National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 34

Hot work incidents and statistics remind us of the importance of pre-incident planning and a dedicated fire watch in chemical, industrial, and manufacturing settings

Nearly 14 months after the explosion in the Port of Beirut, many questions remain about the catastrophic disaster but one thing we know is that hot work acted as the ignition source for the epic chain of events. And, in its wake, 218 were killed, more than 7,000 were injured, over 70,000 apartments were impacted, and at least 300,000 residents were forced to look for housing.
One little spark...



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HCIS licensing requirements webinar is now available for fire protection contractors and consultants working in 12 Saudi Arabian sectors

Earlier this month, the NFPA jointly presented an informational webinar with the Saudi Arabian High Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS) on new license renewal requirements that went into effect last month. The webinar was a great collaboration between NFPA and the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) that provides strategic supervision and is the approval body for 12 industries in Saudi.
The...



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A Better Understanding of NFPA 70E: Electrical Equipment Working Space

The National Electrical Code® (NEC)® Section 110.26 requires adequate working space for all electrical equipment. NEC Section 110.26(A) requires a clear space at least 30 inches wide and 36 inches deep if the equipment is likely to be worked on while energized. This space is necessary not only to allow workers room to perform tasks but also room to move if something goes wrong. NFPA 70E®,...



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From Washington, Big Investments in Wildfire Mitigation on the Horizon

Last week, President Biden visited the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho and then continued to California to see first-hand the devastation wrought by the 200,000-acre Caldor fire. Talking to press from a Cal Fire hangar, he touted the concrete actions taken by his Administration to tackle the 2021 wildfire crisis—raising wages for federal firefighters to the federal minimum,...



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Basic of Egress Stair Design

For many of us, walking up and down stairs is a routine part of our day. We may use stairs at work, at entertainment venues, and in our home without thinking twice about how their design and function contribute greatly to life safety in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Recently, I wrote about the details and the importance of handrail design for safe and efficient stair use. Here I...



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RFP now open for FPRF Project: Landscape of ESS Hazards and Mitigation Strategies due October 5

Battery Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are a critical part of today's dramatic push for sustainable and renewable electrical energy. As a result, these systems are proliferating at an exponential pace. While the fire protection and emergency response communities are working with ESS providers and others to ensure acceptable safe installations, there are still gaps in the fundamental understanding...



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Impressive lineup on tap for October 5 NFPA conference centered around industrial, chemical, and emerging tech issues

Well-known industry experts and NFPA technical staff are set to discuss energy storage systems (ESS), natural gases, flammable liquids, fuel gases, petroleum, combustible dust, hot work, and other topics during a one-day virtual NFPA conference on Tuesday, October 5.
 
The forward-thinking Keeping Hazardous Environments Safe program is designed for those that work in industrial settings, the...



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NFPA releases Standards Council TIA decision on NFPA 1971

A couple of months ago I wrote a blog explaining how individuals could get involved in the conversation about NFPA standards and firefighter PPE. 
That blog provides a good overview for reference, and this piece provides new developments related to one particular standard - NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2018 Edition.
A recent...



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Rethinking Electrical Safety Because Lives Depend On It

Electrical safety is without question a critical component to a successful electrical installation. Yet many seem to have differing viewpoints on what is safe and what risks should be taken. At the root of every electrical safety incident is a person who made a choice, based on the information they had available. Sometimes proper training is not provided and at other times, proper training may...



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FPRF webinar recording on “Traditional and Particulate-Blocking Firefighter Hoods: Pros, Cons, and Trade-Offs” is now available

The recording of the “Traditional and Particulate-Blocking Firefighter Hoods” webinar hosted by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, the research affiliate of NFPA, is now available for viewing online. The webinar centered around research conducted by North Carolina State University’s Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) and focused on developing a system-level methodology for...



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