National Fire Protection Association Blog

Read the February issue of NFPA's Electric Vehicle Safety Training newsletter

The February 2012 issue of NFPA's "EV News Update" is now available. In this issue:

• NHTSA releases interim guidance following Volt investigation
• states offer "train the trainer" sessions in MS, RI, FL, DE, KY, WA, and VT
• registration open for EV Symposium in Los Angeles

Sign up today to receive our free monthly e-newsletter. It will keep you up to date on the latest information on NFPA’s project to help firefighters and other first responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road in the United States.

California announces new automotive emissions rules

Following President Obama’s State of the Union address, which highlighted several pledges to continue with plans for cleaner energy in the U.S., the California Air Resources Board has announced the Advanced Clean Cars program. The program is designed to “drastically reduce smog-causing pollutants”, and is expected to lead to increased sales of environmentally friendly vehicles.

In addition to increasing sales of hybrid and electric vehicles and building adequate fueling infrastructure for those vehicles, Composites World reports that the program will have other benefits inc, including cuts in vehicle operating costs, vehicle fueling costs, reduced smog-forming emissions, and a cut in greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information about the program, check out the full news release.

 

Comments sought on proposed Tentative Interim Amendment for NFPA 1977

The following proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) for NFPA 1977 is being published for public review and comment:

• Proposed TIA No. 1044, referencing Section 8.1.2.2. of the 2011 edition

Anyone may submit a comment on this proposed TIA by the March 23, 2012 closing date. Along with your comment, please identify the number of the TIA and forward to the Secretary, Standards Council by the closing date.

- Debbie Baio

NFPA Journal explains how codes and standards are safeguarding the burgeoning electric vehicle market

As electric vehicles continue to become a viable consumer choice, NFPA will continue to do its part to ensure the safe implementation and operation of this burgeoning technology.

As columnist Jeff Sargent explains in the January/February issue of NFPA Journal^®, NFPA 70® , National Electric Code®, has addressed electric vehicles since the 1990s. Further provisions to the code, states Sargent, "exemplifies NFPA's commitment to making sure the NEC keeps pace with the EV revolution and, most importantly, that the consumer infterface is free from electrical hazards--the mission of the NEC. 

Read the full column in the latest issue of NFPA Journal. And watch the following clip highlighting the 2012 edition of the NEC:

-Fred Durso, Jr.

Today in fire history: sprinkler controls fire in boarding home

On January 29, 1985, a fire occurred on the first floor of a boarding home in Washington D.C.  The fire, thought to be caused by smoking materials, involved a couch in the facility’s smoking room and a small amount of other materials, before the smoke detectors alerted occupants and automatic sprinklers controlled the fire.  Although smoke had spread throughout most of the structure, occupants were able to escape with fire department assistance, and the only injuries were minor in nature.

This fire was significant because it demonstrated the value that an automatic sprinkler system can have on improving the level of protection in an occupancy with an identified fire problem – boarding homes.

NFPA members can download the full investigation report.

NFPA Journal columnist says farewell to a noteworthy firefighter

In the latest issue of NFPA Journal^®, NFPA Regional Director Russ Sanders wrote a touching tribute to John Ridge, the captain (later colonel) of the Louisville, Kentucky, Fire Department Quad Company #4 who died in October at age 83.

Before his death, Ridge chatted with Sanders about two fire incidents--the Feeder's Supply fire in Louisville in the 1970s and the Texas City fire of 1947. Here's a snippet from Sanders' column:

John explained why he wanted to discuss these two fires. Like the Texas City fire, the Feeder’s Supply fire involved large amounts of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Unlike Texas City, there were no deaths or injuries at Feeder’s Supply, and the fire was confined to the building of origin. "I read about the Texas City fire in an NFPA publication in 1950, took the lessons learned and incorporated them into our pre-fire planning and training, and put that information to work at the Feeder’s Supply fire," he told me. "NFPA never received the credit it deserved in those days, but I feel NFPA should be recognized, even 40 years after the fact, for the outstanding work it has done in helping prepare fire officers in the field."

Read the full column in the January/February issue of NFPA Journal.

-Fred Durso, Jr.

Foster dog saves family home from fire

We just read a great post on Cesar's Way Dog Behavior blog and thought we would share. The Zeitz family of Newfane, NY decided to foster a dog before the holidays. The dog, a black mixed breed named Grace, had been left tied to a stop sign alongside her puppies and been saved by a rescue organization, the Akron Canine Rescued Angels. The Zeitz family had fostered about 100 dogs through the program, but didn’t realize how special Grace would be.

A couple of days before Christmas, Alice Zeitz threw some laundry into her basement washer and dryer and headed upstairs to be with her fiancé and two children, ages 8 and 3. Before long, Grace began running to the basement and back, clearly agitated. They finally followed the barking dog down to the basement and saw that the washer had begun smoking and had caught on fire. Grace’s keen nose had smelled the smoke even before the smoke detector and she warned the family in time before any serious damage to the house or any injury to the family had occurred.

Needless to say, Grace’s foster situation became permanent. Zeitz said even before Grace’s heroic action she felt a special bond with the dog. Congratulations to hero Grace on her new home with the Zeitz family! 

Also, check out NFPA's dryer and washing machine safety tip sheet for info on how to help prevent these fires in your own home. 

NFPA joins Google+ and wants to be a member of your circles

NFPA recently joined Google+ and created a business page. For those not yet familiar with the new social platform, take a look at how Google describes their new site; 

Google+ makes connecting on the web more like connecting in the real world. Share your thoughts, links and photos with the right circles. Use easy, spontaneous video chat to strike up conversations with as many as nine people at once. Get everyone on the same page with fast, simple group chat. We’re very excited about the new approach to sharing we’ve created through Google+, but this is really just the beginning.

If you are already a Google+ user, be sure to add NFPA to your circles. If not, take a look around and check out some of the interesting features, you might just sign up for an account while you are there!

-Lauren Backstrom

NFPA Journal underscores new cooking, furniture provisions in Life Safety Code

New provisions for furniture in corridors and cooking in health care occupancies are some of the major changes to the 2012 edition of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, detailed by columnist Chip Carson in the latest edition of NFPA Journal^®. 

Carson states that "the intent of these significant changes is to recognize the operational and health care treatment methods now in use and to make the design of long-term care facilities more home-like and improve the quality of life of the patients and residents." Read the complete column in the latest edition of NFPA Journal.

NFPA's Robert Solomon provides an overview of other Life Safety Code changes impacting health care and ambulatory health care environments:

 

-Fred Durso, Jr.

Today in fire history: sprinkler extinguishes incendiary fire in hospital

On January 24, 1993, an incendiary fire occurred at a hospital in Weymouth, Massachusetts.  One sprinkler operated in the room of fire origin, extinguishing the flames before firefighters arrived.  The damage from flame and heat was limited to the room of origin, however, water and smoke spread into the corridor and resulted in some damage.  Six staff were treated and released for smoke-related injuries.  Compliance with fire safety code requirements, training of staff, and the use of automatic sprinklers significantly reduced the potential for loss of life and large property loss during this incident.

Anyone can download a summary of this incident in English or Spanish, as well as an NFPA Journal article about this and one other incident.