| Issues | Comments |
| High Rack Storage and
Narrow Aisles | Boxed records were stored in 28 feet high racks with
solid shelves and narrow aisles, with some areas as
small as 30 inches. There were no sprinklers located
within the racks. The narrow aisles provided for rapid
flame travel up the face of the cardboard boxes.
|
| Deficient Automatic Sprinkler
system | The ceiling-only automatic sprinkler system was
perhaps designed to an NFPA No. 13, Ordinary
Hazard Group 2 level. The system was not appropriate
for the tall storage racks in this property. |
| Automatic Sprinkler Valve
Supervision | One of the automatic sprinkler control valves in the
area of origin was found closed after the fire and it
may have been shut at the time of ignition. Control
valves were neither locked open or electronically
supervised. |
| Windowless Building | Horizontal and vertical venting opportunities to
remove the large quantity of “cold” smoke produced
by the fire were limited to door openings and several
small skylights. |
| Support of Fire Separations | The incident commander recognized the need early in
the fire to support and monitor the masonry walls
surrounding the fire area. Operations included
preventing fire spread through two large unprotected
wall openings. |
| Multiple Alarms | From the first company on the scene, Incident Command
did not hesitate to request additional resources.
An additional alarm was called even when the fire
was believed to be contained in order to provide for
crew rotation. |
| Firefighter Safety | Incident Command consistently recognized the
hazards of an aggressive interior attack. The Incident
Command system was utilized to monitor and evaluate
the structural condition of the fire building, walls
and adjacent structures. |
| Facility Response | There was no responsible owner or operator representative
available to provide guidance or information
regarding the facility. |
| Records Stored on the Floor | Record boxes stored on the floor in the adjacent fire
area were damaged by water runoff. Significant loss
can result from sprinkler and hose stream water unless
storage is placed several inches above the floor. |
Save to del.icio.us
