National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) News

Hundreds of sensors and devices operating across an entire city – all connected via the Internet of Things (IoT) – combine to provide useful and actionable information for a variety of functions – including public safety and fire protection. Even as IoT sensors and devices monitor buildings to provide vital information, computer systems transform sensor data into intelligence. Communication advances are ensuring that intelligence is shared when and how it is needed. The Nation...

There is a sense in some markets that the paper and pulp industry will decline owing to the digital technologies with which people interact every day. While this might be considered logical, the reality is completely different. In fact, the paper and pulp industry has experienced a steady growth and will continue to do so in 2021. Production of paper increased by more than 450% in the last decades and the demand of paperboard in the world is expected to grow significantly, driven by e-commerce...

  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and plans to commemorate the momentous milestone through a series of events and initiatives that reflect the steadfast commitment to fire, electrical, and life safety by the Association. Key to the celebration is the launch of a virtual 125th Anniversary Conference Series that replaces the traditional in-person 2021 NFPA Conference & Expo. The online conference series runs from M...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) launched a new Fire Prevention Program Manager Online Training Series today to help the building industry understand and adopt the strategies defined in NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, which calls for a fire prevention program and a designated manager to enforce safety onsite. The topic will also be discussed by a panel of industry experts during an Addressing Fire Safety Challenges During Co...

With the increased number of electric vehicles on the road today and projections for the majority of cars having lithium ion and other special batteries in the near future, first responders are faced with new challenges in handling disasters. Battery fires present unique fire hazards, and while there is no emergency response guide or an accepted way to handle these fires, they are offering a way to Contain – Control – Isolate (CCI), preventing fire spread and further damage from tox...

The UK’s demand for sustainable heat and power sources is increasing rapidly. This is seeing a growing dependence on renewable energy sources for electricity, and, as we’re facing a landscape of constrained power generation, consistency of this power source is becoming a key concern. Fire is an evolving risk for power stations. It can cause prolonged outages, which are damaging to sites’ personnel, equipment, and fuels. However, these fires are very common. James Mountain, Sal...

The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association, a section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced their award honorees, and for the first time in its 56-year history, fire chiefs from the largest jurisdictions throughout the world have selected a female officer as Fire Chief of the Year. Mary Cameli, chief of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department in Arizona has earned the Metropolitan Fire Chief of the Year ho...

The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors has unanimously voted to rename their annual Lifetime Achievement Award the “Russell E. Sanders Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of Sanders’ leadership and continuous contributions to Metro Chiefs and the international fire service. Metro Chiefs is a section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The Russell E. Sanders Lifet...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors introduce an additional, final video interview of its Faces of Fire/Electrical series, which features personal stories of people impacted by electrical incidents and demonstrates the need for continued education and awareness about electrical hazards in the workplace and at home. Arc Flash Event In August 2004, Don Johnson, an electrician from Florida, was at work connecting a client’s backup gener...

MSA and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working together to provide the most innovative and up-to-date technology to help first responders improve their health and safety. That’s why three volunteer firefighters that are NVFC members will receive a personalized MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet in 2021. To be eligible to enter, applicants must be an active U.S. volunteer firefighter and a member of the NVFC. Members will have three opportunities to enter to win an XF1 helmet...

Fully-operational equipment is essential to taking effective and responsible action during an emergency situation. No piece of equipment is as vital as the fire apparatus. While departments are already armed with the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) codes and standards for emergency vehicle maintenance, there are other general apparatus inspection and maintenance practices that build on top of that foundation. Toyne, Inc. has been building call-ready apparatus for nearly 80 y...

Johnson Controls, the provider of smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, introduces the Tyco RM-2 Riser Manifold with Model TD-2 Test and Drain Valve. The UL and UL-C Listed, FM Approved system simplifies installation, testing, and operation for fire protection contractors by providing all the necessary components in a pre-assembled compact unit, including a unique linear shut-off function offering the ultimate sealing design. The RM-2 Riser Manifold is intended for use with wet pipe sprink...

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is seeking to address fire dangers from electric vehicles that use high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. At risk are first responders who may be injured by electric shock or uncontrolled increases in temperature and pressure that can reignite the batteries. The risk of shock and fire arises from the ‘stranded’ energy that remains in a damaged battery, says the NTSB. A safety report from the U.S. federal agency documents their investigati...

New York City is known for its demanding construction regulations, particularly concerning fire protection frameworks, given their basic job in giving safe conditions to inhabitance. If one is planning to install a new sprinkler system or expect changes to an existing one, remember that the NYC Department of Buildings will probably allow proceeding if one works with qualified experts: Fire protection system Enlisted Design Professional (RDP): For all new sprinkler frameworks, an NYC Professio...

Johnson Controls, a global provider of smart, healthy and sustainable building solutions - and originator of UL Listed antifreeze for fire sprinkler systems - continues to innovate its wet-pipe freeze protection solution to support market demands and more rigorous temperature requirements. Tyco LFP Antifreeze+ from Johnson Controls delivers the first UL Listed antifreeze solution that performs at temperatures as low as minus 32°C (minus 25°F). The pre-mixed solution protects against fre...

Innovation in the fire protection industry can oftentimes be slow to move forward, particularly when compared to other similar industries. This is because legislation, regulation, and enforcement, while all necessary proponents within the sector, can often slow the tide of revolutionary ideas. However, the ability to innovate in this industry can quite literally be a matter of life and death. The developing intricacies of modern infrastructure and the demand for more sustainable solutions must...

It’s a new year, which means one has a new budget. So, one should start 2021 right with LSS Life Safety Services, to help them keep their facility’s fire barriers maintained and up-to-date with fire and life safety codes and standards. As a reminder for the New Year, below is a list of core services LSS offers. fire and smoke barriers Fire & Smoke Damper Inspections Dampers prevent the spread of fire and smoke within the facility’s ductwork. Fire dampers are used in...

First responder radio signal and communications can be significantly impacted by building construction, building size, and other factors. Because of that, it is important that emergency personnel have the ability to communicate in the event of an emergency. The good news is that there is a solution! Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) is an Emergency Radio Communication System that provides reliable communication radio transmissions between first responders in...

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proud to announce a new online learning platform offering 24/7 access to CEUs and/or CPDs from AFSA educational events, including live webinars. AFSA On-Demand offers fire sprinkler contractors and other professionals the access to the best in specialty education anytime. AFSA On-Demand Featuring the most sought-after thought leaders in fire protection, AFSA On-Demand offers a superior learning experience in a unique and user-friendly format. M...

Firefighting boots need to protect from the inherent hazards that firefighting and rescue personnel encounter on the job. There are minimum NFPA standards that all firefighting boots have to meet, so as to ensure that happens. But, so much more can go into a fire boot that can take it beyond just the minimum. A firefighter has to do their job to the best of their ability and not be hampered by their gear. Not only do firefighters have to protect themselves from the heat and fire, and punctures...

2020 is officially over, and what a tough year it has been for many people, especially those who may have lost someone special. But even just trying to prevent the spread of this nasty virus by socially distancing has been a challenge this year. However, the virus isn’t the only toxin that one wants to keep from spreading. As fire and life safety professionals, LSS Life Safety Services are constantly talking about the importance of maintaining a facility’s fire and life safety syste...

The final three recipients have been announced in the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), MSA Security Incorporated and DuPont’s 2020 Globe Gear Giveaway. The White River (ON, Canada) Fire Department, New Baltimore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company (Warrenton, VA), and the Central Hardin Fire Department (Elizabethtown, KY) will each receive four sets of state-of-the-art turnout gear and four helmets to increase the safety of their members. MSA Safety Incorporated, DuPont, and NVFC tea...

With the end of the year approaching, it’s time to start planning for next year and preparing for a building’s fire and life safety inspections. As a professional in the fire and life safety industry, LSS Life Safety Services are constantly urging that a building’s fire and life safety protection systems be properly maintained. This means both passive fire (fire/smoke dampers, fire doors, fire barriers), as well as active fire (sprinklers, fire extinguishers) protection system...

First responders looking at upgrading their extrication tools are seeing a new letter among The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA®) standards for performance requirements. And they may be wondering, WTF: What’s the F-test? Tool’s performance ability The new test is a “High Strength Materials” test, otherwise known as the F bar cut test NFPA standards specify performance requirements for powered rescue tools and components that are used by emergency services per...

The holidays have officially started and the New Year is less than a month away. December is one of the busiest times of the year for many people, with all the shopping for family and loved ones. One of the favorite parts about the holidays is all the bright lights and decorations. But as festive as all the lights and decorations are, there is a higher chance for fires to start during the holidays. As a facility manager, ensuring that the facility’s fire and life safety systems are proper...

The American Fire Sprinkler Association is pleased to announce that Jason Williams, C.E.T., manager of ITM technical training, and Tom Noble, C.E.T., technical programs specialist, have been appointed to several 2017 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) technical committees. Jason Williams has been appointed to serve on the technical committee for NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. He has nearly 20 years of extensive han...

Avon Protection announces NFPA1801:2018 certification of its argus range of thermal imaging cameras which include the Mi-TIC E, Mi-TIC E L, Mi-TIC 320 and Mi-TIC S models. Once again, Avon Protection offers the most diverse range NFPA compliant thermal imaging cameras. NFPA1801:2018 is the latest edition of the ‘Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service’. First published in 2013, the standard defines the minimum performance requirements for Thermal Imagers worldwide. Battery...

The commercial and military aircraft are extremely expensive pieces of equipment. From a fire protection standpoint, the aircraft hangars where these high-value airplanes are stored are unique facilities for several reasons. There typically will be a significant amount of flammable liquid aircraft fuel present. The regularly occurring maintenance activities provide several potential ignition sources. Also, the airplanes themselves have large main bodies and wings, which create sizeable obstruct...

What is considered one of any fire department's greatest challenges, when it comes to equipment carried on its apparatus? If anyone answers - how to get the most out of the available storage space, then theirs is the case with most fire departments. Fire departments have to make sure that all their fire apparatus is stored safely and is easily accessible at the same time. Ziamatic Corporation (Zico) has the right storage device for any equipment needed to carry aboard the fire apparatus. The na...

The winter season is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start preparing the buildings for the cold months. During this season, temperatures can drop below freezing causing a facility’s sprinkler systems, water lines as well as other fire and life safety systems to freeze and may not perform the way they were designed. Not to mention, icy roads prove to be an issue when first responders are trying to make their way to the scene of the fire. Because of this, it is impor...