by Michael O'Brian on May 12, 2013
IFE Vision 20/20 project to host third Models in Fire Prevention Symposium
The Institution of Fire Engineers-USA Branch Vision 20/20 project was awarded a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety grant to hold the third Models in Fire Prevention Symposium featuring prevention programs that demonstrate results, and that can be replicated in other communities. The last symposium, held in 2012, featured 15 presentations ranging from “Art and Science of Developing Prevention Culture in both the Political Environment and Fire Department” to “Research-Based Recommendations for Smoke Alarm Projects” and was attend [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on April 25, 2013
Its Only a R-1 Hallway
Recently at a short stay in a local hotel, I came across this scenario. The Chemicals were delivered from a parcel delivery company and I watched the interaction with staff. The product is located outside of a maintenance room, in a hallway immediately adjacent to sleeping rooms in a Hotel.
This product remained in [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on April 23, 2013
International Fire Code and Residential Energy
The ICC Committee Action hearings for the Group B cycle are live and going strong for a couple days now. The room is full of industry, inspectors, and code professionals who are working to make a difference and continue our great work of providing the best codes for our communities.
I know you are all very busy but I wanted to send a link to the webcast of the ICC hearings along to you. The IFC will be meeting today (Tuesday) through Thursday evening.
It is a great chance to see how codes are developed in the ICC process. If you are in the office, log in and take a look, this will help with understanding the intent of the codes you use on a daily basis.
Just an FYI and share with anyone that might be interested to take a look how the process works:
by Michael O'Brian on January 1, 2013
January 3 is Deadline
The ICC Group B code changes must be submitted by January 3 for all Group B code documents. This includes:
by Michael O'Brian on January 1, 2013
Welcome 2013!
Well on behalf of the code weenie and Inspector911.com I would like to thank all of you for a great 2012 and wish you a great year in 2013.
It seems that everyone is talking resolutions at this time of the year. Resolutions around weight loss, fitness, education, updating web-page (I know its been 6 months), quit smoking, or even to get married. Some resolutions seem to make it while others fizzle off by the end of the first week in January.
The question becomes what are your professional resolutions or goals for 2013? Do you have goals for your department, organization, or association? I have heard a couple great thoughts so far these include:
- Increasing customer service at our front counter
- Provide daily training to every inspector
- Develop an active smoke alarm program
- Obtain my [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on May 6, 2012
Leaders Demonstrate Life Saving Programs
Have you ever sat in a room of your peers and wonder “Why didn’t I think of that” or ”how did they have time to get it done?” That ahh ha moment came multiple teams this weekend as I participated in the Models in Fire Prevention Symposium put on by the great folks associated with Vision 20/20.
The three day program highlighted programs from across the United States that are part of a community risk reduction strategy. Some of the presenters where some of the most talented folks in our business. Highlights included:
- The art and science of developing a prevention culture by Chief Zikmund
- People with profound hearing loss, partnering in community risk reduction
- ITM, regulating and managing qualifications of contractors and their employees
- Reducing nuisance [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on March 19, 2012
Public hearings include the International Building, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing and Private Sewage Disposal Codes
Code enforcement officials, other construction industry professionals and the public will meet to consider a broad range of proposed code changes to several International Codes that will improve building safety. Codes developed by the International Code Council are used in all 50 states and many nations worldwide.
The 2012 Code Development Spring Hearings, April 29-May 8 in Dallas, are focused on a set of codes known as Group A that include the International Building, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing and Private Sewage Disposal codes. These will be the initial hearings for 1,600 proposed revisions that ultimately will result in the 2015 editions of the codes. Code changes approved at the Dallas meeting will form the basis for resolution at the Final Action Hearings in October in Portland, Ore.
Please note that ICC policy has been amended to provide that a jurisdiction or other eligible governmental entity must submit an application to become an ICC Governmental Member by April 1 to be able to send voting representatives to the Final Action Hearings in October.
“The International Code Council supports the building safety community and [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on March 19, 2012
Scheduled for June 11-14 Las Vegas Nevada
Join industry experts and professionals at this year’s conference and expo. If you haven’t been to an NFPA Expo this is a show to try to attend. The conference has over 350 classroom sessions, a large expo, and you can help shape the next round of codes issued by the NFPA.
This is a great opportunity for AHJ and Inspectors to stay up to date on an industry that is changing at record pace. Even if you are new to code development, you should attend and see how the process takes place.
During the event, Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of the New York City Fire Department will give the 2012 NFPA Conference & Expo Featured Presentation at [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on March 4, 2012
March 4, 1908 Clevland Ohio
The Collinwood School Fire (also known as the Lake View School Fire) of Ash Wednesday, March 4, 1908 was one of the deadliest disasters of its type in the United States during its era. 172 students, two teachers and a rescuer were killed in the disaster in Collinwood, Ohio, a community that has since been absorbed into the city of Cleveland.
While the Lake View School was built with load bearing masonry outer walls, much of the four story building’s floor structure system used wooden joists. It was one wooden joist that caught fire when it was overheated by a steam pipe. The building’s main stair [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on February 5, 2012
What Does Every Inspector Need to Know
One of the greatest tasks a senior inspector can do, is to mentor a new inspector in the business. Lets face it, we were all new at one point, and literally had no clue what “THE CODE” was. Some inspectors are hired and have no other existing internal staff to help them along or there is no overlap of new and old inspectors to ensure a proper transition.
As a new inspectors what is the number one thing you need to know? I am not sure I can get the list down to one:
- The code is not black and white! The code is considered a prescriptive code and our worlds that we work in are changing daily. Lets be realistic, a blocked exit is a blocked exit and the code handles that. What happens when new technology emerges that is not address by the code?
- Yes you can write the code! The code is not developed in some vacuum in ICC or NFPA land. Once you get your feet on the ground take time to understand the code process for both the NFPA and ICC. Stay involved and comment on current code changes. This will keep you on top of your game and aware of the changes. Think of it this way, when a code is published (take the 2012 IBC), it is already a three year old document!
- Build [click to continue…]
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