The RED Force

Home Heating Fires

Josh — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:30:27 +0000

Did you know that, according to the NFPA website, “Half (49%) of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February.” It is also good to note that “Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths.”

When the weather turns colder and the nights get longer, most people enjoy being warm and cozy in their home. By ignoring some important safety reminders, you can lose all that comfort and be faced with home renovation, rebuild and even loss of life. The National Fire Protection Association has put together some very valuable information and helpful tips for heating equipment safety.

Tips include the following:

Flammables should always be “at least three-feet away from heating equipment”

Never leave your house or even a room, with a heating device running – unattended heating equipment may cause a fire.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and head all warnings

“Test smoke alarms monthly.” This will be your first (and maybe only) line of warning in the event of a heating fire.

There are many more tips and helpful information; be sure to share this information with your family. Have a warm and safe winter.

Click on the image to read the entire pamphlet.

Fact or Myth? Static Electricity and a Gas Station.

Josh — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:36:07 +0000

Definitely fact. In a video taken from a security camera of a gas station, a young lady pulls up to a pump. She’s wearing a wool sweater and slides out of the car. She starts pumping gas, and gets back into the vehicle, leaving the door open. At some point later, she slides back out of the vehicle and the first thing she touches is the gas pump. The static electricity that she had generated is discharged at the pump and a ball of fire erupts … fortunately only for a moment. Everything worked right. The gas pump stopped. She pulled the hose out. But I’m sure she left with a story to tell. What should be done to avoid this, especially on dry winter days?

When you get out of a vehicle, always ground yourself by touching something, the car, a support column, the pump before you begin pumping, etc.

Never get back into your vehicle while pumping gas.

If you must get back into the vehicle, be sure to ground yourself when you get back out, by touching the vehicle.

Be Safe!

What do all these terms mean?

Josh — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:19:12 +0000

Have you ever wondered about the different types of fire? What about all these different classifications of fire extinguishers, what do they indicate? What should you be looking for in your monthly fire extinguisher inspection? Where can I find answers?

Our trained staff is always willing to answer your questions in regards to fire safety; feel free to call (816.833.8822) or email us (webmaster@theREDforce.com) with any questions you may have.

Also, Brooks Equipment has put together a helpful, interactive website that covers these questions and more. Make sure you check it out, because the more you know, the safer you can be.

Follow this link to see this helpful site.

NAFED Code of Ethics

Josh — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:42:27 +0000

As active members of the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors, we recognize that the products and services we provide have a significant impact on the quality of life for the entire public. As we perform our services, we will demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, personal integrity, and competence. Accordingly, we adhere to the NAFED Code of Ethics, which states:

We will fulfill our obligations to our clients in an efficient and competent manner and with complete honesty.

We undertake to provide only those services for which we are competent by way of education, training, and experience.

We strive to maintain our proficiency by a process of continually updating our knowledge and skills.

We strive to adhere to all established codes and standards relevant to the products and services we provide. We do not attempt to misuse codes and standards, or the process by which these codes and standards are created.

We strive to follow all instructions established by the manufacturers of the equipment we provide or service.

We will analyze the needs of our clients completely and professionally, and make honest recommendations to fulfill those needs based on all available information.

We strive to warn of any condition we notice that may affect the safety, health, and well-being of our clients, their property, and their employees.

We will keep confidential and will not misuse the proprietary business information and trade secrets of our clients.

We will conduct ourselves in a dignified and professional manner. We will admit and accept our own errors when proven wrong. We will not distort or alter the facts in an attempt to justify our decisions.

We recognize that we are invited into our clients’ facilities and will conduct ourselves in a safe and professional manner. We will treat our clients’ goods and property with the highest regard.

25 under 25® Award Recipient

Josh — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:00:03 +0000

December 13, 2010 was a great day for The Red Force®. That was the day we learned that we were one of the 10th Anniversary 25 under 25® Award recipients. For the last 10 years, the KC Small Business Magazine has honored 25 companies with less than 25 employees for their contribution to the business community. For 2011, over 1000 companies were nominated; We are honored to be one of the award recipients. We look forward to many future years committed to merging good value, with superior customer service, and impeccable code compliance.

Christmas Fire Safety (Final)

Josh — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:15:24 +0000

The NIST provides so much valuable information and detailed research. To start December we have looked at Christmas tree fire safety. During our first post, we looked at the potential dangers of a live tree and how electrical safety limits the heat/ignition source needed to start a fire. Our second post focused on limiting the growth of a Christmas tree fire by purchasing fresh trees and keeping them well watered.

These two days reinforce the simple model of understanding fire – the “fire triangle”. When explaining the life of fire (ignition, growth, and extinguishing), many time the “fire triangle” model is used. It focuses on the three ingredients needed for fire – heat source, oxygen, and fuel. Smokey the Bear explains it this way, “The interaction of the three equal sides of the fire triangle: heat, fuel and oxygen, are required for the creation and maintenance of any fire. When there is not enough heat generated to sustain the process, when the fuel is exhausted, removed, or isolated, or when oxygen supply is limited, then a side of the triangle is broken and the fire is suppressed.”

When thinking of Christmas tree fire safety (and fire safety in general), remember the fire triangle. By limiting the heat source and dry fuel associated with your Christmas tree, you can go a long way in protecting yourself from Holiday disaster. Be sure to check out NIST’s compilation page of all their video’s related to Holiday fires.

As always, have a great Holiday season and be safe!

Christmas Fire Safety (Part 2)

Josh — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:49:46 +0000

In yesterdays post, we discussed the potential dangers associated with live Christmas trees. While they are very beautiful, there can be a substantial risk involved with a live Christmas tree. If you took the time to watch the linked video, you were able to see how quickly a fire can spread. But is that how every live Christmas tree fire has to end? Are we saying that you should NEVER use a live Christmas tree?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (the same organization conducting the test in yesterdays video), has another demonstration. This time they focus on the rate of fire spread between a dry fir tree and a tree with high needle moisture content.

As their article points out, “each year holiday [tree] fires cause 210 home fires, injure and kill dozens and cause more than $13.3 million in property damage. The NFPA also reports that one in nine Christmas tree fires lead to a death.”

This time of year is exceptionally beautiful, but as always, we want you to be safe. Feel free to follow the links to read more on Christmas fire safety.

Christmas Fire Safety

Josh — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:00:07 +0000

Few people realize the hazard a Christmas tree can present if it is ignited. Christmas tree fires are common during the holiday season. Why? Have you ever had many strings of lights on your Christmas tree…and all of them plugged into one slender extension cord. I’m afraid that describes most of us.

Do you leave your lights (inside or out) on all night? Do you leave your lights on while you are away? How long would it take the ceiling to be involved if your Christmas tree was ignited at its base? This answer will probably surprise you…approximately 4 seconds. With optimum conditions (an extremely dry tree & available heat/ignition source), fire spreads and rapidly moves right up the tree to the ceiling. Even more surprising, in a living room, approximately 12 x 16, the temperature of the room reaches over 1800 degrees in a scant 45 seconds. That’s hardly enough time to evacuate the upstairs. Even worse, unless you have maintained smoke detectors or a good dog or cat, you will probably not wake up. Why? One of the byproducts of combustion is carbon monoxide which drives you into a deeper sleep. All in all, fire safety is vital during the holidays. Please view this video of a Scotch Pine tree fire as tested by the National Institute of Science and Technology.

Additional information on Holiday Fire Safety.

Merry Christmas and Be Safe!

- Mark

Turkey Fryer Videos

Josh — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:52:19 +0000

Yesterday, we spoke of the importance of turkey fryer safety. Here are two videos that highlight the importance of proper caution and use of turkey fryers.

This video, provided by Underwriters Laboratory, shows their testing of turkey fryers and cautions with using turkey fryers.

State Farm® put together this video, which once again covers turkey fryer safety and proper procedures.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Be Safe!

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

Josh — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:00:16 +0000

Did you know, it has been said that the day the fire department receives the most calls is Thanksgiving Day? 70% of all commercial fires take place in restaurants and commercial kitchens. Is it any less likely that the greatest hazard for fire lies in the kitchen at your home? Of course, Thanksgiving Day is the one day when nearly every kitchen in America is operational. In addition to unusually heavy kitchen use, we also have the turkey fryer.

Have you heard of Underwriters Laboratory? This entity certifies appliances, fire equipment, cooking equipment, electrical components and just about anything else for its ability to resist fire, etc. through its listing process. At this time, there is not a single UL listed turkey fryer on the market. Now I love fried turkey, but often turkeys are fried by individuals who don’t have a lot of experience, and commit some serious errors.

Never put a frozen turkey in a fryer. Make sure it has been properly thawed and patted dry. (Water and hot grease react very violently when they interact.)

Always set up the turkey fryer on level ground, away from the house. Do NOT set up the fryer on the porch, on the deck or in the garage.

Always have a fire extinguisher nearby when frying a turkey.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s requirements, and do not overfill the fryer with grease.

Always submerge the turkey slowly.

Never leave the turkey fryer unattended.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Be Safe!

- Mark