October 2015 South Central Regional Report

Transcription

1 NFSASOUTHCENTRAL.ORG October 2015 South Central Regional Report FSCATX TEXAS SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT 26TH YEAR! 184 Players 14 Gold Sponsors 62 Total Donors 1 Happy Former Patient!

2 JOINT FSCATX & NFSA NORTH TEXAS MEETING You are invited you to attend a NFSA North Texas Chapter and FSCATX (Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas) Joint Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2015, 11:30 a.m. at the Construction Education Foundation Center in Irving, Texas, 1401 West Royal Lane, Irving, TX. A Free Lunch is provided, so please RSVP to cindyg@nfsa.org Our guest speaker will be NFSA President Shane Ray. It will be a great opportunity to hear Shane's "Challenges & Vision for the Fire Sprinkler Industry", as well as our chance to brief Shane on the challenges and successes we face in Texas. SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT PROPOSES HIGH RISE FIRE SPRINKLER RETROFIT ORDINANCE The San Antonio Fire Department proposed a $1 million plan at their City Council Public Safety Committee on October 7, The SAFD goal is to get more than 40 high rise buildings fitted with sprinklers. The proposal comes just 9 months after six people died in a tragic fire at the Wedgwood Senior Living Apartments in Castle Hills because it did not have fire sprinklers. Fire Chief Charles Hood said the plan would simply save lives."about 114 people were killed around the state in un sprinklered high rise buildings," said Hood. "Buildings that were sprinklered during that same time frame suffered no losses of life. So again, it's something we feel that it is critical for the community to have sprinklers." TRAINING'S ALL OVER TEXAS November 3 or 4, 2015 Dallas Click Here NFPA 25 Inspection &Testing NFPA 20 Fire Pumps

3 Farmers Branch Fire Administration Scholarships available by NFSA North Texas Chapter November 17 19, 2015 Houston Click Here NFPA 25: Inspection & Testing for the Sprinkler Industry Harris County Fire Marshal Training Center January 12 14, 2016 Houston Click Here NFPA 25 Understanding, Applying & Enforcing NFPA 13 Sprinkler Installation Requirements NFPA 14 Standpipe Systems February 1 12, 2016 Dallas Click Here Two Week Layout Technician Preparation for NICET Level II Certification Basis Sprinkler Layout & Design Technician February 23 25, 2016 Pharr Click Here Fire Sprinkler Protection of Storage NFPA 20 Pumps for Fire Protection OKLAHOMA FIRE SPRINKLER MANAGER'S LICENSE REVISED COMMERCIAL FIRE SPRINKLER MANAGER LICENSE REQUIREMENTS. The Oklahoma Fire Sprinkler Association has assisted the Oklahoma Department of Labor Alarm, Locksmith and Sprinkler Board to upgrade the Fire Sprinkler Managers License requirements : (2) (d). Each commercial fire sprinkler manager applicate must pass NICET Level III in Water Based Fire Protection System Layout Certification Test or pass the new Fire Sprinkler Manager Test. 2. Each commercial fire sprinkler manager applicant must provide proof of having 5 years' experience in the fire sprinkler trade. The 5 years need to be in the layout and design of fire sprinkler systems. The 5 years can also be 3 years layout and 2 years installation. The Oklahoma Department of Labor Alarm Locksmith & Fire Sprinkler Board voted to revise the licensing requirements on October 7, FEDERAL FIRE SPRINKLER INCENTIVE ACT FILED! DUE TO THE PERSEVERING WORK OF NFSA STAFF NFSA staff Vickie Pritchett and Jim Dalton

4 have successfully worked with Senator Susan Collins and Representative Jim Langevin to introduce the 2015 Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. Senate Bill 2068 and House of Representatives Bill 3591 were respectively filed on September 22, Co sponsors include Senator Carper and Representative Reed. NFSA now goes to work to contact Legislators serving on the House Ways and Means Committee and Senators serving on the Senate Finance Committee. We will be targeting these members during our upcoming legislative day on November 4, You may ask, how can I help? You know there is a way! Contact your Senator and Congressmen and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor of the bill the bill numbers are S and H.R respectively. It's easy to find the for your Legislators...visit and enter your state information. Your outreach does make a difference an or phone call goes a long way. For complete details, click here for our press release. NEW OSHA PUBLICATION FIRE SERVICE FEATURES OF BUILDINGS & FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS To better protect emergency responders, OSHA has revised its manual, Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems*. The manual explains how fire service operations can be affected by different building features, and it offers guidance for design professionals, code officials, fire service representatives, building owners and other stakeholders. Updates to the manual include more photos; new chapters on water supply and building phases; and new sections on energy conservation, emergency power, and numbering rooms and floors. The manual's information can help responders during fires and other emergencies such as hazardous material releases, emergency medical care, non fire rescues and terrorist incidents. ITS TIME TO THINK ABOUT FREEZING!

5 Click Here To Download This Chart ITS ALL ABOUT ARKANSAS! The Arkansas Fire Marshals Association held their Annual Fall Conference at Mount Magazine State Park. The conference featured speakers from NFSA & NFPA! Over 100 Fire Marshals and Fire Sprinkler Contractors attended this well organized conference.

6 AND OKLAHOMA! OKLAHOMA FIRE MARSHAL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE The Oklahoma Fire Marshals Association awarded its annual scholarship to Ashley Evans, Oklahoma State University Student in Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology. OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY CAREER FAIR Over 240 Business Agencies provided career recruiting booths at Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Career Fair. Member companies of NFSA included Advanced Fire Protection, Western States Fire Protection, American Fire Protection Group and NFSA. STILLWATER FIRE SAFETY DAY October 10, 2015, 10:00 a.m. Lowe's Home Improvement Center DADS GRANT PROGRAM Up to $10,000/home to assist with the installation of fire sprinklers in 4 bedroom group homes Reimbursement for Sprinkler Systems in Home and Community based Services. Out of General Revenue Funds appropriated above in strategy A.9.1, Capital Repairs and Renovations, for fiscal year 2016, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (Department) may expend up to $2,951,152 for the biennium, plus any associated federal matching funds, solely to reimburse providers for up to 50 percent of the cost of installation of a fire suppression (sprinkler) system in an eligible four bed home serving individuals enrolled in the Home and Community based Services waiver. The total cost of sprinkler system reimbursement may not exceed $10,000 per home. The Department may only reimburse providers who provide the Department with installation documentation, including

7 documentation of the cost to the provider for the installation, and the Department must confirm installation. The Department may reimburse homes for sprinkler systems installed after September 1, 2012, for so long as funds are available, and may choose to establish a deadline by which claims must be submitted. Any funds remaining on August 31, 2016 may be expended for the same purpose in fiscal year Required Installation Documentation * Required installation documentation shall be reviewed by DADS life safety code program staff * Form SF041 Contractor's Material and Test Certification for Aboveground Piping, completed in accordance with 28 TAC (The Fire Sprinkler Rules promulgated by the Texas State Fire Marshal) * Form SF042 Contractor's Material and Test Certification for Underground Piping, if applicable, completed in accordance with 28 TAC * Sprinkler System Plans, completed in accordance with 28 TAC , containing the license number of the responsible managing employee (RME), the name, address, phone number, and the certificate of registration number of the registered firm * Written approval of the fire sprinkler system installation issued by the fire safety authority having jurisdiction * Final paid invoices for installation of the fire sprinkler system Click Here and Go to Page II 16 for further information. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD WORKERS? NFSA South Central Region will be participating in several area career fairs to increase awareness/ visibility about careers in the fire sprinkler industry. Would your agency like to be contacted if an intern or potential employee is interested in joining your company? Can you provide your contact person's information? Here UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE SOUTH CENTRAL REGION October 10, 2015 Oklahoma State University Fire Safety Day October 13, 2015 Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas San Marcos, TX October 13 15, 2015 LODD (Line of Duty Death) Conference: Different Departments Same Outcomes by Texas Fire Chief's Association October 15, 2015

8 NFSA North Texas Chapter & FSCATX Dallas Joint Meeting RSVP Here October 17, 2015 Montgomery County Fire Department Safety Day October 22, 2015 Oklahoma Fire Sprinkler Association Meeting October 28, 2015 Construction Education Foundation Career Fair Irving, TX October 29, 2015 Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas Houston, TX October 31, 2015 Longview Fire Safety Day November 3 4, 2015 NFPA 25 & NFPA 20 Trainings, Farmers Branch, Texas Register Here November 17, 18, & 19th Inspection & Testing for the Sprinkler Industry, Houston, Texas Register Here TECHNICAL TUESDAYS ONLINE TRAINING $125 for Members/AHJs and $250 for Non Members (per seminar) Register for 5 seminars and save 20% (Use Promo Code: Save20) Register for 4 seminars and save 15% (Use Promo Code: Save15) *Must use promo codes to receive discount

9 October 20, 2015 Obstructions to ESFR and CMSA Sprinklers Victoria B Valentine, PE Early suppression fast response sprinklers (ESFR) and control mode specific application (CMSA) sprinklers are commonly used in protecting storage scenarios. These sprinklers undergo different product testing in order to achieve their listing. With the large volume of water that comes from each of these sprinklers they are extremely sensitive to obstructions. Fixtures, structural members, and more, may or may not be considered obstructions to sprinkler discharge. This seminar will explore the rules for positioning ESFR and CMSA sprinklers when obstructions are present. November 17, 2015 Implementing New ITM Procedures from the 2014 Edition of NFPA 25 Jason Webb The 2014 edition of NFPA 25 is currently only adopted by a handful of jurisdictions as the process of updating codes and standards can take a few years or more. With that in mind you can expect that many states and local AHJ's will soon begin enforcing the requirements of the current edition of the standard. To comply with the 2014 edition of NFPA 25, changes in the process of inspecting and testing will need to take place. Whether it is as simple as conducting a valve status test instead of a main drain test, or the totally new practice of testing diesel fuel quality for fire pumps, everything from contract terms and conditions to how long an inspector should plan to be onsite will be effected. In this seminar, we will discuss some of the more significant of those changes and how to prepare for them. December 15, 2015 Updating ICC Codes Moving from the 2009 to the 2015 Edition Jeffrey M Hugo, CBO National code development often outpaces the actual code adoption in many jurisdictions. It is not uncommon for a community to be two or three editions behind the latest published edition. When it comes time to update, many questions arise about the new requirements. This course is designed to provide answers to those questions on what is new in the code. This course will also address those communities that have the older editions of the ICC codes and what to expect in the 2015 edition. There are many updates on fire sprinkler requirements, fire pump installation, fire department connections, and much more. The 2009 and 2012 edition codes to the 2015 edition will be reviewed while providing many visual representations, handouts and discussion to assist the fire sprinkler contractor and code official on the updates. FIRE SPRINKLER SENIOR SAVE Plano Firefighters responded to a Plano nursing home Saturday morning after receiving a call about smoke from an employee at Life Care Center of Plano, in the 3800 block of W. Park Boulevard. Captain Peggy Harrell said the nursing home had good evacuation procedures in place, but once investigators located the fire and determined how far it was from the residential hallways, no

10 evacuation had to take place and residents were able to return to their rooms. "We were able to close the fire doors and keep the room where the fire was isolated," she said. "A sprinkler head kept the fire in check, and firefighters brought in the handline to put the remaining fire out." NEAR MISS 09/07/2015 Firefighters rescued a dozen people trapped on balconies of a Slidell, Louisiana condo building engulfed in flames early Sunday, reports nola.com. Some residents of the two story Act X Condominiums jumped into the arms of rescuers on the ground to avoid the flames, while others climbed down ladders set up by firefighters, according to a new release. Firefighters with St. Tammany Fire District No. 1 were called to the 28 unit building at 4504 Pontchartrain Dr. at midnight Saturday and extinguished the fire 1 1/2 hours later. One firefighter was taken to the hospital with a minor injury. No other injuries were reported. OSHA DID YOU KNOW? OSHA is proposing a new rule for employer record keeping. Employers have an "ongoing obligation" to keep and maintain accurate injury and illness records, and that duty does not go away if an employer fails to record an incident, OSHA announced in a newly proposed rule. Published July 29 in the Federal Register, the notice of proposed rulemaking clarifies employers' duty to maintain records for the year in which an injury or illness became recordable. This includes entering every recordable case on their injury log, and updating that log to include cases not previously recorded. These obligations remain for the five years employers are required to keep and maintain the records. The proposal is in response to a 2012 case in which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that OSHA citations for recordkeeping violations must be issued within six months of an alleged failure to record the injury or illness. This ruling overturned OSHA's stance that the agency had five and a half years to issue such a citation five years covering the time period in which the injury's record must be maintained, plus a six month statute of limitations. In a press release, OSHA states the proposed rule would add no new obligations, and employers would not have to make records of any injuries or illnesses when not already required to do so. All proposals to this rule are due by September 28, 2015 Click Here

11 FOLLOW NFSA SOUTHCENTRAL TRAVELS ON TWITTER YOUR REGIONAL TEAM Cindy Giedraitis South Central Regional Manager PO Box College Station, TX Phone: John Kauffman III NFSA Area Director & Contractors Council Chair Kauffman Company FM 529 Suite A Houston, TX Phone: (713) Fax: (713) John@kauffmanco.net

12 Have A Great Month! National Fire Sprinkler Association cindyg@nfsa.org STAY CONNECTED: Forward This was sent to cindyg@nfsa.org by cindyg@nfsa.org Update Profile/ Address Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe About our service provider. NFSA South Central P.O. Box College Station TX 77842