National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 323

NFPA Standards Council seeking public comments on two new projects: fire-based community healthcare provider program and SCAM of rescue tools

At its October 2014 meeting, the NFPA Standards Council considered and reviewed the following new projects and is seeking public review and comment by the February 1, 2015 deadline: Fire-based community healthcare provider (FBCHP) program Selection, care, and maintenance (SCAM) of rescue tools Anyone interested in commenting on these new projects, should include the following information: resources on the subject matter, the names of those interested in participating on the Committee (if established), the names of other organizations actively involved with this subject, and whether there is a need for such a project. Submit your comments to the Codes and...

Father/daughter home fire tragedy underscored in latest Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter

Following the deaths of a 10 year old and her father from a house fire, Washington State sprinkler advocates convinced the surviving homeowner to rebuild with sprinklers. What they didn't expect was that the homeowner was initially dissuaded to install sprinklers by a key group. Get the details by reading NFPA's latest Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter. The November edition also includes information on: NFPA's recent sprinkler summit, which has energized advocates across North America a spike in home fire deaths in 2013 initiating meaningful dialogue with homebuilders Stay abreast of sprinkler news by signing up for the free newsletter, delivered...

This month in Firewatch: Sprinkler douses fire started by ignition of oily rags in trash can, Washington

Oily rags in an open trash can in the kitchen of an assisted-living facility spontaneously ignited, starting a fire that spread to a wall until heat activated a sprinkler. The three-story, wood-frame building, which measured 100 feet(30 meters), contained 80 unites in addition to common spaces. The building's fire alarm system monitored the water flow of the wet-pipe sprinkler, which was installed in compliance with the local code. A building occupant who heard the fire alarm activate discovered the fire in the kitchen and tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the blaze using a dry chemical portable fire extinguisher. by the time...

Comments sought on proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

The following proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) for NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, is being published for public review and comment: Proposed TIA No. 1163, Reference: 29.3.8.1.1(New) of the 2013 and proposed 2016 edition Anyone may submit a comment on this proposed TIA by the January 16, 2015 closing date. Along with your comment, please identify the number of the TIA and forward to the Secretary, Standards Council by the closing date.

Today in fire history: Cocoanut Grove Night Club Fire

On the night of November 28, 1942, fire swept through Boston's most popular night club, the Cocoanut Grove. In less than 30 minutes, the fire had traveled through the four main rooms, leaving 492 persons dead or dying. The cause of the fire was an apparent spark which ignited the combustible decorations on the ceiling. The Club was a group of four buildings connected on the ground floor. In the basement, was the Melody lounge, kitchen, and storage rooms. Included in the main building was a basement of reinforced concrete and brick masonry construction. The Foyer walls were covered with...

Local news station offers helpful tips for a fire-safe Thanksgiving

Keep this Thanksgiving a fire-safe one by using extra caution in the kitchen tomorrow. That’s the main message behind KCWY13-TV’s local news coverage on Thanksgiving safety, which reinforces the increased potential for cooking fires, along with tips and recommendations for ensuring a fire-safe holiday. A special thanks to Justin Smith, captain of Fire-EMS in Casper, Wyoming, and chair of the Wyoming Fire Sprinkler Coalition, who was interviewed for this story and helped ensure that accurate statistics and safety recommendations were included. Have a happy, fire-safe Thanksgiving, everyone!

Fire deaths on the decline in a state requiring home fire sprinklers

Maryland, one of two states with statewide sprinkler requirements (California is the other), has seen a 20-percent decrease in fire fatalities in 2014 over last year. That's a decline from 55 fire deaths in 2013 to 44 this year. "Maryland's fire service is cautiously optimistic with this year's data," said State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci in a news release. "Everyone must remain vigilant in their fire prevention efforts to continue this trend. An estimated 80 percent of all structure fires in Maryland occur in what most assume to be the safest places--our homes." The state is apparently seeing successes from...

Today in fire history: explosion in New York Pyrotechnics Products Company kills two employees and injures 24 others

At approximately 11:13 a.m. on November 26, 1983, a series of explosions and subsequent fires occurred at the site of the New York Pyrotechnics Products Co. plant in the Town of Brookhaven New, York. Two employees working on the plant site at the time of the explosions were killed. In addition, 24 persons in areas surrounding the plant site were injured. The two critical factors in this incident were the combination of the lack of adequate building, trailer and vehicle separation coupled with their quantity loading which permitted the initial explosion/fire to initiate a series of explosions and fire which...

In the new NFPA Journal, what defines success for a Firewise Community?

Many Firewise Communities, whose residents have banded together to take measures to protect their properties from the threat of wildfire, have the same question: what defines success? Lucian Deaton, who manages the Firewise Communities and Fire Adapted Communities programs in NFPA's Wildland Fire Operations Division, has been asked the question many times. Deaton shares some of his thoughts on the matter in his new column, "Measures of Success," in the November/December issue of NFPA Journal. While even beginning the conversation in a community constitutes some level of success, "the ultimate goal is a community that believes in the aspiration of...

NFPA Journal on the importance of timely code adoption

Last August, people from 12 states who attended the 2014 National Electrical Code® adoption workshop were asked to list as many reasons as they could why the timely adoption of the NEC® is important and to rank their reasons in order of importance. According to Jeff Sargent, NFPA's regional electrical code specialist, this is particularly important in the areas of the United States where forces are working to delay code adoption and amend critical safety requirements. The participants came up with seven reasons, including improved safety and reduced liability. The exercise is already paying dividends, Jeff says. One workshop participant...