The topic on the minds of plumbers/steamfitter at that time was how to protect life and property with adequate fire protection as we knew no fire fighting equipment could shoot water up that high.

High rise building were always a deep concern of world wide fire departments as these sky scrappers are hell to protect under the best of conditions.

Now considering we have the technology to install stand pipe systems with sprinklers a new concern has arisen that of a possible plane crashing into these sky scrappers and a water system just will not extinguish this kind of fire or even keep it under control until the fire fighters arrive.

Being a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) I know we do have the means to protect these structures with several options for a class B fire.

Even as a fire fighter in the Navy (Damage control specialist) almost 40 years ago we were able to not only contain these types of fires but extinguish them quickly with some damage to the electrical equipment but we saved lives and were able to keep damage to a minimum.

The code bodies should stop thinking bottom line pricing and think of saving people by use of fire suppression systems that use foam or CO 2 or a number of other ways or a combination of several types of protection.

We could for example utilize a two pipe system one would be the cheaper water type and the other using higher temperature rated sprinkler heads for the B type of fire such as oil, gas and other flammable liquids which burn at a much higher temperature then the A type of fire which is wood paper and for a rule of thumb anything that leaves an ash.

Fire protection is not a new subject as we members of the trades do read about high rise fires and how many life's are lost because of inadequate protection.

I think some good may come out of the World trade disaster by having people wake up and realize how we (professionals in the trade) have been saying all along that these structures need more protection then most code bodies want to address.

Yes, it will add cost to a building design but what price do you put on human life?

Fire suppression systems do save life's and property and there is no valid excuse why they should not be made part of the building codes world wide.

Many times because a fire suppression system is installed the code officials give a "trade off" like less fire rated (time to burn through) walls and stairways.

Think about the fire suppression systems that are utilized in air port hangers, or on Air craft carriers.

We have the technology why not use it?

I am sure the insurance savings would more then offset the cost human life and the replacement of these structures.