National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) News
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), if one is have a reported home fire in 2018, one is more likely to die than one was in 1980. This startling fact is attributed to several factors, including the way homes are built and the contents in them. “Open floor plans and a prevalence of modern synthetic furnishings make homes burn faster and the fires produce deadly smoke and gases within moments,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy....
Metropolitan Fire Chiefs from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom participated in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Urban Fire Forum (UFF) at NFPA headquarters in Quincy, Mass. NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley welcomed the chiefs and provided an overview of the association’s Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem, reinforcing the critical role urban fire chiefs play in ensuring safe communities. Special guests at the Forum included the President of the Canadian Associ...
In response to reports that 24,000 portable space heaters and 7,000 hotplates will be delivered to customers impacted by the recent Merrimack Valley gas explosion, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is reminding the public to keep fire safety in mind. “Everyone should always be vigilant about fire safety. As Governor Baker and Columbia Gas work to proactively meet the needs of Massachusetts residents, we want to make sure portable space heaters and hotplates are used with the...
During the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, the gunman activated a manual fire alarm and shot at students as they left the building. The alarm promoted confusion during the calamity, in part because there had been a fire drill earlier in the day. It's not the first time a fire alarm has played a role in an active shooter scenario. Twenty years ago, a similar tactic was used at the Westside Middle School shooting in Jonesborough, Ark. A fire alarm als...
First Alert, the most trusted brand in home safety, Campus Firewatch and the Michael H. Minger Foundation have selected 25 organisations to participate in the second annual Town/Gown Fire Safety Community Service Project to raise awareness about fire safety. The initiative pairs firefighters with local colleges and universities to raise awareness among students and community members across the country about the importance of working smoke alarms and help to improve fire safety in homes. The cho...
A recent decision by the U. S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit clearly demonstrates the importance of issues raised by unauthorized publishing of codes and standards. The Court issued its decision in a copyright and trademark infringement case brought by three standard development organizations (SDOs), namely - the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), along with ASTM International (ASTM) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)...
IEP Technologies is pleased to announce the official release of the new Isolation Flap Valve, the "IsoFlap-M". The IEP Technologies Passive Isolation Flap Valve is a NFPA 654, 69 and EU ATEX Directive compliant, low cost, reliable explosion isolation solution which mitigates explosion propagation risks to upstream equipment. The Product Information Sheet and press release are available on the company’s website for the user’s review. IEP Technologies Regional Manager are availa...
Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall along the southern East Coast of the U.S. in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, bringing with it extensive rain and wind, and prompting extensive evacuations. The National Hurricane Center has also issued advisories for other tropical storms and hurricanes, and is asking communities to prepare ahead as these storms move closer to land. Electrical safety tips To help navigate these storms and prepare throughout hurricane season, NFPA enc...
September is Campus Fire Safety Month, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and The Center for Campus Fire Safety (The Center) are working together to promote their national Campus Fire Safety for Students campaign. The campaign, which raises awareness about the dangers of fires among college-aged students who live in on- and off-campus college housing, serves as an important reminder for students, parents, fire safety professionals, and safety educat...
The legislative Regulation Review Committee in Connecticut has formally approved new safety codes, including a State Building Code, Fire Safety Code and Fire Prevention Code that will fall short of nationally recognized standards and fire safety requirements. The Connecticut codes all go into effect by October 2018, but none will include requirements for fire sprinklers that are part of nationally recognized safety codes – including the International Residential Code and the Life Safety Co...
HURST Jaws of Life®, a manufacturer of rescue tools, is raising the bar in cutter performance standards with the launch of the S 799E2 / S 799. The new cutter has earned the highest rating available for cutters in the rescue tool industry and offers an 8.03-inch blade opening to get around tougher metals and newer designs in the posts. Highest rating possible “The new HURST Jaws of Life 799 cutter over delivers on their promise to provide first responders with rescue tools that can...
NFPA releases energy storage system training for the fire service The number of residential battery energy storage system (ESS) installs during the first quarter of 2018 increased nine-fold over 2017 Q1 figures, and equaled totals from the previous three quarters according to PV Magazine. To address potential fire and life safety hazards that may occur with solar and ESS technology in both housing and business settings, NFPA has updated and expanded its Energy Storage and Sola...
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) appointed Andrea Vastis as Senior Director of Public Education. Vastis will oversee NFPA’s well-respected wildfire and home fire education programs. The Seekonk, Massachusetts resident has held various roles in public health education, and has a long history of innovating education programs and fostering rewarding partnerships. Her ability to oversee strategic, purposeful planning, and management of interdisciplinary teams makes he...
NFPA hires new public education leader to oversee fire and life safety education The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) appointed Andrea Vastis as senior director of Public Education. Vastis will oversee NFPA’s well-respected wildfire and home fire education programs. NFPA’s public and fire education programs The Seekonk, Massachusetts resident has held various roles in public health education, and has a long history of innovating education programs and...
NFPA’s fire safety recommendations for revelers for the 4th of July celebrations With the Fourth of July fast approaching and the summer months upon us, indulging in barbecues, holiday parties and swimming often top the list of activities to enjoy during the summer season. To help everyone do so safely, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is reminding people about potential summer fire and electrical hazards and providing tips and recommendations to minimise...
NFPA-IAFC-NVFC unveil joint fire service safety initiative The “Fire Service Safety Stand Down Quiz” Sweepstakes is back as part of the annual Safety Stand Down campaign. Hosted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety Health & Survival Section and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the interactive online quiz emphasises the importance of the 2018 Safety Stand Down...
NFPA 720 CO detection and warning system to be inducted into 2019 edition of NFPA 72 Upon adjournment of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Technical Meeting in Las Vegas, the requirements of NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide Detection and Warning Equipment are one step closer to issuance by the Standards Council as incorporated into the 2019 edition of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. NFPA 720, which has worked to...
Every year the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Standards Council recognizes individuals for outstanding service to the organization in the development of codes and standards. Awards will be presented to 17 individuals at the NFPA Conference & Expo taking place in Las Vegas. 2018 Recipients for Special Achievement Award. Russell B. Leavitt Telgian Corporation, Phoenix, Arizona Automatic Sprinkler Systems Technical Committees on: Sprinkler System Installati...
NFPA introduces CodeFinder tool to reference international codes and standards The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released CodeFinder, a new interactive online tool that identifies the NFPA codes and standards that are in effect in U.S. municipalities or counties, as well as in regions of Canada, South America, Latin America and the Middle East. Keeping up with new hazards, changing technologies and best practices is essential when it comes to optimising safe...
NFPA unveils new additions to its board of directors at the annual Conference & Expo 2018 The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) elected Brion Callori, Martha Connors, Reginald D. Freeman, William J. Fries, and Louis Paulson, to its board of directors at the association’s annual Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. The three-year term for each member takes effect upon the close of the conference. Three board members, John D. Bonney, R. David Paulison, and Mic...
NFPA felicitates four awards at annual conference & expo The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) presented four awards to recognise outstanding achievements in fire and life safety at NFPA’s Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. Harry C. Bigglestone Award The Harry C. Bigglestone award is given annually to the paper appearing in Fire Technology that best represents excellence in the communication of fire protection concepts. This award honors the memory of Bi...
NFPA’s James M. Shannon Medal awarded to Jim Dalton in recognition of his work The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced Jim Dalton as the 2018 James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal for his career long commitment and passion for fire safety culminating with his efforts that led to the passage of the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. NFPA’s Fire and Public Safety initiatives The James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal was established in honor of Jim Shannon, who ser...
NFPA’s 2017 U.S. Firefighter Fatalities report reflects lowest on-job deaths in 40 years The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released its annual U.S. Firefighter Fatalities report, which showed a total of 60 U.S. firefighter fatalities while on duty in 2017. This number represents the lowest total reported since 1977, when NFPA began reporting on-duty firefighter fatalities; it is the sixth time in the last seven years that the total has been below 70 deaths....
NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week 2018 theme aims at enhanced home fire security The latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that if you have a reported fire in your home, you are more likely to die today than you were a few decades ago. This startling statistic is behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme: “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware - fire can happen anywhere.” Fire Prevention Week takes place October 7-13, 2018....
NFPA unveils key security measures to avoid shock hazards in water bodies With Memorial Day and the start of summer just around the corner, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is reminding people about the potential electrical hazards in swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, on board boats and in the waters surrounding boats, marinas and launch ramps. Countering the threat of electric shock drownings Electric shock drowning (ESD) happens when marina or onboard elect...
NFPA provides safety tips on grills to avoid structure and unclassified fires Grilling season is right around the corner and grill gurus everywhere are preparing for many family parties and barbecues. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) encourages grillers to pay attention to safety during the spring and summer months when home fires involving grilling incidents occur most often. High rate of structure and unclassified fires In 2011 – 2015, fire departments...
Metro fire chiefs meet in San Antonio to talk on key topics and issues The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association, a section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) held its 2018 annual conference in San Antonio, Texas May 4-10. More than 120 Metro chiefs from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States attended the conference and elected the Association’s 2018-2019 off...
NFPA and HFSC initiate action day to tackle the growing menace of home fires In the U.S., home fires claim the lives of seven people each day and injure 13,000 annually. Home fire sprinklers can help eliminate these tragedies, but legislative barriers and a general unawareness of this technology have prevented its use in new homes. Safety advocates across North America will be taking collective action on the same day to raise awareness of these challenges and a fire sprinkler&...
NFPA releases unified planning strategy to counter active shooter threat The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released NFPA 3000TM (PS), Standard for an Active Shooter / Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program to help communities holistically deal with the fast-growing number of mass casualty incidents that continue to occur throughout the world. Serving as the first of its kind, NFPA 3000 provides unified planning, response and recovery guidance, as well as civilian...
The National Electrical Code is updated every three years to include the latest in proven safety technology Flipping a light switch. Plugging in a coffeemaker. Charging a laptop or iPhone. These actions are second nature for most of us. Electricity makes our lives easier, but its potential for shock and fire-related hazards are often taken for granted. That is why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) actively supports National Electrical Safety Month, an annual camp...
