As I started to get my facts together to write this story, I checked the archives on NYARM's
Website, www.nyarm.org. I found a wealth of information about fire safety already on the site. In an attempt to
not be redundant I chose to select the field that I specialize in…cleaning. There are basically two areas dealing with cleaning that are overlooked by some and can lead to tragic fire losses.
DISASTERS
The New York Times reported on December 27, 1997 that 30 people were treated for smoke inhalation when a fire erupted in a trash compactor. The four-alarm fire caused heavy smoke engulfing the upper floors of the 42-story building.
THE WORST
The worst compactor fire yet in this area occurred on March 22, 1987 in Harlem's Schomburg Plaza.
The Daily News reported, "seven people died in the blaze that started in a clogged compactor chute
above the 20th floor."
On September 27, 2000 William Feehan, First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department, spoke at a NYARM membership meeting at Tavern on the Green. He confirmed
the Schomburg Plaza fire began in a compactor chute.
In a Daily News story of February 18, 2000 a blaze in an NYU dorm was attributed
to a compactor.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you think about what causes fires, it's amazing there aren't more compactor chute blazes. Grease and residue build up on the interior walls of the chutes. Building staff should be instructed to clean the hopper doors, but it takes a professional cleaning company to clean the chute from top to bottom. It could be said that mentioning a professional cleaning service is self-serving because we are one of the best chute cleaning companies in America. I assure you, there are others! And, I urge you to investigate having your compactor chutes cleaned, whether it is by us or one of our competitors for the safety of your residents and your properties.
DRYER VENTS
Another important fire safety tip concerns keeping dryer vents in laundry rooms clean. What do you think would happen if you did not clean the dryer's vent in your home machine? It is hard to understand why some buildings do not clean these vents. Lint is produced in the drying process and the buildup is a serious fire hazard. The dryer vents in laundry rooms and residential structures should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year!
DRYER VENTS
Another important fire safety tip concerns keeping dryer vents in laundry rooms clean. What do you think would happen if you did not clean the dryer's vent in your home machine? It is hard to understand why some buildings do not clean these vents. Lint is produced in the drying process and the buildup is a serious fire hazard. The dryer vents in laundry rooms and residential structures should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year!
FIRE SAFETY
For additional information about fire safety see the newspaper archives at nyarm.org.
October 2000 - Latest Fire Regulations
September 2000 - Could Managing Agents Be Held Liable For Fire Deaths
July 2000 - High Rise Residential Sprinkler Bill
March 2000 - New Fire Safety Plans
February 2000 - New Fire Rules
May 1999 - Don't Get Burned By The Fire Code
May 1999 - NYARM Fire Seminar
Steve Wolfson is President of Environmental Cleaning Systems, Inc. ECS provides a variety
of indoor environmental services, installs and maintains compactors, chutes and hopper doors. Steam America, another division of ECS, cleans carpets, upholstery and does graffiti removal.
Their national headquarters is in Valley Stream, New York with offices in Pennsylvania and New
Jersey.You can reach Steve at 1-888-Clearair (1-888 253-2724) or www.ecsclearair.com