Hot TopicsAn Update for Our Customers

8 0 0 . 8 2 6 . 3 4 7 3 • w w w. b ro o k s e q u i p me n t . c o m • w w w. f i re ex t i ng u i s h e r. c o m

20111st QuarterVolume 10, Issue 1

Message From the President

Dear Valued Brooks Customer,

Spring is in the air. As we look forward to the fun activities that warm weather brings, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for continually entrusting us with your fire safety needs. Your loyalty fuels our commitment to provide superior quality products and services. It’s because of you that we can continue to be a leader in this industry.

As part of our dedication to you, it is our goal to keep you informed of important industry news and information. To

that end, this edition of Hot Topics features a breakdown of hard hat specifications to help you stay in compliance and avoid citations. See the article “Hard Facts for Hard Hats” to see how. You will also find information on how to turn regular service calls into safety inspections in “Building Safety Inspections and Sprinkler Systems.” The article contains suggestions to more proactively service your customers—and by doing so, could also save lives.

We want to make you aware of recent code and licensing issues that could have a negative impact on your business. Several proposals that have “hours worked” requirements to become licensed could take up to 10,000 hours to complete. We have been monitoring and working on these issues, along with our fellow member partners in the Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association and the affected state associations; such as Cal-Safe (California), FEDOT (Texas), MOFED (Missouri), and WFPA (Washington State). We are also currently active with committee work involving NFPA 10, 17, 17A, and 72, among others. We promise to stay on top of these critical issues and bring the very latest when it becomes available.

On a lighter note, I would like to congratulate the winners of our ScanLife Contest. Michael Rose of Anytime Fire Protection took home the Crescent® 442-Piece Tool Set grand prize, while a dozen additional winners received a Crescent 70-Piece Tool Set. Thanks to all those who participated.

Don’t forget to check out our new products featured on the final page, like FireTech™ Rack & Reel Hose, Safety-Set™ Brackets, and the FDC Signs. Should you have questions about anything, please contact us at 800.826.3473 or at sales@brooksequipment.com. We welcome your feedback and look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

Tim FoughtyPresident

In the News ..................................2

Building Safety Inspections and Sprinkler Systems ...................3

Hard Facts for Hard Hats ...............4

Q & A ...........................................6

Employee Spotlight .......................7

Helpful Tips for Spring Cleaning ....7

Product Gallery .............................8

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Inside

Events

Quote

“Defeat is simply a signal to press onward”

- Helen Keller

In The News

2 • HOT TOPICS

Heroic Efforts Help Save Woman Injured in Fiery Highway 24 Crash

ORINDA, CA - A 59-year-old woman who crashed her car into a tree on the shoulder of Highway 24 on Wednesday afternoon owes her life to four Good Samaritans who helped extinguish flames inside her vehicle, officials said.

The crash occurred around 12:30 p.m., just past the Orinda on-ramp, when the unidentified woman suddenly swerved to the right and hit a tree at freeway speed. The wreck, which crushed the silver Volvo station wagon up to its front seats, left the woman trapped inside until firefighters could free her with hydraulic equipment.

residence. Construction worker Mark Holloway, who was headed to a jobsite in the neighborhood, had a spare fire extinguisher.

Ramey said the fire was just getting going when Strait kicked in a door and pulled Knepp out of the house. “Another three or four minutes, it would have been rolling pretty good,” Ramey said. “It was a close call. She was very fortunate.”

Ramey said he drove to the scene while his co-worker, Fire Chief Jason Roach, went to the station to get a fire truck. Acknowledging that firefight-ers are trained not to go into a burn-ing building without their uniforms and breathing gear, he emptied a fire extinguisher that he got from Kasemei-er's truck. Holloway got another extin-guisher that Ramey used to douse the

Shortly after the wrecked car came to a stop, Lee said, the engine com-partment caught fire, but drivers T.M. Aryan Pure III, Maria Connolly and Alvin Rovira, all of whom were pass-ing by the accident, stopped.

Aryan Pure III used a small fire ex-tinguisher to put out the initial flames and also teamed with Connolly to try to open the driver’s side door. Aryan Pure was able to bend the bottom part of the door open enough so that other bystanders could throw wet dirt on the flames.

The car then reignited, and another passer-by, Brad Smith, took a 20-pound fire extinguisher from his service truck and extinguished the second fire for good. Smith carried the extinguisher approximately 100 yards. “I just did what I was supposed to do,” Smith said. “I had a big fire extinguisher, and I know what to do with car fires. I never really even thought about it.”

“We want to thank them, because they basically saved her life,” division Chief Darrell Lee said. “Without the actions they took, this would probably have had a terrible ending.” F

For the full story go to http://www.contracostatimes.com/traffic/ci_17465843?nclick_check=1

By Blake Spurney, Clayton Tribune

By Rick Hurd, Contra Costa Times

Heroes Save Clayton Woman’s life

CLAYTON, GA - Four men from dif-ferent backgrounds came together to save a 65-year-old woman’s life and her Clayton house March 24.

Gerry Knepp was asleep when a fire started around a space heater in her home office. By happenstance, Federal Express deliveryman Jason Kasemeier made an early stop to her residence and saw wisps of smoke. Clayton As-sistant Police Chief Andy Strait just happened to be down the road when Kasemeier called 911. Chechero fire-fighter David Ramey made a quick run from Reeves Building Supply to Knepp’s

remaining flames. “I saw the opportu-nity, and I took it for a quick save, and it took care of it,” Ramey said.

Holloway said until that time, it appeared as if the whole house was about to go up in flames. Ramey said the heat had built up in the enclosed office to the point where it was nearing a flashover, the point when gases from the fire ignite. To firefighters, a flash-over is the point of no return, when even those in protective gear have a low chance of survival.

Kasemeier said the real hero of the day was Strait. “He’s the one who went in and got her out, and David's the one who went in with the fire extin-guisher,” he said. F

For the full story go to http://www.the claytontribune.com/articles/2010/04/01/news/news01.txt

Moraga-Orinda firefighters prepare to extri-cate the victim of a single vehicle accident on Highway 24 in Orinda, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. (Courtesy of Moraga-Orinda Fire District)

1st Quarter 2011 • 3

By Mark Conroy

Feature

Building Safety Inspections and Sprinkler Systems

There is no doubt that automatic sprinkler systems are an important life safety and property protection compo-nent for occupied buildings. The next time you do a service call for portable fire extinguishers…look up, it might save someone’s life.

Most buildings in the US are not in-spected for safety on a regular basis.

When one of these conditions is identified, NFPA 25 requires that the sprinklers must be replaced by new, listed sprinklers of the same style, ori-fice size, temperature range, thermal response characteristics, deflector type (e.g., upright, pendent, and sidewall), and K-factor. Next time you notice one of these conditions, notify the property

Continued on page 5

Fire inspectors are overworked and most often have staffing issues. It is nearly impossible for them to visit every building in their jurisdiction on an annual basis. Rather than doing reg-ular service calls on the extinguishers, turn them into safety inspections of the building, which could include a visual inspection of the automatic sprinkler system for obvious problems.

Problematic SprinklersNFPA 25, Standard for the Inspec-

tion, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, requires that sprinklers be visually in-spected from the floor level annually. The sprinklers are checked for the fol-lowing conditions:

a) Signs of leakage, foreign materials, or physical damage

b) Sprinklers painted by someone other than the manufacturer

c) Sprinklers are corroded, loaded, or contaminated

d) Sprinklers installed in an improper orientation

e) Glass bulb sprinkler bulbs that are empty

owner. The building maintenance per-sonnel may be permitted to do rou-tine maintenance, such as replacing sprinklers.

Spare SprinklersWhile you’re at it, make sure the

building has the required number of spare sprinklers. Per NFPA 25, spare sprinklers must be stored on the prem-ises, allowing any sprinklers to be replaced expediently. The reserve sup-ply must correspond to the types and temperature ratings of those they will be replacing. While they are not in use, they should be kept in a spare sprinkler storage cabinet. The minimum number, per NFPA 25, of spare sprinklers that must be on hand for facilities are:

• 6withlessthan300sprinklers• 12with300to1,000sprinklers• 24withthoseover1,000sprinklers

Sprinkler System GaugesAccording to NFPA 25, every five

years, sprinkler system gauges must be either replaced or tested by comparing the gauge with a calibrated one. Gauges must be accurate to within 3% of their full scale. If not, they must be replaced or recalibrated.

WrenchesNFPA 25 requires that a sprinkler

wrench, designed specifically for each type of spare sprinkler, be installed on the premises and kept in the spare sprinkler storage cabinet. During the annual inspection, a review is con-ducted to ensure at least one correct sprinkler wrench for each type of spare sprinkler is available. These wrenches are necessary to expediently remove and install sprinklers that operate or are found to be damaged.

SignageCheck out the signage for the sprin-

kler system. According to NFPA 13, signs with raised or engraved letters must be provided for all fire depart-ment connections. The letters need to be at least 1" (25.4mm) high on a plate

Globe GL Series Sprinkler PN SP135

“Most buildings in the US are not inspected for safety on a regular basis. Fire inspectors are overworked and most often have staffing issues.”

4 • HOT TOPICS

Feature

Hard Hat SpecificationsThe starting point for worker safety

is the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. With that Act, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA ensures safe and healthful working conditions by establishing and enforcing standards. To ensure standards are met, OSHA compliance officers visit and inspect worksites. Citations are issued where violations are observed, which can result in fines or even imprisonment for violators.

When it comes to hard hats, 29 CFR Subpart E, Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment, 1926.95, Criteria for Personal Protective Equipment requires them wherever necessary by reason of hazards. This is meant as a general statement and includes provisions for other protective equipment. Specific criteria is contained in 1926.100, Head Protection, which requires hard hats where there is possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns. “Possible danger” would apply not just to areas where there is a danger, but also includes most industrial work areas where there is a “possible danger”.

Generally speaking, all hard hats must provide protection from falling objects and comply with ANSI Z89.1, Standard for Industrial Head Protection. Some hard hats offer side impact protection or protection from electrical shock or burns.

Hard hats, from Brooks, have been designed and tested to the crown impact requirements of ANSI Z89.1,

with a visor, hearing protection, and face shields, except the Brooks HH4, due to its full brim.

Hard Hat ReplacementAny hard hat that has lost its integrity

due to a crack, split, or penetration must be replaced. Frequent inspections will reveal the need for replacement, due to damage. Also if hard hats have experienced high impact or fall on hard pavement from any level of a structure, they should be replaced, even if damage is not evident.

Employers must establish a program for periodic replacement, which is based on frequency of use, exposure to frequent impact, and environmental factors including but not limited to sunlight, temperature extremes and chemical exposure. Although no hard hat should be in the field for more than 5 years, employers generally select a replacement within 2 to 3 years, based on the above, unless extreme condi- tions are encountered and dictate the need for annual replacement.

Hard Facts for Hard Hats By Mark Conroy

Type I, assuring maximum protection from falling objects.

For protection from both falling and flying objects, the Brooks HH3 hard hat is the one that should be specified. Per the ANSI Z89.1, Type II protection for

crown and side impact, these hard hats are designed for protection from falling, flying, or swinging objects. They come with a foam liner that protects the top, front, back, and sides of the head.

All Brooks’s hard hats are also rated for the highest level of electrical hazard (ANSI Z89.1, Class E, 20,000 volts of electricity). No matter whether the specification requires ANSI Z89.1 Class E, G, or C, the Brooks hard hats will comply.

Table A provides a summary of specifications for Brooks’s hard hats. All Brooks’s hard hats can be fitted

“Citations are issued where violations are observed, which can result in fines or even imprisonment for violators.”

1st Quarter 2011 • 5

Continued from page 3Feature

providing a reference to the service of the fire department connection. A few examples that would comply with the requirements include AUTOSPKR, STANDPIPE, and OPEN SPKR.

Performing annual visual inspections of the items mentioned in this article will help ensure that this important life safety and property protection system complies with the essential require-ments in the NFPA standards. F

The above article is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the posi-tion of an NFPA technical committee or the NFPA, and may not be considered to be or relied upon as such. A personal opinion cannot and should not be relied upon as an

official position of NFPA. Only an answer to a question that is processed in accordance with the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee projects can become an official position (see NFPA regulations. section 6, Formal Interpretations).

The Compression TestIn order to comply with ANSI Z89.1,

Brooks’s hard hats are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, which exhibits an elastic property that is necessary for the protection of the user. A compression test should be conducted in the field at least annually to compare the HDPE properties of a new hard hat in comparison to one that has been worn for months.

needed. For electrical hazards, all Brooks’s hard hats meet the most stringent ANSI Z89.1, Class E testing criteria and can therefore be used to fulfill any ANSI Z89.1, Class E, G, or C specifications.

Replace hard hats at periodic intervals based on a management replacement program as well as when damaged. Additionally, over time, the HDPE in a hard hat loses its elasticity. Therefore a compression test should be performed annually to determine the need for replacement.

ConclusionAs an essential piece of personal

protection equipment, hard hats provide the industrial worker with a reasonable level of protection from impact and penetration by falling or flying objects as well as electrical shocks and burns. Make sure to correctly order, maintain and periodically replace them. F

Copyright 2011, all rights reserved.

“Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.” - Eleanor Hibbert

Mark Conroy is an engineer with Brooks Equipment Company

Copyright 2011, all rights reserved.

To perform this test, compress the sides inward about 1 or 2 inches. Release the pressure and observe the elasticity of the HDPE. A new hard hat will return quickly to its original shape. If a worn hard hat does not return to its original shape fairly quickly, the HDPE has lost some of its elasticity properties and will provide less protection. If a difference is noticeable

between the two samples, the worn hard hat should be replaced.

SummaryHard hats, from Brooks, meet the

ANSI Z89.1 specification that requires protection from falling objects. The Brooks HH3 hard hat should be specifically used where ANSI Z89.1 Type II side impact protection is

Table A

ANSI Z89.1 Specification Hard HatsImpact Electrical

Category Type I Class E, G, and C

HH1 Yes YesHH2 Yes YesHH3 Yes* YesHH4 Yes Yes

* The Class HH3 also meets ANSI Z89.1 Type II for side impact.

A142

A229

6 • HOT TOPICS

Q & A

Q. What are Class K fires? A. NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, para-

graph 5.2.5 classifies Class K fires as fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).

Q. What NFPA standard provides minimum require-ments for restaurant fire protection?

A. NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations provides the minimum requirements for restaurant fire protection.

Q. Do restaurants need both fire-extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers?

A. Restaurants are required to have both extinguishing sys-tems and portable extinguishers. NFPA 96, paragraph 10.1.1 requires fire-extinguishing equipment for the pro-tection of grease removal devices, hood exhaust plenums and exhaust duct systems. NFPA 96, paragraph 10.1.2 requires fire-extinguishing equipment for the cooking appliances. NFPA 96, paragraph 3.3.24.1 defines fire-extinguishing equipment as both automatic fire-extin-guishing systems and portable fire extinguishers.

Q. Regarding systems and extinguishers, which is the pri-mary form of fire protection and which is the backup?

A. NFPA 96, paragraph 10.2.1 requires that automatic fire-extinguishing systems be installed as the primary protection and portable fire extinguishers be provided as secondary (backup) protection.

Q. Where does it say that Class K extinguishers are re-quired for restaurant cooking areas?

A. NFPA 96, paragraphs 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 require portable fire extinguishers for restaurants. NFPA 10, paragraph 5.5.5 requires that extinguishers provided for the protec-tion of cooking appliances that use cooking oils and fats be listed and labeled for Class K fires.

Q. Is there a requirement for the removal of dry chemical extinguishers installed for the protection of Class K hazards?

A. Yes, NFPA 10, paragraph 5.5.5.2 requires that extinguish-ers without a Class K rating must be removed from ser-vice if they were installed specifically for the protection

of cooking appliances that use cooking oils and fats. This replaces paragraph 5.5.5.4 in the 2007 edition of NFPA 10 which said that dry chemical extinguishers that were previously installed for the protection of Class K hazards were to be replaced with Class K extinguishers when the dry chemical extinguishers were due for either a 6-year internal maintenance or the 12-year hydrostatic test.

Q. How does the wet chemical in Class K fire extinguish-ers work on cooking oil fires?

A. Through research and experimentation, it has been dis-covered that only extinguishing agents that have the abil-ity to chemically react with the fats in burning cooking oil are appropriate for these fires. All Class K extinguishers contain this type of extinguishing agent. The chemical reaction (saponification) forms a thick foam blanket on the surface of the burning oil that excludes oxygen necessary for surface burning. It not only extinguishes the flames but also prevents re-ignition of the fire. Only wet chemi-cal extinguishing agent has this capacity when used on fires involving modern cooking oils like vegetable oil.

Q. Do restaurants need special signs for Class K extinguishers?

A. NFPA 96, paragraph 10.2.2 requires a placard to be con-spicuously installed near each Class K fire extinguisher that states that the fire protection system shall be activated prior to using a fire extinguisher. NFPA 10 has a simi-lar requirement in paragraph 5.5.5.3 and annex section A.5.5.5.3 provides examples of the placards in English/Spanish and English/French. F

The above article is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the position of an NFPA technical committee or the NFPA, and may not be considered to be or relied upon as such. A personal opinion cannot and should not be relied upon as an official position of NFPA. Only an answer to a question that is processed in accor-dance with the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee projects can become an official position (see NFPA regulations. section 6, Formal Interpretations).

The references provided are to NFPA 10, 2010 Edition and NFPA 96, 2011 Edition.

Mark Conroy is an engineer with Brooks Equipment Company and a principal member of the NFPA Technical Committee on Portable Fire Extinguishers and a principal member of the NFPA Technical Com-mittee on Venting Systems for Cooking Appliances.

Copyright 2011, all rights reserved.

Class K Extinguishers for Restaurant Cooking Areas By Mark Conroy

1st Quarter 2011 • 7

Employee Spotlight

Since Brian Ritchotte started with Brooks, just over 5 years ago, he has been working as an Account Manager. How he came to this role is an interesting story. Brian had been working in hotel management when, one winter, Charlotte had a particularly bad snowstorm. Since the hotel was in close proximity to the office, Brooks called the hotel and got Brian on the phone. They proceeded to book rooms for all the employees that did not want to risk journeying home. While Brian had heard about Brooks a couple of years prior, he was impressed by how they took care of their employ-ees and that impression stayed with him. Brian had started looking for another job, and he saw Brooks was looking for an Account Manager. He had experience dealing with

May — Spring Cleaning

Meet Brian Ritchotte – Account Manager

When it’s time for spring cleaning, remember a clean house is a safe house. The Canton Fire Prevention Bureau re-minds you that trash, boxes, piles of clothes, and other combustibles in the home are fuel for a fire. Getting rid of them will help reduce the chance of fire in your home.

When storing heating devices to be used again next winter, make sure electric cords are not frayed or sepa-rating. Remember to remove kerosene before storing your kerosene heater. Often overlooked is the electric blan-ket. Follow the washing, care, and storage instructions that come with the blanket.

Clean out storage areas, such as garages, attics, closets, sheds, and basements on a regular basis. Even warehouses are limited to the amount of storage they can safely keep. Don’t allow areas in your home to become tempting fuel for a fire. Throw away or give away items you are no longer using. Clutter gives fire a place to start and creates obstacles that might prevent escaping safely.

Oily rags can ignite without a heat source, because they produce their own heat. Throw them out or store them in a closed metal container. This includes dusting rags used with a furniture pol-ish or spray. Fwww.cantonohio.gov

Helpful Tips

Account Managers in the past, and while all those experiences were positive, he had never been one himself. Brian decided he wanted to give it a try so he applied, and the rest is history. He has been with Brooks ever since.

A typical day for Brian involves placing customers’ orders and han-dling any needs they might have. This includes making them aware of any new products or services that can help them grow their business. “My job is about making customers happy. At the end of the day, that is what it is all about”, Brian says.

When talking about what he likes most about his job, Brian said it is being able to learn more about Brooks customers and their busi-nesses. “When you are able to make a real and positive impact on their

business, you feel like a part of their organization.” The customers are the highlight and make it enjoyable for him to be at Brooks. He also likes the family-friendly environment of Brooks. He says, “Everyone enjoys working together and are there to help each other out.”

In his free time, Brian coaches his daughter’s soccer team. He also en-joys hiking and exercising when not playing with his daughter, son, and German shepherd. F

Product Gallery

8 • HOT TOPICS

2011 © Brooks Equipment Co. Inc.

AFSA • CALSAFE • FEDOT • FEMA • GAFSED • GBFAA • LLSSA • NAFED • NCFAA • NFPA • NFSA • ORFED • PAFED • SCSAMEMBER

Product Gallery

Designed for use with all commercial kitchen caster-mounted equipment, SAFETY-SET™ BRACKETS precisely relocate mobile cooking equipment under exhaust hoods at the approved, designed location. With an open-floor design, these brackets allow all casters to rest level on the floor to ensure even cooking. And as an added benefit, installation is fast and easy with a choice of adhesive foam tape or thumb screw hardware pack (both included). For safety and consistent equipment placement that complies with NFPA 17A and 96 requirements, choose Safety-Set.

For more information on these featured products, visit brooksequipment.com.

NEw

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170-Piece Mechanic’s Tool Set

Summit™ Addressable Manual Pull Stations

Rubbermaid® Utility CartFDC Signs

FireTech™ Rack & Reel Hose

Safety-Set™ Brackets

These quality-made FDC SIGNS help firefight-ers find water sources quickly. Signs are made of aluminum with four, predrilled holes for easy mounting. Check with the local AHJ regarding placement and FDC Sign approvals.

SPS-200 Series MANUAL PULL STATIONS, from Summit™, provide manual fire reporting. Made of high- quality, die-cast metal, these pull stations are available in either single- or dual-action configurations with a perma-nently attached addressable module. Pulling the handle initiates the operation of the addressable module. All models are available with key resets and DIP switches, which allow for address setting.

The 170-PIECE MECHANIC’S TOOL SET, from Crescent®, contains a carefully selected assortment of hand tools for a wide variety of applications. Set includes 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" quick-release ratcheting drives with a wide selection of standard wrenches and deep sockets in the most common SAE and metric sizes. Sturdy carrying case makes tools easy to find and set to go anywhere. All tools meet stringent ANSI and ASME specifications.

The FireTech™ RACK & REEL FIRE HOSE is another money saving product from Brooks. Fully lined and FM approved, it has an acceptance test pressure of 500 psi, ser-vice test of 250 psi, and comes folded for easy installation on pin racks. Brass couplings only. Imported.

This heavy-duty, 2-SHELF UTILITY CART, from Rubber-maid®, features sturdy, lightweight, structural foam con-struction that won’t rust, dent, or peel, making it good for use in any work environment. Each shelf can hold up to 250 lbs for a total capacity of 500 lbs. Non-marking casters give good maneuverability and are easy on your floor. Makes any service call faster and easier to handle. Black.

A246

170PCTK

SPS201ID

450088BK

FT75NST

SPS202ID

PS2