Public appearances promote building safety
Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008
The Fayetteville Farmers'Market will feature a building safety booth this weekend to raise public awareness.
"We'll have some staff on-hand to meet and greet people and answer any questions they may have," said Steve Cattaneo, Fayetteville building safety director. "The purpose is to raise public awareness about the issues that affect us in our everyday lives."
Cattaneo said the public appearance Saturday will wind down a series of events recognizing Building Safety Awareness Week, which started Monday and ends Sunday. Building safety staff will distribute brochures about building permits, flood cleanup, mold prevention, green building and preparing for natural disasters. The public is encouraged to participate and learn about the safety work of the Building Safety Division.
"During the week, we try to think about those things people take for granted ever y day like electricity, safe drinking water and sanitation," Cattaneo said. "We don't have to worry about our buildings collapsing. This is just a chance for us to recognize the safety people and designers who keep up with our infrastructure."
Building Safety Division staff also attended Springfest this year, along with the Northwest Arkansas Housing Fair, in hopes of educating the public about structural soundness, fire prevention and suppression systems, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy and sustainability issues.
The theme for the events this year is "Building Safety: Where You Live, Work and Play."
Cattaneo alluded to a recent fire in Bentonville as a reminder that building safety requires the diligence not only of professionals but also building occupants.
Kristan Frazier, 13; Kimberly Frazier, 11; Katelyn Mahmens, 9; Kaila Frazier, 8; and Kiya Frazier, 5; died March 25 in a fire at their home, 402 B St. S. W.
According to an article published March 27 in the Benton County Daily Record, the children's parents escaped the home after a smoke detector woke them. A space heater found in the upstairs area was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. Firefighters found the remnants of a smoke detector upstairs but did not find any batteries.
"In light of the Bentonville tragedy, we want to remind people that we all have to take personal responsibility," Cattaneo said. "We have to make sure to put all the things in a building that make it safe."
Cattaneo reminded residents of many everyday safety features often taken for granted, such as: steps, stairways and handrails; exit doors and windows; pools and spas; gas, plumbing, electrical and appliance safety features; fire suppression systems; and most importantly smoke and fire alarm systems.
These systems are verified during the permitting and inspection process, he said, which is why obtaining permits for such work is important. To learn the permit requirements in Fayetteville, contact the Building Safety Division at 575-8233.
The city of Fayetteville is a member of the International Code Council. The sponsor of Building Safety Week, the council develops the most widely used building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation.
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