Fire Protection: Systems and Response

Paperback, xv + 295 pages, numerous b&w images in text, NOT ex-library. Little minor wear, book is clean and bright with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps, firmly bound. Straight uncreased spine. -- The book delivers a comprehensive, practitioner-oriented survey of active fire protection systems and their importance for emergency responders. Addressing modern fire service challenges, Burke emphasizes that firefighters now confront diverse emergency types - ranging from alarm activations to elevator rescues and medical incidents - not just traditional structural fires. The text aims to bridge the technical knowledge gap between design and field operations by equipping responders with insight into the workings, applications, and code-based regulation of key life-safety systems. The volume is logically structured into ten main chapters, beginning with an historical overview of fire prevention codes and standards, drill procedures, evacuation tactics, and a clear introduction to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other model building codes (Ch. 1). This foundation supports later discussions by contextualizing why these systems exist and how compliance oversight aligns with firefighter responsibilities. Chapters 2 through 4 systematically examine responders' interfaces with fire-protection infrastructure. Chapter 2 ('Arriving on Scene') covers hydrants, fire-department connections (FDCs), annunciator panels, rescue assistance zones, and command center operations. Chapter 3 ('Fire Alarm Systems') details system types, detection devices (e.g., smoke, heat, duct, flame detectors, CO monitors), notification appliances, firefighter communication/retransmission mechanisms, false-alarm mitigation, and panel interpretation. Chapter 4 ('Suppression Systems') explores sprinkler systems, pump and piping configurations, specialized systems (e.g., clean agents, wet-chemical, foam), and includes practical myth-busting sections tailored to field operations. Further coverage includes standpipes and water supply infrastructure (Ch. 5), portable extinguishers chemistry and classification (Ch. 6), and a detailed, largely unique chapter on elevators and controls (Ch. 7). The latter encompasses elevator nomenclature, machine-room equipment, fire-service recall functions, emergency power systems, battery-lowering units, firefighting rescue procedures, door restrictor controversies, and power-disconnect protocols - a notable inclusion often omitted in standard fire-protection texts. Chapters 8 and 9 explore critical auxiliary systems including standby power generators, emergency lighting, HVAC-based smoke control, smoke and fire dampers, stair pressurization, and special equipment (e.g., NMR/MRI, high-pressure steam systems). Finally, Chapter 10 focuses on inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements for all systems, referencing NFPA standards such as NFPA 25 (water-based systems), NFPA 20 (pumps), and NFPA 70 (electrical), ensuring responders understand their routine operational responsibilities. Burke's credentials reinforce the book's practical authority: with over 28 years in emergency services - spanning fire chief duties, deputy state fire marshal, hazardous‑materials consulting, and university fire-marshal roles - he brings real-world experience and CFPS certification to the discussion. In sum, Fire Protection: Systems and Response excels in delivering a unified, clearly written, and technically rich resource. By synthesising design rationale, code compliance, operational interactions, and maintenance protocols into a single text, it enables responders to anticipate, utilize, and troubleshoot complex life-safety systems across diverse operational scenarios. Its inclusion of elevator operations, fire command centers, emergency power, and HVAC/smoke-control systems distinguishes it from other fire-protection references, making it an invaluable tool for responders seeking to enhance on-scene efficiency and safety.…