In This Issue
Vol. 17 No. 3 (Summer 2009)
Page 1 News
Randy Watson, chairman of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire Investigations, says changes are in store for the next edition of NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. “The fire cause determination chapter is being completely revised to reflect the scientific method,” he says. Watson also reveals other changes to expect with the 2011 edition.
Special Report: Reflective Radiant Barriers
What homeowner doesn’t want to save on energy costs in this day and age? While the increasingly popular practice of installing reflective materials in attics and roofs may be more energy efficient, it can also pose fire hazards, say experts from McDowell Owens Engineering. Check out their simulation of arcing in an ungrounded junction box with a reflective barrier acting as a conductor.
Pizza-related arcing - great video!
The night before Thanksgiving, a friend of Fire Findings went to heat a frozen pizza for his kids and ended up with a great deal more excitement. Arcing! When the oven’s heating element failed, our buddy grabbed his video camera and captured this nifty clip. We discuss it, along with how heating elements work, in the Summer 2009 issue.
Speaking of hazards …
Fire Findings’ staff investigator, Daniel Schuh, heads back to our lab. This time, he tests the flammability characteristics of six types of expanding foam insulation. As usual, Dan comes up with some impressive results and this awesome fireball.
And, in every issue:
Fast Facts • Something for Nothing • Reviews • In-Court Tips • Product Recalls and Manufacturer Problems • Techniques • Site Surfing
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