National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 244

In ‘Perspectives’: Community-based wildfire fighting creates much-needed jobs in South Africa

Both wildfire and unemployment have long been pervasive problems in South Africa. Chaparral and shrubs burn fiercely in the west, as do dry grasses and thickets in the north. Meanwhile, some one in four South Africans is unemployed. So how do these relate? In 2003, the South African government piloted a program called “Working on Fire” (WoF) that addresses both by recruiting disadvantaged South Africans, training them extensively, and then hiring them as wildland firefighters. The program creates much-needed jobs while keeping wildfires at bay. WoF now has some 5,000 participants across 200 bases. The wages these firefighters collect help...

Smoke alarms, smiles, and shock: My Saturday promoting fire safety with the Red Cross

Gripping my Red Cross vest and a large cup of java, I sluggishly entered the Beech Street Senior Center in Belmont, Massachusetts. My friend's please-get-rid-of-all-my-vodka party the night prior had apparently impacted my slumber. However, this Saturday morning meeting was well worth the 6 a.m. wake-up call. Filling the center's lounge area were another two Red Cross volunteers, a half-dozen members of the Belmont Fire Department, and members of the town's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Our mission was twofold: install a series of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in more than 30 homes while also leaving them with key...

Sparky checks off bucket list item #6: Visit the Alamo

Sparky got to visit the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Built in 1744 by Spanish missionaries, the Alamo was converted to a military fortification in the late 1800s. In 1836, it was the site of the famous Battle of the Alamo, which has since been immortalized in movies and books. Sparky turned 65 on March 18, 2016, and we have been pulling out all the stops to help him celebrate! He’s created a bucket list of 65 activities and events he’d like to accomplish from now through October. As he checks them off his list, we’ll make sure to share...

Today in fire history: nine patrons die in hotel fire

At 3:08 a.m. on April 6, 1990, the Miami Beach Fire department received a telephone call reporting a fire at the Fontana Hotel. First-in fire units found the hotel's lobby area heavily involved in fire and began simultaneous suppression and rescue operations. Before the fire had been extinguished 9 patrons died and the building was extensively damaged. Investigators were unable to determine the cause of the fire which appeared to have originated in a crawl space above a storage room. Once the fire burned out of the crawl space, it ignited combustible ceiling tiles and other combustible materials in a...

Hoverboards, Cancer Threats, and Big Data: Safety News You Need to Know

What kid – or adult kid – wouldn’t want a hoverboard? During the 2015 holiday season, hoverboards were all the rage. The two-wheeled, motorized, self-balancing scooters were one of the hardest gifts to get. Think Atari in 1979, Cabbage Patch Kids in 1983, or Tickle Me Elmo in 1996. The problem is, hoverboards have a tendency to catch fire, in many cases due to overheated lithium batteries. Learn from Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy, what the holiday hoverboard flap illustrated about public safety. Also in our March/April issue, Kathleen Almand, vice president for Research at NFPA,...

Comments sought on proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to NFPA 25 and NFPA 70

The following proposed Tentative Interim Amendments (TIAs) for NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, and NFPA 70, National Electrical Code® , are being published for public review and comment: NFPA 25, proposed TIA No. 1221, referencing 6.3.1.1.2(New) and 6.3.1.6.2 on the proposed 2017 edition NFPA 70, proposed TIA No. 1222, referencing 690.17, Exception, of the 2014 edition Anyone may submit a comment on these proposed TIAs by the May 20, 2016 closing date. Along with your comment, please identify the number of the TIA and forward to the Secretary, Standards Council by...

NFPA announces recipients of the Fire Sprinkler Initiative's Bringing Safety Home Grant

An live burn/sprinkler demonstration in Connecticut was made possible by NFPA's 2015 Bringing Safety Home Grant NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative recently announced the winners of its Bringing Safety Home Grant, given to 15 recipients across North America. The funding assists state sprinkler coalitions and other safety advocates with up to $10,000 apiece to support activities that showcase the importance of home fire sprinklers. Following a successful launch in 2015, the Bringing Safety Home Grant is once again assisting sprinkler advocates with their grassroots efforts this year. Recipients will use the grant to initiate an extensive campaign promoting home fire sprinklers...

Download a free copy of the 2016 NFPA Standards Directory

The 2016 NFPA Standards Directory is now available for download. The Directory contains standards development information such as: An introduction to the NFPA standards development process the Regulations Governing the Development of NFPA Standards,Technical Meeting Convention Rules, and other procedures NFPA's members of the Board of Directors, Standards Council, and advisory committees Committee projects and scopes, revision cycle schedules for processing committee reports Download a free copy of the NFPA Standards Directory (PDF, 2 MB), your guide to NFPA’s standards development process.

Prepare for emergencies on April 30 - National PrepareAthon! Day

On Saturday, April 30, FEMA is encouraging individuals and communities across the U.S. to take action to prepare for emergencies on National PrepareAthon! Day. Won’t you join us and others around the country to plan and practice your preparedness! There are several ways you can take action including: Access alerts and warnings. You can download the FEMA mobile app, which delivers severe weather alerts for up to five locations across the U.S. Assemble or update supplies With your neighbors, plan to help each other and share resources Create and test your emergency communications plans Leading up to and directly after...

Research unveils cheaper, more effective sprinklering method for warehouses

The greater fire hazard of many stored goods makes it imperative for building owners to consider more effective methods of warehouse protection. Photograph: Getty Image For warehouse managers, being told they need to install in-rack sprinklers can be stressful. The fire protection benefits are not in question. The problem is the cost. Typically, a large number of sprinklers are required for warehouse storage racks, making the cost far higher than ceiling-level sprinklers. Adding to that, managers worry that in-rack sprinklers could cause water damage to products if they’re set off unintentionally. However, as warehouses grow taller to make more efficient...