DSI 600 Elevator Smoke Containment System

Chapman University, a top private university in California, needed a concealed solution to Elevator Smoke Containment for its latest campus addition. Musco Center for the Arts was conceived with one driving purpose: to reach the highest levels of achievement in fine arts education, production, and performance. Door Systems was proud to present the DSI 600 Elevator Smoke Curtains as a solution, yet still give the design architect the freedom to express the visual and physical connection they envision. A perfect collaboration in harmony with General Contractor McCarthy and Pfeiffer Partners.

Project Highlight: Musco Center for the Arts

Musco Center for the Arts Read more →

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Fire-protection systems

Fire protection system

Smoke-control systems are designed to control smoke during a fire incident in order to contain danger and allow the building to be safely evacuated.

Until recently, smoke control has been managed by the building automation system (BAS). But the trend over the last few years has been to shift that control to the fire-protection system. Read more →

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Fire protection engineering

Fire protection engineering

Fire protection engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to protect people, property, and their environments from the harmful and destructive effects of fire and smoke.

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Top Causes of Commercial Building Fires

building fire

Commercial fires are almost certain to make headlines. While structures, alarms, safety equipment and response times are far superior to those of just decades ago, commercial fires are still happen. What are the likely causes of these fires in commercial structures like offices, stores, hotels, warehouses and manufacturing plants?

Arson

Intentional fires, or arson are the fifth leading cause of fires in the United States. Fires of a suspicious nature are not necessarily arson. Read more →

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LAFD Commercial Structure Fire

LA Commercial Fire

Just after 03:30​ hours, Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion 1 companies were dispatched to a reported structure fire in 17’s first-in at the intersection of Long Beach Ave. x Washington Blvd.

E14 was first on-scene and unable to locate any signs of fire. Upon further investigation, E17 found an outside rubbish fire impinging on a 100 x 300 single-story commercial building on the 2700 blk. of S. Long Beach Ave. (14’s first-in), approximately half a mile south of the reported intersection.

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Understanding Building Construction Types

Construction

Buildings are broken down into five categories (Types 1–5), ranging from the stoutest of construction to that which will most likely fail rapidly when under fire conditions. Each building type has specific characteristics that ladder companies must be familiar with so that they are able to ventilate the building in the safest and most efficient way possible.

A building is best identified during preplanning, but there are distinct features that will help firefighters identify the building type as they pull up on scene. There are also several diagnostic techniques that ladder companies can use when they’re up close and personal with a building.

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Under Construction Building Fires

under construction building fire

The potential for extensive damage during a fire event is greatest when a building is under construction because it is largely unprotected. Code-required fire-suppression systems such as sprinklers and fire walls are typically nonexistent until a building is near completion. Regardless of the material used in a building’s construction, prolonged exposure to fire without mitigation can lead to structural weakness and potential collapse. However, a building does not spontaneously combust. Fires that occur during the construction process are most often attributable to human error, but in instances when a fire starts during a non-work timeframe, arson can also be a cause.

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Construction Fire

Fireman putting out construction fire

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A huge fire at an apartment building under construction in suburban Kansas City has sparked fires at several homes blocks away.

The eight-alarm fire broke out about 3:30 p.m. Monday at the multimillion-dollar CityPlace development in Overland Park, Kansas, sending plumes of smoke and embers toward homes in the suburban neighborhood nearby, The Kansas City Star reported (http://bit.ly/2nLM3Hg ).

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What to do during a building fire

Apartment building fire

NEVER IGNORE A FIRE ALARM! Your first reaction should be to grab your room keys, alert the people around you, and go.

  • Act immediately but try to stay calm.
  • Stay low in case of smoke or fumes. If you’re in bed, roll off the bed and crawl to the door.
  • Don’t waste time getting dressed or searching for valuables.
  • Do not attempt to extinguish a fire unless you are trained to do so. Leave fire fighting to the professionals.
  • To waken anyone who may be asleep, shout, “Fire! Everyone out!”

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The Worst Fires in US History

Chicago historic fire

In 1871, Chicago experienced a massive fire that forced the city to rebuild. However, this fire was not among the United States’ deadliest.

Wiping out properties, charring tracks of land, and killing up to thousands of people, these terrible fires are some of the most heartbreaking disasters to ever have hit the country. The causes behind these fires include natural means, arsonists, abandoned campfires, and electrical faults. However, the cause of some of the fires remains a mystery. A few of the fires stand out both for their size and the role in shaping the historical events in the country. Here are some of the worst fires in American history.

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