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No this isn't a commercial.

Today I witnessed first hand the after math of a house fire, not my own, a neighbor's. I stood there in the street as our countries finest removed piles a clothing etc. out a side door. Smoke also billowed out the door, the kind after the fire has been put out.

Standing there I felt helpless to the wrath of fire, and two questions ran through my head. Could it happen to me and how can I prevent it.

Like many of you not only do I have a houseful of possesions but a basement full of Reptiles. Reptiles locked in cages with no means of excape. Dogs and cats are one thing but reptiles, who would really save them.

As most american's I have a smoke detector and a fire extinguisher. But the smoke detector only works for people and the fire extinguisher is really only good for the first 2 minutes of the fire. After that its hopeless for any size extinguisher.

So what can I do, what is the best means of protection. Obvioulsy cleanliness is paramount. Dust and clutter around appliances is a big no no. Hair Balls and dust bunnies under the fridge they can be a pain, clean dryer ducting ya thats a good idea. But what about the reptile room, aside from safty precautions what do we do there.

Is there anything the home owner can do to a standard reptile room to prevent catastrophe? If I had a dedicated facility a sprinkler system would be a god idea, but what about for a home?

Well my friends these are questions even I can't answer. I know insurance has come up before, but what about physically protecting our investment and collection. Insurance is mearly a financial protection. The two go hand in hand but really which is more important.

Curious as to what some of you other basement collection having herpers think and feel about fire protection.

Thanks for Reading!
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

0.1 Sunglow "Khal" RTB
0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.0 Double Het "Khal" Sunglow RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.0.13 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.7 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.14 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

Man, that's awful to hear about your neighbor. As far as protecting a large investment and amount of animals, I'd start with a simple home alarm system, one of the ones that also contact the proper authorities. Fire doors are also a really good idea, and I bet you could get them for far less than you would think. I'm not talking about doing your whole house, but if you got some good fire resistant doors that are magnetically held on in key areas, that can slow down a fire a lot. The only problem is if you loose power then you get to hear all of the doors slamming shut. And I don't know, I bet a sprinkler system is cheaper than you think. You might even be able to get a break on your home owner's insurance. I guess it all boils down to how much one is willing to spend and how dedicated one is to this whole idea. If I had a large collection it'd be something I would think about. Tough question though.
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0.2 Leopard Geckos (Fire and Mello)

A lot of what you mentioned will be taken into consideration when I build my facility in afew years but for the time now the reptile room still has to have resale ability for another homeowner I don't think magnetic doors and a sprinkler system are practical or easy to install in a old hoes no matter how cheap the system may be. I think I'll save for the facility and stick to standard fire rated products designed for home use.

Thanks for the tip though, with the amount of people worried about fires and other natural disasters these types of products will continue to get cheaper. Its teh nature of the beast.

By the way I didn't know my neighbor they were a few houses down, still sucks. Imagine just your dresser goes up in flames sure your relieved about the rest of the house but man you out of undies!
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

0.1 Sunglow "Khal" RTB
0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.0 Double Het "Khal" Sunglow RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.0.13 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.7 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.14 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

This is timely for me as well. Great subject to bring up here. I hope to learn something from this.

Anyway, here are some steps I did when moving the snakes to a wood sauna structure (my new reptile room):

1. Securely attached temp controller probe to surface heater so it doesn't fall off and the heater gets too hot.

2. Elevated all cages off of floor with PVC pipe structure or wire shelving. No heat pads sandwiched between insulating surfaces.

3. Use the lowest wattage bulbs possible that can still maintain desired temps. Real easy to do in an insulated room where a little wattage goes a long way.

4. Any reflector domes are securely held in place so they don't topple.

5. More recently, use substrates that aren't obvious fire hazards. I have a bit better peace of mind when I did this. A big bag of aspen in a small room is potential kindling.
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Mark

Appriciate your support. I just wish some of the big Breeders, Bob Clark, Rich Ihle, Brian Sharp, Jeremy Stone, etc (sorry I'm a Boa guy). Would stop in now and then and chime in on these topics. i don't expect them to answer cage building questions , but some of the facility questions are right up there alley.

Surely others have delt with these issues before.

A lot of what you have done I have moved on from but they are still good idea's.

-I still keep air space between heat elements.

-All my cages are elevated for air flow.

-I know longer heat my reptile room year round, insulation keeps it just right, with some minor supplemental heat on the dog days of winter. (in fact I have to cool it in the summer now)

-My new Lighing in my Iguana's cages will use the same wattage per cage but will be spread amongst 6 or 9 bulbs in groups of 3.

-Don't like reflector domes for that reason alone they always contact something, and are always hot. They do make ones that stay cool but at what cost do they become practical.

-Bedding is my only Lynch, I use disposable paper, not as bad as shavings but still ignitable. I also don't use beely heat in my cages.

Thanks for the notes I hope others are paying attention.
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

0.1 Sunglow "Khal" RTB
0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.0 Double Het "Khal" Sunglow RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.0.13 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.7 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.14 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

i live in florida and its so hot fires are afraid to start and two i dont have a basement.if u think about these things they have a better chance of happening.dont worry everyones safe.-jeff

I'm sorry but my collection not only has cost me a pretty penny, but a lot of time and effort and it hasn't been without its ups and downs. Theres a alot of sweet, chewn nails, and late nights in that room. If your mister laid back thats fine but I can't afford ignorance. Sure walking around with a fire extinguisher at the ready won't solve anything. But analizing my situation and asking myself what can be done better. Or asking here for other ideas might prove something.

I must say I don't even no my neighbor, or any for that matter, thats another story. So I can probably guess as to wha the cause of fire was. But that doesn't mean it couldn't have been prevented.

Its a fact of life sometimes we just need to re-engage are selves about proper prepardness. I'm also worred about natural disasters too, but I doubt you care about those either. Oh wait Florida Hurricanes............Good Luck!
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

0.1 Sunglow "Khal" RTB
0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.0 Double Het "Khal" Sunglow RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.0.13 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.7 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.14 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

I too thought about this when the house across the street form me burned down. At the time I lived in an old rental apartment in the attic of a house. The whole place was a wooden tinder box. What I did for my peice of mind, was in the corner of the herp room I kept a large styrofoam box with as many containers inside as I had snakes.

This way I was as prepared as I could be to rescue as many snakes as I could before I had to leave. Maybe individual containers is wishful thinking in most cases but I could start chucking all of them into the big styro.

I chose a styro cause it was winter in vermont. I was scared that even if I managed to save a few snakes, I would be left standing out in the cold with them.

Another thing I did was buy a hose that fits onto my sink. These things, a hose or fire extinguisher probably aren't going to save your house but it could buy you five minutes to get the animals. Ultimately if the house is ablaze I think your screwed no matter what, but if you have a LOUD and Sensitive alarm in the room, I would hope that if you were there at all youd be able to do something.

Ultimately sprinklers are the way to go if you can work it.

although I have also heard a story about a pet store who had sprinklers. The building was saved... but every animal drowned as their cages filled with water. Drainage holes are a must.

Funny I keep all the lids to the tubs in the racks on top of the racks I wonder what they could be used for! Thanks for the idea I've thought of it before but its good you brought it up. I always assumed I would have a car or it would be summer so I never thought about winter freezing, etc. I mean its winter 9 months of the year here. Good tip on the insulated box.

Maybe you can just get a bigger box and a bunch of canvas sacks.

Also good tip on the drain holes, never thought about drowning animals in there cages. This is why we ask these kinds of questions.

Thanks
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

0.1 Sunglow "Khal" RTB
0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.0 Double Het "Khal" Sunglow RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.0.13 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.7 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.14 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

One thing I will be looking deeply into when I finally get around to buying a house will be products such as this.

http://www.flamestopca.com/

As well I will look into installing a battery powered venting fan incase of fire. The smoke would be as dangerous as anything, and I imagine a venting fan (if set up properly, as to not add fuel to the fire) could be a great addition.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

>>http://www.flamestopca.com/

Great site, a lot of info to absorb but at a quick glance a lot of product that counld be both usful in and out of the reptile room. Although I don't know how much of the products can be used on the enclosure themselves its not the cages I'm concerned with its the rest of the house. I'm fully confident in my custom enclosures as well as my wiring.

>> As well I will look into installing a battery powered venting fan incase of fire. The smoke would be as dangerous as anything, and I imagine a venting fan (if set up properly, as to not add fuel to the fire) could be a great addition.

Again another valid idea. I have often thought of that in lue with other back up systems. If and when I build my facility I plan to put it and the rest of my home on a diesel powered generator. Hopefully a surplus space wing asset!

Thanks Randy
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

0.1 Sunglow "Khal" RTB
0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.0 Double Het "Khal" Sunglow RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.0.13 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.7 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.14 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

What I like about the product is its ability to be used on everything from room flooring (carpet included) to furniture and walls around the house. If it is as successful as it seems to be at diminishing the combustibility (I will be asking the local fire house if they are familiar with this product and its success rate) then I will definetely be spending what it will take to treat everything treatable in the house. If nothing else it might slow a fire (god forbid having one) down enough to make the damage minimal before the fire department could arrive.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

I think this is a great topic and plan to give it some thought and reply when I have more time and my head is clear.

I do have a story related to this topic that I'd like to share. It's not exactly relevant but interesting in its own right.

A friend of mine had a cage set on fire several years ago. Fortunately his wife was home and was able to get their dogs out of the house and flip all of the breakers off.

At any rate, the fire in the reptile room was pretty bad. I think the inspector estimated temperatures of 1000* in parts of the room. The entire house was damaged and had to be complete torn down to the studs and rebuilt. The entire HVAC system had to be replaced. Bad fire.

Surprisingly a huge number of reptiles survived, and my friend had quite a few back then. There were cases where one cage was complete gone, nothing more than ashes, and the cage next to it was melted to the point that a snake was able to escape and survive elsewhere in the room. An entire rack of snakes survived despite one entire side being on fire. I was shocked to see the rack months later and to find out that snakes had survived be trapped inside of it.

I know some of the animals that survived the fire later bred and produced seemingly healthy babies. I think I found this more surprising than anything else.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)