AVON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2006--GE Insurance Solutions is sharing practical expertise that will help risk managers make important decisions about their fire protection and building construction. The Global Asset Protection team released two papers that offer risk managers and building owners key lessons to ensure their fire prevention, detection, and suppression systems are best in class.
In a new white paper titled "Protecting Your Product: Solving Warehouse Fire Problems Through Testing," a team of experts shares results of an actual full-scale fire test conducted recently at Underwriters Laboratories. The findings were shared with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help the NFPA update its codes governing installation of sprinkler systems.
"The first decision for a warehouse owner may be whether to even test or not," says John Frank of the Loss Prevention Center of Excellence at GE Insurance Solutions. "Even though fire tests can be expensive and time-consuming they provide long-term benefits that may not be initially apparent."
For this test, fire was set to six columns of wooden pallets. The consultants observed factors such as the time it took for the fire to climb to the ceiling and the time it took for the first sprinkler to operate. Once the fire was extinguished, consultants took photographs and documented the extent of the damage.
Loss prevention experts can also utilize state-of-the-art computer modeling techniques to enhance live tests and improve existing fire and smoke control systems within buildings, according to Paul Hart, Regional Field Leader for GE Insurance Solutions.
Says Hart: "Modeling can provide data not readily available from full-scale tests, such as stress in structural members or delivered water density to a burning product."
Effective fire control of materials within buildings is critical for successful loss prevention, but what about fire protection for structures? That too, is critical for effective loss prevention, reports Peter J. Gore Willse, Director of Research at Global Asset Protection.
In a new white paper titled "Only the Parthenon Should Not Have A Fire Protection Roof," Willse shares insights for proper construction of roofs, firewalls, and exterior insulation to mitigate the effects of windstorms, fire, and heavy snow loads.
Building owners and insurers must address losses to roofs every year, says Willse. To minimize damage, insurers recommend using mechanical fasteners to secure roofs instead of adhesives. Asphalt adhesives in particular pose a problem because their application must be so precise.
"If the asphalt adhesive was applied more than the typical half-inch bead, the roof assembly could be considered combustible. If the rate was less than the typical half-inch bead, the assembly could susceptible to wind damage," Willse writes.
Both papers are available on the GE Insurance Solutions web site. To access "Protecting Your Product: Solving Warehouse Fire Problems Through Testing," click on www.geinsurancesolutions.com/erccorporate/inst/ic/rm/060406_fire.htm.
To access "Only the Parthenon Should Not Have A Fire Protection Roof," click on www.geinsurancesolutions.com/erccorporate/inst/ic/rm/060406_roof.pdf.
GE Insurance Solutions (NYSE: GE) is a group of companies that protects people, property and reputations. GE Insurance Solutions is one of the world's leading providers of commercial insurance, reinsurance and risk management services. More information is available at www.geinsurancesolutions.com.
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