News From the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently launched a new Sparky the Fire Dog® game to help children learn about emergency preparedness. The game, “Look and Learn,” is now available free online at www.nfpa.org. It stresses the importance of being prepared for an emergency by teaching children about items that should be included in an emergency supplies kit. 

The NFPA has recently developed an Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities in order to assist in the identification of the needs of people with disabilities in relation to evacuation.

Illinois News

The office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced a change in the rules and regulations concerning licensed fire equipment distributors and employees. The new rules took effect March 5, 2008.

Some of the important changes are listed below:

The minimum liability insurance requirement has been increased to $1 million.

Technicians licensed in any of the three categories will need to be certified and maintain ongoing certification through the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (Nafed). Technicians hired after March 5, 2008 will need to pass a Nafed test and obtain Nafed certification in the license category of interest (portable fire extinguishers, pre-engineered fire suppression systems and engineered fire suppression systems) as a prerequisite to obtaining a license.

Continuing education hours (8) per year, with documentation, will be required to renew certification.

Certification tags will change colors each year. The rotation will be as follows: 2008 - white; 2009 - yellow; 2010 - green; 2011 - blue; 2012 - white; 2013 - yellow; and so on.

Tamper indication seals will also need to be colored to match the color of the current certification tag.

The following standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have been adopted:

NFPA #10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (2007 edition)

NFPA #11 Low-Medium-High Expansion Foam (2005 edition)

NFPA #12 Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems (2005 edition)

NFPA #12A Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems (2004 edition)

NFPA #17 Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems (2002 edition)

NFPA #17A Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems (2002 edition)

NFPA #72 National Fire Alarm Code (2007 edition)

NFPA #96 Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations (2008 edition)

NFPA #750 Water Mist Fire Protection Systems (2006 edition)

NFPA #2001 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems (2004)

The new rules and regulations are available on the State Fire Marshal's web site at www.state.il.us/osfm/.

Illinois Fire & Safety Company’s President, Mr. Tom Farruggia, serves as an appointed member of the Illinois Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee Advisory Board through the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.