National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 308

Fire detection topics on tap at Research Foundation symposium

Day three of the Fire Protection Research Foundation's "Fire Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications Symposium" (SUPDET) being held this week in Orlando is focusing on the latest technologies and research on fire detection. Paper topics included mass notification, signaling and notification, unwanted alarms, and nuisance alarms. In addition to the papers already featured in previous blog posts, the following presentations were offered in Orlando: Ken Modeste of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Security Implications Associated with Mass Notification Systems Ken Modeste, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Parameters for Indirect Viewing of Visual Signals Used in Emergency Notification John D. Bullough, Ph.D., Lighting...

SUBDET 2015 wraps in Orlando—all conference presentations are available to view online

The 2015 Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications (SUPDET) Conference concluded today in Orlando, Florida. Over the course of the four-day conference more than 100 attendees and 30 presenters met to discuss the latest research, developments and emerging issues in the fire detection and suppression world. Attendees were treated to presentations as diverse as smoke detection aboard the International Space Station, to recycling center fires in the UK, issues with suppressing fire in electric vehicles and much, much more. The conference, hosted by the Fire Protection Research Foundation and held March 3-6 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando,...

Discussion of the wildfire problem kicks-off the last day of the 2015 SUPDET Conference in Orlando

NFPA associate engineer Daniel Gorham kicked-off the last day of the Fire Protection Research Foundation’s 2015 Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications (SUPDET) in Orlando, Florida, on Friday morning. In his presentation, “Application of Fire Protection in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Design: Hazard Definition and Review of Current Practices,” Gorham outlined the growing problem of wildfire and why trained fire protection engineers have to be part of the solution. “The knowledge gap is huge,” he said, speaking of what is currently known about wildfire behavior. “We are starting to understand that FPEs need to have a role here. FPEs have...

The next five years in fire and electrical safety challenges - results of Foundation survey

In 2008, the Foundation published its 5 year research agenda, a seven point plan that has guided our work on the emerging issues facing fire and electrical safety. In January of this year we surveyed our stakeholders and NFPA technical staff to identify new issues and the areas where we need to refocus our efforts. The results have pointed us toward some new directions as well as toward someunfinished business. Mark your calendars for November 13, 14 in Washington DC as we engage leaders in our industry and beyond in furthering the discussion on the next five years in fire...

Huge fires at UK recycling centers underscores the need for regulation, SUPDET presenter tells conference attendees

“I’d like to talk to you about rubbish,” said Stuart Lloyd of Zurich Insurance as he stepped up to the podium this afternoon to present at the 2015 Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications (SUPDET) Conference in Orlando, Florida. The United Kingdom, where Lloyd is based, has a big problem with fire at recycling centers. Last year, the UK averaged one recycling center fire per week, many of them large events that took weeks to extinguish. One of those fires stretched for 7-acres and shut down a freeway and airspace around the facility, Lloyd said. Despite the problem, efforts...

Enter your audition video for your chance to sing the National Anthem at 2015 NFPA Conference & Expo in Chicago

For the second year in a row, NFPA is holding a contest to determine the talent who will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at this year’s General Session of the NFPA Conference & Expo in Chicago on Monday, June 22, 2015 in front of about 3,000 attendees! (Watch the video of last year's winners during their big moment!) Submit your audition video by March 29th of you or your group (consisting of no more than 5 members) singing the National Anthem a cappella! Please also include a spoken statement during the video describing your interest in NFPA's mission, or email a...

Day 3 of 2015 SUPDET Conference Begins With Presentation of the William M. Carey Award

Thomas Multer and Christina Francis were presented this morning with the William M. Carey Award at the 2015 Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications (SUPDET) Conference in Orlando, Florida.The award is given for the most outstanding suppression presentation at last year SUPDET Conference. Thomas Multer receives the William M. Carey Award from Amanda Kimball of the Fire Protection Research Foundation during the 2015 SUPDET Conference in Orlando, Florida. Multer’s and Francis’s presentation “Storage Protection Using Horizontal Barriers and Large K-Factor, Extended Coverage In-Rack Sprinklers,” looked at how installing continuous horizontal barriers at 20- to- 30-foot levels may help protect...

NFPA helps Domino's remind customers to change their smoke alarm batteries when changing their clocks this weekend

NFPA and Domino's have teamed up once again to help people protect themselves and their loved ones from home fires. Using daylight savings time and pizza boxes, we’re working together to encourage the public to change their batteries when they change their clocks this weekend. (Daylight savings time is Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m.) Domino’s is using its pizza boxes to deliver fire safety tips throughout the month of March in participating markets across the country. “Daylight saving time brings a convenient, timely reminder to change the batteries in your smoke alarm, which is an easy, important step to...

SUPDET presenters discuss Halon alternatives for U.S. Air Force

Presenters at today's Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications Conference (SUPDET) In Orlando highlighted how the U.S. Air Force has developed replacements for the fire suppression agent Halon 1301 to protect "hush houses," or jet engine noise suppressor systems. The need to find an equivalency to Halon 1301 appears to be an environmental one--the agent is classified as an ozone-depleting substance. (The European Union discontinued use of Halon for noncritical applications in 2003.) SUPDET speakers Juan Font with the U.S. Air Force and William Meyring of 3M also outlined the steps taken to phase out the cleaning agent and...

Homebuilder arguments to new sprinkler bill countered by New Jersey fire service

Capt. James Culbertson with the Ventnor City Fire Department in New Jersey offered a well-written response to an editorial panning a new bill that would require sprinklers in new homes. Here's a point-counterpoint synopsis of both editorials: Opponent argument: "The New Jersey Builders Association figures mandating sprinkler systems would add $6,000 to the cost of a new home." Culbertson's response: "The editorial states home fire sprinkler systems [are] a considerable cost. What would considerable cost be to the six people who perished in the recent Ann Arundel, Maryland, fire? How about all of the many civilians and firefighters injured and...