Xtreme Fire Protection, Inc.

08/14/2015

JOB BOX TALKS - TODAY’S TOPIC: FALLS AND PREVENTION

One of the most construction accidents is a fall and these can be avoided through simple effective safety measures.

Statistics indicate that over 300 construction workers are killed each year on the job as a result of a fall. Today we’ll talk about 4 subjects related to being injured in a fall on site.
• UNPROTECTED SIDES, WALL OPENINGS & FLOOR HOLES
• IMPROPER SCAFFOLD CONSTRUCTION
• UNGUARDED PROTRUDING STEEL REBARS
• MISUSE OF PORTABLE LADDERS

UNPROTECTED SIDES, WALL OPENINGS & FLOOR HOLES
Almost all sites have unprotected sides and edges, wall openings, or floor holes at some point during construction. If these sides and openings are not protected at your site, injuries from falls or falling objects may result, ranging from sprains and concussions to death.

So, how do I protect myself? Depending on the nature of the hazard and potential fall height options to protect yourself include, but are not limited to:
Use of a guardrail system.
Deploying safety nets.
Use of fall arrest systems.

Important factors for guard rails:
Top rail must be between 39 and 45”.
Midrails between the top edge and the walking/working level.
Guardrail must be capable of withstanding 200 lbs of force within 2” of the
top edge, in any direction and at any point along the edge without causing
the top edge of the guardrail to deflect downward lower than 39”.

IMPROPER SCAFFOLD CONSTRUCTION
Working with heavy equipment and building materials on the limited space of a scaffold is difficult. Without fall protection or safe access, it becomes hazardous. Falls from improperly constructed scaffolds can result in injuries ranging from sprains to death.

So how do I avoid hazards?
Construct all scaffolds only according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Install guardrail systems along all open sides and ends of platforms.
Use a guardrail system, personal fall arrest system or both for scaffolds
more than 10 feet above a lower level.
Do not climb cross-bracing as a means of access!

UNGUARDED PROTRUDING STEEL REBAR
Unguarded protruding steel reinforcing bars are hazardous. Even if you just stumble onto an unguarded rebar you can impale yourself, resulting in serious internal injuries or death.
So how do I avoid these hazards?
Fit all protruding ends of steel rebar with rebar caps, wooden troughs or
bend the rebar so that the exposed ends are no longer upright.
When working above exposed rebar, fall protection/prevention is the first
line of defense against impalement.

MISUSE OF PORTABLE LADDERS
You risk falling if portable ladders are not safely positioned each time they are used. While you are on a ladder, it may move and slip from its supports. You can also lose your balance while getting on or off an unsteady ladder. Falls from ladders can cause injuries ranging from sprains to death.

So how do I avoid hazards?
Before using any ladder start with a routine inspection to assure ladder is
undamaged and fit for use.
Position ladder so the side rails extend at least 3 feet above the landing
and carefully secure the side rails at the top to a rigid support that will not
create a tripping hazard for those climbing onto or off of the ladder.
Make sure that the weight on the ladder will not cause it to slip off its
support.
Do not apply more weight on the ladder than it is designed and rated to
support.

08/13/2015

PROJECT UPDATE: SCHAUMBURG, IL HOTELS

Weather has been very good for construction recently, although that has allowed all trades on this project to really move along we need more completion on Phase 1 in order to continue handing pipe there. So we have started on phase 2!

Service and backflow are in place as well as all first floor main and as of today all first floor sprinkler piping is roughed in.

08/03/2015

PROJECT UPDATE: SCHAUMBURG, IL HOTELS

Project going very well. Good engineering is leading to a great install.

08/03/2015

JOB BOX SAFETY TALKS TODAY’S TOPIC: LADDER SAFETY

Reports show startling statistics concerning the frequency and severity of ladder-related accidents in U.S. every year, leaving thousands injured and hundreds killed.

LADDER INJURY STATISTICS
Each year more than 90,000 people go to the emergency room for ladder-related injuries.
Elevated falls take almost 700 lives every year!
These 700 deaths account for 15% of all occupational deaths.
Over the last 10 years ladder-related injuries have increased 50%!
50% of all ladder-related accidents were due to users carrying items as they climbed.
Most common ladder-related injury is fractures, accounting for 32%.

THERE ARE 4 TYPES OF LADDER ACCIDENTS AND BY UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES THE VAST MAJORITY COULD BE PREVENTED.

1. SELECTING & USING THE WRONG TYPE OF LADDERS.
You should always use the right tool for the job, right? This is especially true for ladders!
• Always consider the ladder’s weight capacity. If the ladder is underrated the ladder could break and cause the user to fall or become injured.
• Always choose the right ladder for the job. Many injuries occur due to ladders being too short for a specific task. Never place a ladder on something to extend its reach or stand on the top rung to gain the necessary height. Both scenarios are extremely dangerous and can result in serious injuries.
2. USING WORN OR DAMAGED LADDERS
Another common contributor to ladder accidents is using old, worn, or damaged ladders. Damaged ladders are extremely dangerous as they can easily break while being used and cause serious injuries. Protect yourself from damaged or broken ladders!
• Make sure to thoroughly inspect each ladder before using it. If any damage is found, do not use the ladder until it has been safely repaired to the manufacturer’s specifications or it has been replaced.
• Damaged ladders should immediately be tagged OUT OF SERVICE/DO NOT USE and reported to supervisor.
3. INCORRECT USE OF LADDERS
Human error is by far the leading cause of ladder accidents. Never use a ladder in any other way than what the manufacturer intended it to be used for. Also, do not lengthen or alter a ladder in any way.
• While using a ladder always maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder to ensure stability.
• Never attempt to reach for something while on the ladder. It is much safer to get off the ladder, move it, and then climb back up.
4. INCORRECT PLACEMENT OF LADDERS
Make sure that when positioning a ladder, the ground you place it on is level and firm. Ladders should never be placed in front of a door that is not locked, blocked, or guarded.
• A good practice to ensure a ladder is secure is to always have a helper support the base while a ladder is being used.

07/28/2015

Electronic dry valve accelerator? Huh?

The writing has probably been on the wall for a while. The only real question is whether we were reading it or not. Yes, electronics have come to dry pipe valves and they have now went beyond the pressure switches.

Leave it to Tyco to be so innovative, by introducing their VIZOR Electronic Dry Valve Accelerator.

UL, ULC and FM-approved, powered by 120VAC, the VIZOR takes 2 pressure readings every second to reduce false trips by it’s detection of slow pressure changes and actual loss from sprinklers. Re-setting and testing is by just pushing a button. In case you are wondering about power outages the VIZOR has either a 24 or 90-hour battery back-up depending on battery pack selection.

For complete information visit Tyco’s website.

07/27/2015

UPDATE. This is an update on one of our current projects. This is the project of 2, five-story hotels in Schaumburg, IL. Work is currently on schedule with a strong likelihood of getting ahead of schedule very soon.

07/27/2015

SSS - another SPRINKLER SUCCESS STORY!

A working fire sprinkler system is credited for preventing further damage at the Village Links Golf Course following a fire on Saturday, July 25, 2015.
FIrefighters responded to the maintenance building at the golf course, which is owned and operated by the village of Glen Ellyn, at 12:37 p.m. on Saturday, according to a Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company press release. Once on the scene the firefighters reported only a light haze showing. The fire had already been EXTINGUISHED by the building’s FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM and was CONTAINED to the area where it started, according to the news release.
No one was injured in the blaze. Damage costs are not currently available but fire officials reported MINIMAL fire and water damage.
There are 750 buildings in Glen Ellyn that are equipped with fire sprinklers. And there are currently over 500 new homes that added fire sprinklers since the village of Glen Ellyn passed a fire sprinkler ordinance, according to fire officials.
In large structure fires, sprinklers operated 91 percent of the time and were effective in 87 percent of those fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
“Nationwide, sprinklers are credited with saving countless lives and property,” according to the news release.
The cause of the fire at the Village Links Golf Course, 485 Winchell Way, remains under investigation.

07/27/2015

JOB BOX SAFETY TALKS TODAY’S TOPIC: DEALING WITH THE HEAT
With the arrival of summer come the dangers of heat related issues as your body is exposed to the heat. Learn to recognize the symptoms and be on the lookout for symptoms in either yourselves or your co-workers. Learn how to treat problems and most importantly, learn how to avoid problems. From least severe to most severe:
HEAT RASH >>>> CRAMPS >>>> SYNCOPE >>>> EXHAUSTION >>>> STROKE
HEAT RASH, a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather.
SYMPTOMS: Appearance of a red cluster of pimples or small blisters, likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.
TREATMENT:
Try to work in a cooler, less humid environment when possible.
Keep the affected area dry.
Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort.
HINT: Drink plenty of water!
HEAT CRAMPS, usually affect workers who sweat a lot during strenuous activity depleting the body's salt & moisture levels causing cramps in muscles and may be a symptom of heat exhaustion.
SYMPTOMS: Muscle pain or spasms usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs.
TREATMENT:
• Stop all activity and sit the victim in a cool place.
• Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.
• Do not return to strenuous work for a few hours after the cramps subside because
further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Seek medical attention if any of the following apply:
o The worker has heart problems.
o The worker is on a low-sodium diet.
o The cramps do not subside within one hour.
HINT: Drink plenty of water!
HEAT SYNCOPE, a fainting episode/dizziness that usually occurs with prolonged standing or sudden rising from a sitting or lying position. Factors that contribute to heat syncope include dehydration.
SYMPTOMS: Light-headedness, dizziness, possibly fainting.
TREATMENT: Sit or lie down victim in cool place when they begin to feel symptoms. Slowly drink water, clear juice, or a sports beverage.
HEAT EXHAUSTION, is the body's response to an excessive loss of the water and salt, usually by excess sweating. Workers most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are elderly, have high blood pressure, and those working in a hot environment.
SYMPTOMS: Heavy sweating, extreme weakness/fatigue, dizziness, confusion, nausea, clammy, moist skin, pale/flushed complexion, muscle cramps, slightly elevated body temp, fast & shallow breathing.
TREATMENT:
• Rest victim in cool, shaded or air-conditioned area.
• Have them drink plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages.
• Have them take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
HINT: Drink plenty of water!
HEAT STROKE, is the most serious heat-related disorder occurring when the body becomes unable to control its temp: the body's temp rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.
SYMPTOMS: Hot, dry skin, profuse sweating, hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, high body temp, confusion/dizziness, slurred speech.
TREATMENT:
• Call 911 immediately.
• Notify supervisor.
• Move victim to a cool shaded area and cool the victim using methods such as: soaking clothes with water, spraying, sponging, showering them with water
or fanning their body.
HINT: Drink plenty of water!
WHAT ELSE TO DO? If any victim that has lost consciousness, experienced heat exhaustion or heat stroke – these are serious medical emergencies and the victim must be attended to by a doctor.
Now, this is serious stuff! So how do I protect myself and avoid becoming a victim?
I will simplify this as much as possible.
• Stay hydrated! Drink water before, during and after. Do not wait until you are thirsty
to drink water. Thirst is a sign of dehydration!
• Regularly drink water. At least 1 cup every 15-20 minutes.
• Increase the amount of water you drink as temps rise.
• Reduce the physical demands of workers.
• Avoid alcohol, and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar.
• Take extra rest breaks.
• Avoid exposure to extreme heat, sun exposure and high humidity when possible.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton.
• Gradually build up to heavy work.
• Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day.
Of course water is the #1 go to for hydrating, don't forget there are many foods that are not only very good for you - but loaded with water. But once again, I cannot stress the importance of drinking plenty of water!

07/24/2015

LOCATION: Public Storage, Rolling Meadows, IL.
DEFICIENCY: Critical Deficiency - 5 Dry Pipe Valves and 5 sprinkler systems out of service.
CORRECTIVE ACTION: Replace 5 existing dry pipe valves with new valves, new drain lines, new air lines and new pressure and alarm switches in 5 buildings. Replace 2 system air compressors. Project was completed ON TIME, in less than 5 days, and on BUDGET, by XTREME FIRE PROTECTION and the 5 buildings were restored to full fire sprinkler protection.

07/23/2015

SSS - another SPRINKLER SUCCESS STORY!

FIRE SPRINKLERS SAVE LIVES AGAIN

Chicago Tribune February 19, 2015 Four people were taken to area hospitals after a small fire broke out Thursday morning inside a nursing facility near Park Ridge.

The fire was reported around 8:15 a.m. inside a second-floor room at the three-story Ballard Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center, 9300 Ballard Road, in unincorporated Maine Township.

Four patients of the rehab center — including at least one who had been in the room where the fire originated — were transported to area hospitals, two requiring advanced life support, said North Maine Fire Department Chief Rick Dobrowski. Dobrowski could not immediately specify what the patients' exact injuries were.

"It was probably due to the smoke exposure, more than anything else," he said of their hospitalization. Patients residing in the wing where the fire occurred were moved to other areas of the building, but were not required to be evacuated from the building itself, Dobrowski said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Chief Dobrowski CREDITED THE FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM installed in the building several years ago with containing and extinguishing the fire. It did not spread beyond the unit in which it started, he said. The fire sprinkler system contained the fire to a single room on the second floor and prevented major damage and possible deaths.

"I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THERE WASN'T A SPRINKLER THERE," Chief Dobrowski added.

Smoke and water damage was reported in the unit where the fire began and in surrounding areas.

"We were able to ventilate with some fans that we brought," Dobrowski said. "There is still a little bit of a smell, but it's definitely habitable and people can stay there."

07/23/2015

This video is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness and value of an automatic fire sprinkler system that is properly inspected, tested and maintained. Enjoy!

http://www.fmglobal.com - Conducted at the FM Global Research Campus, this side-by-side fire demonstration shows the same fire with two very different outcom...

07/23/2015

Xtreme Fire Protection recently completed yet another successful fire sprinkler installation project at our 6th LA FITNESS CENTER! Located at 2620 W. Pershing Road in Chicago, the newest LA Fitness is simply state-of-the-art. At a cost of $8M, the newly constructed, 41,329 SF, 2-story 9 SF health club includes group exercise rooms, a basketball court, large swimming pool, hot tub/whirlpool, spacious men’s and women’s locker rooms each with saunas, a Kids Klub and massive general exercise areas outfitted with the latest equipment. The entire structure and its contents are protected 24/7 by our automatic fire sprinkler system!