Dayna Hilton, a firefighter and fire safety educator with the Johnson County RFD #1 in Clarksville, Ark., has been named the 2009 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Yearby the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
The Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award recognizes a fire and life safety educator, who works for a local [click to continue…]
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On Friday June 5 a fire in an adjacent warehouse spread into a day care which has resulted in 44 deaths and could rise. The fire is under investigation, although the cause could be a short circuit with an air conditioning unit.
The building was not protected with a fire sprinkler system and the fire alarm system did not activate due to the location of the fire and detectors. The building, which was a mixed use building that including a day-care facility as well as an industrial complex.
It appears that the day-care was provided by the [click to continue…]
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The Texas legislature moved through a final step and will move SB 1410 for the Governor’s signature. This new law will remove a communities ability to adopt an ordinance on residential sprinklers which is retroactive back to January 1, 2009.
SB1410 amends the plumber licensing act to include multiple changes to address residential sprinklers systems and who installs them. An addition was added which reads: [click to continue…]
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Recently, many chapters of the International Code Council (ICC) have become concerned over the financial stability of the International Code Council. The Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) has been asking many tough questions of the ICC and included a letter to the ICC in the previous weeks and there were many layoffs of ICC staff.
Many of us our supports and users of the ICC and have wondered if our economy has even struck a code organization. Has the organization taken the necessary steps to ensure its longevity in the code process? The following is a copy of a letter that was transmitted to ICC chapter presidents this week.
Dear Chapter Leadership:
Over the past few months, the ICC leadership has reported to you several times about the steps that we have taken to deal with the economic challenges that the Code Council – like businesses of every variety and in every sector of the economy – have been facing. Our goal in these communications has been, and remains, to keep our members informed in a straightforward and transparent manner.
There is a [click to continue…]
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When you change your clock forward to daylight time on Sunday March 8th, remember to change the batteries on your smoke alarms too.
Smoke alarms with residential sprinkler systems can save lives. So do something a little special for your family this weekend, change your smoke alarm batteries!
Resources:
Its not too late to [click to continue…]
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The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) has changed the application period for On-Campus course deliveries and the Executive Fire Officer Program. Applications from individuals wishing to attend classes on the NFA campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland, will now be accepted during the following time frames each year:
First Semester Classes: April 15 – June 15
Second Semester Classes: October 15 – December 15
“We recognize that this Nation’s fire and emergency services personnel are extremely busy and that their time is valuable” said [click to continue…]
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Building and Safety, fire prevention and emergency management departments have looked for creative ways to provide quick tips to our communities. This may be the news, when to shelter in place, tid-bits on big events, or when the next open house is. Web 2.0 is moving quickly and traditional static web-pages are becoming a thing of the past. The social media of Twitter, Facebook, or Linked in can help you get your message out.
I have been on twitter [click to continue…]
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I remember a couple of years ago, reading through FM data sheets for a rack storage project. I found myself comparing the data sheet to NFPA 13 and wondering if I had the most current data sheet available.
As an AHJ we were asked to take the data sheet approach in lieu of NFPA 13 design requirements (more densities then anything else). We spent time dissecting the data sheet and purchased the complete set so we had the most current editions.
FM Global Data sheets are utilized in the design of many systems and structures. These data sheets are similar to [click to continue…]
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The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2008 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Website. The application period is scheduled to begin on February 2, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Applications for these grants must be received by March 6, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
FP&S grants support projects that [click to continue…]
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Is This an A2 Occupancy?
The City of San Fransisco will now begin to regulate clubs for medical marijuana. Get the 2005 law in place has been a bit political and somewhat delayed. The clubs are to meet proper zoning and building codes which has created problems with the owners.
Most of the delays, according to pot club owners, stem from zoning rules, a requirement that the clubs be handicap-accessible and the fact that four city agencies are involved in the process. To receive a permit, the clubs have pay a $7,000 fee to the Department of Public Health and then gain approval from the Planning Department, the mayor’s Office on Disability and the Building Department.
Two Towns Consolidate Building Inspector
Decline in construction has Southborough and Ashland considering a merger between the two building and safety departments. The current building inspector Peter Johnson plans to retire next month. The two towns are considering sharing Ashland Building Inspector’s time between the two cities if an agreement can be reached.
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,Michael: Yes it’s cute but I would write a violation plus its an eyesore to the community.
,Michael O'Brian: Chris, Typically these systems are installed by an approved fire suppression company. First they are approved by the State...
,Chris: I am looking to install a dry chemical system in my auto spray booth. Is this something I can do on my own or do I have to have this done...
,Patrick G. Collier . . . Irish: There’s a myriad of things, very similar to a shopping list that could have been done. One of those things...
,Dave Donka: If you grew up around Chicago the school fire that will always be remembered is The Our Lady of the Angels fire, which broke out...
,FM D. Sang: I have also lived by the rule of reading the section before and after the “code section” of the related topic. Also, I use...