Re: Question for group on Pull stations?

["Robert L. Bass" <robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Hi every one i am working on an article for
> Pa Fireman Magazine do you think manual
> pull stations are becomming obsolete should
> we still be installing them as back ups.

I believe that pull stations should still be a part of a fire alarm in
places of assembly, multi-family dwellings and such.

Case in point:  One Sunday a number of years ago we had a small fire in our
church.  A mime troupe (or should that be troop?) was performing on stage
when a prop caught fire.  I was seated about three rows back from the front
and their mixer was set up just to my right.  At first glance, like everyone
else in the congregation, I thought the flames were part of the act.  Then I
saw the mixer.  She had this look of utter horror on her face.  I walked on
top of the chair backs, rushing to the hallway to grab an extinguisher and
pull the alarm.  Several other men also ran for extinguishers and the fire
was put out in less than a minute.  Damage was limited to a destroyed prop
and some ruined carpeting on the altar area.  There wasn't that smoke but
the odor of burnt carpet was nasty.

Meanwhile the alarm sounded and strobes flashed all through the 22,000 sf
church.  The nursery rooms was emptied by nervous but well-trained staff and
the kids moved out of harm's way.  People in other areas of the church knew
immediately there was a fire and began to evacuate.  My CS called the FD and
also called me by cell phone because they knew I was there at the time.  The
trucks arrived in a few minutes and fans were brought in.  The service
resumed as soon as the FD was satisfied that there was no danger.  I don't
think we ever invited that mime group back.  :^)

The key element here was that the alarm was sounded manually before smoke
even reached the detectors 28 feet overhead.  If the fire had spread
rapidly, the danger would have been mitigated by the alarm sounding so fast.
As I'm sure you know, with fire every second counts.  It is true that pull
stations are no substitute for smoke detectors in most occupied buildings,
but IMO there is still a need for pulls at every exit.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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