National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 293

Sloped Ceiling Storage Protection - Data Gathering

The Fire Protection Research Foundation has a current phase 1 project on the impact of sloped ceilings on the sprinkler protection of storage commodities, which could result in new design guidelines for the sprinkler protection of warehouses with sloped ceilings. At this stage in the project we are gathering data to determine the full nature of the challenges associated with the design of these systems. If you have involvement with these systems in any capacity (building owner, system designer, AHJ, insurance agency, contractor, installer, etc.) please share your experiences with us through this brief survey. For each unique experience submitted...

NFPA seeking public input on proposed standard, NFPA 1858, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services

NFPA's proposed standard, NFPA 1858, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, is seeking public input on its preliminary draft. The preliminary draft allows the public to review and submit any suggested revisions prior to the publication as a First Draft Report. The deadline for submitting public input for this new standard is January 7, 2016. To submit a public input using the online submission system, select NFPA 1858 from the list of NFPA codes and standards. Once on the NFPA 1858 document information page, select the link "The next edition of...

Don’t Miss the “Accessibility Expo: Beyond the ADA” at the 2015 NFPA Conference & Expo in Chicago, IL – June 22-25, 2015

The Accessibility Expo will again co-locate with the 2015 NFPA Conference & Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois from June 22 to 25, 2015. This exposition, first begun in 2013, features products specifically designed to empower people with disabilities and their families, friends, and caregivers, as well as building managers, supervisors, and first responders to help improve not only their safety, but the quality of life for people with disabilities far beyond those specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Accessibility Expo at past NFPA Conference & Expos has been a huge success. To see a list of...

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors updates school re-entry program; The Journey Back

Helping children regain a sense of normalcy to their lives after burn injury and a reconnection with their peer community prompted the development of The Journey Back school re-entry program several years ago. When I was a child life specialist, I had been asked several times to present a school re-entry program on very short notice and without much preparation on how to implement such a program. School re-entry programs can be instrumental to a child’s transition in healing and after learning that many other colleagues were challenged with the same task -- and many schools and families were desperately...

Hope to see you next week in Chicago for NFPA's Conference & Expo

NFPA’s President, Jim Pauley shares some exciting NFPA Conference & Expo updates. The General Session sponsored by UL, will be held in the Arie Crown Theater from 1:30-3:30 pm on Monday, June 22. The General Session will begin with a presentation of the National Anthem by the winner of the National Anthem Contest, Joe Cantone, a musician from Rhode Island. His energy and enthusiasm are a great way to kick off the show! Also, we are really shaking things up this year with a unique Keynote presentation as well. We have three mystery speakers who are real-life examples of innovation...

Special NFPA Office Hours event: LIVE at NFPA Conference & Expo

Special NFPA® Office Hours event: Tuesday, 6/23/15 @ 2pm CDT (3pm EDT) at NFPA Booth 471 Office Hours is a live, interactive, monthly video presentation for NFPA Members featuring NFPA technical staff discussing NFPA codes and standards topics. Members are encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentation and be a part of the discussion. Usually, Office Hours is broadcast from a studio near NFPA Headquarters and is for Members only, but on June 23 we'll be LIVE from Chicago and all Conference attendees are welcome to join! Dick Roux, Senior Electrical Specialist at NFPA, will discuss the 2016 edition of...

Get the free mobile app for 2015 NFPA Conference & Expo in Chicago

The 2015 NFPA Conference & Expo mobile app is available to download on your smart phone or tablet. Navigate the event like a pro with the 2015 C&E mobile app, powered by core-apps.com With the 2015 C&E mobile app, you can: Stay organized with up-to-the-minute Exhibitor, Speaker, and Event information Sync the app across all of your devices with Multi-Device Sync Receive important real-time communications from the NFPA Build a personalized schedule and bookmark exhibitors Take notes and download event handouts and presentations Rate the sessions you attend and comment on them, too Interactively locate sessions and exhibitors on the...

Big changes for NFPA 409 Standard on Aircraft Hangars

The 2016 Edition of NFPA 409 Standard on Aircraft Hangars was issued by the Standards Council at their April 2015 meeting. This new edition incorporates several significant changes that impact the design of fire protection systems in new Group I and Group II aircraft hangars. #1 - Foam System Zoning. Low-level foam systems in Group I hangars can now be divided into zones that are independently activated, based on activation of an associated sprinkler zone or automatic detection zone. Manual activation is still required to cause all zones to discharge simultaneously and to provide coverage over the entire storage and...

NFPA announces recipients of its Fire Sprinkler Initiative Grant Program

Earlier this year, NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative announced its Bringing Safety Home Grant Program, giving home fire sprinkler advocates across North America the chance to secure up to $10,000 for localized advocacy and educational efforts. The incredible number of applications that came our way was nothing short of amazing and showcases how dedicated safety advocates are to this important cause. The Fire Sprinkler Initiative team had the challenging task of selecting winners from a high number of high-quality applications. Sixteen applicants were selected for their ability to create a forward-thinking approach to sprinkler advocacy. View the list of recipients, which...

Singer Taylor Swift donates $15,000 to support Texas firefighter and his family after car crash

Pop sensation Taylor Swift may sing a lot about her romantic mishaps, but she seems to keep getting just about everything else right… This past Saturday, a Texas firefighter named Aaron VanRiper responded to a serious car crash, only to find that the victims were his wife and son, who have both undergone surgery in the days since. A family friend set up a GoFundMe page to help the family pay their medical bills, since they don’t have medical insurance. Yesterday, a $15,000 donation from Taylor Swift was posted on the page, and it’s the real deal. A tremendous kudos...