Thom, Thanks for heartfelt response. I take fire protection very seriously, perhaps too seriously? Serving with the fire service, having worked in the industry and now as an AHJ I have a bigger appreciate for the situation. I'm proud to say that codes and standards aren't the only reason sprinklers get installed in our jurisdiction. It's also a matter of education and we take the time to extend this important function, hence the payoff for our firefighters and neighbors.
But I had a bad experience. After promoting residential sprinklers with a major developer we finally got a discretionary sprinkler install over VA protected construction. Unfortunately the sprinkler contractor dropped the ball, delayed the project resulting in the developer telling us "this will be the last time unless it's mandatory". 9/11 gets a lot of attention, 3000 people perished that day and our building codes are poised to reflect that. Yet in the time since 9/11 14,000 people have perished in home fires. Strength in numbers I suppose. In the meantime we'll keep working with tools we have, push for new ones and keep fire sprinklers in high regard amongst ourselves, developers and builders, firefighters and the public. Sincerely, John Drucker Fire Protection Subcode Official, Borough of Red Bank,NJ Captain Station 8, Middletown Twp Fire Dept., NJ Former Project Manager World Trade Center, NYC -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Thom McMahon Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 3:54 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Re[2]: Sprinkler Save - Topeka Frito-Lay plant John: We all like to think we're doing a good job. That what we do makes a difference, and saves lives, and property. But we also are a very frustrated bunch. We know we have the tech. to put a serious reduction in fire related deaths. Also in property fire loss. Yet after years of demonstrating the effectiveness of sprinklers, and butting our heads against beurcratic walls, we are less than surprised that sprinkler systems work. In every major metro area, they work on a daily basis, for the rest of the country, its less frequently, but just as effectively. Does it make the news? No! Why? Because its usually an"Non-event". For us to make fun of what we consider Obvious, is just another release, for the frustrating fact that, We Know It works! We jump on the bad press, because usually they miss the central facts, that no one died from the fire or fire sprinklers, that the building is still standing and repairable, and while it may be inconvenient for some, funerals never come at a good time. Lets be honest. 3700 or 3800 people that die in fires each year, statistically just doesn't have much impact on our society. The fact that most of those are the elderly (That we've already stopped listening too) or the very young. (Too young to have a political voice) They make an impact on our system of government even less. It offends our system of values that these two groups suffer the most, but most Americans couldn't tell you how many children under 18 died in residential fires last year. As the baby Boomers become the Gray panthers, and end up statistically more at risk, some movement will probably happen in senior residential markets, (as we've already seen in the Nursing Homes) but even the voice of that large group will eventually and literally Die out. Our Fire Fighters, Our Hero's are also at risk, due to the lack of fire sprinklers in most building fires. But we have a history of not compensating our Hero's as well as our CEO's. If we put the same value on the life of a fire fighter as we do on the Ex-Chairman of Home Depot, we'd be sprinklering everything out there. Life Ain't Fair. Sometimes humor, even morose humor is preferable to depression. I find Smoked Bar-BQ flavor chips, funny. Burn victims are not so laughable. Thom McMahon Firetech, Inc. 2560 Copper Ridge Dr Steamboat Springs, CO 80488-2136 Tel: 970-879-7952 Fax: 970-879-7926 ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Drucker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 2:25 PM Subject: RE: Re[2]: Sprinkler Save - Topeka Frito-Lay plant > Why am I not surprised. Post a story about water damage or drowning and > the > list comes to life defending sprinklers to the Nth degree, post a positive > story about a sprinkler save with a favorable outcome and the list > responds > with this sort of crap. > > A sad day. > > John Drucker > Fire Protection Subcode Official (AHJ) > Red Bank, New Jersey > > PS- The email forum like many others is archived in the public domain. > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Coastal > Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 12:06 PM > To: Steve Leyton > Subject: Re[2]: Sprinkler Save - Topeka Frito-Lay plant > > Hello Steve, > > Naw Could be a new flavor Blackened Cajun Style..... > > > (Ducks and Runs) > > Saturday, February 3, 2007, 12:01:18 PM, you wrote: > >> Are they switching this line over to the BBQ flavor then ...?? > >> Okay, okay, I'm sorry. > >> Steve Leyton >> Protection Design & Consulting > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: John Drucker [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 6:45 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Sprinkler Save - Topeka Frito-Lay plant > > >> Hats off to the sprinkler designers, installing and maintenance > contractors >> for a job well done. Perhaps the AFSA should start a program recognizing >> those who's performance make's these sort of positive stories possible ?. >> Story below; > >> John Drucker >> Fire Protection Subcode Official (AHJ) >> Red Bank, New Jersey > >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- > > -- > Best regards, > Charles Thurston > Coastal mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
