National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 271

Read the Report of the Motions Committee for Fall 2015 Standards with certified amending motions

The Report of the Motions Committee addresses one Fall 2015 NFPA Standard with Certified Amending Motions that may be presented at the NFPA Technical Meeting (Tech Session) in Las Vegas, NV on June 15-16, 2016: NFPA 75, Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment This Report also identifies a list of 22 additional standards that were determined by the Motions Committee to be Consent Standards and, therefore, will be forwarded to the NFPA Standards Council for balloting. The final date to file an appeal on these Fall 2015 Consent Standards is October 31, 2015

Today in fire history: incendiary in a hotel fire causes the deaths of 15 people and injures 50 others

On Thursday, October 18, 1984, an incendiary fire started on the third floor of the Alexander Hamilton Hotel in Paterson, New Jersey resulting in the deaths of 15 persons and injuries to over 50 persons. The fire was confined to the third floor of the eight story steel frame fire resistive building, although products of combustion traveled to upper floors where the majority of the deaths occurred. The hotel was a combination transient/residential hotel with 169 guest rooms or living suites on the upper six floors. Although equipped with 3 enclosed stairways and a smoke detection system, the stairway doors...

Fire Prevention Week – There’s Safety in Numbers

Well, another successful Fire Prevention Week is in the rear view mirror. We have a lot to be proud of – most notably that we made America a little bit safer in the course of seven days. Thank you for getting the message of “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs A Working Smoke Alarm” out. By creatively, collaboratively, and proactively sharing fire prevention safety tips via marketing efforts, outreach initiatives and educational campaigns – we have once again ensured that our communities are well informed about fire safety and the importance of working smoke alarms. We often...

NFPA's new training program for certified fire inspector I

NFPA is proud to announce that we have added a 4-day classroom training program for the Certified Fire Inspector certification. As a Pro Board accredited certification, this program is an exciting addition to our roster of classes. The instructor for this program is Pete Cutrer. Pete brings a wealth of experience to the classroom as he is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) with a focus on Code Compliance and Fire Inspection. He is also an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator, is certified as a NFPA CFI-II, and a Certified Fire Plan Examiner (CFPE). Peter's focus is on energetic, progressive training...

NFPA offers fire safety tips for mobile cooking operations (a.k.a. food trucks)

As mobile and temporary cooking operations (a.k.a. food trucks) have become increasingly popular in cities throughout the country, related fire incidents have been on the rise, bringing much-needed focus and attention on how to minimize associated risks. NFPA Technical Committees are currently discussing the need for more comprehensive standards development activity on this issue. In the meantime, we’ve put together a tip sheet* that can help food truck vendors use them safely. For more information and insights on fire safety issues regarding food trucks, visit XChange, NFPA's new online platform for sharing added resources and enhanced communication among our many...

Today in fire history: tractor-trailer crash leads to BLEVE

On October 16, 1986, a tractor trailer veered off a road and struck the piping for two stationary LP-gas storage tanks about ½ mile outside of Woodruff, Utah. One tank had a capacity of 18,000 gallons and the other of 30,000 gallons. Immediately following the crash, fire involving fuel from the truck and LP-gas from the tanks erupted. The Woodruff Fire Department responded and prepared to attack the fire, but a loud noise erupted and firefighters withdrew to a position about 800 feet from the area. About ½ hour later, the 18,000-gallon tank BLEVE’d. One piece of the tank struck...

Fire safety messages last a lifetime

NFPA fire protection engineer Jacqueline Wilmot during Fire Prevention Week 1994 with her mother Lorraine Schell, volunteer firefighter with the Merck Fire Brigade Each year during Fire Prevention Week fire safety education messaging is spotlighted so that people, especially young children, are educated about fire prevention strategies and safety preparedness tips. During this year’s “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!” campaign, NFPA employees dropped by the Wollaston School in Quincy, Mass. and read to young students, played fun games with fire prevention themes, and shared safety tips that will serve the kids well...

Safety advocates across North America obtain invaluable advice during NFPA home sprinkler summit

Burn survivor Boyd Smith received a standing ovation following his presentation on a home fire that forever altered his life Despite what the opposition says, support for home fire sprinklers is spreading throughout North America. How best to capitalize on this increased awareness and acceptance of this life-safety device was the focus of an NFPA-sponsored event in Phoenix. NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative Summit convened some of the top sprinkler advocates and influencers from the western half of the U.S. and throughout Canada. For highlights from the event, visit NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative blog.

TakeAction, pet safety and preparedness featured on Pet Life Radio

In September, NFPA launched its newest wildfire safety campaign for youth called TakeAction. As part of the campaign, we focus on one of our favorite things in the world - our pets (check out our recent blogs about the campaign)! Why are pets so important to the TakeAction campaign? Well, the truth of the matter is, when your family receives an evacuation notice, whether it's for wildfire or any other natural disaster, everything happens quickly - too quickly it seems - and often, we don't have time to gather all of the belongings we need to take with us and...

In the October issue of NFPA News: comments sought on proposed TIA to NFPA 20, Standards Council minutes and decisions; Fall 2016 First Draft Reports for submission of comments; and more...

The October 2015 issue of NFPA News, our codes and standards newsletter, is now available. In this issue: Comments sought on proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to NFPA 20 Errata issued on NFPA 24, 30B, and 2001 Standards Council minutes and final decisions Fall 2016 First Draft Reports for submission of comments NFPA news in brief Research and Analysis Reports Committees soliciting public input Committees seeking members Committee meetings calendar Subscribe today! NFPA News is a free newsletter, and includes special announcements, notification of public input and comment closing dates, requests for comments, notices on the availability of Standards Council...