IBC Should Look Closer at Schools' Sprinkler Requirements

The current International Building Code states that a new school or addition can be up to 20,000 sq. ft. without meeting a fire sprinkler requirement, however a 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse/storage building must meet sprinkler requirements. Despite proposals to lower the sq. ft. requirement for schools, the past code changes were defeated and there have been new proposed changes.

At a state level, Illinois has amended its sprinkler law to require new school buildings or additions 7,200 or more sq. ft., affecting one or more area, to install a fire sprinkler system. Automatic fire detection or manual alarm systems are required in areas not requiring sprinklers. Regardless, attention/action to reform the existing IBC in relation to schools is needed.

I differ with the argument no hazard exists. Loss suffered by a community as a result of a school fire, the danger faced by children, and the devastation shared by children and adults should incite lowering of the 20,000 sq. ft. mandate.

It is disturbing that we must install fire sprinklers to protect warehoused lettuce but we are not required to do the same for our children.

The industry should lower sq. ft. requirements for fire sprinklers in schools. It is time for change. Unless we act there will be no progress. Our children deserve the protection.

Richard A. Piccolo is president of B & F Technical Code Services, Inc. With more than 30 years in the building code and fire industry, Mr. Piccolo is a Master Code Professional, a Certified Building Official, a Certified Fire Official, a Certified Property Maintenance Inspector, a Certified Building Inspector, a Certified Plans Examiner, an Illinois Certified Fire Inspector and a Certified Firefighter III. He has helped write building and fire codes for the state of Illinois as well as a number of municipalities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Piccolo

Installing A Lawn Sprinkler System For Dummies

Are you thinking about installing a lawn sprinkler system, and just not sure if you can do it? Well, you're certainly not alone as sprinkler systems are more popular than ever these days. Regardless of whether you're considering a Rainbird sprinkler system, Hunter sprinkler system, or any other lawn sprinkler, being able to do-it-yourself can seem like a daunting task. Here is a quick rundown on installing a lawn sprinkler system.

To get started you're going to need to know the measurements of your yard and the area where you plan on watering. Layout where you would like to place your sprinkler heads. You'll also want to think about where you're going to locate the valve boxes.

Don't think your plan needs to be drawn up like a professional landscaper would do, but you'll want to write in as many details as you can. You'll need to know this in order to buy your lawn sprinkler supplies. You need to know the answers to questions like; how many sprinkler heads do I need? How much pipe will I need? By sketching out a plan you'll have the answers you need.

Next, you will need to have your utility companies come out and locate underground utility lines. I can't stress the importance of this step enough. If you don't do this and you dig up a line, you're responsible for all damages that occur. It doesn't cost a dime to have this done, and it could easily prevent you from rupturing a gas line or other utility. Be smart and have this done for you when installing a lawn sprinkler system.

Your next step after knowing where your utility lines are laid out is to begin digging for your sprinkler water lines. You can use a can of spray paint to mark out the grid system and help you know where to dig. When it comes to digging, you can either dig out the lines by hand with a shovel, or you can use a trenching machine. I don't think I need to tell you how much hard work it will be to dig out the lines by hand. You can easily rent out a trencher at your local rental store on a per day basis. It's relatively inexpensive, and the time and labor it will save you is well worth the extra expense. Unless you're just wanting to get a good workout in, go the trenching route.

Once you've laid out the pipe you can begin connecting it all together. Attach the sprinkler heads and connect the pipe to your various valve boxes and you're basically ready to go.

When looking at how to install a lawn sprinkler system, the biggest issues are time and patience. It will probably take the average do it yourselfer about a week to accomplish, unless you have a crew of family and friends helping you. It will also depend on your landscape. How big is your yard? What type of soil do you have? If it's clay then things will take a little longer, especially if digging by hand.

Installing a lawn sprinkler system is not that difficult, and you'll enjoy the results of your efforts for many years to come.

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You can find much more information on Installing A Lawn Sprinkler System as well as more information on all types of sprinklers at http://www.SprinklersA-z.com

Add a New Sprinkler Head to Enhance Your Site and Get More Hits!

ENABLING BUSINESS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND TEAMWORK

Add one more Sprinkler Head!

Several years ago, I wrote a piece called “one more sprinkler head” and I thought I would reprint it because what I am seeing on the Internet and the growth of the interactive options, this dated article will hopefully “spark” your call-to-action button to improve your web site.

“Last week before the rains started, our lack or rain was destroying my yard and the flowerbeds. And for those of us who are married, flowerbeds are very important to our spouse, so we (she) decided to have a watering system installed. The great day arrived where we could test the system and it started to rain. As I write this article, it is still raining but the weatherman told us that we would have clear and sunny tomorrow so we will wait. Finally, the new day began and it was a perfect day to test our new system and it worked beautifully except for one corner. My wife’s comment is “if we add one more sprinkler head we can be assured that our yard is fully covered and that we do not need rain to protect my flowerbeds. She probably is right and I told the watering guy to add another sprinkler head. What has this to do with the Internet? Well, in theory I has everything to do with it!

Think about it. You have a nice web site, you hired an Internet marketing company or you are marketing the site yourself and the site is starting to be found, but the expected results are not happening! The answer is to add “one or more INTERNET sprinkler heads” and here is what you do:

1. You must have a way to review what is happening on your site and that is called a web trends report. If your ISP does not provide this service, move your site or get a third party to provide it (bolt-it-on your site…your ISP can do this for you).
2. Re-think about what people will type in the search box on the top 4 or 5 search engines to find your site. I am always amazed that web site owners do not pay attention to this critical action and prepare their keywords or keyword phrases appropriately. People surfing the net are NOT to type in one word unless they are looking for IBM or MIRCOSOFT (Branded names). If they are planning a trip to Savannah, they will type in a phrase (their interest) such as: “Savannah lodging” “Savannah golf courses” or something that provides the specific answer (web site_ that answers their search request. As one real example, I was sent an email from our one of our popular Savannah Travel web sites asking for information on housing for her daughter. The lady resides in Venezuela. For all of you real estate agents reading this article, why have not added an appropriate phrase (student housing or SCAD (local art college) apartments or?) to your web site that addresses this “sprinkler head”?
3. Always add more value to your site. For those of you, who sell a product; add a coupon or special offer. It has been my experience that offering something of value gets attention. Many of you use a direct mailing service to send your coupons to a targeted address. Why not offer the visitors to your site the same advantage? Obviously, if your are selling cement blocks this is not a good tactic but for those who get in-store traffic or have a product that allows your to provide an incentive, why not put the offer on the web? It works!
4. I am becoming a great believer in adding the ability to gather email addresses from visitors who want to be told of a new product offering or to receive more information on your product or service via a newsletter. Look, if I can write a column, you can compose a newsletter for your service. This is a powerful marketing tool and you can get repeat visitors to your site, which is the best tool you can employ. Consider, you’re a tour company and you want to increase the number of people who sign-up for your tour. This is what you do: (1) Add a coupon (2) Write a newsletter about your city or tour and (3) Capture email addresses from people who are planning to visit your city and found your site and (4) Follow-up emails to all. In the minds of the readers, you are an expert on your community and therefore, a logic choice for a tour booking. These are “sprinkler heads”.

Marketing on the Internet is not “brain surgery” work but it is hard work. The Internet allows all business sizes to compete equally and the only limitation is you mind and creativity. It is “thinking-outside-the-box”. If you add “one or more sprinkler heads” you will be the right road to gain positive results from planting your product or service on the Web…Just add water!

Chuck St. Arnaud is the Chairman of Systems Connect, inc., a leading ISP in Coastal Georgia. Chuck is also a featured writer on the Internet for a local business publication and a frequent speaker on the Internet to business groups, associations and for the University of Georgia Small Business Program. He is also an adjunct professor at the local business university and teaches marketing.

Visit his blog at http://www.sysconn.com