FIRE LOSS MANAGEMENT
FIRE PROTECTION
SFPE
Part 18: FIRE PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS
There are a number of nonprofit organizations that are interested in various aspects of fire loss management. We will look at some of them.
NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an independent organization with voluntary membership. It defines its mission as “the safeguarding of Man and his environment from destructive fire, using scientific and engineering techniques and education.” Its membership includes corporations, fire departments, fire officers, public and government officials, property loss control specialists from industry, architects, engineers, and fire equipment salespeople. There are no qualifications for membership —the organization is open to anyone who wishes to pay the annual dues. Organization members include national and international institutes, societies, and associations interested in the protection of life and property against fire.
The most important part of the NFPA’s work is the development and publication of the approximately 270 standards issued by its 200 committees. The people on these technical committees are carefully chosen to ensure a representative cross-section of all interested groups, and they are some of the foremost experts in their fields. All committee service is unpaid, and the expenses of a committee member are paid by his or her employer.
Of all the NFPA technical standards, the National Electrical Code NFPA 70 is probably the most widely recognized code in the l Jnited States. NFPA codes alone are not legally binding. They do have legal standing when they are adopted by some organization that has the power to enforce them. Sometimes problems arise when a code is adopted as it stands and then is revised in the future. Some states and cities have attempted to solve this problem by adopting the code together with any future revisions, but there are attorneys who argue that this is improper—that the legislative body has abdicated its legislative function to a nongovernmental organization.
The code committees represent various interests and the final product represents a consensus. All codes are approved by a vote of the membership present at the annual meeting Also, any code change that meets widespread opposition is referred back to the committee for reworking. When adopted, the codes can be reasonably relied on as a consensus of what is the best practice. Because they are a consensus, however, codes very often represent minimum standards, and any deviations from the code should be carefully thought out and justified.
The national fire codes are published annually in a multivolume series. Every fire protection specialist should have an up-to-date set; don’t rely on “last year’s code.” The various committees are constantly revising their codes and bringing them up-todate. The cost of keeping codes current is well worth it.
The NFPA publishes a yearbook that lists individual committee members. If you need advice on a particular problem, don’t hesitate to call them. If they can’t help you, they’ll refer you to someone who can. Likewise, if you have a question on the interpretation of a code or another fire protection problem, call or write the NFPA for an answer.
In 1943 I was fire protection officer of the XV Naval District in Panama. The acoustics in the recreation hall were terrible. Someone proposed lining the hall with burlap (the problem of flame spread had not yet been identified). I felt the plan was dangerous but had no technical proof. I wrote the NFPA and received a prompt reply, which was the proof I needed. This service is paid for by membership dues and the income from publication sales.
The Public Fire Protection section, headed by Marty Henry, an experienced fire officer, is charged with working with the fire service.
The NFPA also provides a wealth of technical information. It publishes the Fire Protection Handbook, the bible of the fire protection field. It also publishes a newsletter for members, Fire Command, and Fire Journal. In addition, it publishes many studies of significant fires.
The NFPA has a variety of books on fire protection such as my book Pudding Construction for the Fire Service. You can obtain a book catalog by calling (800) 344-3555.
ITie NFPA holds an annual meeting in late spring as well as a fall meeting. Those seriously interested in fire protection should make every effort to attend and participate in these meetings. The 1990 fall meeting is in Miami and the 1991 annual meeting is in Boston.
The NFPA is located at 1 Battenmarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 (617) 770-3000.
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES
Underwriters Laboratories maintains and operates laboratories for the examination and testing of equipment with respect to life, fire, and casualty hazards. It is not connected with the insurance industry.
Safety is UL’s objective. For example, if a device turns bread brown and meets the safety standards, it is a toaster; whether or not it makes good toast is another matter.
Scores of electric switches are UL* listed. Some will last much longer than others. The purchaser must determine which is the best buy.
Underwriters Laboratories annually publishes directories of products that meet UL standards when tested. Note that UL never approves—it only lists.
UL-listed items that are of particular interest to the fire service include electrical appliance and utilization equipment, electrical construction materials, hazardous location equipment, fire protection equipment, gas and oil equipment, and building materials. We are particularly interested in fire-resistance ratings.
I he laboratory is supported by fees paid by manufacturers who submit equipment to it in hopes of getting UL listing. (Note: There is no point in a supplier achieving a rating for a “nonstandard” time such as two hours and 20 minutes, since the assembly will receive only a two-hour rating.)
I he listed assembly is the minimum structure the manufacturer could develop to pass the test. Therefore, all components assembled as specified in the listing are important. Many believe that the standard is developed by engineers who typically include redundant precautions. Nothing could be further from the truth. By the nature of the process the listed assembly is the least structure capable of passing the test.
At times building departments are prone to give formal or informal approval to variations of the listing. Any departure from the listing means that the assembly installed most probably is not the equivalent of the listed assembly.
The listings are not Chinese restaurant menus from which one can select one item from column A and another from column B. Components cannot be considered apart from the tested and listed assembly. A very common misconception is that fire resistance can be achieved just by mailing up some 5/8″ “fire-rated” gypsum board.
The unit being tested may be seriously damaged or destroyed in passing the test. Fire-resistance ratings often are misinterpreted. People think that “two-hour fire resistance” means that the building will be relatively undamaged for two hours. This is just not true: The fire damage can be quite severe after even short exposure.
An important part of product listing is follow-up. Field representatives make unannounced visits to factories to observe and countercheck production controls used in the manufacture of “listed,” “classified,” and “recognized” products. Samples are taken or purchased and examined in the laboratory.
UL is most interested in learning of any listed product that apparently fails to meet the listing or that caused a fire. Unscrupulous manufacturers sometimes counterfeit UL labels. Report any evidence of this to UL immediately.
Some years ago the state of Maryland passed a law requiring that all consumer-type electrical goods be labeled by an approved testing laboratory’. In practice, this means having the UL label. I have been told that when Maryland fire officials object to unlabeled devices, the devices are packed up and sent to a store in Virginia or Pennsylvania. I would like to know if any other states have this practice.
UL has a number of broad-based councils to assist and advise UL engineers and provide information and field experience on products. The Fire Council, for example, has more than 60 members representing government, insurance, and consulting interests.
UL has a number of laboratories. Its headquarters is at 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 (312) 2728800.
FACTORY MUTUAL RESEARCH CORPORATION
The Factory Mutual Laboratories tests and approves certain equipment. Approved equipment is listed and the list is issued annually. Approval is indicated by the mark “FM.”
