Here are recent Fire Chief's columns from
The Arizona Republic
City
of Phoenix Public Information Office - News Clippings - azcentral.com
- February 7, 2009
City task force tackles production of alt fuels
In public safety there is balance between creating a safe environment for the community and not being overly restrictive in impeding people so that they are unable to have a personal life. There are laws that require us to wear helmets, seat belts and install fences or barriers between a house and pool. All of these undoubtedly save lives or prevent serious injuries.
Fire codes are, in the same sense, designed to keep buildings and people out of harms way. There are residential applications that can vary from a simple electrical outlet to more complex commercial applications that represent high hazardous chemical productions.
There are a number of City departments that work to bring balance to our society by allowing folks to bake, barbecue, have hobbies, or work at factories or manufacturing plants. We used this model to address a number of issues that appear on our radar screen for a myriad of reasons. Most recently we had a call from some concerned neighbors about a bio-diesel manufacturing operation. It was located in a southwest Phoenix neighborhood in a home where two small children lived.
At first blush you would say, “Well, of course that’s not supposed to be there!” But, what makes sense on one level may also throw a cloud over alternative fuels or somebody’s ability to manufacture this product in a lawful or legal way. Based on a recommendation from the City Manager’s Office and the Chair of our Public Safety Subcommittee, Claude Mattox, we were able to pull together a taskforce that included eight City departments. This taskforce made sure that we were dealing with stakeholders, existing codes, state and federal regulations, and zoning laws. We agreed to work through this issue ensuring that we would not just create a one-dimensional solution, but that we would look at all aspects of bio-diesel and come up with a useful set of guidelines for implementation.
“With fuel prices bouncing between $1.50 to almost $5.00 per gallon, many people have looked for alternatives to paying high fuel costs. Those that can use transit, be it bus or light rail, do. Others are now driving smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. And, others have been inventive and learned to manufacture biodiesel fuel in their home garages,” said Phoenix City Councilman Claude Mattox. “While we all applaud ingenuity, there are concerns about the safety of the person mixing the fuel, their family and property, and the property of their neighbors. Additionally, there is a concern for the welfare of our firefighters and police in the event of an emergency incident. A residential property is not the proper place to manufacture biodiesel fuel, whether it is for personal use, or especially commercial use. Fire code does not allow this operation in a residential property. The Phoenix Fire Department is working with community members interested in producing biodiesel to develop rules that will allow for the safe manufacture of biodiesel away from residential areas. My preference is that we work together to address the issue so that we do not stifle American ingenuity.”
In the end, we want our community to have an ability to gather the appropriate information on more complicated endeavors. Our hope is to communicate with stakeholders, and make neighborhoods a hazard free place to live, or at least minimize the risk to families.
Be safe!
Send comments to Bob Khan at firechief.pfd@phoenix.gov or call (602) 26-CHIEF.