4 Essential Strategies To Fire Watch Guards
Good afternoon readers. Today I am going to talk about an intriguing video that I stumbled across on YouTube. The video advocates for fire-based EMS instead of private or third-service. It did not present any valid argument that fire-based EMS is really better than anything else. This was rather disappointing being that fire departments usually put up good arguments for their product.
Now do not get me wrong. If you are aware me, you know that I am an advocate for private business. Conversely, that isn't going to mean that I do not enjoy an excellent argument.
Many phrases like "Fire EMS is much better because firefighters are trained to do the job right", and "firefighters will be the ones with the tools and resources to respond to emergencies" are repeated over as well as over. Does that mean that private based paramedics are idiots and have no equipment? Come on, give me something harder to argue about.
No numbers, statistics, case reviews or anything with valid data is used to prove that fire-based EMS is any better than private enterprise. In fact they even argue that fire-based service will be the "cost-effective" and "efficient" solution. I certainly find this hard to believe, being that private ambulances operate at NO cost to the taxpayers. Within the county where I work, 1 engine and 1 ambulance are dispatched to all medical-aids. The ambulance staffs 1 paramedic and 1 EMT. The engine staffs 2-3 firefighters trained as EMTs. In our neighboring county, where fire-based EMS is utilized, they respond an engine with 3-4 firefighters trained as paramedics and EMT's and a squad with 2 firefighters trained as paramedics. The ambulance is either staffed with 2 EMT's or paramedics. That does not sound very cost-effective.
It is quite obvious that this project was only intended to promote legislation to secure federal and state funding for fire departments. By the end of the video it basically asks that when decisions are made at the local, state and federal level, to bear in mind fire-based EMS will be the most beneficial means of delivering 911 emergency medical treatment. I would certainly hope that this video might not influence any of our elected officials to make decisions one of the ways or the other.
What do these events have in common? In both instances, the fire sprinkler system was taken offline unsafely. Fires like these occur weekly in circumstances where the fire sprinkler system was taken offline, allowing the fire to grow out of control. When the system is working and maintained properly, it is 96% effective in containing the fire, in line with the national Fire Sprinkler Association. There are occasions where the water supply needs to be shut down, but there is a safe way to do it. Here are our tips for safely taking a fire sprinkler system offline.
Stop all hazardous activities within the affected area. Within the first example above, we see that the coal-fired power station shut down the wet-pipe for upkeep on the conveyor equipment. On the other hand, throughout the maintenance activity, welding and cutting were performed in a coal-handling area. These are very hazardous activities and never should have occurred with the fire sprinkler system offline.
If a fire sprinkler's water supply needs to be turned off, do it with fire protection in mind. Place a roving fire patrol or stationary fire watch within the area to fight a Fire Watch Guards in the event that it ignites; position adequate firefighting equipment in the area of concern. On top of that, don't forget to contact local security and the central alarm station to prevent a false alarm.
Always have a professional bring the fire sprinkler system on and offline. To bring a sprinkler system offline, close the water supply control valve and open the main drain valve. The auxiliary and inspector valves should be open. System and pressure gauges should be at zero. Ensure all water is drained completely. Ensure a LOTO program is in place to provide a pressure barrier control for work activities, and make certain the system is put back in service immediately.
To place the valve back in service, a fire protection professional should be called. Each sort of system has its own procedures to bring back online. On top of that, tests and inspections should be conducted to ensure that the system is working properly once it is back online.
Fire sprinklers are a necessity in power, chemical, and industrial plants. With extremely hazardous conditions and a great deal of fuel, no chance should be taken when taking your fire sprinkler system on and offline. Be safe and follow proper procedures to protect people, plant, and production.
