In the early 1970's, due to the advent of closed impellers and self priming pool/spa pumps came more powerful suction outlets and main drains. To prevent air from being entrained into the main drain via a vortex, anti-vortex main drain covers were developed. Not so much to protect children but to protect pump shaft seals and motors. Safety was not the issue as suction entrapment was not "in the news" at that time. One of the criteria of the anti-vortex cover was "a small open surface area", perhaps 10 square inches or less. These covers did indeed protect pump motors and the related seals, but not children. The turbulent area around the small open surface created a high velocity that could pull in hair or bathing suit ties, jewelry, etc., and in some cases harbored a finger entrapment potential.

Then, in the late 1970's we have child injuries and worse incidents began making the news.  Studies were being done to use dual drain technologies to prevent child entrapment. These tests were done mostly on 12" X 12" main drains. The individual could "roll off" the 96 square inch open surface area and release himself. Remember, we are dealing with open surface area, not overall area. Open surface area on some 12" X 12" grates measure 96 square inches and the overall area of: 144 square inches. More testing should have been done with smaller sumps.

Now in 2007 we are recommending hydraulically balanced dual drains separated by a minimum of 3 feet.  This may not be as safe as it seems. It is important that we remember the "small open surface area" of some covers. For example; we have a Code compliant dual drain system, we also have two ANSI/ASME A112.19.8 Standard certified Anti-Vortex drain covers with a small open surface area of approximately 8 inches. What if one drain cover becomes missing or dislodged? That open main drain pipe or sump can now have a force that could prevent a Child's escape. In other words, "he is trapped" to the forces from the pump suction under him and the weight of the water above him.  The opposing drain cover (still intact) allows the pump to maintain a full head and hold the child to the unprotected suction outlet.  This is a bad scenario.

So to recap: 1970 main drain cover, 1980 anti-vortex cover, 2000 anti-entrapment cover and now 2007 anti-entrapment type suction outlet cover. As we build more and more dual drain systems we need to understand the hydraulics involved. It would be far more beneficial to install large open surface area "Anti-Entrapment type suction outlet" covers to minimize the related suction hazards as well as allowing the pumps to operate with more fluid volume at a lower velocity.  The connecting pipe between the dual drain sumps should be 2.5 inches in diameter or larger, not to exceed 6 feet in separation to avoid high hold down forces.

Bottom line is that it boils down to child safety. We need to focus on protecting children and understand how systems and products relate to each other and not just blindly install them without understanding the reasoning behind their development or effects after installation. We require education to be effective in our safety related efforts.

If we can assist your department in an educational venue please call:

Article Provided By,

Ron Schroader

Aquatic Safety Consultant

New Water Solutions, Inc.

Responsibility by definition is associated with someone or something for which a person or organization is responsible.  It can carry the weight of one's accepting blame for something and it is also a role wherein a person is authorized to make decisions independently.  Some synonyms include liability, accountability, and duty.  But my favorites are conscientiousness and trustworthiness.  It is within these latter words that I focus our attention on in this article.

There are many venues in which we as representatives of government play a pivotal role such that the results of our decision making reflect our view of responsibility, conscientiousness and trustworthiness.  In what ways?  One example may well be in the area of our most fundamental approach to life safety; our autonomous authority.  Autonomous, yes that's right autonomous for the Life Safety Code confers upon us that autonomy when it says, "The authority having jurisdiction shall determine whether the provisions of this Code are met."  (LSC 4.6.1.1) That's fairly broad is it not?  However, it's not without constraint because subsequent to the above provision, chapter 4 continues, "Where it is evident that a reasonable degree of safety is provided, ANY requirement shall be permitted to be modified if, in the judgment of the authority having jurisdiction, its application would be hazardous under normal occupancy conditions." (4.6.1.3; emphasis added)

Because the Code cannot foresee every conceivable variation, responsibility is laid upon us (see s.633.081) to be reasonable in our application of the Code. (see:  LSC commentary to 4.6.1.3 for an example)  Responsibility is more of an issue when dealing with existing buildings than it is for new construction.  When the latter is the case, we have a window of time to get out ahead of the problems, but here too caution is the order of the day.  "It's the cost of doing business" is not a qualifier for a carte blanche approach to having it your way.  That's irresponsible and 180 degrees out of harmony with the intent of responsibility.

Is it really responsible to coerce owners, agents and contractors just because you can?  I hope that the men and women that are a part of this era's FFMIA answer that with a resounding "NO!"  The fact of the matter is - if what we do as code officials is the right thing to do, i.e. the responsible thing, then coercion is not needed ever.  The responsible approach to life safety will reveal itself upon its own merit, not in our authority. 

My dear and late father routinely noted to his six children this - "In this life there are no absolutes - absolutely."  I have found that and this to also be true; absolute power corrupts absolutely.  This is why we do not have absolute power; it stands in stark contrast to reasonableness and thus it erodes responsibility.

I often hear when local authorities loose sight of the mission.  What mission many ask?  The mission known as Life Safety; which we accomplish through axioms of fire service gurus far more intelligent than me.  Chief Alan Brunicini whose fire department routinely "[took] care of Mrs. Smith", or Chief Goldfeder of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department who asked the question, "Do You Have The Courage?", and of course who can overlook Chief Rick Lasky of Lewisville Texas Fire Department.  In his book "Pride & Ownership, a Firefighter's Love of the Job", he dedicated a whole chapter about "Our Mission".  While all of these industry professionals dealt predominantly with fire operations personnel, one can hardly overlook the principle presented in the book as it applies to activities of fire prevention personnel.

Responsibility means our recognizing as an industry, things like the role of our State Fire Marshal's Office.  Have we all read their documents about local amendments?  During our preparation for FFMIA's seminar on that same topic, Tony Apfelbeck and I found an astonishing few who knew of and understood the whole concept.  And yet, look on the web site of the SFMO and see how many local amendments there are. 

Is it responsible to adopt the attitude, "- well, I'm not the designer, therefore let them read the code and figure it out."?  Allright, I'll yield here and stipulate that yes, they should know, but frankly they don't.  When we "play-the-game" with agents and contractors, who is really being hurt?  Isn't it the owners who are being hurt? (the very people that fund our operations.)  And worse, they pay a penalty for something they don't know about and if truth be told, they never will.  So why not simply partner with these owners, agents and contractors and be responsible? 

By really being responsible in action, not just in empty words, we all comply with chapter 1.2 of the Life Safety Code by our assuring that we "- provide minimum requirements, with due regard to function, for the design, operation and maintenance of buildings and structures for safety to life from fire."

Education is important and expensive.  That being said the Alarm Industry Foundation of Florida (AIFF) is doing their best to help ease the financial burden for those individuals pursuing a higher education.  The AIFF awards different types of advanced education scholarships to Florida residents attending Florida schools.  These scholarships are directed at individuals who are pursuing careers in the security, fire alarm and low voltage industries or public safety.  They are also directed at the children of individuals involved in the industry or public safety.

This program has been in existence for over twenty years and we have awarded literally thousands of dollars in scholarships to worthy students.  This program was established in honor of Stan Lott who was a former school teacher turned alarm dealer and Alarm Association of Florida member.  Stan strongly promoted education and training.  Stan's young life was tragically cut short by heart disease and in his honor his peers created this great program.

These scholarships are made possible through the generous contributions of the Alarm Association of Florida members and various fund raising activities.  The scholarships do not cost the applicants anything.  Since our charitable trustees are volunteers there are also no administration fees.  We are proud of the fact that 100% of our contributions are returned to the applicants as scholarship awards.

Each year at the AAF annual convention, the Alarm Industry Foundation of Florida awards scholarships to recipients who apply and qualify for these awards.  The current deadline for filing your application is December 1^st , 2007.   Applications and guidelines are available at http://www.fla-alarms.org/Member/AIFF/index.asp.  Completed applications should be returned to the AIFF office by December 1, 2007.

Provided by:

Mary Galloway, President

The Alarm Association of Florida

Trustee

The Alarm Industry Foundation of Florida

regmhg@earthlink.net

954-748-7779

As fire departments develop innovative campaign strategies to promote fire safety education in their communities, public educators should consider hosting a neighborhood fire drill during "National Fire Prevention Week."  Neighborhood fire drills are a great opportunity for fire-rescue personnel, council members and the community to come together, while stressing the importance of developing and implementing an escape plan and having properly installed and maintained smoke alarms.

Coordinating a neighborhood fire drill during "National Fire Prevention Week: can be an effective tool enabling fire departments to expand their audience and reach large numbers of people throughout the community each year, as well as to educate multiple age groups.  This program can be coordinated and implemented in conjunction with the homeowner's associations and through local corporate sponsor support in the way of raffle donations and return for recognition.

Numerous strategies and techniques can be utilized to promote fire safety in your community with little funding. Additional educational strategies can be instituted through a community-wide web based tutorial/contest implemented to encourage all families to devise and escape plan, practice home fire drills and install, test and maintain residential smoke alarms.  This provides the community with valuable fire safety information and qualifies participants for raffle prizes supported by sponsors.  (This year Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue's grand prize was a 32" LCD TV and a Nintendo Wii.)  Unique fire safety programs can be both beneficial and fun, as well as bring well deserved recognition to your department for your efforts.  Remember to think "Outside the Box!"

For more information on coordinating a "Neighborhood Fire Drill" in your community, contact the Life Safety Services Division of Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue at:

561-799-4322.

Article provided by:

Andrea Santa

Pam Beach Gardens Fire Rescue