Proper turnout gear is vital to the safety of firefighters; however, budget restrictions often leave many volunteer departments struggling to outfit their crew with personal protective clothing that meets recommended national safety standards. That’s why Globe by MSA, DuPont Protection Solutions (DuPont), and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are teaming up for the seventh year to provide state-of-the-art turnout gear to volunteer fire departments. Since 2012, Globe and DuPont have provided 402 sets to a total of 82 departments in need.

The application period for the 2018 Globe Gear Giveaway is now open. 13 departments will each receive four sets of new gear, for a total of 52 sets. The first 500 applicants will also receive a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of Globe.

“Many volunteer fire departments do not have sufficient budgets to properly outfit their members with life-saving gear,” said NVFC chair Kevin D. Quinn. “We are grateful to Globe and DuPont for supporting our volunteer fire service through the annual Globe Gear Giveaway to better protect our boots on the ground.” 

“Now that Globe is part of the MSA family, we are pleased to continue to support the NVFC with the Globe Gear Giveaway Program in collaboration with our partner DuPont,” said Globe integration director and business lead Tom Vetras. “The mission of MSA and Globe is to help men and women work in safety so that they, their families, and their communities may live in health throughout the world. Our volunteer firefighters deserve nothing less than the very best personal protective equipment.” 

“With our commitment to help those protectors who protect us, DuPont is honored to continue working with Globe in support of the NVFC on this much needed gear donation program,” said John Richard, global business director, DuPont Protection Solutions. “It is important to ensure that these brave volunteer firefighters have gear they can count on so they can focus on their job and communities, while having confidence that their gear will perform and help protect them.”

To be eligible to apply for the Globe Gear Giveaway, departments must meet the following criteria:

• be all-volunteer or mostly-volunteer (over 50 percent)

• serve a population of 25,000 or less

• be located in the U.S. or Canada and legally organized under state/province law

• demonstrate a need for the gear

• department or person applying must be a member of the NVFC. To help departments meet the membership criteria, Globe will provide a complimentary NVFC Membership to the first 500 applicants.

Learn more and apply for Globe gear at www.nvfc.org/globe-gear-giveaway. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2018. Winners will be announced monthly between July and December. 

 

About Globe

Firefighters need to be prepared to perform at their peak, on every call. That’s why Globe delivers the most advanced, best-fitting, and longest lasting protection by listening to our customers, creating breakthrough designs, and applying the engineering skills of the nation’s most trusted turnout gear manufacturer. Globe turnout gear is designed to protect you, move with you, and improve your performance. It’s athletic gear for firefighters. Learn more at www.globeturnoutgear.com. Globe is part of MSA.

 

About DuPont Protection Solutions 

DuPont Protection Solutions, a business unit of DowDuPont Specialty Products division, is a global leader in products and solutions that pro

By Mark Knurek

National Sales Manager, North America, BlazeMaster

It’s only a certification to UL Standard 1821, but it represents two years of research and development on the part of BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems.

BlazeMaster Pipe & Fittings has updated its UL certification for use in basements with exposed joists up to 16 inches in height and expanded blocking requirements to 40 feet. Previously, it had been certified for use in basements with exposed joists only up to 12 inches in height and blocking requirements to 32 feet. It is now the only CPVC fire sprinkler system to be approved for use in basements with exposed joists up to 16 inches in height.

The push for the new UL certification began at a 2014 meeting BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems held with fire sprinkler contractors to get feedback on its products and keep abreast of industry issues. The standard size for basement joists was increasing from a foot to 14 and even 16 inches, the contractors said. That was a problem for those who wanted to be able to use the CPVC product in basements with the taller joists, but were forced to switch to steel instead.

“This was a specific contractor request. We stay current on industry standards and listen to our customers and make every effort to give them what they need,” said Forest Hampton III, manager of codes and approvals for Lubrizol Corp., BlazeMaster’s parent company. Hampton led the effort to secure the new certification.

Preliminary research showed that the pipe and fittings could meet the 16-inch standard and that the effort to earn the new listing would make sense economically, Hampton said. Then it was a matter of designing and initiating the testing process.

“BlazeMaster hadn’t updated its UL certification in years and many of the people who were involved the last time had retired,” Hampton said. “We had to figure out what we needed to do and design the tests.”

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BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems performed two extensive rounds of testing, trying different sprinkler spacings and patterns, varying ceiling heights, joist sizes and blocking distances. The challenge with taller joists is that the sprinklers on the bottom of the joists are farther away from the ceiling where the volume of hot air builds first; engineers had to prove that the sprinkler system would still activate in time to control the fire without it suffering any damage that could interfere with its ability to perform.

A typical test involved positioning a sprinkler on a joist above a heptane fire; allowing the fire to burn for 10 minutes to activate the sprinkler; allowing the sprinkler to knock down the fire; replacing the sprinkler; repressurizing the system to 175 psi for 15 minutes while checking for leaks.

“You can’t have any leaks at all,” Hampton said. “Even a drip leak means failure.”

Once BlazeMaster Pipe & Fittings was satisfied with its results, it went to UL to perform the tests that would determine if it could achieve the new certification.

It’s common for manufacturers to do their own testing before approaching UL, said Engineering Manager Emil

Rookies and veterans alike find everything they need at FDIC International, which addresses training and product needs for the entire fire service. Register now for FDIC International 2018 to secure your spot at the largest fire service conference and exhibition. Register at: http://www.fdic.com/register.html.

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San Francisco has reached a $250,000 tentative settlement in a lawsuit alleging a firefighter was wrongly blamed for the death of a teenage passenger in the Asiana Airlines crash. The lawsuit claimed firefighter Elyse Duckett became a “sacrificial lamb” for the San Francisco Fire Department after 16-year-old Ye Meng Yuan died as first responders scrambled to rescue passengers and douse flames July 6, 2013.
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