NFPA Journal - Summer 2022 - 30

ADVOCACY,
Outreach by Lorraine Carli
Pet Threat
FIRES IN ANIMAL BOARDING FACILITIES MAKE IT CRITICALLY IMPORTANT
TO SPREAD PUBLIC EDUCATION MESSAGES IN YOUR COMMUNITY
L
ast fall, 75 dogs died in
a fire in a pet boarding
facility in Georgetown,
Texas,
near Austin.
Unfortunately, this isn't
the only incident of its kind to make
headlines; other recent fires in animal
boarding occupancies around the country
have killed scores of beloved pets.
But it was the Texas fire that got the
attention of a producer for NBC's Today
Show. In March, the producer reached
out to NFPA for information on what
people should ask pet boarding facilities
about fire safety when they leave their
pets for overnight stays, particularly as
the summer vacation season approaches.
I'm hopeful that, when this segment airs,
it will help communicate an important
and often overlooked safety message
about keeping our pets safe.
NFPA and fire safety educators everywhere
devote a lot of time to promoting
the steps people can take to keep themselves
and their families safer from fire
at home or in other types of buildings,
and that discussion should extend to the safety of our pets in
boarding facilities. Pets, after all, are cherished members of our
families, and most owners want to do everything they can to
keep their animals safe. When we drop off our pets at boarding
facilities, we do so with the expectation that they'll be treated
well and with the highest levels of safety in mind. But that is
not always the case. The complacency that people demonstrate
toward fire safety in their homes-when they assume they are
safe but ignore basic fire-prevention steps-can extend to other
places where they assume safety measures are in place, including
where they board their pets.
As we told the NBC producer, people should ask boarding
facilities several basic questions: What is the emergency plan?
What happens if there is a fire or similar emergency? Is staff
at the site at all times? Is the facility protected by a fire alarm
system and fire sprinklers? People should also contact their
30 | NFPA JOURNAL * SUMMER 2022
The complacency that
people demonstrate
toward fire safety in
their homes can
extend to other places
they assume are safe,
including where they
board their pets.
local fire department to find out what
is required of boarding facilities in their
community.
These safety tips need to be more
broadly promoted, especially considering
that more and more people are becoming
pet owners. According to a survey
conducted by the American Pet Products
Association, 70 percent of US households
own a pet, up from 67 percent in 2019
and 56 percent in 1988, the first year
the survey was completed. Most pets are
dogs. Americans spend billions of dollars
on their pets each year on a full range of
services, including boarding, grooming,
and training.
While educating the public is important,
standards play a critical role as well.
NFPA 150, Fire and Life Safety in Animal
Housing Facilities Code, covers a wide
range of animal housing facilities, including
pet boarding. Originally released in
1979 to address fire safety at racetracks,
the code requires sprinkler protection in
pet boarding and care facilities that don't
have 24-hour human supervision. When
an attendant is present, the code only requires a fire alarm
system. It also requires emergency planning, as well as fire
extinguisher training for staff. NFPA 150 is also referenced in
NFPA 1, Fire Code, and the International Building Code.
In the wake of the disaster in Georgetown, the city updated
its fire code to require fire alarms in all facilities caring for
animals, according to media reports. Existing facilities have
until September 2023 to comply with these provisions. There
are also more stringent code requirements for new animal
facilities.
As we head into the summer months-the peak season for pet
boarding around the country-spread these important public
education messages in your community and advocate for the
increased use of NFPA 150.
LORRAINE CARLI is vice president of Outreach and Advocacy for NFPA.
LEGISLATION,
AND PUBLIC
EDUCATION
MICHAEL HOEWELER
NFPA Journal - Summer 2022

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