This photo shows proof why it is so important to maintain a proper firewall in Structures

 I recently was sent to inspect a Hot Water Tank which was damaged by a fire in a duplex  in Beechview section of Pittsburgh

Now amazingly the Hot Water tank which got damaged was on the right side of duplex which despite the total destruction on left received no damage other than the tank which  overheated when water pressure dropped in the street due to fire  hydrants being opened during the fire sucking water out of the tank. 

Because a foot and a half firewall from basement to roof made of Fire resistant brick was installed and maintained the unit on right had no damage at all. 

This rarely happens usually units on either side receive significant water and smoke damage or actual fire damage but not in this case .

This just goes to show just how significant and important firewalls are in construction. 

Another case where a firewall stopped significant damage was in a commercial strip mall in Cranberry Twp Pa. along US19   when a Play it again sport resale shop went up in flames and owner eventually convicted of arson.

 

R-290 a new Propane Based Refrigerant coming on the market and having a very dangerous impact if not handled properly is another Coconut Grove Tragedy in the works

 Propane and other dangerous chemicals like Ammonia  have been used in industrial applications for many years .

But now they want to mainstream Propane use  everywhere   under the name R290 .

It requires specialized handling and tools  just the kit to do solderless connectors is $8000.00

https://refrigeranthq.com/r-290-propane-refrigerant-info-fact-sheet/

 

  This is being done to protect the environment  which it is not 

The old R12 and R 22 Freon's where perfectly safe but they claimed  they created an Ozone hole in the atmosphere which was a total lie. The truth is when you do a deep dive into the issue was that R12 and 22 where about to loose their patent protection and any one could make it with out paying royalty's.

So they blamed Freon on the ozone whole and the rest is history . Owe by the way that's right scientists discovered the hole opens and closes in cycles. 

So they  started coming out with new  more dangerous Freon's which used Benzene in there lubrication path and where not as efficient . in some cases they where even  poisonous .With absolutely no proof R12 and 22 was dangerous to the environment .

Some installations now will require the use of   fire protection sprinklers  because of the danger.

another failure point and expense 

Imagine a propane based system leaking into a restaurant  that uses open flames .

But we do not have to 

https://www.history.com/news/the-tragic-story-of-americas-deadliest-nightclub-fire

 Remember the Coconut grove Night club fire that killed over 400 guests

It is now believed to have been fueled by the deadly flammable Methyl Chloride  gas being used in the clubs conditioning system 

So how long till they outlaw R290 and come up with anotherway to rip off the consumer

NO AM Radio in Cars No More INFORMATION RADIO SERVICE Service a Vital and Important Service

 Recently Etna Pa installed a 10 Watt AM  Radio Transmitter in town and then put up signs with blinkers that come on  to warn when there is flooding and other emergencies in the town

You will find these same signs at many important  intersections of major Highways and Interstates 

Known as The Information Radio System 

This government funded program is used all across the country from helping get important traffic information to welcoming and giving guests to national parks information they need. 

https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/travelers-information-stations-search

https://theradiosource.com/resources/stations-all.htm

The service which is limited to 10 watts  from 530-1700 kHz and covers approx 4 square  miles  .

Well you say no big deal cars have FM radio as well well that is a problem FM radio band is totally overcrowded in many areas due to AM Stations which have  FM Translators taking up many spaces on the dial and FM does not have the spread coverage that AM does You need almost double to ripple the wattage .

This is why the congress must pass senate bill which requires AM in all cars. with the recent hurricane Helene the only stations up and working after the storms where AM providing life saving information

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradadgate/2024/10/08/congress-expected-to-pass-law-requiring-am-radio-in-all-new-cars/

 

When the chips are down AM Radio can be depended on