NFPA Journal - November/December 2012 - (Page 75)

>> the sections NEWS FROM THE NFPA SECTIONS SPOTLIGHT On InTernaTIOnaL fIre marSHaLS aSSOcIaTIOn balanced approach to fire and life safety, so that an issue with one system does not dramatically affect the safety of a structure’s occupants. Another is ensuring enforcement of current regulations and getting people to take corrective action, which can be difficult in the current economic climate. Fire Code Development Committees that allow enforcers to collaborate on code aspects they feel need modification. These meetings allow enforcers to generate proposals in the code-making process. IFMA also helps plan the National Fire Academy’s “PARADE” conference, and we offer seminars at NFPA’s annual Conference & Expo. Because there is a shortage of enforcers on NFPA technical committees, IFMA continues to encourage the participation of section members who could influence specific standards. We also monitor the codes- and standards-development r.T. “Whitey” Leicht R. T. “Whitey” Leicht is Chief Fire Protection Engineer in the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office in Dover, Delaware. He is also president of the International Fire Marshals Association. He has been in the fire safety field for 39 years. What fields, industries, or occupations do your members come from? Generally, it’s officers, both full- and parttime, of state, provincial, and county fire marshal offices, as well as the fire marshal divisions of local and municipal fire departments. This includes fire marshals, fire protection engineers, fire protection specialists, fire code enforcement officers, fire inspectors, fire investigators, and public fire educators, to name a few. What codes are important to your section? NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, is by far the predominant publication fire marshals use in addressing the fire and life safety hazards associated with specific occupancies. The other key document is NFPA 1, Fire Code. Of course, all the reference documents in those codes are also used. What key code issues do you anticipate for your section in the near future? The key issue for the International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA) is making the public aware of the excellent performance of automatic fire sprinklers and changing the public’s attitude towards residential sprinklers. Another is ensuring that the codes and standards take a What code issues do you anticipate for your section in the near future? There are four main issues. The first is deterioration of code provisions previously or currently in place in future editions of the codes and too much reliance on a single level The key issue for IFMA is making of protection. The second the public aware of the excellent is maintenance of the life performance of automatic fire safety features of a building that were in place when ocsprinklers, and changing attitudes cupancy was approved and towards residential fire sprinklers. of fire protection systems that were elements of the process from proposal to approval by the initial approval. The third is lack of fundStandards Council. ing for code compliance and inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire and life safety systems. Finally, some states have What do members get out of belonging? halted or put off adoption of the latest In a word, networking! With limited codes and standards, which affects both budgets, fire marshals need to share rethe owner and the enforcement comsources, and IFMA brings all the available munity by preventing the adoption of new resources together: fire marshals with technologies. a specific competence, special experts on technical committees, members of What activities has your section recently the IFMA Board of Directors, and NFPA’s completed, and what’s coming up? advisory staff. IFMA has changed the former “Principles in Fire Protection Engineering” course by How can section members become involved? focusing on the principles important to They can get involved in a code developour members and authorities having juris- ment committee or an NFPA technical diction. The course is available anywhere committee and share their knowledge and in the country—it’s most popular when skills with other IFMA members. held in conjunction with chapter events, where it’s seen as a cost-effective way of To join nfPa or add a section to your memberfulfilling local training needs. ship, go to nfpa.org and click on the membership IFMA continues to support the Regional tab or call 1-800-344-3555. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 NFPA JOURNAL 75 http://www.nfpa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - November/December 2012

NFPA Journal - November/December 2012
Contents
First Word
In a Flash
Perspectives
Firewatch
Research
Heads Up
Structural Ops
In Compliance
Buzzwords
Outreach
Electrical Safety
Wildfire Watch
Past + Present
Easy Being Green?
Pressure Points
2011 Large-Loss Fires
2011 Firefighter Injuries
Section Spotlight
What’s Hot
Looking Back

NFPA Journal - November/December 2012