Lastname, Firstname 2004-06-22 2004-06-22 2005-06-30 Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Safety and Buildings Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Safety and Buildings, Commerce, Safety and Buildings, Comm, Credentials, Certifications, Buildings Codes, Registrations, Construction, Public Safety, Licenses, Permits, License application forms, Trades, Administrative codes, Regulations, Statutes, Administrative rules, Cities, City, Towns, County, Counties, Municipal, Ordinances, Hygiene, Hazardous, Diseases, Design, Engineering, Continuing education, Audits, Grants, POWTS, Private wastewater treatment systems, Septic field, Septic tanks, Sewage treatment, Sewage disposal, Accessibility, Accessible, Disability, Disabilities, Clean air, Clean water, Air quality, Public sector employees, Applications, Plan review, State, Bureau of Program Development, Bureau of Field Operations, Bureau of Integrated Services, Environmental assessments, Environmental impact statement, Soil erosion, Drinking water, Appliances, Plumbing Products, Fire prevention and protection, Firefighter safety, Fire Sprinklers, Rental unit energy efficiency, Rental weatherization, Commercial buildings, Forms, Publications, Plumbing, Inspection, Inspectors, Consultants, Waste disposal, Historic buildings, Occupational and industrial safety, Occupational health, One and two family dwellings, Houses, Housing, Homes, Multifamily dwellings, Mine Safety, Mining, Mines, Open pits, Quarries, Blasters, Plumbers, Electricians, Boilers, Wastewater, Elevators, Lighting, Energy, Mobile homes, Manufactured homes, Welding, Structural systems, Gas systems, HVAC, Refrigeration, Public swimming pools, Wisconsin Fund, Explosives, Amusement rides and attractions, Tramways lifts and tows, Government facts figures and statistics Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Safety and Buildings, Commerce, Safety and Buildings, Building, Wisconsin, Safety, Construction, License. Safety and Buildings Wisconsin Building Codes Report, November 1999 Choose from this list or articles, or scroll down: 1. S&B WebSite addresses modified 2. Toss old plan review application forms 3. There are code differences related to venting of sealed combustion gas appliances 4. Burks returns as field operations director 5. Clarification on administrative permits 6. Overheated clothes dryers can cause fires 8. Effective December 1, 1999 there are new rules in the Elevator Code, Comm 18, and in affected sections of the Commercial Building Code, Comm 2, 51, 64 and 69 9. Just a bit of history - Elevators 10. The word bonfire ... 11. Sprinkler systems and flammable, combustible liquids are topics of February NFPA seminars 12. S&B west-central office moves to 4003 North Kinney Coulee Rd, Onalaska, 54601 13. Fire prevention code revisions adopted 14. Events Calendar 15. Material Approvals 16. Fire Loss in the United States - 1998 17. Certified Municipalities 18. Who to contact at the Safety and Buildings Division. 19. Subscription Requests   S&B WebSite addresses modified All of the Safety and Buildings Division Website page addresses were modified due to a reorganization of the Internet efforts of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, of which S&B is a part. Changing addresses broke any link, favorite, or bookmark attached from outside the site. The new address of the S&B main page is http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/COM/Com-Safety-and-Buildings.html. If you have questions about the S&B WebSite, contact Todd Taylor, Todd.Taylor@Wisconsin.gov, 608-267-3606.   Toss old plan review application forms Throw away old Safety and Buildings Division plan review application forms that you may have. Old forms have wrong addresses, and wrong fees, and ask the wrong questions. These are the current form numbers and their revision dates; these are the ones you want:
• SBD-1 18 (R.4/99) Buildings, HVAC, and Components • SBD-10577 (R.2/99) POWTS • SBD-6154 (R.10/98) General Plumbing • SBD-9808 (R.4/99) Public Swimming Pools • SBD-22 (R. 10/98) Elevator, Escalator, and Related Transportation
If you need new application forms, contact any of the Safety and Buildings offices listed in "Who to contact at Safety and Buildings Division." The forms can be emailed to you. Also, the forms are available on the S&B WebSite at http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-Forms.html. Something relatively new on the WebSite is a document showing the earliest available plan review dates in each S&B office: http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DailyDoc.html. Choose this image to go back to the top.   There are code differences related to venting of sealed combustion gas appliances By Randy Dahmen, S&B HVAC code consultant, 608-266-3162, rdahmen@commerce.state.wi.us "... since the appliance no longer meets code requirements for a direct vent sealed combustion appliance, a one-hour fire-resistive enclosure is required around the unit in commercial buildings ..." State inspectors have recently reported several cases of sealed combustion direct vent appliances that were not installed correctly. Gas heating appliances that are direct vent sealed combustion units have a note in the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) directory that states "direct venting including venting and combustion air systems." Appliances are typically listed by GAMA. The note indicates the unit requires installation of two pipes in order to meet GAMA and American Gas Association (AGA) listing requirements. The two pipes would consist of an air intake pipe and an exhaust pipe leading from the heating appliance to the exterior of the building. As you probably already know, manufacturers have created a single pipe with two pipe spaces. This is an acceptable means of field assembly eliminates the need for creating two holes leading to the exterior of the building. The same heating unit could also be listed as "can be installed as non-direct vent." This indicates that only one pipe, the exhaust pipe, is required to be installed. The owner, designer, and contractor who install such a system are reminded that since the appliance no longer meets code requirements for a direct vent sealed combustion appliance, a one-hour fire-resistive enclosure is required around the unit in commercial buildings per Comm Table 51.08-2, footnote 1. In addition, combustion air may be required per Comm 64.09. Instead of constructing the one-hour fire-resistive enclosure and adding combustion air, the appliance installer could simply install the required air intake pipe so as to make the appliance a direct vent sealed combustion unit. In general, direct vent, sealed combustion units have an internal set of pressure switches that measure pressure associated with the air intake and the exhaust pipes. If the pressure is not acceptable, the unit will not operate. Many, but not all, direct vent sealed combustion units are designed by manufacturers to operate in this way, in order to minimize the possibility of liability. Those heating units that are installed as non-direct vent may not have any switch, or if they do have a pressure switch, it can be deactivated. If there is a question about needing both the intake and the exhaust pipe, the footnotes in the GAMA appliance directory would be one source used for listing allowances. The manufacturer's installation manual, which is typically created based on the appliance listing, would be another source. At this point in time, there are several manufacturers that have their furnaces approved for "direct vent, sealed combustion" as well as "non-direct vent," using the same model number. Designers who designate heating units on HVAC plans, and contractors who install heating units should communicate with one another to ensure a listing has not been violated, or whether a one-hour rated room enclosure is required. Designers are reminded that HVAC plans should clearly indicate if the appliance to be installed is a direct vent sealed combustion unit.   Burks returns as field operations director He changed his mind. The WBCR reported last month that Ben Burks had resigned as Director of the Bureau of Field Operations to take a job on the east coast (of the U.S., not of Wisconsin). He changed his mind. He's back as BFO director; bburks@commerce.state.wi.us, 608-267-0056. Randy Baldwin has turned around from being acting BFO director to his position as Bureau of Integrated Services director. Robin Zenter, who was acting BIS director, is back at his BIS section chief position. Choose this image to go back to the top.   Clarification on administrative permits n the September 1999 WBCR there was an article discussing the relationship of pulling building permits and the need for Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility certification. An example given, based in "Our Town," Wisconsin, mentioned a room and deck addition. The explanation said that if "Our Town" does not voluntarily enforce the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, a contractor would still need to file administrative permit information. That's not true in the case of alterations and additions. If the UDC is not being voluntarily enforced by a municipality of under 2,500 people, submittal of administrative permit information is needed for new dwellings, but not for additions and alterations. If you have questions, contact Safety and Buildings Division staff members Tom Kasper, 608-267-7586, tkasper@commerce.state.wi.us, or Leroy Stublaski, 608-267-5113, lstublaski@commerce.state.wi.us.   Overheated clothes dryers can cause fires The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that approximately 14,000 clothes dryer-related fires occur each year. Some of these fires may occur when lint builds up in the filter or in the exhaust duct. Under certain conditions, when lint blocks the flow of air, excessive heat buildup may cause a fire in some dryers. To prevent clothes dryer-caused fires: * Clean the lint filter regularly and make sure the dryer is operating properly. Clean the filter after each load of clothes. While the dryer is operating, check the outside exhaust to make sure exhaust air is escaping normally. If it is not, look inside both ends of the duct and remove any lint. If there are signs that the dryer is hotter than normal, it may be a sign that the dryer's temperature control thermostat needs servicing. * Check the exhaust duct more often if you have a plastic, flexible duct. This type of duct is more likely to trap lint than ducting without ridges. * Closely follow the manufacturer's instructions for new installations. Most manufacturers that get their clothes dryers approved by Underwriters Laboratories specify the use of metal exhaust ducts. If metal ducts are not available at the retailer where the dryer was purchased, check other locations, such as hardware or builder supply stores. If you are having the dryer installed, insist upon metal ducts unless the installer has verified that the manufacturer permits the use of plastic ducts. Credentialing Unit, 608-261-8500, madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us Choose this image to go back to the top.   Effective December 1, 1999 there are new rules in the Elevator Code, Comm 18, and in affected sections of the Commercial Building Code, Comm 2, 51, 64 and 69 This is only a partial summary of changes. Interested parties should obtain, read, and apply the printed code language. The codes are available for purchase from Document Sales, 608-266-3358 or for credit card purchases, 800-362-7253. The copies of codes are also on the Revisor of Statutes' website for review or downloading, www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/comm/ . Those codes are in PDF (Portable Data Format) that require an Adobe Reader to view, software that is available free from the Adobe website. You also may view an draft version of Comm 18 changes (plus other affected codes) on the Safety and Buildings WebSite. For more information on the changes, contact any of the elevator inspectors listed on on the Elevators Program districts map, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-ElevatorInspectors.html. - New Requirement: Adopts by reference the 1996 edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. [Comm 18.14] Previous Requirement: Adopted by reference the 1990 edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. - New Requirement: Adopts in elevator code, by cross-reference to Comm 51.25, NFPA 72-1996 Fire Alarm Code. [Comm 18.14] Previous Requirement: Adopted NFPA 72-1993. - New Requirement: Requires owners to notify the Department within 48 hours of any accident resulting in injury to a person who requires immediate medical attention. [Comm 18.08 (2)] Previous Requirement: No requirement. - New Requirement: Reorganizes and adds some plan submittal requirements. [Comm 18.09] The term "permit to operate" replaces "certificate of operation." [Comm 2.15, Comm 18.09 and Comm 18.12] Previous Requirement: The term "certificate of operation" was used. - New Requirement: Includes definitions for the terms "healthcare facility" and "medical clinic." [Comm 18.18(2) d) and (e)] Previous Requirement: These terms were not defined. - New Requirement: Adds specific language stating that access to other equipment spaces cannot pass through the elevator machine room. [Comm 18.20(3)] Previous Requirement: This requirement was implied in the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators handbook. - New Requirement: Since the 24 inches of refuge space at the top and bottom of an elevator car is now covered in the ASME A17.1 standard, it has been removed from Comm 18. [Comm 18.24] Previous Requirement: Specifically stated refuge spaces be provided. - New Requirement: Requires the refuge space specified in the ASME A17.1 standard to be outlined and identified with a sign. [Comm 18.24(1)] Previous Requirement: No outline and signage requirement. - New Requirement: The new code will still require drains and/or sumps w/pumps complying with Comm 82.33 and Comm 82.36 be provided in elevator pits in new construction. [Comm 18.23] *There is still no prohibition against locating the pump in the elevator pit. Be reminded that if the pump is located in the pit that additional precautionary measures by authorized personnel will have to be taken when servicing the pump. These procedures that MUST be followed are the appropriate lockout/tagout and confined space entry procedures required by OSHA regulations. If you are not familiar with those OSHA standards, contact your area OSHA office. Previous Requirement: In new construction, all elevator pits required a drain or a sump. The drains or sumps provided had to comply with Comm 82.33(9) and 82.36(11). - New Requirement: Side emergency exits are allowed. [A17.1 Rule 204.1j, adopted in Comm 18.14] Previous Requirement: Side emergency exits were not permitted. [Comm 18.27(2)] - New Requirement: Permits as an alternative to the 12-inch pit depth the clearance method provided in ASME A17.1 2500.8b relating to limited-use limited-access elevators. [Comm 18.361 (2)] Previous Requirement: Required at least a 12-inch pit depth. - New Requirement: Permits as an alternative to the 24-inch overhead clearance the clearance method provided in ASME A17.1 2500.8d relating to limited-use limited-access elevators. [Comm 18.361 (3)] Previous Requirement: Required minimum overhead clearance of at least 24 inches. - New Requirement: Creates for clarity separate sections relating to accessibility for Part 5 elevators, Part 20 lifts, and Part 25 limited-use, limited-application elevators. [Comm 18.41, 18.74, 18.755 and 18.88 and references to Comm 69] Previous Requirement: Accessibility requirements were interspersed throughout Comm 18 and Comm 69. - New Requirement: Allows/requires the use of bumper supports instead of buffers for residential elevators providing they comply with A17.1 2501.2. [Comm 18.364] Previous Requirement: Did not allow the omission of buffers. [Comm 18.364] - New Requirement: Requires hand dumbwaiters to comply with Comm 18 and A17.1 Part 7. [Comm 18.43] Previous Requirement: The scope of Comm 18.42 [A17.1 Part 7] was limited to power dumbwaiters. - New Requirement: Reorganizes inspection requirements to modify the A17.1 Part 10 standards. [Comm 18.48 to Comm 18.59] Previous Requirement: Inspection requirements were located in Comm 18.10. - New Requirement: Modifies vision panel requirements for vertical platform lifts. [Comm 18.69(1)(b)2 ] Previous Requirement: Required a vision panel be provided in a hoistway door and designed in accordance with rule 110.7a and 110.7b. [Comm 18.69(2)(d)] - New Requirement: Modifies running clearance requirements for vertical platform lifts at door/gate/glazing insets. [Comm 18.69(1)(c)] Previous Requirement: Requires running clearance of 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch between platform and entrance and exit sides. [Comm 18.69(5)] - New Requirement: Permits the use of a side entrance to a vertical platform lift. The platform size shall be at least 39 inches in width and at least 60 inches in length. The door shall be at least 42 inches in width and automatic. Maneuverability space at the door shall comply with Comm 69, ADAAG 4.13, and Figure 30. [Comm 18.69(4)] Previous Requirement: Side entrance not permitted. [Comm 18.70(1)] - New Requirement: Reduces the minimum overhead clearance for inclined platform lifts and stairway chairlifts from 6'-8" to 5' along the inclined portions of stairs. [Comm 18.80(2)(b)2.] Previous Requirement: Minimum overhead clearance was 6'-8". [Comm 18.76(3)] - New Requirement: Allows the mounting height of the hall call button for elevators and other mechanical lifting devices to be located between 35 inches and 48 inches above the floor. [Comm 69.275(2)] Previous Requirement: Required hall call buttons be mounted at a centerline height of 42 inches. [Comm 69 {ADAAG 4.10.3}] - New Requirement: Eliminates the Wisconsin requirements relating to Department staff witnessing drop tests. Note: This alleviates the need to have the Department witness the drop test, but sufficient test data for the safeties and governors must be submitted to the Department for review and approval showing conformance with Comm 18/A17.1 prior to, or at the time of, plan submission. Previous Requirement: Required the Department to witness drop tests for new car safeties. [Comm 18.28(1)] - New Requirement: Eliminates the Wisconsin requirements relating to prohibition of an in-car stop switch. Previous Requirement: Prohibited the installation of an in-car stop switch in a passenger elevator. [Comm 18.30(4)(a)] - New Requirement: Eliminates the Wisconsin requirements relating to provision of a separate pumping unit for collection of oils. Previous Requirement: Required a separate pumping unit that automatically collected oil. [Comm 18.33(1)] - New Requirement: Modifies headroom height requirements for Limited-Use Limited -Application elevator machine rooms and adds a note to Comm 51.164 stating that the Comm 18 headroom requirement is 84 inches for elevator machine rooms and 78 inches for Limited-Use Limited -Application elevator machine rooms. [Comm 18.85(2)] Previous Requirement: Required headroom of at least 84 inches. [A17.1 Rule 101.4] - New Requirement: Adds footnote 10 to Table Comm 64.05 stating that the designer should also refer to . Comm 18, ASME A17.1 101.5b and Comm 64.18(1) for machine room ventilation requirements. Previous Requirement: The notes and references were not in the building code, only in commentary text. - New Requirement: Adds a note to Comm 69.29(1) stating that the designer should also refer to Comm 18.41 and 18.74 for maneuvering clearances at A17.1 Part 5 elevators and A17.1 Part 20 wheelchair lifts. The maneuvering space provided will determine whether power operating or non-power operating doors are required. Previous Requirement: Power operated entrance doors were required if the maneuvering space as required per this section was not provided. [Comm 18.362(3)(b) and Comm 18.69(2)(a)] Choose this image to go back to the top.   Just a bit of history - Elevators From ancient times through the Middle Ages, and into the 13th century, man or animal power was the driving force behind hoisting devices. By 1850 steam and hydraulic elevators had been introduced, but it was in 1852 that the landmark event in elevator history occurred: the invention of the world's first safety elevator by Elisha Graves Otis. The first passenger elevator was installed by Otis in New York in 1857.   The word bonfire ... The word bonfire comes from an ancient European summer ritual of unknown significance in which animal bones were burned - bonefire. In the Middle ages it was associated with burning of saint-bone relics. Later, the term was bonfire was associated with funerary rites and the burning of subversive books. Eventually, bonfire came to mean any controlled, open-are blaze used to disperse debris.   Sprinkler systems and flammable, combustible liquids are topics of February NFPA seminars The National Fire Protection Association and the Safety and Buildings Division are teaming up to provide NFPA 13 and NFPA 30 classes in Madison and Wausau in February 2000. One class will be on the 1999 edition of NFPA 13, the standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and the other will be on the 1996 edition of NFPA 30, the Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. Both standards are proposed for adoption in the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, Comm 50-64. The $40 registration fee for the 8-hour seminar includes a copy of the NFPA standard; a seminar workbook; breaks and lunch. The NFPA 13 seminars will be in Madison on February 8, and in Wausau on February 10, 2000. The NFPA 30 seminars will be in Madison on February 23, and Wausau on February 24, 2000. Space is limited to the first 100 code officials who submit a completed application form with the required registration fee. A confirmation and an agenda will be mailed to all registered applicants. These seminars are tailored to code enforcement officials, including both state, and municipal employees. Only designated fire chiefs, fire inspectors, commercial building inspectors, or plan reviewers may attend these seminars. Attendance provides eight hours of continuing education credit for each session for commercial building inspectors. Applications were printed on pages 11 and 12 of the September WBCR (206 KB). ( That PDF version needs Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing. Adobe Reader is a free download). The applications are also on the S&B Fire Safety Program WebSite education page, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-FireSafety ProgramEducation.html. Copies can also be obtained by contacting Yvonne Faga, 608-261-7739, yfaga@commerce.state.wi.us. S&B west-central office moves to 4003 North Kinney Coulee Rd, Onalaska, 54601 Choose this image to go back to the top.   Fire prevention code revisions adopted By John Lippitt, S&B Fire Safety Program Manager, 608-266-1036, jlippitt@commerce.state.wi.us On November 1, 1999, Comm 14.025 the new state Fire Prevention Code became effective, specifying the process for entitlement to a payment from the fire dues fund. Let me point out some of the highlights. As in the past, Comm 14.025(1)(a)1 requires that to be eligible to receive a fire dues payment, a municipality shall ensure the fire protection and fire prevention services specified in statutes are provided to the entire municipality. Except for the City of Milwaukee, the required fire protection and fire prevention services shall be provided by a fire department. Fire departments are directed to provide training as specified in either Comm 30 for public fire departments, or OSHA 29 CFR 1910.156 for private departments. The new code defines fire department to be a municipal fire department, public safety department, or public or private organization, such as a fire association, fire district, fire company or fire corporation, organized or created for the purpose of extinguishing fires and preventing fire hazards. The definition, based upon all of the different options in the statutes for the structure, organization, and purpose of a fire department, is used in the fire dues process to describe who must provide fire protection and fire prevention services to a municipality. This is important because some fire chiefs and fire departments thought they were not required to provide fire prevention inspections and public fire education within their territory, as they are not a municipal fire department. This is not the case, they were mistaken; the law does apply to private fire organizations. Now the state code clarifies the requirements of the state law. New exceptions were added to the code, and some existing exceptions were reworded for clarification, to allow fire departments to inspect specific premises once per calendar rather than twice. The list of exceptions includes: 1. Non-occupied utility facilities, such as a water well facility, electric power substation, or communication facility; 2. Mini-storage buildings - if interior access to mini-storage buildings cannot be obtained, an exterior inspection shall be conducted; 3. Vacant buildings - if interior access to vacant buildings cannot be obtained, an exterior inspection shall be conducted; 4. Confined spaces - an area that is identified by a sign as a permit-required confined space need not be internally inspected, but an exterior inspection shall be conducted; 5. Townhouses, rowhouses, residential condominiums and apartments with no common use areas - an exterior inspection of these occupancies shall be conducted; 6. Fully-sprinklered office buildings up to 60 feet in height; 7. Fully-sprinklered residential condominiums and apartments, if less than three stories in height; 8. Fully-sprinklered townhouses and rowhouses, if less than four stories in height. A note was added to explain what was meant by fully-sprinklered. Note: Fully-sprinklered buildings are protected throughout by an automatic fire sprinkler system as specified in NFPA 13 or 13R, as adopted by reference in chs. Comm 50 to 64. The list above is not all of the exceptions now found in Comm 14; the list reflects additions or revisions to the code. By expanding the list of exceptions, the new rule allows the fire chief to use more discretion to allocate the fire prevention inspection resources. Meaning, the fire chief may decide to inspect high-hazard or high-risk premises more often, rather than have regulations mandating the inspection of low-hazard or low-risk premises twice per year. Language was added to the code to give fire chiefs guidance when preparing a request for a special order for a municipality. The Safety and Buildings Division may grant a special order when an equivalency is shown in the request. S&B will not be issuing any special orders that simply seek a waiver from the fire prevention inspection requirements specified in the code. Previously, Comm 14.04 required the fire department to record the date and location of the fire prevention inspections conducted, violations found, and corrective actions taken. This remains unchanged, but the rule now specifies that the required information specifically be recorded on the fire prevention inspection report. The code-specified deadline for fire departments to submit their required fire incident reports to S&B has been extended from January 15 to April 1 of each year. S&B continues to request that fire departments submit the fire incident reports monthly to help facilitate processing the information. A fire department that provides fire protection and fire prevention services to a municipality is now required to register with S&B. Annually, S&B will send all registered fire departments a fire department annual update form, which must be returned to S&B by July 1. The form will ask for information such as the number of public buildings and places of employment located within the fire department's territory, number of fire prevention inspections conducted in the previous calendar year, number of code violations found and corrected, and the names of the municipalities located within the department's territory. The revisions to Comm 14 will provide guidance to municipalities and fire departments to maintain compliance with the state regulations for fire department dues. I suggest that each fire chief obtain a copy of the rules to ensure their fire departments and the municipalities they serve remain entitled to receive their annual fire dues payment. Free copies of Comm 14, the Fire Prevention Code, are available on the Internet at: www.legis.state. wi.us/rsb/code/comm. Fire departments may order a free paper copy by submitting a request using the S&B Fire Safety Program Supplies Form, which is available from Patrick Pagel, 608-266-1818, plpagel@commerce.state.wi.us. Other interested individuals may purchase a paper copy from state Document Sales, 608-266-3358. Questions about Comm 14 may be directed to the S&B FIre Safety Consultants.   Events Calendar Contact the listed Code Consultant for information on the meetings agenda, locations, etc. If you have questions concerning technicalities of the codes which are the subjects of the meetings, contact consultants and reviewers listed in "Who to contact at the Safety and Buildings Division." Dec. 15, 1999, Wednesday, Plumbing Advisory Code Council, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.,WHEDA Building, Rm. 3B, 201 W Washington Ave., Madison, Jean MacCubbin, 608-266-0955, jmaccubbin@commerce.state.wi.us. Feb. 1, 2000, Tuesday, Automatic Fire Sprinkler Council, 9:30 a.m.,WHEDA Building, Rm. 4A, 201 W Washington Ave., Madison, Ron Acker, 608-267-7907, racker@commerce.state.wi.us. Feb. 2, 2000, Wednesday, Uniform Dwelling Code Council, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.,Wisconsin Builders Association, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, Duane Hubeler, 608-266-1390, dhubeler@commerce.state.wi.us. Feb. 3, 2000, Thursday, Fire Safety Code Council, 9 a.m. -2 p.m., WHEDA Building, Rm. 3B, 201 W Washington Ave., Madison, Duane Hubeler, Duane Hubeler, 608-266-1390, dhubeler@commerce.state.wi.us. Choose this image to go back to the top.   Material Approvals Per Comm 10.125, COMM 20.18, and Comm 50.19, the following have been issued material approvals in September and October, 1999.. The approvals are valid for a five-year period. Copies of the full approval are available from the Safety and Buildings Integrated Services Bureau, PO Box 2658, Madison, WI 53701-2658, mslusser@commerce.state.wi.us. Leak Detection System, 990012-U(Revised), Petro Vend, Inc., 6900 Santa Fe Drive, Hodgkins, IL 60525-9909. Foam Wall Insulation, 990054-I, Apache Products Co., 107 Service Road, Anderson, SC 29625. Duct Furnace, 990055-H, Modine Manufacturing Company, 1500 DeKoven Ave., Racine, WI 53403. Water Heaters, 990056-H, Triangle Tube, 1 Triangle Lane, Blackwood, NJ 08012. Mortar Cement, 990057-K, Lafarge Corporation, Ford Avenue, Alpena, MI 49707. Wall Surfacing Systems, 990058-I (Replaces 930029-I), Simplex Products Division, P.O.Box 10, Adrian, MI 49221. Modular Classroom, Model 2442-CR,990059-A, Markline Industries, Inc., S1687 CR 133, Bristol, IN 46502. Insulated Concrete Block, 990062-R(Replaces 930090-R), Winger Concrete Products, Inc., 6857 Highway 51 South Hazelhurst, WI 54531. Metal Connector Plates, 990063-N(Replaces 930031-N), Eagle Metal Products, P.O.Box 1267, Mabank, TX 75147. FRP Panels, 990064-L(Replaces 900014-L), Resolite, a United Dominion Company, Rt.19 North-P.O.Box 338, Zelienople, PA 16063   Fire Loss in the United States - 1998 Estimates* by the National Fire Protection Association + In 1998, public fire departments attended 1,755,500 fires in the United States, of which 517,500 occurred in structures, 381,000 occurred in vehicles, and 715,000 occurred in outside properties. Every 18 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the U.S. + In 1998, 4,035 civilians (non-firefighters) died in fires, a decrease of 0.4% from the previous year, and 3,220 of those deaths occurred in home fires, a decrease of 4.2%. About 80% of all U.S. fire deaths occurred in home fires. Nationwide, -there was a civilian fire death every 130 minutes. + In 1998, there were an estimated 23,100 civilian fire injuries, of which 16,800 occurred in homes. Nationwide, there was a civilian fire injury every 23 minutes. Smoking materials seem to be the leading cause of civilian deaths in the United States, accounting for roughly one-fourth of the total. + In 1998, United States fire departments responded to 1,956,000 false alarms. Of the total of false alarms, 851,000 are estimated to result from a system malfunction, 309,000 are malicious, and 569,000 unintentional. + In 1997, there were 1,079,050 firefighters in the United States, serving in 30,665 departments. Of these firefighters, 275,700 were career and 803,350 were volunteer. + All-career fire departments totaled 1,979 (or 6.4% of all departments) in 1997, protecting 42.1% of the population. Mostly-career departments totaled 1,490 (4.9% of all departments), protecting 16.5% of the population. Mostly-volunteer departments totaled 4,808 (15.7% of all departments), protecting 18.4% of the population. All-volunteer departments totaled 22,388 (73% of all departments), protecting 23% of the population. + In 1998, a total of 91 firefighters were fatally injured while on duty. Of these, 32 were career, 50 were volunteer, and 9 were non-municipal (those not employed by local, public fire departments). + In 1997, 85,400 firefighters were injured in the line of duty. Of those, 40,920 occurred on the fireground. Choose this image to go back to the top. Certified municipalities Who to contact at the Safety and Buildings Division   Subscription Requests Subscription requests and address changes can be sent to Material Orders, PO Box 2509, Madison, WI 53701. Fax 608-261-6699. Telephone 608-267-4405. Email phobbs@commerce.state.wi.us. Subscriptions to the Wisconsin Building Codes Report or the Wisconsin Plumbing Codes Report are $20 each, payable in advance to the Safety and Buildings Division for 12 monthly issues. Link to this page's manager, Todd Taylor, Todd.Taylor@Wisconsin.gov. Explanation of formats of files The Department of Safety and Professional Services Safety and Buildings Division is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. If you need assistance to access services or need material in an alternate format, please contact us, 608-266-3151, TTY 608-264-8777, or Todd.Taylor@Wisconsin.gov.