National Fire Protection Association Blog

NFPA Journal takes peek at the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code

NFPA membership will vote on the 53rd edition of the NFPA 70^®, National Electrical Code^®, at next year's NFPA Conference and Expo. In the meantime, committee members are addressing the number of proposals to the 2014 edition, which NFPA Journal columnist Jeffrey Sargent describes as examples into the "interesting times of the electrical industry."

Sargent's column, "Charting a Course for Safety," in the May/June issue of NFPA Journal highlights a noteworthy proposal on a new article on low-voltage suspended ceiling power distribution systems. Sargent explains that an increased interest in green technology prompted the proposal:

The substantiation supporting inclusion of the new article cited that direct current derived from alternative energy sources such as photovoltaic arrays and wind turbines is increasingly being used to supply power directly to lighting and control equipment. The use of the extensive grid work of a suspended ceiling system to support an electrical distribution system is an efficient means of delivering power to electrical equipment installed in these ceiling systems, which are commonly used in many types of building construction.

Read Sargent's column for more information on the proposed article. The closing date for comments on all NEC proposals is October 17. 

-Fred Durso, Jr.

Today in fire history: Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire kills 165

On Saturday, May 28, 1977, a disastrous fire occurred at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, which claimed the lives of 165 patrons and employees, and injured about 70 others.    When the fire occurred, roughly 2,500 people were at the club, with about half in the Cabaret Room.  The fire originated in the Zebra Room, a small, unoccupied function room on the opposite end of the club from the Cabaret Room, and burned for a considerable time before it was discovered.  The probable cause was determined to be electrical in nature; and combustible material in a concealed space in the ceiling was the material first ignited. 

When the fire was discovered, the staff unsuccessfully attempted to fight the fire before notifying the fire department or alerting occupants.  Most patrons were evacuated with the assistance of employees, however, by the time the Cabaret Room occupants became aware of the emergency, they did not have adequate time to escape.

NFPA’s investigation found several major factors contributing the large loss of life in this fire, including:

• The fire in the Zebra Room developed for a considerable time before discovery.  The presence of concealed, combustible ceiling tile and wood materials used for supports provided a fuel supply for continued spread of the fire through the original ceiling and other concealed spaces.
• The Beverly Hills Supper Club staff attempted to extinguish the fire before notifying the occupants to leave the building and before calling the fire department.  There was no evacuation plan establishing fire emergency procedures for the club, and employees were not schooled or drilled in duties that they were to perform in case of fire.
• The number of people in the Cabaret Room far exceeded the number of occupants that the room could safely accommodate according to codes and standards in effect at the time.  Also, the number of occupants in the Beverly Hills Supper Club (total building) on the night of the fire exceeded by about double the number of people that the building could safely accommodate
• The interior finish in the main north-south corridor exceeded the flame spread allowed for places of assembly in the Life Safety Code and contributed to the rapid spread of the fire from the Zebra Room to the Cabaret Room.
• The Beverly Hills Supper Club was not provided with automatic sprinkler protection as required by codes in effect in Kentucky at the time of the fire.

NFPA members can download the full investigation report.

Today in fire history: flammable liquid warehouse fire causes extensive damage

On May 27, 1987, an estimated 8 to 10 gallons of flammable liquid was spilled in an automotive paint distribution center in Dayton, Ohio.  Apparently, sparks from an electric lift truck ignited the material, and the roof began collapsing within 15 minutes of the ignition.  The fire eventually consumed approximately 1.5 million gallons of automotive paints and related flammable liquids.  Despite attempted manual suppression, and sprinkler system operation, the entire warehouse was destroyed and the total cost, including debris removal reached $49 million (nearly $100 million in today’s dollars).

NFPA members can read the investigation report for free.

El Paso figures out how to reach its audience with safety messages. NFPA Journal tells you how.

Sometimes the best way to reach a group with life-saving messages is simple to ask it what works best. That's what the El Paso, Texas, Fire Department is doing with its public education and outreach programs for high-risk populations. Is it working? Read Sharon Gamache's column "Just Ask" in the May/June issue of NFPA Journal to find out. 

—Kathleen Robinson

Think you know all there is to know about emergency communications systems? NFPA Journal urges you to think again

The 2010 edition of NFPA 72^®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code includes a number of requirements for emergency communications systems. As outlined by columnist Wayne Moore in the latest edition of NFPA Journal, ensuring intelligibility requirements is likely the biggest challenge for new installations and retrofits of specific systems. That being said, what are the ways to address these challenges?

As Moore explains, "because most fire alarm designers, authorities having jurisdictions, and installers are unfamiliar with basic communications concepts, they don't really understand what hints the requirements provide. Issues related to intelligibility should convince all code users that they are responsible for pursuing the training and education they will need to successfully design, install, and inspect these important systems."

Read additional tips from Moore in the May/June issue of NFPA Journal.

-Fred Durso, Jr.

NFPA recognizes communities’ longevity and success as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of 20 official Firewise communities

NFPA’s Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program is honoring 20 official Firewise communities from 11 states who celebrate their 10-year anniversary of continued participation and successes in reducing wildfire risks. The communities became nationally recognized in 2003, and were among the earliest adopters of the Firewise Communities/USA process.

The following communities are celebrating their 10-year anniversaries of active participation as Firewise Communities/USA sites:

• Holiday Island, Arkansas
• Joplin, Arkansas
• Norman, Arkansas
• Story, Arkansas
• Lakewood, Florida
• Verandah, Florida
• Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Minnesota
• River Run Plantation, North Carolina
• Town of St. James, North Carolina
• Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico
• Bear Creek Lakes, Pennsylvania
• Mountain Plains I & II, South Dakota
• Cumberland Cove, Tennessee
• Tierra Linda Ranch, Texas
• Wildcatter Ranch and Resort, Texas
• Chuckanut Ridge POA, Washington
• Lummi Island Scenic Estates, Washington
• Story, Wyoming
• Union Pass, Wyoming

Each community will receive a special flame-shaped glass award in honor of their long-term commitment to community wildfire safety.

More information about the Firewise Communities/USA Recognition Program and a complete list of official Firewise Communities/USA sites can be found on the Firewise website.

Winners of 2012 William M. Carey and Ronald K. Mengel awards announced

The Fire Protection Research Foundation has announced the winners of the 2012 William M. Carey and Ronald K. Mengel awards.

The 2012 Ronald K. Mengel Award for outstanding detection paper goes to John Bullough, Y. Zhu, and N. Narendran of the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for “Characteristics of Light-Emitting Diode Sources: Relevance for Visual Signal Detection.” 

The 2012 William M. Carey Award for best suppression paper was awarded to Rajesh Melkote UTC Climate Controls and Security, and Liangzhen Wang and Nicolas Robinet of Kidde France for “Next Generation Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foams.”

The awards will be presented next year at the 2013 Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications (SUPDET) conference, the Foundation’s annual technical working conference on suppression and detection research, and applications. The winners are chosen based on a vote by participants and presented with the awards the following year.

William M. Carey, a former senior staff engineer at Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., participated in many Foundation fire suppression projects, including the first: The National Quick Response Sprinkler Project. Throughout his career, he was often known for being "the bridge" between research and application of new fire safety knowledge.

Ronald K. Mengel, for years the vice president of industry affairs of the system sensor division of Honeywell Corporation, had a long and distinguished career in fire protection. He was instrumental in Honeywell’s efforts in industry-sponsored research and training. Mengel contributed to a number of Foundation projects and served on the Foundation’s Fire Detection and Alarm Research Advisory Council.

2012 NFPA C&E in Las Vegas features keynote speaker Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of the New York City Fire Department

NFPA is turning up the heat in Las Vegas at the annual NFPA Conference & Expo, June 11-14. The conference will cover a range of fire safety issues impacting everything from technological advancements to day-to-day living. Notable presentations include:

• National Electric Vehicle Training Programs for First Responders
  Presentation to describe and illustrate the nationwide training programs that NFPA has developed and implemented to help prepare emergency dispatch personnel for the growing number of electric vehicles in the United States 
• Statue of Liberty: A Fire Risk Analysis
  Presentation to discuss the problem-solving approaches utilized to do a fire risk analysis of the Statue of Liberty
• Assessment of Wildfire Regulatory and Planning Tools
  Panel discussion about the risk of catastrophic wildfire occurrences and general tools for addressing the issue

This year’s featured keynote session “9/11: Leadership Before and After the Crisis” is presented by Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of the New York City Fire Department. Deputy Chief Jonas will share his captivating story of survival while highlighting improvements to the fire service and built environment since 9/11. 

Register now for the NFPA Conference & Expo and receive additional information. Download the 2012 NFPA C&E Mobile App through the Apple App Store or for other devices.

 

Click to Tweet: Join fire industry leaders & experts at annual @NFPA Conference & Expo June 11-14 @MandalayBay #Vegas #NFPAConf http://ow.ly/b37dl

Today in fire history: automotive service station gas explosion kills one

On May 23, 1996, an explosion and subsequent fire occurred at an abandoned automotive service station in downtown Portland, Maine.  The blast killed one, injured three more, and caused extensive damage to surrounding buildings. 

An underground gasoline storage tank was in the process of being removed at the time, and an accumulation of gasoline vapors apparently ignited when a vehicle ignition was turned on, resulting in the explosion of a nearby tank.  The significant factor contributing to the loss of life in this incident is considered to be the accumulation of vapors in proximity to an ignition source while freeing a tank of flammable vapors.  In the aftermath of this event, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the State Fire Marshal’s office developed a detailed protocol to facilitate the safe removal of underground gasoline storage tanks within the state.

NFPA members can download the investigation report for free.

NFPA Journal dispels the confusion surrounding different types of fire barriers

NFPA 101^®, Life Safety Code^®, lists three kinds of structural barriers: fire barriers, smoke partitions, and smoke barriers. It is important to understand that these barriers have different uses and requirements, and that the code states which is needed and where it is required. In his column "The Wall" in the May/June issue of NFPA Journal, Chip Carson tells you why it's important to understand the different uses and requirements of these barriers and when each is needed and where.

—Kathleen Robinson