National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Blog, page 38

A Better Understanding of NFPA 70E: Job Safety Planning and Job Briefing

Before starting each job that involves exposure to electrical hazards, the employee in charge must complete a job safety plan and conduct a job briefing with the employees involved. That is the NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® requirement. It makes sense for the occasional need to justifiably expose an employee an electrical hazard but what about tasks that expose an...



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Determining Current Carrying Capacity of Conductors

The purpose of NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from the hazards that arise due to the use of electricity. Typically, this means protecting people from hazards like shock and arc flash, as well as property from fire. Fires resulting from improper wiring have historically been a significant threat ever since electrical systems have...



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Fire Extinguisher Types

In the hands of a trained person, portable fire extinguishers are great tools to protect people and property from fire during early stages. When using an extinguisher or selecting an extinguisher to install, it’s important to know the characteristics of different fire extinguishers. This blog will address the different types of fire extinguishers by breaking them down by their extinguishing...



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Research shows progress and problems since "America Burning"

"The striking aspect of the Nation’s fire problem is the indifference with which Americans confront the subject. Destructive fire takes a huge toll in lives, injuries, and property losses, yet there is no need to accept those losses with resignation. There are many measures--often very simple precautions-that can be taken to reduce those losses significantly.”
Nearly 50 years ago, these salient...



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On the Road to Wildfire Resilience in Oregon; State Passes Comprehensive Wildfire Bill on July 1

Earlier this year, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a report on the deadliest disaster of 2018—the Camp Fire that destroyed the town of Paradise, California. Eighty-one people died in that fire; 18,000 structures were lost. From mounds of data, researchers pieced together a timeline of the event: in roughly 6 hours, 85 percent of the town’s homes and businesses...



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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issues safety warning about Chevy Bolt

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a warning to owners of 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolts, urging them not to park in garages or near structures and to refrain from overnight charging.
In November, General Motors recalled more than 50,000 Chevy Bolts due to potential fire risks posed by high-voltage batteries underneath the back seat. Battery packs can smoke and...



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FINAL REMINDER: Register to attend “Community Risk Reduction: Insights into Action,” a one-day online program highlighting tools, solutions and strategies for mitigating community risks

Next Tuesday, July 20, NFPA is hosting “Community Risk Reduction: Insights into Action,” a one-day online program that addresses issues fire departments and other public safety officials often face in mitigating safety risks, along with solutions, tools, and strategies to address those challenges. The program is part of the association’s virtual 125th Anniversary Conference Series, which replaces...



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NFPA now offers Middle East and North Africa solutions page in Arabic

NFPA has launched a new Middle East and North Africa (MENA) solutions page in Arabic as part of its 125th Anniversary commitment to serving global stakeholders. The new microsite introduces building, electrical, fire, and life safety workers in MENA territories to the NFPA codes, standards, training and certification resources that are paramount for keeping pace with progress.
Countries within...



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Code Compliant Electrical Installation the Key to Swimmer Safety and a Secure Electrical System in Pools

Now that summer has arrived, many of us will be taking advantage of the nice weather to jump into swimming pools to cool off. But what many people don’t realize, is there’s a lot to keeping us safe from electrical hazards in these wet environments. Much of this depends on the initial electrical installation. Something that is often overlooked after the pool has been installed and inspected, is...



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Swinging Egress Door Operation: Permissible Egress Door Locking Arrangements

Every component in the means of egress (an unobstructed route from any point in a building to a public way) must be operable by, and under the control of, the occupants attempting egress. One of the biggest obstacles a person can encounter, preventing them from free egress, is a locked door. Approaching a noncompliant locked door unexpectedly and without the means necessary to operate it is an...



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