Category Archives: Other Business

Office Building, Other - Hospital/Medical

Elgin, IL – Sprinklers douse fire at medical building; Cause may have been lightning strike

Lightning may have started a small fire Friday in a northwest suburban medical office building, where an internal sprinkler system doused the flames before firefighters arrived. Elgin firefighters were called just before 7 a.m. Friday to the medical building at 1015 Summit St. after an employee arriving for work called to report a fire alarm going off, according to a statement from the Elgin Fire Department.

Firefighters heard a strobe horn going off, and saw water flowing out from an exterior door, but saw no smoke or flames. When the door was forced open, firefighters found that a fire had started in the telecommunications equipment and activated the sprinkler above. Investigators determined the cause of the blaze was “either an electrical issue or a lightning strike,” which caused the telecommunications equipment to catch fire until it grew strong enough to set off the sprinkler.

The alarm signal directly into the fire department did not activate because it is the telecommunications equipment that activates it, according to the department, which recommended a wireless system be installed. Fire and smoke damage to the building and contents was minimal, but the “building was determined to be unsafe due to an inoperative alarm, inactive sprinkler system, and unknown electrical conditions’ and consequently red-tagged,” the department said. City Code Enforcement inspectors were notified. No injuries were reported.

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Durham, NC – Sprinkler system helps firefighting effort at recycling center

Durham firefighters were called at 7:57 p.m. to 4619 Industry Lane in response to a structure fire at Sonoco Recycling.

Once on scene firefighters determined that “moderate smoke” was coming from the rear of the building. Employees told firefighters where the fire started and that a piece of machinery used to bale recyclable material was on fire.

Firefighters were able to control the fire within about 10 minutes. A sprinkler system in the building helped the firefighting effort.

Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire was an overheated motor in a baler machine. No one was injured and only the machine and a “large amount of recyclable material” were damaged.

Office Building, Other Business

Covington, KY – Sprinklers help save Jackson Hewitt building, according to Fire Chief

Covington Fire Department investigated the cause of a blaze that was reported at about 9 p.m. Thursday. Covington Fire Chief Dan Mathew said members of his department were working with Covington Police detectives in an effort to determine how the fire started. He said there was more smoke than fire and that the sprinkler system saved the building.

The fire started in the Jackson Hewitt office, which is in the same building with Sims, according to Matt Day, who manages the store, which has been owned since 2011 by Eagle Financial Services. Day said the sprinkler system kicked on in the Jackson Hewitt building and that water from the sprinklers seeped into the basement showroom of Sims. He said he did not think there was any fire damage inside of Sims, which occupies three floors of the building.

Office Building

Fort Worth, TX – Fire at Mutual of Omaha high rise contained by sprinkler system

Emergency crews in Fort Worth responded to a fire alarm at a 12-story building on Thursday morning. It happened at about 3:45 a.m. at the Mutual of Omaha Bank building, located in the 6300 block of Ridglea Place.

Firefighters arrived at the scene and found a small fire in a cabinet on the building’s third floor. The flames were enough to start the building’s automatic sprinkler system and set off the fire alarm.

Crews had the fire extinguished within about 10 minutes of its discovery. After an extensive search of all floors, workers determined that the building was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The overnight cleaning crews had already left the premises, and there were no reports of injuries. Investigators determined that the fire was an accident.

Workers have now moved on to damage assessment. Fire crews helped clear smoke from the building and a contractor was brought in to assist with water removal. An estimate of the damages has not yet been released.

Robert Pike is a CPA with offices in the building. He said that the timing of the fire could not be worse, as the last weeks of March and start of April are busy days for tax preparers. Delays from the incident could put financial workers behind in their work.

Other / Not Specified

Savannah, GA – Sprinklers keep parking garage fire from spreading

According to Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police, Whitaker Street was closed at Bay Street for about an hour on Friday night, while Savannah Fire worked a vehicle fire in the Whitaker Street Parking Garage. According to Savannah Fire’s Public Information Officer, Mark Keller, an SUV caught fire on the lower level of the garage, triggering the garage sprinkler system, which prevented the fire from spreading. One nearby vehicle may have received minor damage.

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Calgary, AB, Canada – Sprinkler system controls fire at plastics recycling plant; Fire crews extinguish blaze

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Calgary Fire Department crews were called to plastic recycling plant Carpenter Canada Co. in the 5880 block of 36th Street S.E. just before 2 a.m. last Friday. When they arrived, firefighters found smoke pouring from the building.

They managed to extinguish the fire, and credit an in-building sprinkler system for keeping the blaze in check before they arrived. Once the fire was extinguished, crews still had concerns about whether air quality would be impacted, as burning plastic can release toxic gases. However, fire officials say the air gradually cleared up.

Office Building, Other Business

Louisville, KY – Sprinklers help minimize damage in fire at GE facility

No one was injured in a fire at GE Appliances, located in the 4000 block of Buechel Bank Road. The fire started at 8 p.m. Firefighters said the sprinkler system activated. The fire was in the Global Customer Center, it’s also known as Building 35, and was contained in 25 minutes. The Okolona fire chief said no production was impacted and damage was in a small area of the GE Appliance Park building.

The Global Customer Center houses research and technology and also serves as a place for big GE customers to view the latest appliances in a showroom. Four fire departments responded to the fire. They include: Okolona, Buechel, Camp Taylor and Highview.

Office Building, Other Business

North Hollywood, CA – Fire on ninth floor of high-rise office building extinguished by sprinkler system

A small fire on the ninth floor of an office building in the North Hollywood area last Wednesday was quickly extinguished by sprinklers,  authorities said.  The fire in the 4600 block of Lankershim Boulevard was reported about 7:30 a.m. and was already out when firefighters arrived, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department. No injuries were reported.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Merrimack, NH – Fire at century-old mill building controlled by sprinkler system

On Friday, March 13, 2015, at 4:52 p.m. the Merrimack Fire Department was dispatched to 33 Elm St.  The crew found a fire in an area of the building being used as a furniture repair and refinishing shop.  The building sprinkler was keeping the fire from spreading but suppression crews were needed to fully extinguish the blaze as the sprinklers were being blocked by furnishings.

The building is an approximately 135,000 square foot three story mill building built in 1900. The building now houses multiple tenants including warehouse, retail store and light industrial uses.

The fire was declared under control at 5:49 p.m. and an extensive overhaul and ventilation of the building was begun. Damage to the building was moderate, with fire damage to a wall and contents of the shop as well as water damage to several areas. Crews ensured that all fire was extinguished and debris cleared from the area, and an investigation into the cause of the fire was conducted by the Fire Marshal. The building was turned back over to the owner and all fire personnel cleared at 8:02 p.m.

The fire cause was determined to be electrical, due to overloaded circuits and improper use of extension cords.  Mutual aid was received from a Nashua Fire Department Engine and Ladder, who assisted at the fire scene and a Manchester Fire Department Engine who covered Station 1. 

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Elmhurst, IL – Fire at truck maintenance garage put out by sprinkler system

** NO MEDIA COVERAGE – Fire Dept Reported**   Dispatch relayed a report of black smoke coming from Unit L to the responding units. The first arriving Company reported an active Water Flow Alarm with smoke showing from Unit L.  Fire Command was established and switched radio traffic to a Fire Ground channel and reported that the sprinkler system was activated and appeared to be keeping the fire in-check.  All occupants of the effected unit were evacuated and accounted for per the Manager.  Dark smoke with very little heat was noted in the office area, with the smoke being heavier in the effected shop area.

The Engine Company deployed a 1 ¾”handline and advanced it to the affected area. Further investigation found that the sprinkler system had already extinguished the fire, requiring no water to be flowed by the Engine Company. The Sprinkler System was shut down and ventilation of the effected units was performed via natural ventilation. Overhaul needs were assessed and utilities addressed.

The post fire investigation found that an employee of Unit L was cleaning grease off the floor with liquid Brake Cleaner when they noticed the floor was on fire. Finding the area of origin being near a gas water heater with flame and heat damage to the area around and above the water heater, with 2 activated sprinkler heads.

Assessment of damages revealed that Unit L had approximately 3″ of standing water throughout the unit damaging interior walls, office furnishings, carpet, nearby mechanical tools and equipment. Units K and M had water damage from seepage under the walls and an odor of smoke. Value of the affected property was estimated at $500,000 with an estimated $15,000 in property damage and $5,000 in contents. 

Date: February 26, 2015

Time of Alarm: 0840 hrs.

Type of Alarm: Full Still for the Automatic Fire Alarm.

Weather conditions: 15⁰ with S/W winds at 4 mph. light snow falling with a 2” accumulation.

Building: Multiple occupancy industrial use.

Construction: Masonry with steel bar joist and metal pan decking covered with rubber membrane.

Occupancy: Diesel Truck Mechanical Service