What is
defensible space?
Defensible space is a zone of 30-100 feet around your home where
vegetation has been thinned and enough space has been created for
fire apparatus to work safely and to slow down the spread of fire.
That means:
Thinning
trees so that there is at least ten feet between trees - that's ten
feet between the trees at their widest parts.
Pruning tree limbs to a height of ten feet off the ground.
Cutting limbs that overhang your roof.
Removing flammable materials from under wood decks.
Thinning oak brush and other ladder fuels - grass, weeds or brush
that can spread a ground fire into the trees (and from trees to
homes).
Removing deadwood and slash piles.
Keeping your gutters free of needles and leaves.
The
width of the zone will vary, depending on the topography of your
property. For example, if your home is on a hill you need a wider
zone on the downhill side because fire spreads more easily and
quickly uphill. Taking these steps are part of what we call becoming
"firewise."
Creating a "firewise" environment does not mean cutting down all the
trees and brush around your home. It means recognizing that the
threat from wildfire is very real and making smart choices about
preparing for that threat. More information on creating defensible
space is also on the web at
www.firewise.org
You can also contact the Colorado State Forest Service Franktown
office at 303.660.9625.
Don't wait
to mitigate! The home you save may be your own.
This
summer's wildfires should serve as a wake-up call to anyone living in, or
with property in, a wildland area: wildland fires will
occur and can destroy your home. Do what you can to protect your home and
property before it's too late.
Some overhead
sprinkler heads recalled:
Omega brand overhead Sprinkler recall info:
www.omegarecall.com
The Rocky Mountain Chapter of CAI reminds its members that the U. S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Central Sprinkler
announced two years ago a nationwide recall of approximately 8.4
million Omega brand fire sprinklers manufactured since 1982 by
Central Sprinkler Corp. and its subsidiary, Central Sprinkler Co. of
Lansdale, Pa. Even with the nationwide recall, Omega brand fire
sprinklers are still being found in some buildings. A number of
these sprinklers were installed in Castle Pines Village homes.
CPSC received reports of Omega sprinklers not
functioning in 17 fires. At least four persons suffered
injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation. Over $4.3
million in property damage has been reported. In some cases,
the sprinkler directly above the fire failed to operate.
Most Omega models have three flat round metal
disks stacked one above the other with a small space between
each disk. Central Sprinkler urges people not to attempt to
unscrew the sprinkler or shut down their sprinkler system to
determine is they have Omegas. Central Sprinkler Co. will
send consumers a packet of information to help them identify
the sprinklers involved. For more information, call Omega
Sprinkler at (800)896-5685.
Since Omega may not operate in a fire, CPSC
points out that it is particularly important that there be
at least one fully operational smoke detector on every
floor. To ensure that the detector’s batteries are working,
test the detector on a regular basis and have a well-defined
and rehearsed escape plan and an alternate escape plan in
the event of a fire. A free copy of “Your Home Fire Safety
Checklist” is available from the U. S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Washington, D. C. 20207.
From CAI Rocky Mountain Chapter Common
Interests February 2001
Some
hand-held Fire Extinguishers recalled.
get
details.
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