National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 283

Today in fire history: Fire and explosion at fireworks facility

On August 14, 1988, a late afternoon fire occurred at a fireworks facility in Jaffrey, NH. The fire caused the stored materials to explode, destroyed the building of fire origin and two exposed trailers. Two other trailers were damaged by the fire, and three firefighters received minor injuries, no civilians were injured. Shortly after 5:00 pm, an employee in a dwelling near the facility heard noises coming from the unoccupied building and went to investigate. He saw flames and smoke on the northwest side of the warehouse, and within moments, a blast lifted the roof off and caused the building...

Comments sought on proposed Tentative Interim Amendment to NFPA 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code

The following proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) for NFPA 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code, is being published for public review and comment: NFPA 55, proposed TIA No. 1195, 2016 edition, referencing 1.1.1* New Anyone may submit a comment on this proposed TIA by the October 16, 2015 closing date. Along with your comment, please identify the number of the TIA and forward to the Secretary, Standards Council by the closing date.

NFPA Standards Council seeking public comments on a potential new project for Accelerant Detection Canines and Handlers

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards Council is in receipt of a New Project Initiation Request for the development of an ANSI Accredited Standard for Accelerant Detection Canines and Handlers. Building upon the 2014 edition of NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations which identifies the value of “properly trained and validated ignitable liquid detection canine/handler teams”, the request seeks an NFPA standard to address the training (initial and ongoing) and evaluation of accelerant detection canines, handlers, and canine/handler teams. If the New Project Initiation Request is ultimately approved by the Standards Council, it is proposed that a...

More than 100,000 smoke alarms installed and 15 lives saved less than one year into Red Cross campaign

Smoke alarms save lives, and the American Red Cross home fire campaign - launched less than one year ago - is actively reinforcing that message. Over the past 10 months, the Red Cross has installed more than 100,000 smoke alarms in almost 2,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, and has documented 15 lives saved ranging from a 3-year-old child to a 73-year-old grandmother. Working with fire departments and community groups across the country, the Red Cross is targeting neighborhoods at high risk for fires, teaching residents about fire prevention and preparedness in coordination with smoke alarm installations. The...

Today in fire history: rooming house fire claims the lives of 5 residents

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on August 23, 1986, a fire occurred in a rooming house located in the village of Massapequa on Long Island, New York. This fire claimed the lives of five residents and resulted in heavy damage to the wood frame structure. The Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office has determined the fire to be incendiary in nature. Although the facility had operated over 10 years, its existence was not known by code enforcement officials, it was not licensed, and, consequently, no inspections had been conducted. The significant factors contributing to the loss of life in this incident are...

Today in fire history: fire in board and care facility claims 7 lives

On August 31, 1996, a fire occurred in a board and care facility located in Sainte Genevieve, Quebec. The two-story structure was occupied by 41 residents who were elderly, 7 of whom died as a result of the fire. The fire began in the closet of an occupant’s room, and fire investigators attributed the cause to smoking materials or matches. Factors considered as having contributed to the loss of life and property included: Lack of automatic fire sprinklers Inadequate corridor separation Delayed notification of the fire department Staff response NFPA members can download the full investigation report, and all site...

Today in fire history: fire in a hospital forces the evacuation and relocation of approximately 200 patients

On August 12, 1984, a fire originating in a high voltage electrical feeder busway forced the evacuation and relocation of approximately 200 patients at the Forsyth Memorial Hospital located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While the fire was confined to the busway and to exposed storage areas in the vicinity of a basement loading dock, smoke spread to several upper floors of the hospital. Portions directly exposed to smoke conditions included operating suites, post-operative and critical care areas, and pediatric units of the hospital. The exposure of these areas to smoke and the potential for exposure of oxygen and gas lines,...

Domino’s Fire Prevention Week Sweepstakes Winners Announced!

Last month, Domino’s sponsored its annual Fire Prevention Week Sweepstakes for fire departments that signed up between July 15 and August 1 to participate in its fire safety program this October. More than 60 fire departments signed on and were automatically entered into the sweepstakes. On Friday, August 7, five departments were randomly drawn. The winners are: McKinney Fire Department-Central Fire Station, McKinney, TX (Stacie Durham) Palm Bay Fire-Rescue, Palm Bay, FL (Jim Poulos) Mehlville Fire Protection District, St. Louis, MO (Kevin Reis) Rochelle Park Township Fire Department, Rochelle Park, NJ (Darryl De Mott) Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One,...

September online contest highlights fire safety on college campuses across the country

September is Campus Fire Safety Month and this year, NFPA, The Center for Campus Fire Safety (The Center), the University of New Haven Fire Science Club, (UNH) and Domino's are teaming up to host a national campaign and Campus Fire Safety Sweepstakes & Contest (Contest) that raises awareness of fire safety on college campuses. The two-tiered Contest, which starts today, September 1, and runs through the 25th, can be found on the Campus Fire Safety for Students Facebook page and targets students currently enrolled in an institution of higher education. The Contest encourages students to put fire safety first, and...

In the August issue of NFPA News: Fall 2015 Second Draft Reports; TIAs issued on NFPA 101A and 400, Errata issued on NFPA 408 and 409 and more...

The August issue of NFPA News, our codes and standards newsletter, is now available. In this issue: Fall 2015 Second Draft Reports available Errata issued on NFPA 408 and NFPA 409 TIAs issued on NFPA 101A and NFPA 400 Free online training on alternative fuel vehicles Potential risks of rooftop solar panels to fire fighters 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 minutes,...