March 26, 2010
Over the next few weeks, condominium owners in the St. Augustine Shores may notice a fire safety sign, with either the letter "F, R, or FR" in the middle, being attached to the front of their buildings. Installation of the signs has recently gotten under way in the Conquistador Condominium community.
These signs are required as a result of the recent passage of Florida Statute 633.027, The Aldridge-Benge Firefighter Safety Act of 2008. For a copy of the Act, CLICK HERE
The Aldridge-Benge Firefighter Safety Act of 2008 became law on December 13, 2009 after unanimously passing the Florida House and Senate in 2008. The new law is named in honor of two Orange County, Florida Firefighters, Todd Aldridge and Mark Benge, who died in 1989 after the roof of a gift shop collapsed, which was supported with lightweight wooden trusses.
The Aldridge-Benge Firefighter Safety Act requires owners of any commercial, industrial, or any multi-unit residential structure, to mark these buildings in a manner that identifies them as light-frame truss-type construction. A sign or symbol will alert firefighters of the construction material and allow them to modify their tactics for fighting fires in such buildings.
A sign with the letter "F" in the center signifies that light frame trusses were used in construction of the floor. A sign with the letter "R" signifies light frame roof trusses are present and a sign with the letters "FR" means that both light frame floor and roof trusses were used to construct your building.
Hopefully this will eliminate any unnecessary phone calls to your community manager or Board members. Although the signs may not be pretty, they could save your life or the life of a fireman!
Written by: Keith Goldstein
