Warren, N.J.–Chubb fire protection experts demonstrated their incendiary skills last week, setting fire to a pan of alcohol so observers could gauge a sprinkler system's response and the amount of water pressure needed to quench the fire.
The display was part of the program at an open house held by one of the few existing fire laboratories in the U.S., operated by the Chubb Services Corporation, an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of The Chubb Corp.
On hand to observe were loss control experts, building inspectors, agency producers and even rival insurers.
The fire lab, celebrating its 30-year anniversary, was previously limited to Chubb customers, agents and brokers, and local fire officials. Use of the facility, however, has now been extended to building inspectors and other municipal officials, facilities managers, sprinkler system installers, contractors, and other insurers, according to Chubb.
"In the lab setting, producers can learn the nuances of various systems," said Sam Lee, vice president of Chubb Services Corp. "This helps them understand the needs of both the carrier and the client."
Mr. Lee said that fire officials "love coming here because they'll go to a building and know more about what valves to turn, why systems are designed certain ways."
The training center equipment includes seven different sprinkler systems, two fire pumps and controllers, many portable fire extinguishers, and smoke and fire detectors.
A glass-walled fire chamber allows participants to observe how different sprinkler systems react to fire–without getting wet. In addition to traditional classroom instruction and exercises, participants can operate the equipment to gain familiarity with systems found in most facilities, according to Chubb Services.
Seminar participants learn how a fire happens and how sprinkler systems are designed, Mr. Lee told National Underwriter, noting that a system's design incorporates the distance between sprinkler heads and the amount of water pressure.
He further explained that knowledge of sprinkler systems is essential for all varieties of businesses. For example, an office building would not need as much water to control a fire, nor would it utilize the same type of system as a warehouse storing paper or plastic.
At the demonstration, Mr. Lee explained that alcohol is burned because it produces less smoke than paper. As the fire burns, he said, the sprinkler head sprays 50-60 gallons of water per minute, diluting the alcohol, which eventually douses the fire.
Another demonstration revealed how ineffective an improperly installed sprinkler head can be. The defective sprinkler showered water toward the ceiling rather than downward toward any would-be fire.
Information on fire lab course schedules and fees is available through Mr. Lee at 908-903-7172, by e-mailing loss-control-service@chubb.com, or visiting Chubb's Loss Prevention Training Program site at www.chubb.com/businesses/cci/chubb3285.html.
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