National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 301

In April's issue of Safety Source: new Shabbat fire safety tip sheet, carbon monoxide educational resources & more

The April issue of Safety Source, NFPA's public education enewsletter, is now available for viewing. In this issue, you will find; New tip sheet on Shabbat fire safety Public Education Division welcomes regional specialists CO educational resources Earth Day activities on sparky.org Grant helps boost home fire sprinkler advocacy and education Some measures designed to address school shooting may adversely affect fire safety Don't miss an issue! Sign up now and be the first to get the latest information on happenings in the public education division, activities, fire statistics, trends, educational tips, Sparky the Fire Dog® and more.

Latest issue of NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter highlights demographics of today's home fire victims

In its recent report, "Characteristics of Home Fire Victims," NFPA analyzed key demographics to paint an alarming portrait of the people at most risk of dying in fire. Get more information on the report and the fire problem in your state by reading the latest edition of NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter. The issue also includes stories on: the fire deaths of seven children in a state that has not updated its building code in years a homebuilder who cost-effectively sprinklered his parent's home a sprinkler advocate who counters the popular argument that "sprinklers will price out homebuyers" Don't miss...

The Paradigm Challenge's Make or Bake for Change contest needs your votes

We mentioned to you previously the Paradigm Challenge campaign, which NFPA supports, designed to get kids ages 7 to 18 involved in reducing deaths and injuries due to home fires by contributing their own fire safety ideas. This month, there is a great contest underway: Make or Bake for Change. Because almost half of all home fires start in the kitchen and unattended cooking is the primary cause, kids were asked to submit a photo that showed something they made or baked spelling out the word 'change.' The 10 entries with the most votes by the end of the month...

Winners of 8 iPads announced following Fire Experience survey of fire departments

The NFPA, as we do every year, mailed out our Fire Experience survey to fire departments across the country. This survey directly contributes to the following NFPA reports: Fire Loss in the United States U.S. Fire Department Profile U.S. Firefighter Injuries An Analysis of Volunteer Firefighter injuries In addition, the survey results enable the NFPA, USFA and CPSC to develop national estimates for fire causes based on the annual National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data. To help motivate everyone to complete their surveys on time this year, we held a drawing where all Fire Departments that submitted a completed...

New Research Foundation report looks into automotive fire apparatus tire replacement

An automotive fire apparatus fleet must be maintained in the highest state of readiness in order to immediately respond to an emergency. The provision of a reliable firefighting apparatus is one of the most important capital assets of a local government. The Technical Committee on Fire Department Apparatus has required that “tires shall be replaced at least every seven (7) years or more frequently…” This requirement was incorporated in a complete rewrite of the 2007 edition of NFPA 1911, and lacks supporting scientific documentation. Due to high capital costs, the decision for replacing fire apparatus tires should be based on...

Celebrate Earth Day with Firewise and NFPA

Sparky the Fire Dog is celebrating Earth Day today and throughout the month of April. He's partnered with NFPA's Firewise Communities Program to develop a great checklist that parents and kids can do together to help protect their homes from wildfire. By checking off everything on the list you will be helping to protect animals, trees, plants and your home! To get started, you'll need a(n): Earth Smarts Checklist Rake Broom Watering can Lawn bags Next, grab your family members and head outside to work on your checklist! If you can, ask your neighbors and friends to get involved, too....

New research project seeks to address contaminant removal from fire fighter PPE

The Fire Protection Research Foundation has a new research project underway to clarify contaminant removal from fire fighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE). This project is titled: Investigation of Turnout Clothing Contamination and Validation of Cleaning Procedures – Phase 1. While general cleaning procedures have been established in NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, more science is needed to support, clarify and enhance those procedures to ensure optimum contaminant removal. This issue is of serious concern to today’s fire service community, particularly as cancer - a leading concern...

NFPA launches "Standards in Action" campaign that encourages firefighter participation in its standards-making process

“It’s not hard to find any of us being seemingly annoyed that the NFPA doesn’t listen to what FIREFIGHTERS have to say. Actually, they do – and more than ever – especially since input via the internet makes it easy for NFPA committees to truly represent what FIREFIGHTERS need… not just the few at the table.” That’s from a blog posted on last week's FirefighterCloseCalls.com, home of The Secret List. The post came at just the right time, as NFPA launches a new campaign, “Standards in Action: Your Voice Matters,” in an effort to increase fire service participation in our...

NFPA issues errata on NFPA 101, Life Safety Code

NFPA has issued the following errata on NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®: NFPA 101, Errata 101-15-5, referencing 14.3.4.4.1,16.6.3.4.5, 18.5.2.3, 19.5.2.3, 24.3.4.2.1, 26.3.4.6.1, 28.3.4.6.1, and 30.3.4.6.1 of the 2015 edition. Issuance date: April 17, 2015 An errata is a correction issued to an NFPA Standard, published in NFPA News, Codes Online, and included in any further distribution of the document.

NFPA Standards Council issues decision on a proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to NFPA 70, National Electrical Code

At its April 7-8, 2015 meeting, the NFPA Standards Council considered an appeal regarding the issuance of a proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) No. 1162 on section 625.17(B) of the 2014 edition of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. The Standards Council has issued its final decision on this appeal as follows: Final Decision #15-1, on Council agenda item 15-4-5-d The NFPA Standards Council is a 13-person committee appointed by the NFPA Board of Directors that oversees the Association's codes and standards development activities, administers the rules and regulations, and acts as an appeals body. The Council administers about 250 NFPA...