Shortly after publishing our most recent post titled Mount That Right Here, the electrician was fired due to his shoddy workmanship. Fortunately for him, he was quickly able to find a new job as a pipe fitter for a local gas company. We recently caught up with him on his first installation of a commercial gas meter…
None of the above is true; it just seemed like a fun way to introduce this similarly disturbing set-up. FADO Scott Taylor from Anne Arundel County (MD) sent in this photo of a gas meter he spotted at a local shopping center. In this situation, the door was no longer required (or marked as) a fire exit but was still visible from the inside. It just goes to show you that never know what you will find out there.
Hey, does anyone have the phone number to either of these professionals, I am looking for some help with a remodel….NOT!
On a serious note I think part of the issue here is these tradesmen and the businesses who hire them do not think like a firefighter. It is up to us to not only pre-plan our area, but to also to educate the people in it. Perhaps a little education would remedy some future problems (then again it might not).
i think the real issue that is going on here is that these people are looking for the “cheaper way out” and not thinking of what it might effect. And i think that we all are seeing this when we look at the construction that is going on in our areas. As we look at these images we all need to realize that there are people out there that are only in it for the money and do not care how it gets done. If they can save a penny they will.
truckman38,
You make a good point, but I dont think it would do a bit of difference. You’re absolutely right, people dont think like firemen. People dont think they’ll ever have fire and don’t really give a sh*t about our safety. We harp on people to get smoke detectors and they wont even do that for their OWN safety. Another little fun story, we have fire alarms occasionally at a “women’s shelter.” I basically lectured the director about the resident not evacuating for the alarm. She didnt share my views that this was an issue because “the building’s sprinklered.” Which brings me to my original point, PEOPLE ARE F@$KING STUPID!
Funny thing is why do inspections departments let this crap happen. I’m pretty sure when the gas meter was installed somebody probably inspected the job and signed off on it. But I agree contractors will do whatever they can to save a buck in these tough economic times. Just to bad that it’s at the fire departments safety expense!!!!!
Craziness….or should I say laziness? Could a couple of pipe elbows or a couple more feet of conduit really have been that much of a hardship on the ol’ wallet?! I think DMAN hit it on the head. I think it was Confucius who said “you can’t fix stupid, you can only deal with the effects.” (Or maybe it was something about a turnstyle and Bangkok…)
Anyway, glad to hear the crew relied on good pre-planning and not the inspection dept. (ours got cut last year, now business are going to be given a “safety survey” to fill out on the honor system).
It looks like this door is tack welded shut. If it is pehaps the interior of this door is covered over never to be seen. It would be nice to see the interior so we could have a full view of whats going on here, maybe there is a piece furniture or shelving in front of the door!
dont go cutting on that door you will blow the place up if it has not yet
It’s amazing we survive as a species.
Why does a shopping center have cryogenics?
The large stainless steel dewar seems out of place.
We don’t see them often outside of industrial settings.
Just trying to understand different hazards.
This large volume of inert gas indicates the possibility of having an oxygen deficient space in the structure.
Dave, it’s probably not used for cryogenics. That’s also how many resteraunts store the CO2 needed for the soft drink system.
Man O man, this is a TIC disaster from an interior attack point of view if you need a fast way out and havnt yet preplanned this structure in your 1st due. This is good find!! Stay safe! PTB-EGH
Excellent find! We have so many disturbing set ups here in our district. Thanks for sharing!
This reminds me of the difference between the service you get at UPS or Fedex and at a US post office. Why is the service at a post office so bad in comparison? That’s right, because they don’t answer to their customers.
Don’t forget that whoever did that is cutting corners because he’s running a business, you know, where money is made and taxes are paid so you can get that paycheck?
I understand the issue of safety, but you guys sound like a bunch of bitter postal workers. Just because you don’t answer to your “customers” directly doesn’t make it alright to bad mouth them. Don’t forget people are out there trying to run a business and hopefully make a profit.
And you can ask me what I care about more, your safety or putting food on my table. If it’s too dangerous being a firefighter, you can quit. If I can’t make my business successful, what am I supposed to do, become a firefighter?
Come on…Really? I doubt that 4 more feet of pipe and one elbow are gonna put a dent in this guy’s profit margin.
^Case in point. As if DMAN and Nate need any more evidence to convince us that people are idiots. Thanks Thomas
Even if the door is not marked as an exit, gotta notify command and have him call the gas company to shut off the gas (in nassau county ny its 27G) people are gonna see that door and go to it for means of egress, and then wont get out.. not only that but if the worst happens firefighters down or trapped… out of air… found victum… too hot… anything they will also see tht door and go for it and not be able to get out. make sure the gas is off before you do it!
ohh forgot the most important put in that whole comment! after command shuts off the gas cut the damn thing off!