CSFCA/FMAC Response to IAFC's Proposed Changes to NFPA 72

On Friday, January 14, 2011, those of you that are members of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) received an “IAFC Call to Action” Regarding NFPA 72 and Commercial False Alarms by email (see below).  The “Call to Action” brought to member attention that IAFC has submitted a series of proposals via the NFPA code change process to update NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, with the stated intent to provide solutions to the problems caused by the number of false alarms in commercial facilities.  The “Call to Action” provided a link to a fact sheet that outlines the IAFC proposal to NFPA 72.

Also this past Friday, the CSFCA Board of Directors heard a presentation by David Lowrey in his capacity as President of the Fire Marshal Association of Colorado (FMAC) on FMAC’s opposition to the IAFC’s proposed changes to NFPA 72.  FMAC requested that the CSFCA support their position on the proposed changes.

Specifically, on the IAFC proposal to allow up to 90 seconds for the supervising station to verify an alarm before notifying the fire department, it was argued that this proposal was not fixing the problem of reducing the number of unwanted or nuisance alarms.  Further, by delaying the response, you can actually be increasing the risk to fire fighters and the occupants of the building in a fire situation.  Eliminating emergency response to fire alarms will only allow the owner of the system to ignore a dysfunctional fire alarm system.  Occupants of the building will become more complacent in not evacuating and in an actual fire situation; emergency response personal will be delayed responding to the building allowing the fire to possible double in size. 

On the IAFC proposal concerning point ID communication, it was argued that:

·         many buildings simply don’t need an addressable type fire alarm system to meet the requirements of the governing code for that area;

·         any jurisdiction has the legal right to amend their adopted code to require point ID if that’s their preference;

·         the requirement for point ID for all buildings will certainly increase the cost of the fire alarm systems; and

·         there is no technical justification for increasing the cost of fire alarm systems for a building that is required to only monitor a sprinkler system, elevator recall or duct detectors.  

Note:  Please see the letter from CSFCA and FMAC to NFPA’s Supervising Station Fire Alarm Systems Technical Committee for a full discussion of the basis for opposition to the proposed changes.

Following discussion, the CSFCA Board of Directors voted unanimously to sign a joint letter with FMAC to NFPA’s Supervising Station Fire Alarm Systems Technical Committee in opposition to the IAFC proposals.  The CSFCA and FMAC believe that unwanted and nuisance alarms can be reduced significantly through proper design, installation, acceptance commissioning, and on-going inspection, testing and maintenance as outlined in NFPA 72.

This action is in advance of the NFPA 72 Technical Committee meetings later this week.

Questions or comments concerning this action may be directed to the CSFCA Executive Director.

Posted 01-18-11

Letter from CSFCA and FMAC to NFPA’s Supervising Station Fire Alarm Systems Technical Committee in opposition to the IAFC proposals

IAFC Member Alert
Contact: IAFC Strategic Services Department
703-273-0911 • www.iafc.org

Call to Action:  NFPA 72 Code Hearings
The Time to Lead on Commercial False Alarms is Now

Fairfax, Va., January 14, 2011... The IAFC is calling on fire and emergency service leaders to take action now to address the quiet, but pervasive, threat of false alarms in commercial facilities. We need your leadership to get the facts and ensure national-level discussion at the NFPA 72 code hearings in San Diego next week.

IAFC has submitted a series of proposals via the NFPA code change process to update NFPA 72 with the specific intent to provide solutions to the problems caused by the number of false alarms in commercial facilities. The proposals aim to take a comprehensive approach to address both the root cause of the issue (reducing false alarms) and the protocols for response to such calls. The IAFC has created a fact sheet (pdf) that outlines our proposal to NFPA 72 and dispels the myths circulating by opponents.

The proposals center around four main concepts:

·         A 90-second verification delay identical to current residential code and including an opt-out provision if a chief doesn’t feel the delay is optimal for the locality

·         Recommendation for point ID capability

·         Adding a 45-second minimum to pressure change in retard chambers

·         Maintenance of the alarm systems by an approved professional

Before discussion even begins, these proposals have drawn vocal opponents. We are calling on fire service leaders to learn the facts, dispel the myths and provide the opportunity for open and professional dialogue. We owe our personnel and our public nothing less.

Posted 01-18-11