Fire Code Amended To Include Electronic Monitoring Of Fire Extinguishers
ROCKLAND, Mass. – Recognizing the improved reliability and added safety of electronically monitored fire extinguishers, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) voted to amend NFPA 10 and NFPA 72 to include electronic monitoring in lieu of mandatory physical 30-day inspections.
The NFPA made its decision during its annual World Safety Conference and Exposition that took place in Orlando, Fla., June 4-8. The ruling will go into effect in September following ratification by the NFPA Standards Council.
Strong support for the acceptance of the technology came from fire officials, end users and members of the fire protection industry. Mike Halligan from the University of Utah provided written testimony in support of the proposed changes. His school installed electronically monitored fire extinguishers in two residence halls in September 2003. Halligan remarked that prior to their installation, the university averaged 50 stolen or fire extinguisher tampers per year. After installing electronically monitored extinguishers they experienced only one tamper in three years.
Don Bliss, former New Hampshire state fire marshal also testified in support of recognizing the technology as an equivalent to the mandatory 30-day inspections. After the floor vote, Bliss said, “The overwhelming support for the technology just makes sense: The technology brings better accountability to fire extinguishers, helps ensure code compliance and improves life safety,” before adding, “and isn’t that why we are all here?”
Specific changes to the NFPA codes include the addition of a definition of electronic monitoring in Chapter 3 and specific details in Chapter 7 “Inspection, Maintenance and Recharging of Portable Fire Extinguishers,” of NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. Chapter 7 section 2.1.1 “frequency” newly states, “Fire extinguishers shall be inspected when initially placed in service and thereafter at a minimum of 30 day intervals or electronically monitored.”
NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code included the addition of electronic monitoring definitions to chapters 3, 5 and 6.
These NFPA amendments follow similar measures taken by the International Code Council that allowed electronic monitoring of fire extinguishers in lieu of 30-day physical inspections at the start of 2005.
For some buildings, which have hundreds and often thousands of extinguishers on-site, physical inspections can be very costly and time consuming efforts. Proponents say electronic monitoring reduces these expenses and improves safety. “Fire equipment industry studies show that 90 percent of 30-day inspections simply do not happen – representing a huge security and life-safety risk,” said John McSheffrey, vice president business development, for MIJA Inc. of Rockland, Mass. “I think historically speaking, today’s vote will be looked at as the turning point for fire extinguishers, the day in which extinguishers became a fully recognized component of an intelligent fire protection package. Going forth, why would anyone specify stand alone extinguishers in larger occupancies?”
MIJA is a manufacturer of an approved, listed electronic monitoring device for fire extinguishers called, en-Gauge® that constantly monitors for presence, pressure and obstruction to access. In the event that any of these three items are found compromised, the system sends an alert to officials so they can immediately rectify the situation. Airports, universities, correctional facilities and school districts are among the occupancies across the United States currently using en-Gauge technology to monitor their extinguishers.
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