National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 315

NFPA Journal talks about conflicting health care codes

For safety's sake, hospitals rely on multiple layers of regulations, including codes and standards such those created by NFPA, says Chad Beebe, deputy executive director of advocacy for the American Society for Healthcare Engineering. Unfortunately, those codes sometimes conflict in ways that can affect a hospital’s operations. "Codes that are adopted or made compulsory in a jurisdiction, for example, can contain provisions that differ and sometimes conflict," he says. "Additional friction is created when the adopted codes are not the most recent editions of those documents, or if the provisions in those codes are not based on the most recent...

In new NFPA Journal, weighing in on hospital smoke compartment size

At last year’s NFPA Conference & Expo, NFPA members voted to reject the idea of increasing the allowable smoke compartment size in hospitals from 22,500 square feet to 40,000 square feet. The proposed change would have been included in the 2015 edition of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®. Despite the outcome, “the premise for the increase in smoke compartment size for new construction remains viable,” writes Ron Coté, principal life safety engineer at NFPA. In his new column “input Wanted” in the new January/February issue of NFPA Journal, Coté lays out the arguments for and against the provision and why...

NFPA Journal column addresses risks to wildland firefighters

Last October, a number of newspapers reported on the loss of a tanker plane that crashed while dropping retardant on the Dog Rock Fire in Yosemite National Park, killing its pilot. This type of media coverage illustrates the significant risks faced by responders, says Lucian Deaton, manager of the Firewise Communities and Fire Adapted Communities programs for NFPA’s Wildland Fire Operations Division. “Wildfire will always be with us, which is why it’s critically important to do what we can to minimize the risks for those who fight those fires, whether they’re flying above the flames or cutting fire breaks on...

View the public input submissions for NFPA documents in the Fall 2016 revision cycle

As we continue to enhance our standards development site, NFPA looks for ways to make it easier for the public to get involved and participate in our standards development process. A feature in the standard development site is the capability for the public to “View Public Inputs” and “View Public Comments” after all submissions have been completed. For documents in the Fall 2016 revision cycle that received public inputs, links are now available to “View Public Inputs” on each Next edition tab of the document information pages under the category “First Draft”. You will be asked to sign-in or create...

New Jersey advocate's plea for sprinklers hits home following a near-tragic event

Earlier this month, a number of publications picked up an opinion piece by David Kurasz, executive director of the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board and member of the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Coalition. Similar to trends that have occurred in other states (Alabama, for example), New Jersey saw an unfortunate uptick in fire fatalities in 2014. More specifically, there was nearly a 30-percent increase in fire deaths in 2014 when compared with 2013 totals. "I urge people to never leave space heaters unattended. Clean chimney flues before use, check all smoke detectors, and consider installing residential fire sprinklers," pleaded...

Jim Pauley extends an invitation to join us at Conference & Expo in Chicago this year

NFPA President Jim Pauley promises some exciting changes to this year's Conference & Expo in Chicago. Watch the video above to hear his invitation for you to join us at this year's event from June 22-25 at McCormick Place. Early bird registration is now open through May 8th! Also, be sure to spread the news about the Conference, and your attendance, by using this year's hashtag - #NFPAConf.

Review the Second Draft Reports for 35 documents in the Annual 2015 revision cycle

The Second Draft Reports for 35 NFPA documents in the Annual 2015 revision cycle are now available. Some of the proposed NFPA documents with Second Draft Reports are as follows: NFPA 2, Hydrogen Technologies Code NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Ssytems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code NFPA 73, Standard for Electrical Inspections for Existing Dwellings NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening...

NFPA Journal explores the research transforming the fire service

For a while now most fire chiefs around the country have known that changes in building materials and home furnishings have altered modern fire behavior—residential fires today are burning hotter and faster than they did just a few decades ago.

In January's issue of Safety Source: new Dan Doofus video on smoke alarms, updated EMAC messages & more

The January issue of Safety Source, NFPA's public education enewsletter, is now available for viewing. In this issue, you will find; New Dan Doofus video about smoke alarms Updated EMAC messages Sparky.org activity helps reinforce "stay away from hot things" message Infographic highlights winter fire safety A new contest rewards the ingenuity of youth to create fire-safety messages. 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.

Today in fire history: two persons were able to escape while 12 others die in Pennsylvania House Hotel fire

Only two persons were able to escape from the Pennsylvania House Hotel when flames quickly spread through the building on January 16, 1972, leaving 12 others dead. The hotel building was typical of many old, small community hotels built to serve the travelers of 75 years ago -- hotels that for the most part have been replaced by motels as transportation has changed through the years. The owners of older buildings have attempted to keep a hotel business going, with the result that many of the hotels have changed in character, serving as residential hotels for local citizens rather than...