National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 254

Sparky, fire fighters visit hospital to promote burn safety

Last week, children at Shriners Hospital in Springfield, Mass. were visited by local fire fighters and Sparky the Fire Dog, in an effort to entertain patients and simultaneously spread fire safety messages. The visit was meant to highlight Burn Awareness Week, which the state fire marshal organizes each year in conjunction with the Western Massachusetts Safety and Fire Education Association. The campaign’s focus this year is on scald burns, which result from contact with hot liquids or steam and are the top cause of burns in children under the age of five. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers safety...

NFPA's Engineering department is currently recruiting for four open positions

We have four positions currently open in our engineering department, and wanted YOU to hear about them! Associate Engineer: NFPA is actively searching for an Associate Engineer who will independently manage and answer advisory service questions related to the ongoing sprinkler project as well as related standards such as fire pumps, standpipes, water tanks, and underground piping systems (NFPA 13, 13D, 13R, 20, 14, 22 and 291.) The successful candidate will assist technical committees in the development and maintenance of a specific technical committee project of moderate complexity. In addition, he or she will provide technical services to members and...

NFPA and ASIS hold joint stakeholder meeting to address active shooter incident preparation and planning

ASIS International (ASIS) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently convened a meeting for stakeholders as part of a continuing conversation about active shooter incidents. More than 100 leaders in security, fire, law enforcement, EMS, life safety, professional associations and government participated in the meeting. The intent of the collaborative effort was, and will continue to be, to examine gaps and exchange knowledge as they relate to active shooter events. Participants reviewed existing resources, the crossover between security and fire disciplines, operational solutions, management procedures, building design and construction issues, and cost considerations with an emphasis on preparation and...

During the deadliest time of year for home fires, get educated on fire safety and home fire sprinklers

Now is the time when home fires are at their worst. February and its two preceding months are the leading months for U.S. home fires, according to NFPA. These incidents are already responsible for more than 300 reported U.S. deaths since the start of the year, says the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). NFPA has partnered with USFA for its Put a Freeze on Winter Fires Campaign, which aims to prevent these tragedies. February is also the month to get educated on home fire sprinklers, stated David Kurasz, a member of the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Coalition, in a recent letter...

NFPA discusses research, codes & standards, fire and life safety with The Finnish National Rescue Association

On Tuesday, NFPA welcomed several delegates from The Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK). The group was made up of Juha Hakola, Jari Sainio, Marko Hasari, and Taina Hanhikoski, all high-ranking officials from Finnish fire and public safety organizations. Jim Pauley welcomed the members of the Finnish delegation, while six NFPA staff members delivered presentations. Casey Grant, Ed Conlin, Christina Holcroft, Robert Solomon, Chris Dubay and Curt Floyd presented on the research foundation, public fire protection, fire analysis, building and life safety, and codes and standards. SPEK is a member of the Confederation of Fire Protection Associations – International (CFPA-I®), a...

Firefighter Cancer Support Network shares information about new cancer-prevention white paper for World Cancer Day

Yesterday was World Cancer Day, and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network shared a great post that we wanted to make sure our readers saw as well. They thought (and we agree!) that the day was a great opportunity to mention FCSN's new cancer-prevention white paper. FCSN assembled an outstanding working group for three days last week, and one of NFPA's Research Foundation members, Casey Grant, was able to attend. The group met to review the latest occupational-cancer research and develop recommended cancer-prevention practices for the fire service. The new white paper’s scheduled for release in April. FCSN thanked their participants...

Today in fire history: fire in board and care facility leaves four dead

On February 8, 1996, a fire occurred in a board and care facility in Shelby County, Tennessee, which caused the deaths of four residents. The fire was caused most likely by improperly disposed smoking materials. Smoke from the apartment of fire origin spread to other apartments through open doors. The facility was 20 years old, and all areas of the building were of wood-frame construction. All areas in the building had various fire protection provisions including smoke detectors, fire alarms, fire doors, and door self-closing devices. However, self-closing devices for many apartments, including the apartment of fire origin, had been...

Today in fire history: an accidental fire in a private club kills one patron, two firefighters and injures four other firefighters

Fire fighters from four engines and two truck companies were committed to suppression operations on the third floor and a medical sector had been established outside the building. While suppression operations were in progress, the fire suddenly increased in magnitude and spread into several areas beyond the room of origin. Two of these fire fighters were killed, and four fire fighters were injured with two sustaining critical injuries. A subsequent search of the building revealed that one patron had also died in the fire. This person was found in a stairway between the sixth and seventh stories, and he had...

Comments sought on proposed Tentative Interim Amendments (TIAs) to NFPA 101 and 5000

The following proposed Tentative Interim Amendments (TIAs) for NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®, and NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code®, are being published for public review and comment: NFPA 101, proposed TIA No. 1217, referencing 11.8.5 of the 2015 edition NFPA 5000, proposed TIA No. 1218, referencing 33.3.4 of the 2015 edition Anyone may submit a comment on these proposed TIAs by the March 18, 2016 closing date. Along with your comment, please identify the number of the TIA and forward to the Secretary, Standards Council by the closing date.

Review the Second Draft Reports for 23 NFPA Standards in the Annual 2016 revision cycle

The Second Draft Reports for 23 NFPA Standards in the Annual 2016 revision cycle are available with a deadline to submit a Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM) of February 19, 2016. Some of these proposed Standards with Second Draft Reports are listed below: NFPA 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities NFPA 80A, Recommended Practice for Protection of Buildings from Exterior Fire Exposures NFPA 130, Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and...