Thousands of industry professionals gathered at the 2024 NFPA Conference and Expo in Orlando in June. The event brought together educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibitor showcase. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. The NFPA annual meeting allowed members and the public to discuss and vote on proposed changes to fire codes and standards.
“It’s a gathering place for people in the industry,” says Dr. Rodger Reiswig, Vice President of Industry Relations at Johnson Controls. “You can walk around the floor and observe the trends, see what people are talking about, and view industry trends through a clear set of eyes.”
New Foundation Series
As vice president of industry relations, Reiswig acts as Johnson Controls’ liaison with the NFPA, works with NFPA technology committees, and serves on the Standards Council that oversees more than 300 NFPA codes and standards documents.
Foundation Series is a complete family of fire alarm control units and peripheral devices
At the NFPA Conference and Expo in Orlando, Johnson Controls provided “spotlight” seminars at their exhibit booth and highlighted products and services including interactive tools, inspections, remote services, restaurant systems, and the new Foundation Series Fire Safety Solution for the protection of small to mid-size buildings. The Foundation Series is a complete family of fire alarm control units and peripheral devices.
NFPA’s codes and standards
In addition, Reiswig attended seminars and Standards Council sessions. Technical sessions covered codes and standards that are currently “in cycle” (i.e., in the process of being updated). In a technical session on the last day of NFPA, anyone could attend to suggest changes and garner support from others on various changes. Consensus is a core principle of NFPA’s codes and standards.
“This is a chance for everyone to participate, whether your interest is in roofing materials, how buildings are built, or life safety systems,” Reiswig adds. “Codes tell us when to do something, but standards tell us how to do it. If the occupancy standard says put in a fire alarm, the NFPA standard tells you how to do that.” Anyone at any level in any role or discipline can participate.
new NFPA 915 Standard
Fire alarm and life safety have yet lagged industry sectors when it comes to remote connectivity
“Technology is changing rapidly, and the type of construction is different than 20 or 30 years ago. Use of new tools and materials in buildings is changing how much time I have to escape smoke or fire,” Reiswig says. “New construction materials allow fires to happen quickly, spread faster, and give off toxic chemicals. Tighter buildings ensure energy efficiency, but they allow less ventilation, so carbon monoxide can accumulate faster.”
A common theme at the show was remote connectivity, highlighting the new NFPA 915 Standard for Remote Inspections, which guides new technologies to enable remote access and testing of life safety systems. Fire alarm and life safety have previously lagged other industry sectors when it comes to remote connectivity, but the new NFPA 915 standard opens new possibilities, and vendors at the show were promoting remote capabilities and inspections.
develop safeguards and capabilities
NFPA 915 Standard sets need for performing remote inspections safely and effectively
The NFPA 915 Standard establishes requirements for performing remote inspections safely and effectively. It addresses various types of remote inspections. The standard also defines the responsibilities of various parties involved in a remote inspection, such as the inspector, property owner, and authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The standard covers data collection procedures, data security, and data ownership. Overall, the standard helps to ensure that remote inspections can be conducted in a way that meets safety requirements.
In effect, NFPA 915 gives the green light to manufacturers and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to develop safeguards and capabilities to log into life safety systems remotely. The approach can help to simplify inspections, which can be performed remotely or with only one technician required on-site rather than two. Requirements include how systems communicate, the cybersecurity and credentials required, and the prevention of outside connections. Beyond fire alarms, the standard also allows other remote inspections, such as using a drone in a large warehouse to inspect sprinkler heads.
Real-time information and instructions
Inspectors are not allowed into buildings such as nursing homes and clinics to check their safety systems
NFPA 915 was being considered before the COVID pandemic, but the business shutdowns and social distancing requirements during the worst of the pandemic increased awareness of the needs and benefits of remote inspections. During COVID, inspectors were not allowed into buildings such as nursing homes and hospitals to inspect their life safety systems. Remote access and inspections became critical, thus raising awareness of the feasibility of remote inspections that continue to drive their adoption.
Another area of interest in NFPA was mass notification systems, which have matured a lot since they were introduced into the NFPA code in 2007. It’s easier than ever to provide real-time information and instructions to people in an area. Connectivity among fire alarm systems inside buildings, digital signage, and other life safety systems are promoting better notification.
Area of refuge systems
A new area of discussion and product development is “area of refuge” systems that complement Americans with Disabilities (ADA) requirements in buildings. In a high-rise building, for example, if the elevators are disabled, it may be impossible for a person using a wheelchair to evacuate. Instead, there are designated “areas of refuge,” which are rated to provide two hours of protection from fire. New notification systems can communicate with first responders about occupants in these areas.
The NFPA conference increasingly incorporates a global presence, encouraging more collaboration among entities, countries, and associations about needs around the world. Manufacturers can work together through various associations including the Automatic Fire Alarm Association, Euralarm in Europe, and others.
“Life safety is worldwide, and fires may be the same or different in various areas,” says Reiswig. “We need to remember that standards are not just for the United States because people are active from other countries.”