Disaster Safety Blog

New Madrid quake activity signals need for preparation

The New Madrid fault line has been rumbling again. And while an earthquake expert says the recent series of small quakes isn't unusual, it is a reminder of what the active fault is capable of, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports today.

Four small quakes have been centered near New Madrid in southeast Missouri in the past week, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The largest was a magnitude 3.1 quake on Friday that was felt in parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky. No damage was reported. The others were a magnitude 1.7 on Dec. 15, a magnitude 1.3 on Dec. 16 and a magnitude 1.4 on Friday.

Robert Hermann of the Earthquake Center at Saint Louis University said a quake large enough to be felt happens about once a month in the region, and quakes with magnitude 2.0 and smaller happen on an almost daily basis.

In fact, according to a map on the Web site for the Center for Earthquake Research and Information in Memphis, Tenn., 15 earthquakes have occurred along or near the fault this month alone, including four on Friday. Only three were above a magnitude 2.0.

The fault line is best known for some of the most violent earthquakes to ever hit the U.S., a series of four in 1811 and 1812. The quakes were estimated at magnitude 7.5 to 8.0, so strong the Mississippi River reportedly flowed backward. Damage occurred as far away as Washington, D.C., and Charleston, S.C.
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Experts have long debated whether the fault line is capable of producing another major earthquake. Hermann isn't willing to bet that it won't, saying there's too much at stake to become complacent.

"Some argue that 1811 and 1812 were one-shot affairs, but it's prudent not to ignore that possibility, and it's prudent to take whatever steps are possible to prepare," he said.

Preparing for an earthquake can be as simple as anchoring cabinets, strapping down a water heater or using museum putty to secure valuables on shelves. Learn more with help from the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Download a free earthquake preparedness guide. 

Will fire sprinkler code requirement reduce property losses?

What will a new code requiring fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes mean for insurers, builders and consumers? New videos and a white paper explore the issue.

The requirement has been part of the National Fire Protection Associations's Life Safety Code, Fire Code and Building Code since the 2006 edition. But it appears for the first time in the 2009 International Residential Code, which was adopted by the International Code Council(ICC).

The ICC promulgates the most widely adopted suite of model building codes in the United States. Although the ICC develops model codes using a consensus-based process, states and local jurisdictions are not required to adopt these model codes. Most states or local jurisdictions do adopt the model codes, however, because it helps standardize building and fire safety regulations over large geographic areas.

Many states will take up the issue of whether to adopt the sprinkler code provision in 2010, but the issue is already getting plenty of attention. The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) examines the fire sprinkler issue in a new white paper.

Among the issues surrounding the topic is how sprinklers might benefit new construction built using engineered lumber and other lightweight products. When lightweight construction meets fire, it sometimes doesn't hold up, according to testing by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The UL research, along with other testing, is included in the IBHS white paper. It's also being explored by CNN's Gerri Willis, who got a dramatic demonstration that is featured in the video Housing Boom's Hidden Dangers.

Meanwhile, sprinkler proponents are also taking to their story to other news outlets. The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition has been working with the CBS Early Show on a segment that airs tomorrow, Dec. 23, sometime between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. EST. 

This will be a live segment in a home in LaGrange Park, Ill., with fire sprinklers protecting the living room. The segment also features video taken two weeks ago during a house fire without sprinklers in Brentwood, Tenn.This video will be shown first, then CBS will go live to demonstrate how sprinklers would have made a difference, says Timothy P. Travers, who is the New England Regional Manager for the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

Biloxi weighs residential sprinkler requirement adoption

City leaders in Biloxi, Miss., are considering whether to adopt new building codes, which could include a requirement for sprinkler systems to be installed in new one- and two-family homes.

Builders told the City Council on Tuesday that they object to new building codes that would require sprinkler systems in all new homes, according to the Sun-Herald newspaper. The council tabled action on adopting the 2009 International Building Code until a workshop is scheduled, probably after the first of the year.

Community Development Director Jerry Creel said the city was notified early in November that it must adopt the newest building codes or the city’s insurance rating could drop from a 4 to a 9 and residents would face increased insurance costs.

There is some confusion about whether an amendment to exclude the sprinkler requirement would effect the city's 4 rating, and whether the rating is based on wind-resistant construction guidelines more than fire suppression capabilities, the newspaper reports. Some of the other requirements under the new code for new homes are carbon monoxide sensors and ground fault interrupter plugs throughout a home.

In September 2008, after many years of consideration and debate, the International Code Council (ICC), which promulgates the most widely adopted suite of model building codes in the United States, also approved code change proposals for the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) to require fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes.

In 2007, 414,000 residential fires resulted in 2,895 deaths and 14,000 injuries, and caused $7.5 billion in property damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). When asserting its support for the requirement that automatic fire sprinklers be installed in all new residential construction, USFA cited its studies indicating the potential to save thousands of lives, prevent many injuries, and eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars in property losses. The USFA estimates that 90 percent of house fires are contained by the operation of a single sprinkler.

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has long included fire sprinkler systems as a recommended part of its code-plus Fortified . . . for safer living® program. In November 2007, the IBHS Building Code Committee, which is comprised of representatives from a number of IBHS member insurance companies, unanimously endorsed the idea of pushing for the inclusion of fire sprinkler requirements in the residential building codes.

In 1986, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, enacted a code requirement for installation of sprinkler systems in all new single-family houses. The city now has more than 45,000 single-family homes equipped with fire sprinklers. Ten years later, in 1997, a study was conducted by the City of Scottsdale and its Rural/Metro Fire Department in cooperation with the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition. A brief update also was issued in 2001.

Read more about Scottdale's experience in a presentation from Michael Clack, Scottdale's director of development services. Clack shared his experiences and presented several papers on the topic at the IBHS conference earlier this month.

Fire Prevention Week: Reduce the risk of electrical fires

Each year electrical fires result in millions of dollars in property damage, causing an even higher percentage of damage than fires caused by many other sources, such as unattended cigarettes and candles.

As part of Fire Prevention Week, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reminds you that many electrical fires can be prevented. Preparation, safety, training, and continuous education are the most important practices a business owner should implement.

Electrical fires consistently rank among the top five causes of commercial building fires involving health clinics and hospitals, manufacturing plants, nursing homes, warehouses, farming operations, bars and restaurants, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

A study by the U.S. Fire Administration found electrical malfunction was the leading cause of 4,065 fires in medical facilities between 2004 and 2006, resulting in more than $34 million in property losses.

Prepare to Stay Safe

The first step a business should take is to establish a written electrical safety program. Training and guidelines are a must for anyone working on or around electrically energized systems and equipment. If possible, work areas should be set up away from possible electrical grounds that may come into accidental contact with electricity.

Warning Signs and Solutions

It is important to note that direct contact with an electrical current is not the only way fires start. Electricity also can arc or jump through the air as a path to the ground. High voltage contact may create fires. The following examples can help promote a broader awareness among employees about the warning signs and solutions to avoid an electrical fire.

• Frequently blown fuses or tripped circuits are symptoms of electrical problems, usually overloaded outlets or circuits.
• Consult a licensed electrician for assistance.
• Getting a shock when touching appliances can indicate a more serious problem.
• Be sure to unplug the appliance and discontinue use.
• Worn or discolored wall outlets can indicate hidden arcing, smoldering or burning; damaged or improperly installed wiring in the outlet, or a problem with the receptacle itself.
• Avoid using the outlet or switch and contact a qualified electrician as soon as possible. Make sure faceplates are on all outlets or switches.
• Frequently flickering or dimming lights may indicate a short in the wiring, dangerous arcing, or an over-extension of electrical systems.
• Contact a qualified electrician to discuss the problem and get an electrical system inspection.

Learn more about reducing the risk of electrical fires with help from IBHS commercial property protection projects.

Fire Prevention Week: Finding a safe alternative to high heating bills

 
  
With nearly 10 percent of the nation's workforce unemployed, Americans are looking for ways to save money. So, a warning that the nation's East Coast and parts of the south could experience one of the coldest winters this decade couldn't come at a worse time.

While fuel prices have fallen in recent weeks, east coast residents still may be forced to look for even cheaper alternatives to heat their homes this winter.

As part of Fire Prevention Week, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) encourages consumers to use alternative heating sources safely. This includes proper installation and operation. Learn more about the proper way to use these devices with help from the IBHS Alternative Heating report.

The Commodity Weather Group, a consultancy with clients in the energy and agriculture industries, predicts temperatures 5 percent to 10 percent colder this winter along the East Coast, Cooler-than-normal weather is also likely in the South from Texas to Florida, according to the private forecasting group Weather Underground.

"It could be one of the coldest (U.S. winters) in this decade," Matt Rogers, a forecaster with the Commodity Weather Group, said. "We feel like we need to watch this particular winter closely."

The forecast is based on El Niño, a periodic warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean that can bring warm air to the north. The system has been credited with keeping hurricane activity to a minimum in the Atlantic. Forecasters say El Niño will be weaker than normal this year.

"Historically when you have that El Niño on the weak side, it tends to correlate to colder weather in eastern North America," Rogers said.

Check this blog all week for more fire-safe tips from IBHS.

Fire sprinkler debate gets sticky in South Carolina

 A new sticker campaign aims to educate the public while promoting the use of commercial fire sprinklers.

The Post and Courier reports that local fire departments are supporting an initiative by the South Carolina Fire Sprinkler Association, whose members are offering "Life Saver On Duty" door stickers to businesses with sprinkler systems.

"The goal is for the public to recognize and appreciate the fact that they have a choice and should always stay overnight in a building protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system," Mark Ruppel, public information officer for the Charleston Fire Department, told the newspaper.

The "Life Saver On Duty" sticker program started in Columbia in January, and Charleston will be the second city where the voluntary program is rolled out. Fire sprinkler contractors will likely distribute the stickers during annual inspections.

The idea of drumming up support for sprinkler systems among the public follows years of legislative defeat in South Carolina. Proposals for tougher building codes and new requirements for sprinklers have failed repeatedly, despite events such as the 2004 Comfort Inn fire in Greenville that killed six people, The Post and Courier reports.

The latest push for new sprinkler system requirements, in 2008, followed two more deadly blazes in which multiple victims died in buildings without sprinkler systems. Nine Charleston firefighters died in the Sofa Super Store fire in June 2007, and seven students who attended South Carolina colleges were killed at a beach house fire in Ocean Isle, N.C., that October.

Charleston officials sought legislation that would allow cities to go beyond state building codes in requiring new sprinkler systems, but instead, lawmakers approved tax incentives, according to the newspaper. The incentives take effect only if municipalities adopt them and agree to give up some property tax revenues, and few local governments have done so.

Last fall, the International Code Council approved a requirement for fire sprinkler systems to be installed in all new single-family homes, multi-family units and town homes. The new rule is part of the 2009 International Residential Code. Learn more about building codes with state-by-state information from IBHS.

Power outages leave residents looking for heating options

More than 200,000 New Hampshire homes and businesses are still in the dark this morning after a massive ice storm snapped powerlines and tree limbs.

The figure is about half of what it was Friday when about 430,000 people were without power. Gov. John Lynch warned residents today that they should be prepared for extended outages, possibly lasting until Friday. Public Service Company of New Hampshire says progress will slow as line crews finish work on large circuits and begin the difficult and time-consuming work of reconnecting thousands of power lines that serve smaller pockets of homes.

Residents who have opted to stay in their homes likely will be relying on alternative heating sources such as fireplaces and wood stoves. Safe operation is critical to preventing a house fire, particularly during a time when many homes are decorated for the holidays. Christmas trees that dry out are a primary source of such fires.

IBHS offers a guide to safely using alternative heating devices. Insurance members can share this information with their agents and adjusters, who may be visiting policyholders during this difficult time.

Dangers of improperly licensed housing facility revealed

A loophole in Michigan's housing licensing law may have played a role in a fatal fire at a senior living center.

Fire officials say the death could have been prevented if the facility was licensed and required to have sprinklers, The Detroit News reports. A stray cigarette ignited the late-night blaze at a senior citizens complex that injured several tenants and killed a man.

The Bellaire Independent Senior Apartments, where the fire broke out, is licensed as an apartment rather than a senior living home, the newspaper reports. The licensing classification does not require the building to have fire sprinklers.

"If that would have been a sprinkled building, there wouldn't have been a loss of life," Fire Chief Timothy Bosman told the newspaper. "There was not any type of (senior living) licensing for this building."

In Michigan, "independent living" is only a marketing term, with companies often claiming the same services as licensed "assisted living" facilities, according to the newspaper's interview with disability rights advocate and attorney Richard Bernstein. Licensed residences are subject to stricter rules and building codes. The Bellaire complex was built in the 1970s when apartment complexes weren't required to have sprinklers.

"You don't face the same regulations by the state (in an independent living facility) than if you were in an assisted living facility," Bernstein said. "This is a horrifically dangerous loophole that has cost lives and will continue to cost lives in the future."

Building Solutions through Science

Building Solutions through Science will bring together broad perspectives on a variety of perils and will address some of the latest efforts to reduce property losses throughout the United States.

By popular demand – there will be morning workshops on both conference days – conducted by sponsors on Thursday and by IBHS staff on Friday. Topics include building codes, wildfire mitigation, and reducing flood losses through smart land use, among many others.

Because tornadoes and hail storms generated billions of dollars in damage this year, IBHS has invited Dr. Greg Forbes, Severe Weather Expert for The Weather Channel, and Derek Arndt, Climatologist with the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, to share their insight into these disastrous events.

Conference attendees also will hear from:

• Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink
• California State Fire Marshal Kate Dargan
• Insurance Information Institute President Dr. Robert P. Hartwig

Early-Bird Rate (Before or on 9/29/08)
Members $400
Non-Members $450
Gov’t/Academic $420

Regular Rate (9/30/08 and after)
Members $450
Non-Members $500
Gov’t/Academic $470

Hotel Reservations
Embassy Suites Tampa - Downtown Convention Center
513 South Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33602
(813) 769-8300

Group Rate: $174

Reservations can be made at www.DisasterSafety.org/conference or by calling the hotel directly. Be sure to mention IBHS when booking your room and reserve by Oct. 12 to take advantage of the group rate.

Sponsors and Exhibitors
Please visit the Website below or contact Joy Whaley for information, (813) 675-1050 or jwhaley@ibhs.org.

Register now at www.DisasterSafety.org/conference!

ICC approves fire sprinklers code change

A long-time effort to implement a code change that would make fire sprinklers mandatory in new one and two-family homes was approved this week by the International Code Council.

The IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition led the effort. The fire service, home safety advocates and building code officials united to push for a change to the International Residential Code, the model code governing residential construction in 46 states plus the District of Columbia.

The measure had the support of 73 percent of the voting members in attendance at the ICC final action hearings in Minneapolis. It mandates fire sprinklers in new single-family homes beginning in 2011.

Prior votes had fallen short of the two-thirds majority needed to make the code change.

The IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition has been working to secure more support for its efforts. It now has the backing of more than 100 national, state and local organizations including the IAFC, the IAFF, the NVFC, the National Association of State Fire Marshals and the Home Safety Council.

About 20 percent of all reported fires occur in one- and two-family structures, causing two-thirds of the fire deaths in the United States.