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Energy Efficient Windows Can Melt Vinyl Siding

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The Effect of Reflected Sunlight from Low-e and other Double Paned Window Glass on Vinyl Siding:

OVERVIEW

Glass in double paned windows may on occasion slightly warp or deflect due to a difference in barometric pressure between the interior of the glass panes and the outside air pressure. This can create a concavity in the glass. Such a concavity is a normal response to pressure differences, does not affect the performance of the window, and does not constitute a defective window condition. However,the concavity may focus sunlight reflected from the window in a fashion similar to the effect seen when light passes through a magnifying glass. The heat generated by the focused reflected sunlight has proven sufficient to visibly damage and distort vinyl siding on nearby houses. Any double paned window may cause this effect, but double paned low-e windows have a higher reflectivity quotient which can exacerbate the reflected light/vinyl distortion phenomenon.

VINYL SIDING 

The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) states that temperature ranges beginning at 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit can soften normal grades of vinyl siding. Darker colors absorb more heat, and will soften before lighter colors of siding. Heat generated from double paned low-e window reflected sunlight has been measured in excess of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, more than sufficient to soften and distort any normal grade or color of vinyl siding. There have been some reports of reflected sunlight damage to materials other than vinyl siding. Occasional wood discoloration and charring, and damage to paint and other plastics (e.g.,decking, window lineals, trim), have all been reported.

REFLECTED SUNLIGHT EFFECT 

The use of double paned low-e windows will not necessarily result in any damaging reflected sunlight incident. A combination of contributing factors must be present before the effect occurs or causes damage to any nearby materials, including vinyl siding. The presence of the concavity in the double  glass panes (resulting in the magnifying glass effect with a focused light beam) appears to be the primary cause of the heat generation, more so than the mere increased reflectivity of the low-e window. The angle of the sun is also a factor. A low angle of sunlight (such as might occur in late fall, winter, or early spring) is more likely to produce the effect. Other factors, such as proximity to the adjoining house, wind speed, air temperature, and the presence of buffering foliage are all said to have an impact on whether a damaging reflected sunlight effect does in fact occur.

Vinyl siding and insulating windows both have very large market penetration. Vinyl siding has been the most used siding product on new single-family homes in the U.S. every year since 1994. It was applied to 35% of all new homes built during that time frame. The majority of new vinylsided homes are in the south (40%), midwest (35%), and northeast (19%) (U.S. Census Bureau 2009). Based on sales data and projections from 1999 to 2019, approximately 45% of residential vinyl siding is, or will be, used in the new construction market; the remainder will be used for retrofits and repairs (Freedonia Group, Inc. 2009).

The U.S. Department of Energy and model energy codes have made improved residential energy efficiency a national priority. Therefore, standards have called for increasingly stringent energy efficiency requirements for windows. The performance levels achieved by insulating windows are mandated by nearly all local building energy codes for both new construction and replacement in existing buildings. Windows are typically designed to meet the requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the most commonly adopted model energy code in the U.S. for residential buildings. To meet IECC’s U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) requirements insulating double-pane windows with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings are often used.

Videos:


Additional Links:

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/window-reflections-can-melt-vinyl-siding

http://www.nachi.org/low-e-windows.htm

http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/archives/8386

Reports:

E windows LBNL-5022E

E windows 020410-NAHB+Study

If you have had and fires or incidents involving Low - E Windows and Vinyl Siding? I would love to hear from you. Please email me @greenmaltese@gmail.com

A special thanks to Chief Kevin A. Gallagher for bringing this issue to my attention.

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by on May 22, 2013 • Filed under: Building Construction, Modern Construction, News and Events, Solar • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Solar Panel Cause of Fire at Webster Groves High School

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WEBSTER GROVES • Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire Saturday on the roof of Webster Groves High School, officials said.

The fire broke out about 1:45 p.m. The cause has not yet been determined, but Webster Groves Battalion Chief Tom Yohe said it was “possible” the fire was sparked by one of the school’s solar panels.

Departments from around the area responded to the 2nd alarm call. The fire was contained within 15 minutes, Yohe said.

Officials said there may be some water damage to the school’s third-floor classrooms from fighting the fire. No firefighters were hurt, and any damage to the building was minor.

The school’s seniors graduated Friday, but Yohe said because access to the roof was difficult he “seriously doubted” the fire could have been started by students.  The school is expected to be open Monday.

 


Original Story Link: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/fire-at-webster-groves-high-school-quickly-put-out/article_8b4794f7-eafe-54ec-b47d-711ab62d548b.html

Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
Posted by on May 20, 2013 • Filed under: Building Construction, Modern Construction, News and Events, Solar • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

FDIC 2013

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The Super Bowl of Firefighting is  just about a month away! If you have never been then you need to make plans to attend NOW!

I am very happy and honored to be presenting again this year and would like to invite you to attend my class on 4/25/2013
Video Trailer:

Class Information:

Hazards of Modern Roofs

Lieutenant/Training Officer John Shafer, Greencastle (IN) Fire Department

An intense and concentrated examination of trends and methods in modern building construction

with an emphasis on roofs, their direct relationship on vertical ventilation, structural firefighting

operations, and firefighter survivability. Inherent roof construction features and hazards that

directly influence truck company work are the main focus areas. The program addresses timely

issues related to modern roofs and an upcoming push to make sustainable buildings. Various

green roofs, methods, and exotic materials used to achieve green standards and the potential

hazards they present to fire service personnel are also examined. Become acquainted with

materials such as recycled rubber shingles, solar panels, and green (garden) roofs that have not

been part of traditional building construction. ALL LEVELS

Room 109-110

 Hope to see you all there!

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by on March 20, 2013 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Structural Insulating Sheathing

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Combines insulative and water-resistant barrier benefits with structural properties to offer an affordable method of bridging the thermal short-circuiting of a building’s frame. 

Exterior walls must provide multiple functions including  weather and air resistance, energy efficiency, and structure. Most commonly,  these functions are met with a combination of materials that are typically  individually installed.Structural insulating sheathing provides a  multi-function exterior wall sheathing product that is applied in a single  layer and provides additional continuous insulation, a weather- and air  infiltration-resistant barrier, and structural wall bracing. The product is a  marriage of two proven sheathing materials—foam sheathing (polyisocyanurate)  and structural laminated  fibrous board with a thermal resistance of R-3 for ½-inch thickness.

Structural insulating sheathing provides a structural method  of design for braced wall panel construction, and many additional benefits.  Using a single product simplifies wall construction and allows labor savings.  It can be installed using common construction tools and skills, and time is  saved since it eliminates the installation of a separate layer of building wrap  or felt paper for the weather-resistant barrier (WRB). Further, it reduces  handling and improves worker safety by replacing two installations with one of  a lighter panel weight.

Beginning  in 2006, the International Residential Code (IRC) will require a WRB over OSB  for code compliance when using most of the conventional exterior cladding  systems.

A special thanks to my good friend Paul Hasenmeier  from First Due Tackle for sending me these pictures of an apartment that was going up in his area to motive me to compile all the information I already had on Structural Insulating Sheathing and take it from my Green Building Construction Class and put it into a written post where all could read and share. Here is the link to the photos: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/media/set/?set=a.525651460808230.120904.388039061236138&type=1

Additional Information about Structural Insulating Sheathing:

http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/walls/structural-insulated-sheathing

STYROFOAM SIS™ (U.S. Residential Only) Link:

http://building.dow.com/na/en/products/insulation/sis.htm

Other types of Insulating Sheathing:

http://www2.buildinggreen.com/category/builder-categories/sheathing/insulating-sheathing

The only way to know this kind of energy efficient  construction is being built in your area is to get off the couch and go walk through these buildings as they are being built!

Stay Safe and share with all your brothers and sisters!

Lt. John Shafer

 

Posted by on March 11, 2013 • Filed under: Building Construction, Modern Construction, News and Events • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Close the Door for Life!

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From our very beginning in New Amsterdam, the role of the fire service was to be proactive and save lives through fire prevention. In 1647 Fire wardens would inspect houses and chimneys, fining the owners for potential hazards, to prevent fires from happening.  If the early firefighters were not actively inspecting, then they were patrolling the streets looking for fire. A team of firefighters would walk the streets with wooden rattles and would sound the alarm upon discovery of fire. The intent of this team was to find the fire in it early stage so major disaster and loss of life would be prevented.

Now let’s fast-forward to 2013. The fire service has many roles today from EMS to fighting fires. With all these added roles and responsibilities, it is easy for us to lose focus of our original intent to prepare residents for fires and prevent them.

The fire service of America has many traditions that have been carried down throughout the generations and much to be proud of. The one we should be most proud of is that from our beginning, and even to this day, we have made it our mission to save lives and property through preventive measures and how to react when there was a fire.

Every fire department has an obligation to not only prevent fire, but also prepare people in the event they have a fire. A major role of preparing our community is to teach Fire Escape Planning.

Most fire departments are involved in teaching their communities fire escape planning and usually teach Get Out and Stay Out. This is a very good message and should be taught in every community, however I feel we need to take it a step farther.

The next step we must take is to put a major emphasis on once you get out, CLOSE THE DOOR FOR LIFE

The simple act of closing the door reduces fire growth, spread, damage to the home and can save lives

 

 

 

 

 

FDNY “CLOSE THE DOOR” Campaign PSA Video

More FDNY Community Awareness Videos

The tale of two fires:

While I know all the variables are not the same in these two fires. The point I want to make is the outcome. One had a door left open by an escaping resident and the other had a door closed by the escaping resident.

17 Vandalia Avenue New York City New York  (Door Left Open)

Early Friday morning December 18, 1998, tragedy struck the NYC Fire Department for the 3rd time that year. A mere 7 days before Christmas the Red Devil claimed the lives of 3 fire fighters.

At 0454 hours Brooklyn transmitted box 4080 for a top floor fire at 17 Vandalia Avenue in the Starrett City development complex. The sprawling complex is located on Brooklyn’s south shore in the Spring Creek section. The 10 story 50 x 200 fireproof building is used as a senior citizen’s residence.

Engine 257 and ladder 170, both quartered in Canarsie, were assigned 1st due and arrived within 4 minutes.  By that time the fire already could be seen blowing through two windows. Second and 3rd alarms were quickly transmitted.

As the 1st due ladder company, L170′s duty is to search the fire floor. Lieutenant Joseph Cavalieri, and fire fighters Christopher Bopp and James Bohan ascended 10 flights of stairs with extinguishers and forcible entry tools. Their mission was to rescue the resident of apartment10-D who was believed trapped inside.

Fortunately for the elderly resident she escaped shortly before the forcible entry team arrived. Unfortunately for them, she left the apartment door wide open. The additional oxygen from the hallway fed the inferno within and blew out the windows.

Additional Info:

http://www.fdnewyork.com/77334080.asp

http://commandsafety.com/2009/12/fdny-brooklyn-box-4080-17-vandalia-avenue-12-18-98/

NIOSH Report:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face9901.html

230 E. Ontario Chicago Illinois (Door Closed)   

Fire and smoke billow from a high-rise building fire in the 200 block of E. Ontario Street in downtown Chicago. — Keri Wiginton, Chicago Tribune, Feb. 1, 2013

An extra-alarm fire at a Near North Side high-rise building was largely confined to the unit where it started because the apartment’s resident remembered to close the door after fleeing the fire, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

Crews were called about 11:15 a.m. to a building in the 200 block of East Ontario Street, according to Larry Langford, a spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department. The fire was raised from a still and box alarm to a 2-11 alarm just before 11:30 a.m. Traffic around North Michigan Avenue north of the Chicago River was affected.

The woman who lives in the apartment, age 25, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good-to-fair condition to be evaluated, Langford said.

When the fire started, the resident may have tried at first to put it out herself, but she soon left, shutting the door behind her, Langford said.

“That kept it confined to that unit,” Langford said.

The woman went downstairs and told building management about the fire, and the Fire Department was called, he said. When firefighters arrived and went into the burning unit, windows blew out, but they were able to keep the fire contained, he said. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire on the seventh floor of the 27-story building by about 11:45 a.m., Langford said.

Fire crews also called an EMS Plan I for the fire, automatically sending at least five ambulances to the scene, according to Langford. Several people were checked at the scene for smoke inhalation.

 

Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

 

Additional Info:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-01/news/chi-crews-on-scene-of-reported-fire-at-downtown-building-20130201_1_extra-alarm-fire-fire-crews-fire-unit

Picture Gallery:

http://galleries.apps.chicagotribune.com/chi-130201-highrise-fire-chicago-north-side-pictures/

As I mentioned before I am very well aware that there were a lot of different variables between the two fires but the outcome with the closed door resulted in not only civilians life’s being saved but NO Firefighters died! It is paramount that we as a fire service are more proactive in teaching our community about getting out alive but also CLOSING THE DOOR FOR LIFE! For more information concerning our Fire Prevention message check out http://greenmaltese.com/2012/10/is-your-fire-prevention-message-up-to-date/ .

Here are the links of two fire departments that understand the importance of this message.

http://lynnfire.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=112

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/fire/article/390044?archive=2012-03

Please share this message with every firefighter you know who is serious about saving lifes.

Thanks

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by on February 2, 2013 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

THE I-STAIR – A NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION HAZARD

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I would first like to give a special thanks to the staff at Firefighters CloseCalls for sending this information to me. So I could share  it with you all on Green Maltese.

Also a special thanks goes out to Lt Steve Dykema City of Wyoming Mi. Fire Department for being very heads up training officer and bringing this issue to light.

I-STAIRS:

Attached is info on a new type of stair construction for residential buildings, and a safety bulletin that was put out for  the City of Wyoming Fire Department. The stairs are constructed using 2x4s for the main support. The triangles shown hold the stair riser and tread in place. The metal on the bottom of the tread and riser is essentially a gusset plate, similar to truss gusset plates.The inventor of the products has passing on the info below. According to him, if the stairs are on the main floor to second floor configuration, the bottom needs to have drywall. If it is coming from the basement in an unfinished area, no drywall or other protection in required. The entire stair assembly is manufactured in a factory and shipped to the jobsite.

The I-Stair is just one of many hazards we as firefighters face. The key to our success on the modern fireground is  a good proper size-up, early fast water and a proper Go or No Go decision-making sequence.

For information on the Go or No Go sequence:

Downloaded drill – http://firetrainingtoolbox.com/gonogo.pdf

Video link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7m8TViEUOk

I-Stair FAQ Information from the Inventor:

1.Why is pre-built i-stair better?

Steel stringer brackets. (no 2×12 shrink and split)

Treads and risers are glued and screwed to steel stringer brackets (no squeak)

Installation is simple and fast. (no layout or cutting stringers, treads and risers) Saves frame and finish labor.

Safer: Potential home buyers and clients are safe and not nervous climbing temp treads.

Code compliant immediately at installation. (less liability exposure during construction)

2.How is i-stair ordered?

Framers call with wall and floor height, width and landings along with job location.or stair specs are taken from the plans.

3.When is i-stair delivered?

Usually next day, sometimes 2 days.

4.Is there special framing needed?

Hanger board is not needed. Cut subfloor nosing 1-3/4″ and frame the opening consistent for width.

5.How is i-stair installed?

1. Set i-stair and nail top riser tight to floor-joist header & subfloor nosing.

2. Glue stringers to subfloor and bottom riser to floor.

3. Lag-screw stringers to wall studs. ( lag-screws supplied )

If under stair is to be dry-walled, nail 2x4s between stringers every 2 brackets ( 2′ o.c. )

6. How heavy is a typical i-stair?

About 200lbs.

7.How is i-stair protected on concrete floors?

2 pieces of water-shield are provided to slip under the stringer feet,or water-shield is stapled to stringer feet.

8.Why only 2 stringers?

The Tread-Riser-Gusset form I-beams that span the width of the stair.

( Ultimate failure load test, 2040 lbs.)

9.How is drywall under an upper stair supported?

The framers nail 2 x 4s between the stringers every 2 brackets ( 2′ o.c.)(This is not pre-built because of assembly constraints)

10.How is i-stair finished?

The skirt-boards are installed between i-stair and drywall. (The i-stair treads and risers are ready for pad and carpet)

11.What are the two numbers labeled to the riser?

The 1st is the skirt board bottom length.

The second is the skirt board floor cut angle.

12.Can the tread-riser-gusset weather rain and snow?

Yes I-stair exposed to weeks of rain and snow have had no problems.

13.Is i-stair accepted by the local building official?

Almost all of West Michigan code officials have seen and approved i-stair.

Load Testing performed by Progressive Engineering Inc., ISO 17025 Accredited. Load Test Report by P-E-I is available from MPI Concepts Inc.

Down loadable Drill from City of Wyoming Mi. Fire Department:

step safety bulletin i stairs

Additional Information:

US7946085B2 i stairs patent

P-E-I Certificate for I stairs

i stair brochure

i stair 2011 Test Report 5-06-11

Please share this with your crews. This is just one more of many reasons why we  as the Fire Service needs to advocating for sprinklers every building!

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by on January 24, 2013 • Filed under: Building Construction, Fire Prevention/Public Education • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Doomsday!!!! Are you prepared for those who are preparing?

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ANNOUNCING DISASTER PREPPERS!

Rather the world ends on the 21st or not this is a growing concern that just adds one more thing for the fire service to be prepared on.

Please spend a few minutes with us and watch this very informative module on what could be expected in occupancies that are prepped for Disasters.

Go to http://firetrainingtoolbox.com/ and click on Modules.

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by on December 17, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings Report

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Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings


Author: Brian Meacham, Brandon Poole, Juan Echeverria and Raymond Cheng, Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  Re-posted by permission  of Brian Meacham NFPA

Introduction
Many new commercial facilities are being designed and constructed with an objective of achieving a “green building” certification. There are many sustainable building features and products that singly or together may have an impact on fire safety unless there is a design approach which mitigates those effects. The Foundation commissioned this study to develop a baseline of information on the intersection of “green building” design and fire safety and to identify gaps and specific research needs associated with understanding and addressing fire risk and hazards with green building design.

Executive Summary:

A global literature review was undertaken to (a) identify actual incidents of fires in green buildings or involving green building elements, (b) identify issues with green building elements or features which, without mitigating strategies, increase fire risk, decrease safety or decrease building performance in comparison with conventional construction, (c) identify reports, studies and best practice cases which speak to the issue of addressing fire risk introduced by specific green building design elements, and (d) identify research studies in which building safety, life safety and fire safety have been incorporated as an explicit element in green building indices. In addition, consideration was given to how one might express the level of increased risk or hazard, or decreased performance, associated with fire performance of green building features. Steps were also taken to identify gaps and specific research needs associated with understanding and addressing fire risk and hazards with green building design.  Brian Meacham et al, Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings (Fire Protection Research Foundation, 2012), p.2

Full Report Link:

 

Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

 

 

Posted by on December 3, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Solar Panel Safety for Firefighters

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The Fire Training Program at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), in partnership with the Washington County Fire Training Association (WCFTA), recently hosted a one-day class on Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) Safety for Fire Fighters at SolarWorld in Hillsboro, Oregon.  Emergency incidents involving Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) equipment are becoming more and more common in both urban and rural areas.

Videos:

 

The class was delivered by Captain Matt Paiss of the San Jose Fire Department (California) who is one of the nation’s leading experts in this area.  Captain Paiss is a 15-year veteran of the San Jose Fire Department, and is currently assigned as a Training Officer.  He was a contributor to the California State Fire Marshal’s Office PV Guidelines, as well as the IFC and NFPA1 fire code sections on PV. 

For additional infomation:

http://greenmaltese.com/2011/12/photovoltaic-systems-firefighter-safety-a-new-ul-study/

http://greenmaltese.com/2011/10/colorado-is-the-first-market-for-launch-of-the-revolutionary-dow-powerhousetm-solar-shingle/

http://greenmaltese.com/2012/05/solar-glass/

Please share this infomation with your crews

Thanks
Lt. John Shafer

Posted by on November 27, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Expect more Foam Sheathing Insulation

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 6, 2012) – The Foam Sheathing Committee (FSC) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), through an industry effort, achieved an important change in gaining broad acceptance of a performance-based standard for the use of foam insulation products in all code complying commercial applications during the recent International Building Code (IBC) Final Action Hearings in Portland, Oregon. The International Code Council (ICC) approved for inclusion in the 2015 International Building Codes the Structural Building Components Association’s (SBCA) FS 100-2012: Standard Requirements for Wind Pressure Resistance and Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing Used in Exterior Wall Covering Assemblies.

Full Original Press Release:

Why  is Foam Sheathing Insulation being used more than ever before?

Residential housing design continues to move towards the development of high performance sustainable building systems. To be sustainable, a building must not only be efficient and durable but also economically viable. From this, new methods of enclosure design have been examined that provide high thermal performance and long-term durability but also take opportunities to reduce material use (including waste), simplify or integrate systems and details, and potentially reduce overall initial costs of construction.

One concept relating to enclosure design is to incorporate the use exterior foam insulating sheathing into the construction of the wall assembly. As with any building enclosure system, appropriate detailing for the management of water, vapor, and energy transfer are necessary.

Foam Material Properties:

There are three main types of insulating sheathing currently being used in the industry: Expanded

Polystyrene (EPS), Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), and Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso).

Each of these products all has a different set of physical properties that will affect the dynamic of the wall assemblies in regards to the transmission and management of heat and moisture.

Types of Foam

Insulating foam sheathings are split into two basic categories: 1) thermoplastics, 2) thermosets. Both EPS and XPS foams are thermoplastic foams, while Polyisocyanurate is a thermoset foam.

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastics are based on linear or slightly branched (non-cross linked) polymers. These foams have a definite melting range and will soften and melt at elevated temperatures. They are also more prone to react and degrade when in contact with some organic solvents as found in some paints, adhesives, and fuels.

 Therefore it is important to only use manufacturer approved compatible materials when using thermoplastic foams.

Of the thermoplastic foams, EPS and XPS are the most common used in the industry. Both products are based on polystyrene resin and are considered to be closed cell.

The manufacturing of EPS involves the expanding of polystyrene beads to fill a mold. The densities of EPS foam can be varied if desired. Increased density results in increased thermal resistance and compressive strength. The density of the product also affects the vapor transmission. While EPS is a closed cell foam (slow water vapor and air transmission through the cell walls), the gaps between the cells will still allow for moisture to pass through the matrix. With increased density, these spaces are reduced and the ability of the foam to allow water transmission is reduced.

XPS foams are formed by mixing molten polystyrene with a blowing agent at the correct time, at an elevated temperature, and at an elevated pressure and then extruding the foam through a die to the atmosphere. This creates a more regular cell structure providing for better strength properties and higher water resistance that EPS foams. The density of XPS foams can also be varied, allowing for increased compressive strength, however due to the more regular cell structure, this has little to no effect on the vapor transmission properties.

Thermosets

Thermoset plastics are based on cross linked polymers. This will allow thermoset plastics to be used for higher temperature applications as they do not usually exhibit a melting range and will instead char and burn. Thermoset foams are also generally more resistant to solvents and chemicals.

The most common thermoset foam on the market is polyisocyanurate. While traditional polyurethane foams were created by reacting isocyanate with polyol (and other blowing agents, catalysts, and surfactants) polyisocyanurate foams can theoretically be created with no polyol, using only isocyanate reacting with itself (and other blowing agents, catalysts, and surfactants). In general though, commercial polyisocyanurate foam used in the market is really polyurethane foam modified with polyisocyanurate or a “blend” of the two foams. The use of the blend increases the fire resistance while maintaining the thermal resistance and strength of the material.

Polyisocyanurate Burn Video:

Additional Information:

Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing Comparison of Fire Performance Link:

http://fsc.americanchemistry.com/Exterior-Walls/Continuous-Insulation-Educational-Presentation.pdf

ANSI/SBCA FS 100 – 2012

 

Many spectacular fires have occurred in foam systems applied to buildings, including the 2009

Monte Carlo fire in Las Vegas, the Borgata Water Club fire in Atlantic City in 2007, and the

Mandarin Oriental Hotel fire in Beijing in 2009.

 

With this recent code change with can only expect more fires invovling foam insulation. Please pass this information on and Stay Safe!

Lt. John Shafer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by on November 7, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Is your Fire Prevention message up to date?

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As most firefighters should know this week is National Fire Prevention Week . I am sure many of you are out spreading the message of Fire Prevention this week. I would like to say thank you for serving your communities and  you will probably never know how many life’s were truly saved by your wonderful dedication to your communities.

So since it is  Fire Prevention Week this post will be about this years Fire Prevention theme in the context of our modern fire environment.

The NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13, 2012. This year’s theme is “Have Two Ways Out” and focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice in the home.

In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage. One home structure was reported every 85 seconds in 2010.

Having Two Ways Out and being Rabbit Ready:

I must say I am actually excited that the NFPA theme this year is about Having Two Ways Out and being Rabbit Ready because it will fit perfect with a project I am working on and the message I have already been preaching locally here in my recent fire behavior and search classes.

So not to take anything away from this years theme but to only add too. I would to challenge everyone going out and doing Fire Prevention this week and from now on. To add a few  more things to your presentations that I feel will save life’s and reflect the modern fire environment that we are faced with.

If you have been in the fire service more than a week you have probably heard someone say something  like Today’s Fires have Changed! While this statement is usually said with good intentions it isn’t 100 percent accurate. Fires still require Heat,Fuel and Oxygen just like they did when the first Cave Man rubbed to sticks together :) However what has changed is Fire Behavior within a building.

These changes are a result of people having more stuff made of plastics  and buildings being more airtight than ever before. So you are probably asking yourself by now what does this have to do with my next Fire Prevention program? The answer is real simple. We need to add one more step to Having Two Ways Out and being Rabbit Ready.  CLOSE THE DOOR!

I think a very important part of fire escape planning we fail to convey is the need of civilians closing the door behind them on their way out!

 

So one might ask why is it so important to teach civilians to close the door?

Answer:  Modern Building Construction + More Plastics = Extreme Fire Behavior

With these two changes firefighters need to have a better understanding more than ever before of how ventilation drastically affects fire development.

Today’s fires are Ventilation Limited due to having  more hydrocarbon based fuels available and the structures are very airtight as well.

I am NOT a expert on Fire Behavior however want to share a few things I have gathered from many other experts as it pertains to Fire Behavior is modern buildings. The following will help you as a Fire Prevention presenter better understand why we need to stress the extra step of CLOSING THE DOOR!

  • Air Track *
  • Flow Path*

Air Track:  Air track is the movement of air and smoke as observed from the exterior and inside the structure. Air track is used to describe a group of fire behavior indicators that includes direction of smoke movement at openings (e.g., outward, inward, pulsing), velocity and turbulence, and movement of the lower boundary of the upper layer (e.g., up, down, pulsing).

 

 Flow Path: In a compartment fire, flow path is the course of movement hot gases between the fire and exhaust openings and the movement of air towards the fire.

Flow path can significantly influence fire spread and the hazard presented to occupants and firefighters.

 

Now with a very basic understanding of how air majorly affects modern fire behavior lets look at a few more examples of the need to CLOSE THE DOOR!

This picture is from Thermal Imaging Camera view at a  Kill The Flashover   burn. KTF is great group that every firefighter needs to follow their research.

Look at how quick you change the fire environment by closing the door!

 

The next example is a very sad one where a brother of ours lost his life and it might have been prevented if the civilian  had closed the door on their way out!

On January 19, 2011 we lost firefighter Mark Falkenhan of Baltimore County, Maryland.  During this incident a fire started in the kitchen on a second-level apartment.  Upon arrival, crews found heavy fire conditions present and fire extending into a common foyer area.  The ventilation flow path allowed this fire to extend to an adjacent apartment on the third level where the LODD occurred.

The following pictures show how a door closed by a crew conducting VES on this incident made a major difference in that room.

Behind the CLOSED DOOR!

 

ATF FDS Analysis of 30 Dowling Circle videos:

I hope with the information I presented that you will now be willing to accept the challenge of updating your fire prevention program with one more step CLOSE THE DOOR!

I feel that by changing this public behavior we will save more life’s and keep fires more choked up in a early decay stage instead of the fire getting all the fresh air it needs grow and take over the entire structure before we have a chance to extinguish it.

Thanks

Lt. John Shafer

For another Fire Prevention article written by Lt. Shafer check out http://www.fireservicewarrior.com/?s=ounce+of+prevention

 

A special thanks to Chief Shawn Oke from KTF for discussions we have had on this subject of closing the door.

 

For more information and the complete expert source I used for the definition of Air Track & Flow Path * go check out  Chief Ed Hartin work at http://cfbt-us.com/wordpress/?tag=ventilation

 

 

Posted by on October 9, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, Fire Prevention/Public Education • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Air Management & More

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Greetings to all,

This post will not be  about Green Construction however I wanted to take the time and share some other things I am also involved with.

My good friend Christopher Huston from EngineCo22 and I have partnered on another project. This project is a web site we developed call Fire Training Toolbox.

Fire Training Toolbox was created to share training and information to the Fire Service for free. Two Training Officers, Chris Huston and myself saw the need to give Firefighters, Trainers and Instructors a place to disseminate information of various media types. So this means we will not only be posting our training content but encourage all serious and dedicated instructors and training officers to share your training programs with us and if it is a good fit we will post it. Anything we post of yours we will give you full credit for the material! We are hoping firefighters from all over the world will contribute so everyone can all benefit from from free training materials in these tough  economical times.

Air Management Course:

 

The latest training program is on Air Management for my local fire department. To access this free training module and many more go to MODULES page.

http://firetrainingtoolbox.com/modules.html

Please feel free to post this website at your fire station and wherever you choose to spread the word.

Also like us on facebook.  http://www.facebook.com/FireTrainingToolbox

Thanks and Stay Safe

Lt. John Shafer

Posted by on October 2, 2012 • Filed under: News and Events • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Live Online Radio tonight!

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To all my Brothers & Sisters and friends! Make sure to tune in tonight night when the Engine House Training Guys talk to  Brian Kazmierzak and Christopher Huston and John Shafer about the Training Officer process. 9/26 at 7:30 EST.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringtalkradio/2012/09/26/episode-366-engine-house-training

Posted by on September 26, 2012 • Filed under: News and Events

New NIST Laboratory to test Net-Zero Home

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The following information was released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

NIST Unveils Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility to Improve Testing of Energy-Efficient Technologies

In a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, the U.S. Commerce Departments National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) unveiled a new laboratory designed to demonstrate that a typical-looking suburban home for a family of four can generate as much energy as it uses in a year. Following an initial year-long experiment, the facility will be used to improve test methods for energy-efficient technologies and develop cost-effective design standards for energy-efficient homes that could reduce overall energy consumption and harmful pollution, and save families money on their monthly utility bills.

The unique facility looks and behaves like an actual house, and has been built to U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum standard the highest standard for sustainable structures. The two-story, four-bedroom, three-bath Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility incorporates energy-efficient construction and appliances, as well as energy-generating technologies such as solar water heating and solar photovoltaic systems.

Results from this lab will show if net-zero home design and technologies are ready for a neighborhood near you, said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Patrick Gallagher. It will also allow development of new design standards and test methods for emerging energy-efficient technologies and, we hope, speed their adoption.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included green technologies among its priorities, the facility was built almost entirely with U.S.-made materials and equipment. Through its Building America effort, the Department of Energy (DOE) provided architectural design, training and management support for this project. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Kathleen Hogan represented DOE during the ribbon-cutting.

For the first year of its operation, the lab will be used to demonstrate net-zero energy usage. NIST researchers will use computer software and mechanical controls to simulate the activities of a family of four living in an energy-efficient home. No actual humans will be allowed to enter the house during this time so that researchers can monitor how the house performs, but lights will turn on and off at specified times, hot water and appliances will run and small devices will emit heat and humidity just as people would.

A solar photovoltaic system will generate electricity to power lights and appliances when weather permits, and excess energy will be sent back to the local utility grid by means of a smart electric meter. The house will draw energy from the grid on days it cannot generate enough on its own, but over the course of a year it will produce enough to make up for that purchased energy, for a net-zero energy usage.

During the ceremony, Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council, announced that the Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility has earned a LEED Platinum rating.

NIST researchers plan to make data from the net-zero experiment available online so that researchers and the public can follow its progress. Visit http://www.nist.gov/el/nzertf/ for images, video and more details on the new laboratory.

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. To learn more about NIST, visit www.nist.gov.

 

Posted by on September 20, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fire Training Toolbox

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Greetings to all,

I am very excited to tell you about the newest endeavor we have started. Many of the training officers around me already knew that I would do a monthly group email  to my list of training folks. Sharing  what training outlines and such that I have developed for that month for my full-time job at City Of Greencastle Fire Department. Well recently I was talking with my good friend and training partner Christoper Huston of Engine Co. 22 about needing the ability to have a place where we could share all of our stuff and others instead of posting whatever was on my mind here at Green Maltese which was created to be a place to share and gain knowledge about modern building construction. So as a result of that conversion Christoper Huston has taking the idea and just out done himself with such a great site already.

FIRE TRAINING TOOLBOX

About:

Fire Training Toolbox is a web resource designed to educate the Fire Service through free trade. Our training comes from around the globe to support the Fire Service.
Also check out our facebook page and Like Us.
In celebration of our new site for sharing training we have developed a FREE online training module on Strategy Transition. Please go check it out and share with every firefighter you know.
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
Posted by on September 4, 2012 • Filed under: Building Construction, News and Events • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,