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Everyone’s favorite Fire Dog celebrates his birthday today; Happy Birthday Sparky!
Today, we celebrate Sparky the Fire Dog's birthday! Of course, Sparky likes to remind us (as shown in the video) that it is a good time to brush up on our fire safety tips, and he is correct! On a lighter note, birthdays are a great time for fun and celebration! Remember Sparky's 60th birthday two years ago when we had Carlo's Bakery (home of TLC's The Cake Boss) make an amazing cake just for his special day?! Also, our Sparky the Fire Dog party kit provides everything you need to create a special day for your own little firefighter!...Standards Council issues Tentative Interim Amendments (TIAs) to nine NFPA documents
At its March 2013 meeting, the NFPA Standards Council considered the issuance of several proposed Tentative Interim Amendments (TIA). The following TIAs on NFPA 58, NFPA 59A, NFPA 99, NFPA 1001, NFPA 1124, NFPA 1917, NFPA 1971, and NFPA 2112 were issued by the Council on March 7, 2013: NFPA 58, TIA 11-4, referencing 11.1.1, A.11.1.1, and 11.15.2 NFPA 59A, TIA 13-1, referencing Table 15.6.1 and Table 15.8.4.1 NFPA 99, TIA 12-4, referencing 5.1.1.6, 5.2.1.2, and 5.3.1.1.2 NFPA 1001, TIA 13-1, referencing 4.1(3) NFPA 1124, TIA 13-2, referencing 2.2, 6.1.3, 6.5.1, 6.5.1.1, 6.5.1.2, 7.3.1.1, 7.3.1.2, 7.3.6, 7.3.7, 7.3.7.1, 7.4.4.2, 7.4.5.1,...Read the March 2013 issue of NFPA’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter
The dangers of lightweight construction when exposed to fire are documented in several studies. An NFPA Journal® cover story highlights UL studies on lightweight construction and the threat it poses to firefighters. The new issue of NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter takes a closer look at lightweight construction and the relationship between fire and engineered wood construction assemblies.
Also in this issue:
- Manufactured housing committee considers fire sprinklers
- Fire Marshal Tony Apfelbeck talks about financial incentives for sprinkler installations
- Getting homebuilders on board with fire sprinklers
- Ten tips for communicating with legislators
- NFPA 13D: Update on sloped ceilings
Subscribe today to automatically receive our monthly Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter. It's free, informative, and will keep you up to date on anti-sprinkler legislation, our advocacy efforts, and other sprinkler-related news.
Read the March 2013 issue of NFPA’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter
The dangers of lightweight construction when exposed to fire are documented in several studies. An NFPA Journal® cover story highlights UL studies on lightweight construction and the threat it poses to firefighters. The new issue of NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative newsletter takes a closer look at lightweight construction and the relationship between fire and engineered wood construction assemblies. Also in this issue: Manufactured housing committee considers fire sprinklers Fire Marshal Tony Apfelbeck talks about financial incentives for sprinkler installations Getting homebuilders on board with fire sprinklers Ten tips for communicating with legislators NFPA 13D: Update on sloped ceilings Subscribe today...NFPA preps for trip to Chicago in June: have you read “Devil In the White City”?
Are you interested in learning about Chicago, the host city to the 2013 NFPA Conference & Expo? Or maybe you're just looking for a good book to read. In the coming weeks, NFPA's Linda Bailey is highlighting some of the customer top-rated (four and five star) books about Chicago from Amazon.com. Her pick this week is "Devil In the White City", the true tale of the 1893 World's Fair and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.Read the new issue of NFPA’s Safety Source newsletter for public educators
The March 2013 issue of "Safety Source", NFPA’s monthly public education e-newsletter, is now available. This issue includes information on NFPA's partnership with Cupcake Digital, the creators of the new Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! app to offer fire safety tips to kids and families. The app, Wubbzy's Fire Engine Adventure, is based on episodes of the Emmy-winning Nick Jr. TV series “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!”
The issue also includes a new safety tip sheet - this time, on outdoor electrical safety. And we also offer tips on how to make emergency evacuation planning a part of every student's Individual Education Program (IEP).
Sign up today to receive our free monthly e-newsletter. "Safety Source" will give you the latest information on happenings in the public education division, Ready for Risk Watch® news, Remembering When™ activities, fire statistics, trends, educational tips, life saves, and more.
Read the new issue of NFPA’s Safety Source newsletter for public educators
The March 2013 issue of "Safety Source", NFPA’s monthly public education e-newsletter, is now available. This issue includes information on NFPA's partnership with Cupcake Digital, the creators of the new Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! app to offer fire safety tips to kids and families. The app, Wubbzy's Fire Engine Adventure, is based on episodes of the Emmy-winning Nick Jr. TV series “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” The issue also includes a new safety tip sheet - this time, on outdoor electrical safety. And we also offer tips on how to make emergency evacuation planning a part of every student's Individual Education Program (IEP)....Sparky’s cootie catcher game; fun for all
Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Check out Sparky's cootie catcher. Print, fold and play. It is that easy.
Get your fortune, jokes and since it is Sparky's cootie catcher, you might just find some fire-safety messages included. The cootie catcher is great for getting kids engaged. You can use for school visits, open houses, scout troops, after school programs and even parties.
Let us know what you think and how you use the game.
ISO revises Fire Suppression Rating Schedule
ISO has filed revisions to its Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) and to restructure property rating rules to recognize a revised Public Protection Classification (PPC) structure.
From its website –“The FSRS is a schedule filed with state departments of insurance that contains the criteria ISO uses in reviewing the fire suppression capabilities of individual communities. The schedule measures the major elements of a community’s fire suppression system and develops a numerical grade called a Public Protection Classification (PPC™).” The schedule has, so far, been approved by 27 states.
An important change is the reduction of distance to fire station below 3 miles (previously 5 miles) to impact the rating in the schedule. This is due to lightweight construction and modern home contents.
The schedule, filed in December 2012, includes a new Community Risk Reduction section that “recognizes community efforts to reduce losses through fire prevention, public fire safety education, and fire investigation.”
The new schedule will be implemented in July, 2014. A free webinar is available
Significant Code Changes to the 2012 IRC
Significant changes to the 2012 IRC have been announced by The International Code Council as follows:
- With some exceptions, Section R501.3 Fire Protection of Floors now requires ½-inch gypsum board or equivalent material to be applied to the underside of floor assemblies in buildings regulated by the International Residential Code (IRC). This change is intended to provide occupants greater ability for self evacuation before collapse and increased safety for firefighters
- Reduction in fire separation distance for dwellings with non-rated exterior walls equipped with a fire sprinkler system, from 5 ft. to 3 ft. This change recognizes the inclusion of the home fire sprinkler requirement.
It is very important to note that studies on ceiling/floor assemblies built with lightweight materials in a basement fire scenario, conducted by the National Research Center Canada, found that the protection of these assemblies provide longer time to failure and collapse. However, incapacitating factors and untenable conditions are still reached within 3 – 5 minutes from the onset of fire. This change should not be viewed as an alternative to fire sprinklers throughout the dwelling.
NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code have included fire sprinkler requirements in all new one- and two-family dwellings since 2006. With the inclusion of the requirement in the 2009 IRC, all national model codes now include this minimum requirement to achieve a reasonable level of safety.
A free webinar is available for more information on the above, and other changes.
