Construction site fires continue a trend of large financial losses. Brooks Equipment reported on this phenomenon in the 2015 first quarter issue of this newsletter. But recent fires suggest this trend continues to be a major fire problem. According to an NFPA Journal magazine article, a massive fire at a construction site near Boston, MA, in July of 2017, caused an estimated $110 million in damages¹. The fire reduced most of the buildings under construction to rubble. Construction site fires also result in life losses and injuries. A March 7, 2018 fire reported in the Denver Post started at a construction site and damaged 13 buildings, killed two people and injured six others². Large buildings under construction have the potential for devastating fires due to the presence of a large amount of flammable and combustible materials, which is only a contributing factor to the final resulting ruin. The main factor might be that building owners (the ones financing the construction) and code enforcement officials lack the information needed to prevent and mitigate these fires.

To help address this fire problem, with the intent of reducing injuries, fatalities, and financial losses, the development of three informational pamphlets was sponsored by the American Wood Council (AWC). The pamphlets provide best practices for planners, developers, and builders to make informed decisions and ensure safety and help ensure the right fire safety equipment is in place at large building construction sites. The AWC pamphlets are titled:

• Basic Fire Precautions during Construction of Large Buildings
• Hot Work during Construction of Large Buildings
• Fire Department’s Role in Prevention and Suppression of Fires during Construction of Large Buildings

The pamphlet on basic fire precautions provides much information on the need for having fire safety equipment in place, including the following:

• Portable Fire Extinguishers
• Hydrants and Hose Reels
• Temporary Emergency Lighting
• Standpipes
• Automatic Fire Sprinklers
• Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

There is a specific provision in the pamphlet which says that at least one multi-purpose fire extinguisher, per 3000 ft², must be provided at all times and references NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers and OSHA Fire Protection and Prevention 1926.150(c)(1)(i).

In the hot works pamphlet, under “General Precautions,” it says the pre-hot-work check shall determine that fire extinguishers and fire hoses (where provided) shall be operable and located in accordance with NFPA 10. Also there is a specific provision that says a minimum of one portable fire extinguisher, complying with Section 906 (International Fire Code) and with a minimum 2-A:20-B:C rating, shall be readily available within 30 feet of the location where hot work is being performed.

Although there will always be a potential for a devastating fire to occur at a large building construction site, making these pamphlets available to planners, developers, builders, and local authorities having jurisdiction might help keep them informed so that the best decisions can be made and the most appropriate fire safety equipment will be available to notify workers and help mitigate construction site fires.

Mark Conroy is an engineer in our Boston office and a member of the NFPA 10 Technical Committee.

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A November 2017 fire at the Soul and Sea Restaurant in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania gutted the eating establishment. One news report stated the fire started in a laundry bin containing cleaning rags, saturated by cooking oil, that spontaneously ignited ¹. The local fire marshal ruled the fire an accident and determined the cause to be spontaneous combustion of the towels. According to the fire marshal, this type of fire is rare, but it does happen more often than people think ².

Although cooking oil, absorbed in cloth towels, is a fire problem, most restaurant managers either have not given it much thought or are simply unaware of the fire danger. And because towels are frequently used for cleaning up grease and cooking oil in restaurant cooking areas, they are just as frequently left in piles and not stored properly or disposed routinely. Consequently, spontaneous ignition can occur with a resulting fire that can spread and demolish a restaurant. And many of these fires happen after hours. But having the right equipment and understanding proper housekeeping procedures can prevent these devastating fires. Here is the information you need to get the right equipment into restaurants to mitigate this type of fire problem.

The chemistry of spontaneous combustion of cloth rags, with linseed-oil-based wood stains, is well established. Fire departments warn homeowners of this danger frequently. But few people know that linseed oil is also known as flax seed oil, which is sometimes used as a cooking ingredient (breads, muffins, and pancakes). Other oils with similar smoke points (225°F) are unrefined safflower oil (salad dressings and marinades) and sunflower oil (slaws and salads). Those oils are typically added for flavoring, but are sometimes used in the cooking process. Unrefined canola oil also has the same smoke point as these oils³. It is used more frequently, since it is less expensive, and has many of the same applications as these other oils. These natural cooking oils undergo oxidation and could begin to smoke, when left in a pile unattended, and eventually reach the ignition temperature. Heating of oily towels also increases the risk of a spontaneous ignition, so if they are left in direct sunlight, or on a heat source (heat producing appliance), the potential for a fire increases. Other cooking oils have much higher smoke points and the risk of spontaneous ignition is significantly lower.

Spontaneous combustion of the oily towels occurs when they are heated to the ignition temperature by a chemical reaction and oxygen in the air surrounding the towels—known as self-heating. Basically, the oxidizing of the oil generates heat. If the heat cannot be dissipated, it will build up until combustion occurs. No spark or flame is needed for this ignition. Oily towels left in a pile are insulated from the cooling effects of circulating air. The heat is trapped and the temperature of the oily towels will continue to rise until the ignition temperature is reached. If the flaming towels are unnoticed, the fire usually spreads to other combustibles in the area, which could be catastrophic if not extinguished in the early stages with a portable fire extinguisher. That is probably what happened in the Pennsylvania fire.

The solution is simple and easy, and the result is a safe environment for restaurant employees and patrons. It is a combination of good housekeeping and having the proper storage containers for the towels containing cooking oils. Combustible waste and used towels need to be kept to a minimum in commercial kitchens. When oily towels are not being used, they need to be stored in listed metal containers and then disposed of or at least removed from the building frequently. Any restaurant considering a fire safety policy for oily towels should consider the following:

A properly sized, listed oily towel collection can should be installed in a commercial kitchen where there is a potential for a spontaneous ignition fire. These listed devices limit oxygen to prevent fires and have automatic self-closing lids that will prevent fire spread, should one occur.

Although many national franchise restaurant chains have oily towel collection cans and housekeeping policies for used towels, many individually owned and smaller restaurants are not even aware of this fire problem. The next time you service extinguishers or a kitchen system, make sure the restaurant owner/manager is aware of the potential fire problem. Offer to install the listed oily towel collection cans throughout the cooking and food preparation areas. And make sure the restaurant has a written policy for depositing used towels in the cans and for towel removal (at least daily and at the end of each shift).

Fire prevention experts have identified linseed oil rags as a high risk for spontaneous ignition. Cooking oils with similar characteristics need to be approached with the same precautions. Providing safety equipment for safe, short-term storage of oily towels and informing the owner/manager of the need for a policy will help ensure safety.

Listed Oily Towel Collection Cans^*

P/N	Capacity	Height x Diameter (in)
JR09100	6 gal	15 7/8 x 11 7/8
JR09300	10 gal	18 1/4 x 13 15/16
JR09500	14 gal	20 1/4 x 16 1/16

^*All collection cans are UL listed, FM approved, TUV certified, and meet OSHA requirements.

Mark Conroy is an engineer in our Boston office and a member of the NFPA Technical Committee on Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.

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On December 30, 2013, an employee of Herrick Corporation, in San Bernardino, CA, was welding a steel plate to a steel beam when he felt a hot sensation. He took off his welding helmet to find his shirt below his chest on fire. His abdomen to his waist was unprotected, because he was not wearing a leather bib or other protective garments. He sustained burns on his torso¹. The burn injuries and the OSHA fines that followed could have been avoided if the employee was wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), required by OSHA. Here is what you need to know to provide the most appropriate apparel and support safety in the workplace where welding, cutting, and brazing operations take place.

One of the hazards associated with welding, cutting, and brazing operations is the possibility of skin burns caused by flame exposure, radiation heat, sparks, and welding spatter. To minimize this hazard, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that employees exposed to these burn hazards wear PPE (OSHA’s welding, cutting, and brazing standard, 29 CFR, 1910.252(b)(3)), which includes flame-resistant (FR) clothing. Where welders are exposed to flash fires or short-duration flame exposures, OSHA expects employers to provide and ensure the use of FR clothing to protect workers from these hazards². The protective clothing can be provided by the employer or can be employee-owned, but the employer is ultimately responsible for its adequacy, maintenance, and sanitation.

The objective of the PPE apparel should be to provide sufficient coverage and maximum protection against skin burns. That means the PPE apparel needs to not only cover the skin but must be flame resistant to short-exposure flames and high-temperature thermal exposures.

Common street clothes should not be worn in the vicinity of these activities. Special flame-resistant shirts and pants or coveralls are made for employees in areas where this work is conducted. The clothing should be UL Certified to NFPA 2112, Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire and comply with the requirements for electrical arc protection, contained in ASTM F1506, Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Electric Arc Rated Protective Clothing Worn by Workers Exposed to Flames and Electric Arcs.

Employers and employees often do not know where to purchase the apparel and replacements. The tables below provide options that you can offer to these potential customers for protective apparel.

Protection against sparks and radiant energy is needed in addition to the flame-resistant shirts, pants, or coveralls. Materials that can melt or that will allow severe burns are not recommended. Heavier materials, such as leather or heavy cotton are preferred, as they provide necessary protection and insulation and resist deterioration.

All welders and cutters need to wear protective gloves, such as leather welder’s gloves, which provide basic skin exposure protection and the heat resistance needed for welding, cutting, and brazing operations. A durable, flame-resistant, full-sleeve leather jacket provides protection to the front of the body where additional protection against sparks and radiant energy is needed. Alternately, a leather bib apron with special welding sleeves can be worn for protection. The best sleeve protection is provided by leather welding sleeves, although some operations can be conducted safely with flame-resistant, heavy-cotton welding sleeves. For shoe protection, leather shoe protectors (38505MWMG) that fit over the tops of shoes or boots provide appropriate protection from heat, sparks, and spatter.

The potential for burn injuries associated with welding, cutting, and brazing operations can be prevented if employers provide appropriate personal protective equipment and employees wear it as intended. Supplying your customers with NFPA 2112 UL Certified and ASTM F1506 flame-resistant clothing, along with leather jackets, leather bib aprons, welding sleeves, and leather gloves, will help prevent burn injuries and help these employers avoid costly OSHA fines.

FRPA Blue Jeans (Pants)^*

Waist	Length 30	Length 32	Length 34	Length 36
32	P1D3230	P1D3232	P1D3234	P1D3236
34	P1D3430	P1D3432	P1D3434
36	P1D3630	P1D3632	P1D3634
38	P1D3830	P1D3832	P1D3834	P1D3836
40	P1D4030	P1D4032	P1D4034
42	P1D4230	P1D4232	P1D4234

^**Flame-resistant pants, shirts, and coveralls are NFPA 2112 UL Certified and ASTM 1506 compliance tested.

Jackets and Bib Aprons

Jacket L	38030MWLMG
Jacket XL	38030MWXLMG
Bib Apron	38142MWMG

Welding Gloves

L	Premium	MG4950L
XL	Premium	MG4950XL
XL	Economy	MG4300B
XL	Reinforced	MG4500

FRPA Shirts^*

Size	P/N
Med	S1TM
Lg	S1TL
XL	S1TXL
2XL	S1TX2

Welding Sleeves

Leather 18"	38418MWMG
Flame Resist 18"	39418MG
Flame Resist 18"	39423MG

Mark Conroy is an engineer and code compliance specialist in our Boston office.

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Despite the high demand for blue collar labor, Millennials, the very workers who in the years to come will be needed to replace outgoing blue-collar retirees, have shown little—and declining—interest in blue-collar work, according to The Horton Group¹.

As if that isn't gloomy enough, The National Association of Manufacturers² (NAM) predicts two million job vacancies by 2025, while The American Welding Society suggests that as many as 300,000 welders and welding instructors will be needed by 2020.

But why is this and how do you, as a business who depends mainly on blue-collar employees, overcome it? The answers are many and sometimes difficult to implement. But they’re all achievable. With the right knowledge and little bit of work, attracting— and keeping—Millennial labor will be much easier.

Overcoming Misconceptions

From you need a college degree to land a good job to blue-collar work is unfulfilling, low-paying, and dirty, convincing the next generation of workers to consider blue-collar work as a career would seem difficult at best. However, with just a few tried and true strategies, courtesy of Coaching Millennials³, overcoming these misconceptions can be easily done—except for, maybe, the dirty part.

Besides the obvious—offering higher salaries and fringe benefits, like low-cost comprehensive health care, paid time off (PTO), and 401Ks with a company match, which may or may not be in the cards for your business—the following strategies don’t cost anything to implement but are extremely effective, nevertheless.

• Make Millennials feel at home immediately. It’s important that they become part of the team right away and understand how their roles and responsibilities positively affect their teammates and colleagues.
• Set up company programs to help them with life basics, like preparing taxes and saving for retirement. Having access to a credit union, supplemental health insurance, and/or fitness facilities or programs are also pluses. Millennials will appreciate help with their soft skills, too, especially how to behave properly in the workplace.
• Cultivate an upbeat environment with lots of frequent, positive reinforcement that lets them know that they're on the right track toward achieving their goals.
• An absolute must—Apprenticeships! Making sure Millennials have access to free job training is probably the biggest factor in not only getting them to take a position but keeping them at that position. And offering additional training to advance their careers is a good idea too.
• Emphasize teamwork over individual competition in the workplace.
• Define (in context) how the job they do makes a positive difference in the world around them.

Additional Strategies

Highlight the long-term potential for growth and advancement in your business. Deal with negative assumptions and stereotypes with early, positive associations. Explain that what you and your company do saves lives and property—a noble thought that they would appreciate. And because Millennials come with team-oriented attitudes already, leverage it in the workplace.

Remember, too, this new generation of young workers is more tech savvy than almost anyone over 40. They rely heavily on their cell phones, tablets, and laptops. And you should, too, by not only allowing them to have them at work but encouraging it. That way you can take advantage of their preferred methods of communication—social media and text messaging—pretty much anytime, anywhere (work or home). And chances are excellent that these devices will increase their productivity, not hurt it.

Hire The Right People

Of course, hiring the right people in the first place can go a long way in employee retention. What good will it do implementing all of these strategies if you hire a dud—Millennial or not.

Business News Daily⁴ has a good article on how to improve your hiring process. Their seven steps may not be foolproof, but they’re certainly better than having no steps at all. Here they are briefly.

1. Build a strong employer brand.
2. Move as quickly and efficiently as possible.
3. Write better job descriptions.
4. Embrace digital trends and social media.
5. Fit the personality to the job.
6. Improve your interviews.
7. Keep an eye on your reviews.

Jerry Taylor is the Sr. Copywriter/Editor in our Charlotte Headquarters.

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We reported on legislation that impacts the fire equipment industry for Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and New Jersey in our second quarter newsletter. Nothing new has happened, but Brooks and the Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) will continue to track those bills.

U.S. MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND EXTINGUISHERS

In 2017, the federal government issued a new edition of the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), which is the building code for military buildings. The new UFC would allow buildings to be constructed without fire extinguishers, provided those buildings have automatic sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Brooks and FEMA representatives met with the staff of several representative and senators in Washington, DC last year regarding this matter. Following those meetings, Alabama Senator, Luther Strange included Sense of Congress wording into a bill, but was stripped out of the House and Senate versions of the bill before being signed into law.

Most recently, we have been working with the staff of Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and the Senate Armed Services Committee and the result is a report attached to the National Defense Authorization Act. The essence of the report regarding extinguishers is that every DoD building should apply building and fire codes that are in line with national model codes and state building and fire codes… including requiring portable fire extinguishers on military installations. The bill is expected to be acted upon this summer.

TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION, ONTARIO, CANADA

A recent update to certification requirements in Ontario, Canada makes certification compulsory for sprinkler fitters. An interpretation of the new compulsory requirements would allow sprinkler fitters to work on pre-engineered systems. Additionally, the interpretation implies that pre-engineered system technicians need to pass the sprinkler fitter exam and qualify as a sprinkler fitter in order to continue working as pre-engineered system technicians.

Allowing sprinkler fitters to work on pre-engineered systems and not permitting qualified pre-engineered system technicians to work on them reduces the level of safety in buildings where these systems are installed. Brooks and FEMA have been communicating with the Ontario College of Trades (Ministry of Labour) and the Ontario Fire Marshal and have offered assistance with the goal of improving safety and allowing qualified technicians to continue to work on the systems.