NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation has released a research report on a study of flammability of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in bulk storage. The results of these tests will be used to define appropriate sprinkler protection in NFPA 13 for these types of products. Three types of Li-ion batteries commonly used in various consumer products were chosen for these fire tests. They were stored in rack storage configurations up to 15 ft high.  Read more

Klausbruckner & Associates is announcing two new “High-Piled Storage” seminars for April and June 2013. These seminars will provide a detailed overview of the latest fire and building code provisions for resolving fire hazards associated with high-piled combustible storage. The content of the first seminar is tailored towards sprinkler inspectors, whereas the second one will discuss high piled storage issues associated with annual inspections from the Fire Department.  Read more

How much do you know about fire sprinkler systems? If you are a business or a building owner, an architect, or a member of the construction industry, you may be interested in some of these commonly asked questions on sprinkler protection. Explore with us sprinkler terminology, application and use of various types of sprinkler heads, issues arising from change in occupancy or change in use, solutions to common problems, and some simple ‘rules of thumb’  Read more

During this holiday season the Klausbruckner and Associates team set out again to make a difference in the community of San Diego setting up a ‘Let’s do it caring bag drive’ for the homeless donating over 80 bags, each containing a sleeping bag and miscellaneous personal items, some of which were donated by other businesses supporting this drive  Read more

NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation is conducting a research project on Lithium-ion battery flammability characterization. The objective of this research is to ‘provide a comparative flammability characterization of common Lithium-ion batteries (as compared) to standard commodities in storage’. This project is part of a multi-phase research effort to develop information for fire protection strategies in Lithium battery storage.  Read more

On June 27 the Research Foundation and NFPA’s international operations department presented a seminar on research to address high challenge storage protection for aerosols, lithium batteries, flammable and combustible liquids, automated storage and retrieval systems, and others. 110 attendees from 17 nations attended this event in Paris, France to explore the latest global research and emerging trends on storage protection.  Read more

OSHA has adopted GHS, the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. On March 20, 2012, OSHA Director Dr. David Michaels announced the revision to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), labeled as ‘HazCom 2012’. He explained the intent of the HazCom 2012 is that employees not only have the “Right to Know” what chemical hazards they were exposed to, but also have now the “Right to Understand.”  Read more

Explore with us in this extended and updated article the do’s and don’ts of ESFR sprinkler systems. We added a section on the changes of the most recent 2010 edition of FM 8-9 by FM Global, and a FAQ on the instances where in-rack sprinklers are required when the building is equipped with an ESFR system  Read more

Friday, June 15, 2012 marked the 18th Annual Society of Fire Protection Engineers’ Golf Outing. The event was held at Carlton Oaks Lodge and Country Club in the ‘sunny’ San Diego, California. This year’s event raised over $1000. Monies raised benefit the San Diego Burn Institute, which is a nonprofit health agency dedicated to reducing the number of burn injuries  Read more

The 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation Medal was awarded to the research project on “High Volume/Low Speed Fans and Sprinkler Operation”. This two-phase project was conducted to study the impact of High Volume Low Speed Fans (HVLS) on fire safety. Issues raised on their usage as they relate to general sprinkler performance  Read more