Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Patrick Bradshaw on January 24, 2008 at 7:35am

This is just one reason that we require a fire inspection prior to a new building gtetting their C/O. Anyone, even a building official, can miss something but this is a big miss.

I would hope that someone also took action against the sprinkler system contractor that did the sign-off on the certification of the system. The respponsibilty for the installation being compliant is there's not the inspector's.

Very good photos. Good discussion and we need more. So many people believe that stuff like this does not truly happen but that we make it up to add drama. Were there any pipes connected to the sprinkler heads or were they just affixed to the ceiling?

Thanks!!!

Permalink Reply by Mike W. on January 24, 2008 at 2:03pm

The sprinkler contractor was fined and required to install the backflow preventer at his cost. The Village also took legal action against the contractor. His excuse was that he never bid on the backflow preventer and thereby was no responsible for the faulty installation. It never ceases to amaze me what people try to get away with. I have other pictures that are of equal interest.

Thanks for the reply

Permalink Reply by Patrick Bradshaw on January 24, 2008 at 4:32pm

feel free to throw them up or e-mail them to me and I can post them.

Permalink Reply by firemanstep on January 24, 2008 at 6:33pm

Hi All

Just to let you into my world, I work for the Fed. Govt. as a Fire Inspector / Investigator. I run into this all the time. All of the contractors complain that this or that was not in the contract. Some times they (management) make them fix it some times they dont. Go Figure... I know how you feel about people adding drama, this stuff is not made up. I have found backflows installed backwards, not installed, not certified, holes in walls not filled in, extra penetrations that were made by mistake, I could keep going. My only complaint is that management will not take a firm stand, they will make me research code for days to make a case and then will not act. It feels like such a waste of time.

Take Care out there and be SAFE

Step

Permalink Reply by Patrick Bradshaw on January 24, 2008 at 7:43pm

Oh, I think we all have seen these things and worse. It is so sad. I just finished dealing with a fire alarm installation that I have turned over for enforcement. Neither the sub-contractor or contractor were licensed in SC to install fire alarm systems. The installation failed acceptance testing and had numerous violations. I truly feel for the the property owner who made a good faith effort to fix the old fire alarm by having it fully repaired to include a new main panel.

In these sutuations it is the property owner in a lot of cases that is the true victim and I feel that we, as fire marshals, should do all we can to help them. I know that there are times that the property owner is a party to it all but usually not.

I suppose the best we can do is make sure that we inspect all new construction and ensure that these deficient buildings do not open to the public until safe or we may have numerous other victims that pay with blood instead of money.

Thanks for all the input!

Permalink Reply by Mike W. on January 25, 2008 at 8:44am

Keep the faith brother. It is because of people like you and those in this group that keep more people from getting killed every year. I have always said that more lives are saved by good fire prevvention efforts than by the heroics of suppression forces.
Stay safe

Permalink Reply by Mike W. on January 25, 2008 at 8:55am

Very true.
I think that what we all need to remember is that we serve the public. They are relying on us to ensure their safety. Sometimes we get caught up in the politics of government and become disenchanted. Lack of adequate staffing or an administration that is unsupportive to our efforts can often make us wonder, is it worth it? It is!
Yes, sometimes I sympathize with the property owner and try to help him but I always have the interests of my firefighters and the public utmost in my mind. We can't afford to have our businesses destroyed by fire and neither can we afford to lose our firefighters and citizens to fire.

Keep the faith and stay safe

Permalink Reply by Patrick Bradshaw on January 25, 2008 at 9:18am

Amen!

Permalink Reply by Ken Carr on January 27, 2008 at 10:29am

In our jurisidiction we have started to request alarm, and sprinkler plans. We try to avoid major problems this way. We don't catch everything this way but, certain red flags pop up and we can make the appropriate contacts.

Permalink Reply by Patrick Bradshaw on January 28, 2008 at 7:45am

The bad part was, the alarm contractor ignored the request for plans. Now the store is suffering from it.

Permalink Reply by Mike W. on January 28, 2008 at 8:17am

Then don't approve the installation. No plans for you to review and comment on then no business. Put your foot down. Tell him that you want a plan to approve, cut sheets of all products, and battery calculations. If it is a sprinkler system require water flow data and hydraulic calculations. If you don't get them, you won't approve the job and he won't get paid. That should get his attention.