National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 320

In December's issue of Fire Break; largest loss fire of 2013 is a wildfire, new team members and more

The December issue of Fire Break, NFPA’s Wildland Fire Operations Division newsletter, is now available for viewing. Here’s what you’ll find in this month’s issue: A link to NFPA’s “Large Loss Fires in the United States in 2013” report that highlights Colorado’s Black Forest Fire that resulted in $420.5 million in damage, the highest in terms of direct property loss of any fire in the country. Information about the newest members of the Wildland Fire Operations Division Some interesting statistics about lightning and its connection to wildfires A link to our new Sparky wildfire videos Resources to help prepare seasonal...

NFPA issues errata on NFPA 1, Fire Code, and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code

NFPA has issued the following errata on NFPA 1, Fire Code, and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code: Flammable and Combustible Liquids NFPA 1, Errata 1-15-1, referencing 2.2, Table 6.1.14.4.1(a) and (b), 13.3.1.6, 13.7.2.13.2.1, 14.11.3.3, 18.5.2, 18.5.3, 20.1.2, 20.1.5.12, 25.1.1, 25.3, 25.4, A.3.3.164.2, and A.13.3.2.9.1 of the 2015 edition. Issuance date: December 15, 2014 NFPA 101, Errata 101-15-4, referencing 12.2.5.3, 17.2.11.1.2, 20.4.3, Table 22.1.6.1, Table 22.4.4.2.1, Table 23.1.6.1, 40.2.5.3.2, 42.2.2.3.1, 42.2.2.6.2, 42.2.2.9.2, 42.2.4, 42.7.4, A.8.8, and A.24.1.1.2 of the 2015 edition. Issuance date: December 15, 2014 An errata is a correction issued to an NFPA Standard, published in NFPA News, Codes...

January 20 seminar: Facility managers face ch-ch-changes to NFPA 99 and NFPA 101

Usually when I write blog posts I like to include a quote from a philosopher, a head of state or a historical figure. Is it odd that the person I want to quote for this piece is a musician? David Bowie in his song "Changes" has a refrain that is "Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes." If you are a Facility Manager at a health care facility we know that you face the challenge of splitting your time among many tasks including compliance with NFPA codes and standards. With the BIG changes that have happened between 1999 and now to NFPA 101 and NFPA 99,...

More and more burn survivors using their voices to champion for home fire sprinklers

Pam Elliott doesn't recall the flames or smoke from the house fire that enveloped her 55 years ago. She does remember a Good Samaritan who quickly entered her home and whisked her to safety. The damage was done, however; Elliott received burns on 50 percent of her body. She was only five years old. These injuries haven't slowed down this North Carolina firecracker. She's had a successful career as a burn nurse, and makes a passionate plea for home fire sprinklers whenever she can. (Elliott was one of the speakers at NFPA's recent Fire Sprinkler Initiative Summit.) "I'm here to...

NFPA report: The risk of fire death varies by age and race

The percentage of fatal fire victims 65 and older has been increasing while the percentage of victims under 5 has fallen. According to NFPA’s new report, Characteristics of Home Fire Victims, older adults had the highest risk of fire death in the US compared to other age groups. In 2007-2011, people 65 and over were 2.4 times as likely to be killed in a home fire as the overall population. While children under five have historically also been a high risk group, their risk has dropped to 1.1 times that of the general population. The percentage of fatal home fire...

Christmas trees are a potential fire hazard; follow simple tips for safely having one in your home

Christmas trees are a festive emblem of the holiday season, but they also present a potential fire risk in the home. Although Christmas tree fires aren’t particularly common, when they do occur, they are likely to be serious. On average, one of every 40 reported home structure Christmas tree fires resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home structure fires. One of every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems. In addition, Christmas trees are flammable objects. The longer they remain in the home, the more dried out they...

NFPA looks to hire 3 public education regional specialists

Do you want to make a difference? NFPA's public education division is hiring for three new positions! The Public Education Regional Specialists will work remotely and be responsible for promoting the use of NFPA fire-safety education materials at the state and local level. They will serve in an ambassadorial role for the Association on a regional level by being an effective spokesperson for all NFPA public education and advocacy initiatives on behalf of NFPA, and providing an NFPA presence for fire departments in the region while coordinating field activities with Association staff. Job requirements include a minimum of 7 years...

Today in fire history: an early morning fire in a dormitory resulted in the deaths of ten female students

In the early morning hours of December 13, 1977, a fire occurred at Aquinas Hall, a dormitory at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. This fire resulted in the deaths of ten female students who were resident s of the fourth floor. The primary fuel for the fire was highly combustible Christmas decorations that had been put up in the corridors. Physical evidence indicates that the fire started near a fourth floor sleeping room. Aquinas Hall was of mixed construction with a majority of the building being protected by non- combustible construction. It's a four story building with the first...

Upon learning benefits of home fire sprinklers, insurance agent prompts company discount

Jack Swanson proudly displays his " Fire Sprinklers Save Lives" sticker inside his company office in Casper, Wyoming. But the insurance agent with Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company wasn't always a full-time sprinkler supporter. In fact, when his client Justin Smith, chair of the Wyoming Fire Sprinkler Coalition, initially asked him to join the group that's focused on home fire sprinkler education, he begrudgingly agreed to attend the first meeting. "When he first asked me to come, I told him I was pretty busy," Swanson says with a laugh. "But I went and since then I’ve gotten on...

NFPA issues errata on NFPA 30 and NFPA 1192

NFPA has issued the following errata on NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, and NFPA 1192, Standard on Recreational Vehicles: Flammable and Combustible Liquids NFPA 30, Errata 30-15-1, referencing Figure 16.4.1(b), Table 16.5.2.1 and Note 4; and Table 16.5.2.3, Note 5 of the 2015 edition, issuance date: December 11, 2015 NFPA 1192, Errata 1192-15-1, referencing 3.3.39* of the 2015 edition, issuance date: December 11, 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.