve in Lewis Township, PA (USNG: 18T UL 2498 8006).
Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Milmont Park, PA
Charles Hornberger of the Milmont Park Fire Company Station #49 in Milmont Park, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-06-30
Initial Summary:
On Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at approximately 1140hrs, Engineer Hornberger responded to the fire station for an alarm of a commercial building fire. He arrived at the station but missed the truck. He stayed at the station until his company returned and then went home. While leaving his house a short while later, he collapsed. He was immediately given CPR and rushed to the Taylor Hospital. He remained in the hospital where he passed away from irreversible damage to the heart.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
USFA LODD
Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Greer, SC
Charles "Bob" Robert Flintom of the Pelham-Batesville Fire Department in Greer, SC has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-01
Firefighter Flintom was in the fire station kitchen preparing lunch when he blacked-out, fell, and struck his head. Flintom went to the hospital and discovered his fall had caused some internal bleeding. The following day, Firefighter Flintom's condition worsened and he became unconscious, passing away from his injury on July 4th. Incident Location: 2761 S Highway 14, Greer, SC 29650-4926 (USNG: 17S LU 8828 5844
Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Williamstown, PA
Douglas L. Smith of the Liberty Hose Company No. 1 in Williamstown, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-09
Firefighter Smith passed away due to an apparent heart attack as he entered the fire station while responding to a fire call in nearby Porter Township. Incident Location: Porter Township, PA (USNG: 18T UK 70 95)
Friday, July 9, 2010
NIOSH Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters using Risk Management Principles at Structure Fires
NIOSH Publication No. 2010-153: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-153/
NIOSH Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters using Risk Management Principles at Structure Fires
Fire fighters are often killed or injured when fighting fires in abandoned, vacant, and unoccupied structures. These structures pose additional and sometimes unique risks due to the potential for fire fighters to encounter unexpected and unsafe building conditions such as dilapidation, decay, damage from previous fires and vandals, and other factors such as uncertain occupancy status. Risk management principles must be applied at all structure fires to ensure the appropriate strategy and tactics are used based on the fire ground conditions encountered.
Entire Document
2010-153.pdf
(2.27 MB; 32 pages)
The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view these files.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-153/
Thursday, July 8, 2010
LODD
Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Wharton, TX
Thomas Araguz III of the Wharton Fire Department in Wharton, TX has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-03
Initial Summary: Captain Araguz was killed when he became caught and trapped by rapidly progressing fire conditions inside of a 25,000 square feet 250-foot-long processing building at a poultry farm. A contributing factor fueling the fire was large fans used to keep the animals cool. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by state and local authorities. Incident Location: 580 Maxim DR, Boling, TX 77420-0020 (USNG: 15R TN 10 37)
Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Kankakee, IL
Frank William Fouts, V of the City of Kankakee Fire Department in Kankakee, IL has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-07-01
Initial Summary: Lieutenant Fouts passed away from cardiac arrhythmia after completing two fire and two EMS calls on his last shift. Incident Location: 1345 E. Cap Circle, Bourbonnais, IL (USNG: 16T DL 3047 5743)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
LODD
Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Guthrie Center, IA
Steven Scott Crannell of the Guthrie Center Fire Department in Guthrie Center, IA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2010-04-21
Initial Summary:
Firefighter Steven Crannell participated in a fire department training drill on the evening of 04/21/2010. He went home after assisting with cleanup from the drill. EMS was dispatched to his home at 12:05 am on 4/22/2010. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:20 am from an apparent heart attack.