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Fire has a new enemy.
The National Concrete Masonry Association recently introduced Blockman, a new "superhero" whose mission is to block fires. His body is constructed of concrete masonry blocks and he wears an emblem with the words "Official Fire Blocker" on his chest.
NCMA created the cartoon character to get the attention of architects, designers and building occupants and help spread the word about the role of building materials in fire safety.
"Fire kills more Americans annually than all other natural disasters combined," said Sylvester Schmidt, NCMA chairman. "It's about time we recognize that everyone involved in the building and construction business can help reduce the loss of life and property by installing concrete masonry fire walls to contain fires in buildings."
A recent survey commissioned by NCMA shows that 85 percent of Americans believe that stricter building codes for public and commercial buildings would improve fire safety. Seventy-nine percent want safer, less combustible materials used in buildings.
NCMA recommends that codes for buildings require a balanced design made up of three key elements: fire detection, fire suppression and fire containment. Fire detection includes the installation of smoke detectors and fire alarms. Active fire suppression includes the use of sprinkler systems. Containment includes fire barriers, fire-rated assemblies and exterior walls built of fire-resistant materials.
Blockman emphasizes the importance that noncombustible materials such as concrete masonry have in protecting lives and property.
"As occupants of buildings, we have a right to demand that they are constructed to higher standards so that losses of property and lives can be reduced," said Jerry R. Harke, vice president of marketing for NCMA. "To accomplish that, we needed an attention-getter and we know that everyone likes a superhero. We see all sorts of future uses for Blockman, not just in the fire safety messages we place in trade publications reaching architects, designers and specifiers, but also as a cartoon character that appears in newspapers and carries an important message in reappearing story segments."
For more information about balanced design for fire safety or to order Blockman figures, contact NCMA at (703) 713-1900 or visit www.ncma.org. - NU |
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