NEMA’s electroindustry May 2010 - 6

Washington Report
› Federal Government Weighs in on Life Safety Issues
For decades, state and local authorities have advanced life safety through the adoption of laws, ordinances, and codes that promote smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detection technology. Smoke alarms/detectors are required in nearly all residential construction; currently 26 states require CO detection and notification devices in one- and twofamily homes and other dwellings. The federal government has an important role to play in fire and life safety, too, particularly through promoting education and incentivizing states, localities, and consumers to require and purchase lifesaving technology. Several agencies consistently advocate for smoke/fire and CO detection. Not to be outdone, Congress looks to play a part in the advancement of fire and life safety. Several bills have been introduced in the 111th Congress that draw attention to these issues, including the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (S 1216/HR 1796), the Campus Fire Safety Education Act (S 3142/HR 4908), and the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act (S 1791/HR 2136). In March, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing on HR 1796. Mark Devine, vice president of marketing for NEMA member First Alert, testified on the importance of CO detection. He provided alarming statistics: 47 percent of Americans do not have CO alarms in their homes, and of those who do, 23 percent have never replaced them. The subcommittee hearing on HR 1796 echoed many of the key points made in a similar hearing on S 1216, held by the Senate Commerce Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance Subcommittee in December 2009. NEMA has supported both bills.

Mark Devine, vice president of marketing for NEMA member First Alert, testified before Congress that 47 percent of Americans do not have CO alarms in their homes, and of those who do, 23 percent have never replaced them.

Safety firSt In March, Campus Fire Safety Day brought advocates from around the country to Capitol Hill to press for legislation to improve fire safety in campus housing. NEMA Manager of Government Relations Sarah Owen joined these efforts, meeting with several members of Congress and advocating for passage of S 3142/HR 4908 to establish a federal grant program to assist higher education institutions with establishing or improving fire safety education programs. Congress is also considering legislation (S 1791/HR 2136) to help schools “promote the installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies” in qualified student housing and dormitories. Ms. Owen stressed NEMA’s support for a proactive fire safety approach that requires and emphasizes smoke and fire detection, even when suppression systems are installed. Automatic fire detection and alarm systems, when combined with suppression systems and other elements of a proactive fire protection plan, significantly reduce property damage, personal injuries, and loss of life.

With their limited expertise in fire codes and life safety technology, federal lawmakers will not likely supplant state and local authorities in mandating important technology, e.g., detection and notification devices, on the national level. But Congress is proving that it has a significant role to play in educating the public about the dangers of fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide. By considering these bills, the 111th Congress is using its public platform to promote and incentivize fire and life safety. NEMA supports measures that advance safety and Congress’s attention to these life-and-death issues. ei Sarah Owen, Government Relations Manager | sarah.owen@nema.org
A copy of First Alert’s letter in support of the legislation is available at www.nema.org/prod/elec/sig/upload/ First-Alert-HR-1796-letter.pdf A copy of the NEMA/SIE/ESA letter is available at www.nema.org/prod/elec/ sig/upload/NEMA-SIA-ESA-Letter-onHouse-CTCP-Hearing-03-18-10.pdf

NEMA electroindustry

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May 2010

NEMA’s electroindustry May 2010

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