Hartford Hospital Fire Documentary

This documentary remembers the 1961 fire that tore through the 9th floor of Hartford Hospital, killing 16. The Connecticut tragedy would have an impact nationwide, changing hospital, educational and hotel construction forever. It serves as a sober reminder of the importance of both active and passive fire protection conditions.

UL/IFC Firestop Video

See below for a video by UL & IFC that gives a great overview of firestopping:

India Hospital Fire Lacks Proper Firestopping

The December fire at the AMRI Hospital in India, which claimed 93 lives, did not have the proper fire stop systems in place, investigators say. The building did not have veritical firestop in place which could have prevented the spread of smoke from the basement of the building to other floors. This tragic event reminds us of the importance of all forms of Life Safety, including passive fire protection (firestopping, fire dampers, fire doors, photoluminecensce).

See below for more information on the preliminary investigations:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2717089.ece

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_week-after-amri-fire-anger-still-not-doused_1626688

For hospitals in particular, it is extremely important that all firestopping is installed correctly and proactively maintained. Gleeson Powers, Inc. has been working in healthcare for the last twenty years, and has developed a Fire Barrier Management Program specifically for hospitals. We take a proactive approach to passive fire protection so that facility managers can enter Joint Commission audits with confidence, but also so that in the case of a fire, fire and smoke can be contained to a single area, reducing the threat to life.

Recent fire at hospital in the Bronx

See below for an article about a recent fire at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx last month.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/fire-prompts-limited-evacuation-at-bronx-hospital/

This is a reminder of the importance of not only an effective exit procedure, but also of making sure your passive fire protection is up to date and in compliance. Effective compartmentation of a hospital is essential to fire safety - this includes inspecting fire doors and fire and smoke dampers, implementing an above ceiling permit process for firestopping, and having an effective fire barrier management system in place for compliance management.

See our website, www.gleesonpowers.com for more information on our passive fire protection services.

Speaker Line up for November Seminar!

We are happy to announce a great line up of speakers for our Fall seminar in Foxwoods. The seminar will be a full day event, with a variety of topics pertaining to life safety in the healthcare environment. The seminar will be held on November 15th, 2011. More information can be found at: http://www.gleesonpowers.com/about-us/seminars/. We hope you can join us!

Putting the "M" in DIIM

Take a look at the article written by Aideen Gleeson, Director of Business Operations at Gleeson Powers, published in the Spring issue of the Life Safety Digest! The article discusses the Design, Install, Inspection and Maintain/Manage (DIIM) approach to firestop contracting, and the need for an effective fire barrier management plan. It also provides an overview of popular documentation methods for proper management.

Read the article here.

Learn more about Gleeson Powers' innovative Fire Barrier Management Plan.

Learn more about The Life Safety Tracker System, a customized electronic documentation program.

Gleeson Powers Employee Completes Certified Healthcare Constructor Program

Gleeson Powers is proud to announce that Gus Mancini, lead Hospital Project Manager at Gleeson Powers, has recently become a Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) Certificate holder. This elite program is offered through the American Hospital Association (AHA). As described by AHA, "CHC is a premier credential based on a sound assessment that provides distinction in an increasingly competitive marketplace".

The program is made up of three components, designed to blend experience and education, including healthcare experience and education requirements, a 115 item certification examination, and a renewal requirement that includes a re-examination and/or continuing education units.

Gus has been with Gleeson Powers for six year, and leads our healthcare division. He has been instrumental to the development of the Life Safety Tracker System, our customized documentation and tracking software for our Fire Barrier Management services. Gus is also a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) for both the UL Qualifed Firestop Contractor program and the FM Approved Firestop Contractor Program. In 2010, he became a DHI Certified and Intertek Certified Fire Door Inspector after completing the Door and Hardware Institute's Fire Door Assembly Inspection Program (FDAI) and examination.

Gus's latest achievement is another example of Gleeson Powers' commitment to providing the highest quality passive fire protection services to our customers.