SFPE announces first 2023 review course for Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Fire Protection exam 

by Americas - EventsEventsFeatured NewsFire Engineering

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), the world’s leading professional society for fire protection and fire safety engineering, announces the opening of registration for its first 2023 Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Fire Protection Exam Review Course.  

Taught by 12 expert instructors with backgrounds across all areas of fire protection engineering, the SFPE PE Exam Review Course and leverages the deep knowledge from SFPE’s member community to prepare candidates for the PE Exam in Fire Protection Engineering.  All courses are live, online, and conveniently offered twice weekly beginning in June 2023, with recorded sessions available on-demand afterward.   Additional review sessions, online discussions, practice problems, and office hours with the instructors are included – providing the comprehensive preparation needed to head into the exam with confidence. 

“The SFPE PE Exam Review Course focuses on the fundamentals of each topic area of fire protection engineering while preparing attendees to think critically, adapt to the exam, and be successful Professional Engineers,” stated Stephen Dale, Chair, SFPE PE Exam Review Subcommittee.  

Each year, engineers who enroll in the 18-week SFPE PE Exam Review Course are more prepared for the PE exam than those who don’t. An additional SFPE PE Exam Review Course will be scheduled in late 2023 to prepare engineers for the new spring exam schedule commencing in 2024.

“Past participants of the SFPE PE Exam Review Course report a 90% pass rate on the exam – notably higher than the NCEES reported first-timer pass rate of 74%,” stated Nicole Boston, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Society of Fire Protection Engineers. “Our instructors are some of the most recognized and well-known engineers practicing today, and they ensure that course participants are well-equipped with the knowledge to pass the exam.”

Additional information about the SFPE Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Fire Protection Exam Review Course is available at sfpe.org/2023peexamreview. 

ASFP shortlisted for membership engagement and skills development awards

by Featured News

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has been shortlisted for two awards in the Trade Association Forum’s (TAF’s) Best Practice Awards – the Membership Engagement Award and the Skills Development Award.

The Awards, which are supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, recognise, reward and promote best practice among trade associations in the UK.

ASFPTV

ASFPTV, the ASFP’s YouTube channel, has been shortlisted for the Membership Engagement Award as the channel’s depth, breadth of programming, reach, capacity to engage and ability to inform has been recognised for improving ASFP’s member engagement. The platform has been used to a high level with the development of five distinct series that split content into technical information, ASFP news, and member-based content.

ASFPTV has helped make content more digestible, accessible, engaging and understandable for members. It has given members a platform that they can use to advertise and find new audiences, while allowing the ASFP to quickly get information out to members, and the wider industry, keeping everyone up to date with the latest news.

Competence Pathway

The ASFP’s Competency Pathway has made the shortlist for the Skills Development Award. The ASFP has developed a series of passive fire protection training courses, across multiple platforms which culminate in the establishment of a full Competency Pathway for passive fire protection. This will be aligned to the RIBA Plan of Works for the design and construction process and reflect the SKEB (Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours) across all associated stakeholders.

The Competency Pathway is ASFP’s proactive response to the Grenfell disaster and recognises the need to improve all areas of SKEB across the entire design, product development, procurement, installation, and sign off process for passive fire protection systems.

‘Member engagement has grown by 40%’

ASFP Business Manager Mike Ward commented: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for these two prestigious awards, which clearly recognise the ASFP’s dedication to improving and developing the services we offer to our members. These initiatives have already delivered huge dividends and are a testament to the continued commitment and enthusiasm of the ASFP team.

“Member engagement has grown by 40% over the last two years and our comprehensive training courses ensure that our members can widen and evidence their skills. Our qualifications framework allows ASFP members and others to clearly demonstrate their competence. Once fully developed, our Competency Pathway will offer a clear route for all working in the design and construction sector to achieving the appropriate competency in passive fire protection.”

The Award winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Brewery, London on 23 February.

NFPA releases new edition of the Fire Protection Handbook

by Breaking NewsProducts

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released its 21st edition of the Fire Protection Handbook (FPH).

The two-volume printed set is now available for pre-order. One of the organisation’s most significant publications, the Handbook is a comprehensive, one-of-a-kind reference guide of fire and life safety prevention and protection information for students and professionals across a wide range of industries worldwide.

“The NFPA Fire Protection Handbook is the most comprehensive industry resource for professionals who need to be well informed and stay current in their field,” said NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. “It is the fire protection encyclopedia and there is no other resource like it anywhere in the world.”

First published in 1896 as the Handbook of the Underwriter’s Bureau of New England, the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook provides exclusive content unparalleled anywhere else in the industry.

Across 21 editions and its 126 years of impact on safety, NFPA has regularly updated the Handbook’s contents according to industry trends, the latest training methods, case studies, and code requirements at the time of publication. The new edition reflects the very latest fire protection and fire safety information, research and data, emerging technologies, and safety practices. The last edition was published in 2008.

As industry practitioners advance in their careers and new workers enter the labor force, professionals including engineers, designers, building managers, fire prevention managers, fire service members, insurance agents, inspectors, students, and other individuals who have responsibilities related to fire prevention and protection can use the Fire Protection Handbook to get the answers they need to their fire protection questions.

The information and methodologies used for calculations, system designs, and related processes give students and professionals not only the opportunity to enhance their understanding of a given concept, but they also can put that knowledge into practice to help safeguard lives and property and mitigate hazards in their communities.

Included in the 21st edition of the Handbook are 14 new chapters that address many of the current and emerging issues and related hazards in a rapidly changing world:

  • Wildland Fires and the Wildland/Urban Interface
  • The Interconnected All-Hazards Fire Department
  • Smart Infrastructure and Fire Protection
  • Facilitating Occupant Movement During Emergencies
  • Additive Flame Retardants
  • Solid and Liquid Oxidizers
  • Organic Peroxides
  • Photovoltaic Systems
  • Energy Storage Systems
  • Fuel Gases Detection
  • Cannabis Processing Facilities
  • Active Shooter/Hostile Event Operations
  • Modular Construction
  • The NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™

The handbook also forms the required body of knowledge for candidates pursuing the NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) exam, internationally recognised as the gold standard in certification for fire protection professionals to demonstrate their proficiency in fire safety, protection, prevention, and suppression technologies. A newly revised certification exam that aligns with the updated Fire Protection Handbook will be available in Fall 2023.

With input from more than 200 industry specialists and NFPA subject matter experts, the 21st edition of the Fire Protection Handbook consists of two volumes featuring 210 revised and updated chapters, 21 sections grouped by industry topic, full-color images, and accompanying index tabs for navigation.

The 21st edition of the Fire Protection Handbook is now available for pre-order, with an expected delivery date around February 23, 2023.

Merchant Shipping Fire Protection Regulations update proposed

by Featured NewsPorts & Maritime

A draft of the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 2023 were published (22 November 2022) published as a draft, along with an accompanying draft explanatory memorandum.

The draft regulations are being published for 28 days. Following the conclusion of this period, and once any observations on the draft regulations have been taken into account, they will be laid for approval by each House of Parliament.

The draft regulations revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Large Ships) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1012) (‘the 1998 regulations’), the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/2950) (‘the 2003 regulations’) and makes other consequential amendments to implement the most up to date requirements of chapter II-2 in the annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (‘the convention’), relating to safety measures for fire protection on ships.

The draft regulations implement requirements for fire protection on ships in chapter II-2 of the annex to the convention, including previously unimplemented requirements to improve fire detection and suppression on cabin balconies for tanker ships to carry an oxygen measuring meter and portable gas detector and other measures.

The updated measures in chapter II are in force internationally, but the measures must also be incorporated into our national legislation to enable them to be enforced effectively, most notably to discourage non-compliance by non-UK flagged ships in UK waters, which would be detrimental to the safety of shipping in UK coastal areas.

The draft regulations will also ensure that UK law includes increased safety standards for fire protection on both UK flagged ships and non-UK flagged ships within the scope of the convention operating in UK waters, as well as including an ambulatory reference provision to ensure that future amendments to chapter II-2 referred to in the draft regulations will automatically become UK law when they enter into force internationally.

Otego unveils solution to protect artwork against fire

by Featured NewsProducts

Otego has announced the launch of Fireguard, a protective cover designed to shield works of art, valuables and antiquities against the effects of intense heat, soot, smoke and water.

Intended for museums, religious spaces, auction rooms and private collectors, Fireguard is the product of decades of research and collaboration with firefighters and major cultural and religious establishments.

The innovative textile, comprising a mineral fibre layer and a metallised outer layer, is already helping to protect the treasures of cultural institutions across France, including The Louvre Museum in Paris. 

Grégoire Bernand, Fireguard Product Manager at Otego outlined the situations in which Fireguard can prove indispensable: “All museums, art galleries and other cultural and religious spaces are recommended to have a list of priority works which, in the event of flood or fire, would be saved as a priority. Ideally, such works would be extracted from the building but often, because of weight, size, accessibility or value, these artworks have to be protected in situ. These situations are where Fireguard can prove as priceless as the pieces it protects.”

Fireguard is stored at site, ready to be deployed by firefighters in accordance with the gallery, museum or cathedral’s emergency plan. When called upon, the extremely thin, flexible and adaptable construction makes it easy to quickly wrap or tuck Fireguard around sculptures and artwork. 

Fireguard offers protection against radiant heat (C4 classification to ISO 11612), soot and smoke. It is also fully waterproof, offering protection against sprinkler systems and hose water as well as flame.

A range of six standard sizes together with ‘custom’ options and the ability to combine covers enables Fireguard to be tailored to protect artwork of almost any size. It weighs 100g/m2, making it easy to manoeuvre and deploy with minimal stress on the item it protects.

Thierry Mosa, President of Otego said: “Our covers allow on-site protection of any type of artwork and has received acclaim from numerous fire and rescue services in France and overseas. Effective and versatile, Fireguard’s lightweight compactness, combined with its powerfully effective heat-protecting metallised layer, distinguishes it from any similar product on the market, making it not only more effective against heat, smoke and water, but also easier and faster to deploy.”

Mosa added: “We are talking to museums and galleries across France and the rest of the world, but Fireguard’s potential extends to collectors, auction houses and all art professionals who wish to protect their treasures. We look forward to working with all organisations and individuals who wish to explore the wider protective applications of Fireguard.”

ASFP makes resources available in additional languages to increase international reach

by Featured NewsSafety

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has launched several websites with a view to reach out to fire safety professionals across the world.

The new websites welcome visitors in their own language, signposting them to ASFP resources and information, including membership, training and technical guidance.

The sites will encourage greater interaction with the ASFP on a global scale and help to improve understanding of passive fire protection throughout the world. New ASFP websites are planned for Qatar, Singapore, Australia, India and South Korea.

Sites for Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, France and Spain are already live.

The ASFP is also making its popular online training courses available in a new range of languages. The Level 2 and Level 3 Foundation Courses in Passive Fire Protection, delivered via the e-Learning platform, are now available for purchase in French and Spanish.

Delegates will be prompted to select the English, French or Spanish version when they register and purchase the course online. The selected version will be available as soon as they login to the online platform. All ASFP courses can be booked via https://asfp.org.uk/page/OnlineTrainingASFP.

ASFP CEO Steve Davies welcomed the move, commenting: “The ASFP has seen growing demand for passive fire protection information, guidance and training from across the world. By developing new websites and making training available to international audiences in their own languages we hope to make our expert knowledge and experience more widely accessible.

“Such a move can only lead to a greater understanding of the vital role of passive fire protection products and systems and improve the quality if fire safety within the global built environment.”   

MSA Safety opens new manufacturing facility in Bristol

by Featured NewsPPEProducts

MSA Safety Incorporated, a global leader in firefighter safety equipment and technology, has opened a newly expanded, state-of-the-art facility for producing firefighter protective apparel in Yate, near Bristol, UK. 

The modernised facility provides new and enhanced work areas for MSA associates and much needed space for future growth and international expansion. Celebrated this morning with a ribbon-cutting event, the building establishes MSA Bristol’s Yate campus as a global centre of excellence for fire protective clothing design, production and service. 

“We are incredibly excited to be opening this expanded and improved facility in Bristol,” said Jason Traynor, General Manager of MSA’s Global Fire Service Products.  “It marks a significant investment in the business that supports our growth aspirations and our desire to enhance the overall work environment for our staff and visitors.”  

MSA Bristol’s new Yate Campus brings together its central offices, Cutting Unit, Western Service Centre, and International Distribution Centre. The modern campus offers the company’s 153 staff an improved workplace environment and excellent transport links, and will serve as a hub for all MSA Bristol activity.

The safety company acquired Bristol Uniforms in January 2021 and has outlined ambitious growth plans, including making significant investments in the business to enhance the company’s facilities and firefighting clothing portfolio.

Traynor continued: “MSA Bristol’s central offices and Western Service Centre were previously based at our premises in Staple Hill, Bristol, but we’ve outgrown that site and need space to expand.

“The Yate campus includes improved office spaces and meeting rooms, modern and more comfortable break-out areas and expanded parking areas for staff. It also showcases MSA’s cutting-edge products for all that visit the facility. MSA Bristol’s PPE is world renowned, and we are investing in the future.”

Among those attending the official opening was Bob Leenen, President of MSA’s International Business Segment.  Leenen commented: “The opening of this expanded facility represents a new chapter for MSA Bristol and demonstrates our commitment to the Bristol brand,  our people and the region.  The new facility, combined with our three regional service centers across the UK, represent a platform for overall growth in fire service, both within the UK and across other parts of the world.”

Simon Shilton, Avon Fire and Rescue’s Chief Fire Officer, said he was honoured to take part in the opening ceremony where he saw first-hand the improved and expanded facilities during a tour of the site.

Shilton said: “I am delighted to have been invited to attend the grand opening of MSA Bristol’s new facility in Yate. MSA Bristol, formerly Bristol Uniforms as we’ve known them over the years, have and continue to be a key local employer, providing us with uniform and other safety and protective clothing. 

“As an organisation we’re committed to supporting local businesses and in turn the local economy. MSA Bristol plays an integral part in keeping our staff safe and working together in partnership supports our organizational objectives of Making our Service Stronger and Making our Communities Safer.”

Oregon announces strategy to create fire-resilient communities

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsWildland Fire

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announced a revised action plan and timeline for engaging the public on wildfire protection efforts as part of the state’s strategy to create more fire-resilient communities.

“A big part of our work over the next year is focused on engaging with, listening to and informing the public about wildfire risk,” said Cal Mukumoto, Oregon State Forester and director of ODF.

“This engagement will involve visiting communities across the state, talking with people, addressing concerns and answering questions. Ultimately, all of the agencies involved in this effort want to make sure Oregonians in the most at-risk communities know what they can do to better protect themselves, their families and friends, and their homes from wildfire.”

The revised plan will be implemented in collaboration with Oregon State University’s (OSU) College of Forestry, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS).

Doug Grafe, Wildfire Programs Director with the Office of the Governor, said: “Most Oregonians understand wildfires are becoming more catastrophic and more frequent. I have witnessed, across the state, that Oregonians want to be part of the solution in protecting our communities.

“It’s clear that steps can be taken to increase the survivability of homes and communities when wildfires do occur, including creating defensible space, hardening homes and implementing hazardous fuels reduction projects.”

One component of SB 762 was the creation of a state-wide wildfire risk map to serve as a planning and information tool for Oregonians, communities and state and local government. The purpose of the map—a collaboration between ODF and wildfire scientists at OSU’s College of Forestry—is to provide transparent and science-based information to Oregonians about the factors near them that drive wildfire exposure including weather, climate, vegetation and topography. The tool will also be used to guide the state in directing resources to communities with the greatest likelihood of wildfires.

“Oregon State University’s College of Forestry has used, and will continue to use, the best science to contribute to state-wide wildfire risk mapping,” said Tom DeLuca, dean of OSU’s College of Forestry. “

We support the importance of changing the timeline for the mapping component of SB 762. This added time provides an opportunity to better share information and conduct authentic community engagement by listening to Oregonians and community leaders across our state in the implementation of the new law.

“Even with the timeline change, we must all recognize that addressing fire risk in Oregon is a priority that will require all of us to work together.”

The revised timeline is as follows:

  • October through February 2023: Public and stakeholder engagement, outreach and education. Includes wildfire science, risk and mitigation outreach and education, with focus on the most vulnerable areas; identifying opportunities for investments in wildfire prevention; completing building codes and defensible space standards for the most vulnerable communities; compilation and analysis of feedback received; and technical refinements.
  • March 1, 2023: Public rollout of draft wildfire risk map. Draft map shared with the public.
  • March through September 2023: Public outreach, engagement and education on draft wildfire risk map. Includes working with ODF, OSU College of Forestry, local governments, planning departments, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Oregon State Fire Marshal and the state Building Codes Division to review the draft map; public outreach, education and engagement on the draft map and related topics including building codes and defensible space standards; and making any necessary revisions based on feedback received on updated map.
  • October through December 2023: Final wildfire risk map shared with the public for implementation. Includes sharing a final wildfire risk map with the public, initiating a 60-day appeals process and notifying those who are in the most high-risk areas about the steps needed to protect their homes and properties from catastrophic wildfires and how to comply with defensible space standards and building codes.

Grafe commented: “The revised plan and timeline allow us to prioritize engagement, collaboration and communication. We are committed to ensuring people understand what they can do to increase the likelihood their homes and properties will survive wildfires. The wildfire risk map is one of several tools we will use to inform this work.”

SB 762 directs state agencies to focus resources in Oregon’s highest-risk areas to ensure homes are adhering to building codes and defensible space standards. These building codes and defensible space standards will not be adopted or implemented until the wildfire risk map is finalized in late 2023, but will be available in the near future so people can familiarize themselves with the new expectations.

AFSP signs members discount agreement with British Standards Institution

by Featured NewsSafety

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has signed a series of agreements with the British Standards Institution (BSI), the national standards body of the UK which will enable the ASFP to offer British standards for sale at discounted rates to members, free standards to small to medium size enterprise (SME) members and free onboarding to the BSI’s new Identify Scheme.

ASFP will now offer BS, BS EN and ISO standards to members at discounted rates of up to 30% off, providing them with access to all the standards they need at an affordable price. The standards can be purchased via the Association’s online shop as either hard copies or as pdf downloads.

As part of a Government scheme to support SMEs, the Association will offer a range of up to 100 passive fire-related standards free of charge to qualifying ASFP members. The range available reflects those of most interest to the passive fire protection community, as well as helping member companies with their company quality assurance by offering BS EN ISO 17025 and BS EN ISO 9001 quality management standards.

ASFP members can also receive free on-boarding to the BSI Identify Scheme, which aims to bring transparency and product traceability throughout the built environment supply chain. This new BSI service harnesses Digital Object Identifier (DOI) technology to deliver a unique, constant, and interoperable identifier, called a BSI UPIN, which can be assigned to products. It helps UK manufacturers to directly manage information about their products in the supply chain, providing a persistent record of each product throughout its life cycle, from manufacture, specification, procurement and installation to de-commissioning or reuse. 

The new services form part of the ASFP Hub, which offers a wide range of discounts, free support and advice to all ASFP members. There is a huge range of benefits to be found, catering to member companies and their employees. These benefits range from free affiliate membership of Make UK, to membership discounts from CHAS and Barbour ABI.

ASFP CEO Steve Davies commented: “The ASFP offers a wide range of training, technical and support services for members which form our core membership offering. These additional benefits aim to provide an enhancement to our services, making ASFP membership yet more rewarding and resulting in significant savings for members.

“Our new agreements with BSI ensure that ASFP member companies of all sizes can access all BS, BS EN and ISO standards at an affordable price, while ASFP SME member companies can obtain access to essential fire safety standards free of charge. This initiative, along with the BSI Identify Scheme offering, aims to help educate our members and further improve the quality of the passive fire protection products and services they can offer. This will further enhance recognition of the professionalism and competence of ASFP members throughout the construction industry.”

IAFF calls on Environmental Agency to regulate toxic chemicals

by Featured News

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has joined the call at a rally in Washington, DC, demanding that federal agencies do more to regulate toxic chemicals devastating communities and killing fire fighters.

The SAFE EPA rally was held just steps between the White House and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and was designed to call out federal lawmakers and policymakers from both political parties for “putting profits ahead of people” and allowing corporate interests to use and dispose of deadly toxins.

IAFF General President Edward Kelly addressed those assembled at Freedom Plaza talking about the scourge of occupational cancer impacting the fire service. He noted that during the recent Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado, nearly 75 percent of the line of duty deaths honoured were from occupational cancer.

Kelly said: “For many years we thought our cancers were caused by smoke, off-gassing from burning combustibles, building debris. Now, we know our own gear is part of that problem. The very thing that is supposed to be keeping us safe is costing us our lives.”

He spoke about PFAS (or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and their use in the protective layers of fire fighter turnout gear and are now known to cause cancer. PFAS is a human-made ‘forever chemical’ that cannot be broken down and has been found in groundwater, animals, and humans.

Kelly credited Diane Cotter – who was at the rally with her husband, Worcester, MA Local 1009 fire fighter Paul Cotter – for doggedly pursuing answers after suspecting that turnout gear was behind Paul’s cancer diagnosis in late 2014. Her efforts led to a study, conducted by Notre Dame nuclear physicist Graham Peaslee, Ph.D., that found dangerous levels of carcinogens in the protective gear.

“We need to extinguish cancer and the threat of PFAS for everyone,” said Kelly.“The oath we took was to protect all of you. [But] our fight is to save the lives of everybody, not just fire fighters, everybody…including our own children, our own grandchildren.”

Also at the rally was Jason Burns, current fire fighter and former president of Fall River, MA Local 1314, who said several members of his affiliate have developed and succumbed to occupational cancer: “We have a problem in the fire service and it’s not just my local, it’s happening all over the country.

“Fire fighters are dealing with cancer at rates we have never seen. I have seen too many widows and too many fatherless children now. I am no longer going to tolerate having these chemicals in my gear.”

The Biden administration has classified PFAS as hazardous material and the EPA recently issued guidance drastically limiting the amounts of PFAS acceptable in drinking water. “President Biden’s actions will help us protect our communities,” said Kelly.

He urged the EPA to ban the production, sale, and importation of PFAS chemicals.

The IAFF continues to advocate on behalf of its members’ health and safety. In August, the IAFF and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) issued a joint safety advisory with recommended protocols designed to limit fire fighter exposure to PFAS. The IAFF is also urging manufacturers to develop next-generation turnout gear made without PFAS chemicals.

The union’s Division of Health, Safety, and Medicine has benefitted from the appointment of its first-ever chief medical officer (Dr. Danny Whu, MD, MPH) and a new director of science and research (Neil McMillan). Delegates also adopted a resolution at the IAFF’s 56th Convention in August earmarking $500,000 annually to cancer research.