National Fire Protection Association Blog

Work in Progress: America Burning at 40 - Federal assistance to local fire departments

Marty Ahrens — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:21:46 PDT

This is the third in a series of posts about the 40thanniversary of America Burning and the related article, "Work in Progress" in this month's NFPA Journal." While the National Commission on Fire Prevention Control was quite clear that fire prevention and suppression were primarily local responsibilities, they wanted the federal government to play a supportive role with technical and educational assistance, research and data systems, and “providing financial assistance when adequate fire protection lies beyond a community’s means. In recent years, Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFGs) provided local fire departments with funds for training, apparatus, equipment, firefighter health and...

Journey with Flat Sparky

Jennifer Smith — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:46:47 PDT

Everyone once in a while, most of us roam beyond the confines of our homes and offices and out into the world. NFPA's mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog is asking you to bring him along with Flat Sparky. These paper cutouts can be colored in, photographed and posted at Sparky's Facebook or Twitter (@Sparky_Fire_Dog), or by tagging NFPA on Pinterest. Bring Sparky with you to show off your favorite restaurants, parks, bookstores, modern art installations or just a great view. Download, cut out, color in, and wander freely with Sparky by clicking here. Happy travels!

NFPA looks to hire a Compensation/HR Analyst in Quincy, MA

Lauren Backstrom — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:49:31 PDT

Do you want to make a difference? We have an ideal opportunity for a Compensation/HR Analyst to work out of our Quincy, MA headquarters. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data analysis, reporting, development of plans and programs that link to business objectives and be able to drive performance and results. He or she must be accurate, organized, and detail oriented, with the ability to function in a fast paced environment. Principal responsibilities and requirements for this position can be found on our Careers webpage. If you think you are a fit, please apply today! For a...

NFPA Journal explains two systems of hazard labeling

Kathie Robinson — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:39:17 PDT

For years, NFPA 704, Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response, has provided guidance for labeling physical and chemical hazards. The labels, designed to help determine an appropriate response in the event of an emergency, are readily recognized and easily understood. Last year, however, OSHA adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) that, like NFPA 704, provides a standardized approach to classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals. But the GHS guidelines differ from those of NFPA 704. While OSHA allows the NFPA 704 system to remain in workplaces as long as employees understand and...

Read the Report of the Motions Committee on Certified Amending Motions for NFPA 70, National Electrical Code

Debbie Baio — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:26:58 PDT

The Report of the Motions Committee for NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®, addresses the certified amending motions for consideration at the Association Technical Meeting in Chicago, IL on Thursday, June 13, 2013. This Report also identifies a list of NITMAMS not certified on NFPA 70. This Report is the third of three reports addressing motions submitted for consideration at the 2013 Association Technical Meeting, and is specific to the NEC. A Consolidated Final Motions Committee Report (the Consolidated Report) will be posted shortly on the NFPA website prior to the Association Technical Meeting. See the order of documents to be...

News report: Were first responders aware of dangers at Texas fertilizer plant?

Mike Hazell — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:54:52 PDT

Nearly one month after an explosion and fire at a West, TX, fertilizer plant that killed 14 people, LDNews, the webiste of the Lebanon Daily News, is taking a closer look at the event, and in particular, if the town's volunteer fire crews were fully aware of the dangers they faced during their response efforts. "When they saw 30-foot flames licking the sky inside a massive fertilizer plant, firefighters in this tiny Texas town rushed to evacuate nearby buildings and raced to spray water on tanks of chemicals, hoping to prevent a catastrophe. They didn't know, and probably could not...

UMD launches Fire Protection Engineering Legacy Campaign for a Professor of the Practice

Mike Hazell — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:44:12 PDT

Fire Protection Engineering graduates from the University of Maryland are rallying around their department to support the Legacy Campaign for a Professor of the Practice, a new initiative to help ensure students stay current on the latest technologies used in the field. According to Fire Protection Engineering Department Chair James Milke, the professor of the practice will bring hands-on field experience to the undergraduate curriculum and will strengthen the school’s ties with industry. “This department has been recognized for many years for producing outstanding young engineers and more recently for the high quality of research we conduct,” he explains. “The...

NFPA Journal examines the top proposed changes to the 2014 NEC

Fred Durso, Jr. — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:42:16 PDT

NFPA's electrical experts helped NFPA Journal staff comb through the 3,500 proposals and 1,600 comments submitted for the 2014 edition of NFPA 70 ®, National Electrical Code®. The outcome was a recent Journal article highlighting the top proposed changes to the code that is already generating a healthy buzz. For instance, the expanded use of arc-fault circuit interruptors, devices designed to detect electrical arcing and de-energize a circuit before a fire occurs, has prompted a healthy debate among safety advocates and the National Association of Home Builders. Safety concerns surrounding green technology has led to proposals to increase the NEC's...

Work in Progress: America Burning at 40 - We need data!!

Marty Ahrens — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:15:47 PDT

This is the second in a series of posts about the 40th anniversary of America Burning and the related NFPA Journal article. The National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control was frustrated by how little was known about the causes and circumstances of fires. In the very first chapter, the Commission recommended “that a national fire data system be established to provide a continuing review and analysis of the entire fire problem. USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), the source of detailed information in most of NFPA’s statistical analyses, was the result. The country also needed a better understanding...

Global retailers take landmark action after deadly Bangladesh building collapse

Fred Durso, Jr. — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:57:31 PDT

The New York Times reports that several apparel companies with a stake in Bangladesh's garment industry have agreed to help pay for fire safety and building improvements following the Rana Plaza factory complex collapse last month that killed more than 1,100 people. Swedish retailer H&M, PVH (parent company of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Izod), and others endorsed a safety plan this week that would develop factory inspections with public accountability as well as mandatory repairs and renovations. "Fire and building safety are extremely important issues for us, and we put a lot of effort and resources within this area,"...