Happy Monday

D

Del91574

Guru
Spending the day turning over NFPA documents and talking with insurers and the fire marshal. For those of you that think I'm harsh when it comes to discussing fire alarm and how to wire/program it, this is the reason why. This happened during the long weekend and not the first time on an account of mine.
 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2680776/3million-smoke-Dramatic-images-capture-blaze-sprawling-Connecticut-mansion-belonging-motivational-speaker.html
 
I wired this place about 14-15 years ago. 2 partition Radionics/Bosch 9412 with multiple zones of fire and CO. As a FYI, the fire alarm system worked fine, got the HO's out of the house....heat detector(s) in attic generated the signal and alarm.
 
The sq footage is off, 17K finished space, they didn't count the garages and pool room. The building was stucco over foam/conventional with steel framing and slate roof. We were the prime contractors for all low voltage systems in the house and all the entertainment items.
 
The local AHJ is calling "spontaneous combustion" and the state FM has no determination due to extent of damage. Many are critizing the local FD for cutting venting before the fire was located.
 
Sounds like the extent of the damage is due to the lack of water and potentially incorrect firefighting tactics but you're saying the insurance is still looking to fault the FAS?  Or just making the point that dotting i's and crossing t's may save lives?
 
My guess it didn't have a fire sprinkler system, he had full insurance on the place, and he was having recent financial problems. :o
 
That’s quite painful to watch to progression of fire through pictures. It’s hard to understand how isolated fire could not be contained.
 
Does current code require sprinkler system for very large houses?
 
What’s interesting is the steel beams are still standing. I guess that why newer code has increased floor joist burn rate.
 
These pictures reinforce that small time window between detection and exiting building is critical for family safety.
 
Old and New Building Construction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIyZx8uIMh0
 
az1324 said:
Sounds like the extent of the damage is due to the lack of water and potentially incorrect firefighting tactics but you're saying the insurance is still looking to fault the FAS?  Or just making the point that dotting i's and crossing t's may save lives?
Click to expand...
House is a complete loss and there's not much left, literally a portion of the garage and pool room. There is almost no such thing as water mains and hydrants in this section of the country...and only in larger cities or small sections of municipalities with public water (not many).
 
When you start dealing with a loss in these numbers, it's not a standard HO policy you're dealing with. They (and the AHJ and state FM) want EVERYTHING in documentation. They pulled what was left of the FACP and junction boxes from the basement (all UL FACP panels/enclosures).
 
My point as far as the system goes is that when it comes to FA and a system, there's a reason why some things are done the way they are and why other things aren't a good idea (ie: just because you can do X or Y and/or it should work, why it shouldn't be done).
 
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