by Michael O'Brian on December 19, 2011
It Looks Really Cool
There are times that fire protection features, egress doors, fire hydrants, and even exit signs get modified to become more attractive to the owner. I may be a little odd, but I think a well lit exit sign looks great in a store!
For those of you who are not suppression inspectors, the picture shows a remote fire department connection. A remote FDC is typically installed in downtown settings, west coast (warmer climates), and where a designer or AHJ feels these are more applicable to the fire protection scheme.
Therefore the question at hand, does this [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 30, 2011
Graduates can earn Certificate of Achievement and an edge when competing for code enforcement and other construction industry jobs
A pilot program that began in Maryland to prepare high school students for careers in code enforcement and the construction trades is expanding nationally with the support of the International Code Council. The Code Council is backing code training for high school students based on a program begun by Harford Technical High School in Bel Air, Md., and encouraging technical and vocational high schools to offer similar programs.
The High School Technical Training Program teaches students the importance of building codes in constructing safe and sustainable structures. The curriculum will cover four major construction fields contained in the ICC International Residential Code: building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical. Graduates of the program will have the opportunity to earn an ICC Certificate of Achievement demonstrating proficiency and knowledge.
“I am excited about this innovative approach to teach high school students about the importance of building codes, and it will provide graduates with an advantage in the job market,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Richard P. Weiland.
Jim Ellwood, Senior Plans Examiner, Building Service Division, Harford County, is the originator of the pilot program at Harford Technical High School and he spoke at the Government Relations Forum during the Council’s Annual Conference in November. “Folks say I’m enthusiastic about this program,” said Ellwood. “How could I not be? I have a group of young people who want to excel in their careers.”
The program has [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 29, 2011
On December 15 we will be conducting a webinar with our friends at the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
What do fire chiefs who have not promoted up through the ranks of a prevention division need to know about the often misunderstood fire marshal’s position? The fire marshal is often the face of an organization, the one who may bear the brunt of potential controversies from business and community leaders.
Join Fire Marshal Mike [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 28, 2011
Three key elements for invigorating public education programs
This is a special post from Bobby Clark
Fire prevention is the front line offensive assault unit of firefighting. The officers who fill these ranks are proactive, stubborn, righteous and creative; they face almost hopeless odds, but they persevere. They must maintain vigilant awareness in an environment that would overwhelm the average person. That is what makes them and this profession unique. Unfortunately, complacency has infested certain areas of fire prevention, specifically public education.
Public education, it seems, has morphed from a vibrant, proactive concept into a seldom-thought-about item, something that’s included in the department’s mission statement, but merely to check a box. But here’s the thing: Public education is the most important program a department can invest in. The mission of every department is life safety and property conservation, and the only way to truly accomplish that is through a regular, creative, robust public education program.
Don’t get me wrong; time is, as we all know, our [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 25, 2011
InspectionReportsOnLine.net (IROL), a web based clearing house for life safety inspection reports or “Third Party Reporting” is looking for experienced fire inspectors to join their growing team! This program is full of great opportunities and is a growing trend in our business.
IROL was developed specifically with the needs and requirements of the Fire Inspectors and AHJs in mind. Utilizing their site will:
- Save time and costs in the processing of inspection reports
- Increase efficiency
- Increase Code Compliance rates
- Eliminate the need to file paper copies of reports (It’s Green)
- Improve and make easier the communications between AHJs, Property Owners and Service Providers
And it is ABSOLUTELY FREE for Fire Prevention Bureaus and AHJs: No costs, No contracts, and No Commitments!
IROL is looking for [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 8, 2011
2012/2013 Code Change Cycle Information Available
The Code Council has recently posted the Code Change Proposal form online for the 2012/2013 Code Change Cycle. That form is available as both a Word Document and PDF file here.The list of the Group A and Group B Committees responsibilities also is available on ICC’s website. Group A Code Change Proposals are due January 3, 2012
Call for Applicants to Join the New ICC-ES Environmental Committee
ICC-ES is issuing a call for applicants to join the recently approved Environmental Committee that will support the expansion of ICC-ES Environmental Programs.
The role of the Environmental Committee is to consider and approve criteria for products and systems under the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and other green building codes and rating systems. Click here to learn more and should be completed and submitted by November 30, 2011.
Read Conference Daily News Updates!
Follow all the action of ICC’s 2011 Annual Conference by checking out the Conference Daily News.
ICC Applauds California Governor’s Reinforcement of Building Standards Process
The Code Council commended California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. for vetoing Assembly Bill 275 that The Code Council voiced its concern with the Legislature and the Governor that passing the [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 8, 2011
Vision 20/20 is seeking proposals for presentation at the 2012 National Symposium on Model Performance in Fire Prevention.
Vision 20/20 is a collaborative effort to bridge the gap in fire prevention in the United States. It is sponsored by the Institution of Fire Engineers U.S. Branch and funded through Fire Prevention and Safety Grants by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Presentations may be submitted from local and state fire prevention officials, researchers, or other prevention advocates. Prevention projects or programs must have demonstrated some level of effectiveness at meeting specific objectives.
Model programs will be presented that are representative of all disciplines of fire prevention:
- Engineering (plan review programs, new technologies, etc.)
- Enforcement (fire code adoption, administration or enforcement)
- Education [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 3, 2011
Change in Egress
There are times construction projects lead to changes in the egress system. Proper marking of an approved “exit” is critical to ensuring occupant safety in the occupied building. Take a look at the following picture [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on August 21, 2011
Fire Rescue International to Kick off this Week
Arguably FRI is the top program for leaders in the fire service which kicks off this week in Atlanta! There has been a huge push to involve more top notch instructors in the community risk reduction programs and this program shows! It seems that many of you will be there and we hope you will attend many of the programs listed below. If yoiu can’t attend, and a peer in your organization is recommend to attend one of these programs.
There are other great programs, but it is critical in this current enviroment that Fire Chief’s attend one of the many great programs about Fire Prevention.
There are several programs which are aimed to provided the communities Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, and senior staff with tools to ensure communities are working to reduce the impact of fire on the community. These include:
- Fire Marshal More then a Badge! WK93 Friday, 08/26/2011 3:00PM – 4:30PM , Room B311This program looks at the critical role of the fire marshal within an organization and provides tools for the fire chief and fire marshal in understanding demands on the position. The course will look at tips that can be implemented by a Fire Marshal or Fire chief to ensuring success of a fire marshal in the first year. The course discusses the need for project management, customer service, code development, and time management to name a few.
- Fire Fighters Involvement in [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on July 30, 2011
The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) is pleased to announce the launching of the Fire Marshal (FM) Designation. Rick Mason, CFO, Chair, CPC said “when contemplating what the next professional designation should be the Commission on Professional Credentialing was quick to embrace the Fire Marshal Designation…it makes sense that those who enforce our fire codes, teach citizens fire prevention, and find the cause of destructive fires should have a professional designation. Having the designation will both show professionalism of the individual as well as the professionalism of the department.”
The designation was [click to continue…]
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