NFPA Releases Dormitory Facility Fire Report
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released its Structure Fires in Dormitories, Fraternities, Sororities, and Barracks report, which analyzed fires reported in the these facility types in the United States…
Number of US Fires Reported Decreased in 2012
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released its 2012 US Fire Loss Report, which found that there were 1,375,000 fires reported in the United States in 2012, a slight decrease of 1% from 2011. The report…
NFPA Conference Review – Design Flexibility in Managing Combustible Dust Explosion Hazards
In June, a few of our fire protection consultants got the chance to attend the NFPA conference in Chicago. We’ve asked that they summarize the key points from some of the sessions they attended so that we can share the…
Recent Industrial Dryer Fire: Top Lesson Learned
Last month, Kentucky firefighters responded to a fire inside a large, industrial dryer at the R.R. Donnelley plant located in Dannville. The dryer is used to dry ink on magazines after they are printed, using extremely hot air.…
Technological Advances Continue to Help Spread NFPA Mission
It has been NFPA’s mission since 1896 to save lives and protect property. At the recent NFPA conference in Chicago, President Jim Shannon addressed the General Assembly regarding how technological advances help the organization…
Three Strategies to Minimize Loss from Industrial Oven and Dryer Fires
Last month, fire broke out in a production oven processing a rubber product at American National Rubber Co., located in Ceredo, West Virginia. No injuries were reported in the incident. The fire ignited inside the oven,…
Florida Propane Explosion Likely Caused by Equipment Failure and Human Error
The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the massive propane explosion that recently injured eight people at the Blue Rhino propane plant located in Tavares. Local authorities do not suspect arson or foul…
Five Lessons Learned from Combustible Dust Flash Fire Fatality
State officials are investigating a recent combustible dust flash fire that killed one employee and injured two others at Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (AERT) in Springdale, Arkansas. Although the cause of the…
Massive Fire at Boston Warehouse Causes $1 Million in Damages
Earlier this month, Boston firefighters were called to a three-story warehouse fire at the U.S. Coast Guard station located on Commercial Street. The facility is used to repair boats. Thankfully, no injuries were reported…
Investigators: Fire Sprinklers Failed to Operate in Industrial Fire
Last month, a large industrial fire at Nationwide OTR Recyclers in Indiana caused more than $10 million in damages. The fire began on a Saturday and raged through the weekend, fueled by more than 85,000 square-feet of tires;…
Combustible Dust Grain Silo Explosion Kills One in Indiana
Last week, an explosion inside a grain silo killed one employee, another tragic reminder of just how deadly combustible dust can be. Fire investigators believe the fatal explosion was caused when dust ignited after a mechanical…
Chemical Explosion Rocks Upper Mount Bethel in Pennsylvania
Last week, an explosion and subsequent chemical fire rocked the township of Upper Mount Bethel in Pennsylvania. The explosion occurred at Voltaix, a manufacturer of special chemicals for the semi-conductor and solar-cell…
Explosion at Iowa Plant Injures Three and Causes Millions in Damages
Last week, an early morning explosion at the Norplex Laminates manufacturing plant in Postville, Iowa injured three employees and caused an estimated $5-7 million in damages. One of the injured employees was reportedly standing…
Alabama Plant Employees Injured in Welding Accident
Last week, an explosion at UTC Aerospace Systems injured two employees in Foley, Alabama. One of the two injured was lifeflighted to USA Burn Center. According to City Administrator Mike Thompson, an employee was welding on a…