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Covered
bridges present two fire protection problems that
are quite frequently overlooked in the community or
township where they exist. One is the protection of
life and property transported by vehicles traveling
on the structure, and the other is the protection of
the permanent installation and property located near
the bridge. Protection to life must in all cases
merit primary consideration, while protection to the
bridge becomes of major importance by reason of its
vital need to the community.
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Protection for people and property
transported by vehicles is somewhat more complicated
in that the location of emergencies generally cannot
be determined, that is, they may occur at any point
or simultaneously at several points along the course
of the bridge. Fire emergencies may range from
incipient fire in passenger vehicles to major
accidents involving loaded buses, and trucks
carrying hazardous materials. Heavy traffic, adverse
weather conditions, lightning ignitions, night
usage, and vandalism aggravate the problem.
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The early construction techniques of
covered bridges over time have withstood the ravages
of travel and weather, particularly in New England
environments. Most existing structures that may have
been built since the late 1800's have become highly
incendiary devices when exposed to the despoils of
fire. The loss of these great structures is almost
incalculable in terms of their historical value.
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A number of covered bridge fires
resulting in complete destruction over the past ten
years throughout New England, Eastern Pennsylvania,
Upper State New York, and Vermont may have been
partially, or completely saved if a means of early
detection of overheat or fire were installed. While
the detection of fires in these structures is of
primary importance, the transmission of alarms to a
local fire department is also necessary to insure
that the quickest response time to the fire is
accomplished. There is a system currently in use
that utilizes early warning linear heat detection
technology which is well suited for the sometimes
harsh environments that covered bridges must exist
in.
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The Protectowire Company, located in
Plymouth, Massachusetts, invented, patented, and
perfected linear heat detection technology and
associated components in 1938. For over 60 years,
the company has long been recognized for successful
design and applications of special hazard fire
detection and alarm systems and components. Many
users around the world consider Protectowire
products as the first line of defense for protecting
invaluable equipment and property from overheat and
fire. The protection of covered bridges is but one
of many special applications that have proven
successful using linear heat detection cable since
conventional types of fire and heat detectors are
unsuitable for this type of application and cannot
withstand the aggressive environments of outdoor
applications.
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A Typical early warning heat
and fire detection system utilizes a continuous loop
of fixed temperature heat detection cable which
responds to overheat and fire in the early ignition
stages before the combustion process can generate
smoke. |
The cable is
installed on a covered bridge by stringing along the
roof area at the peak, supporting joists at the
sides, handrail areas, under deck areas including
bolster beams and floor joists. Installation is
simplified by attaching the cable to the wooden
structure with stainless steel crown staples.
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Since the linear heat
detection cable will detect an overheat or fire
anywhere along it's entire length, it also is able
to pinpoint exactly where the overheat occurred and
accurately transmit this information and alarm to a
local fire alarm control panel located within the
bridge structure and in turn may be relayed to a
remote municipal location via digital dialer phone
lines. Generally, local alarm bells or horns are
sounded to alert nearby residents who may also
notify local authorities. The system is virtually
maintenance-free and only requires an annual check
to insure that the integrity of the monitoring loop
is assured.
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The State of New Hampshire,
Department of Transportation, has successfully
incorporated Protectowire early warning heat and
fire detection systems for the protection of a
number of State owned covered bridges. The Swift
River Covered Bridge owned by The Conway Historical
Society also has a Protectowire early warning heat
and fire detection system installed. Within the past
5 years, a over 30 historic covered bridges have had
these detection systems installed.
Partial List of
Protectowire Covered Bridge Installations.
New Hampshire
Cornish-Windsor Covered
Bridge Saco River Covered Bridge
Honeymoon Covered Bridge
Greenfield-Hancock Covered Bridge
Thomson Covered Bridge
Carlton Covered Bridge
Sawyers Crossing Covered Bridge
Slate Covered Bridge
Asheulot Covered Bridge
Coombs Covered Bridge
Durgin Covered Bridge
Rowells Covered Bridge
Corbin Covered Bridge
Bath-Haverill Covered Bridge
Switftwater Covered Bridge
Maryland
The Loy's Station Covered Bridges
Vermont
West Dummerston Covered Bridge
Haverhill Bath Covered Bridge
llinois
Wolf Covered Bridge
Canada - New Brunswick
Hartland Covered Bridge |
