NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FIRE MARSHALS

Fire Sprinkler Systems are among the most critical life safety components of commercial and multi-occupancy residential buildings and parking structures. An often overlooked and important component is the fire department connection (FDC), including the cap. Protecting a commercial fire sprinkler system with locking FDC caps is more critical now than it has ever been before. To educate fire departments on the importance of FDC locking caps, NASFM is launching an educational campaign, Ready.Set.Flow. that educates fire departments on the topic and provides resources for fire departments to promote locking caps to their local businesses. Campaign information is available at SecureFDC.com.

Without locking FDC caps, buildings and parking structures leave their fire department connection vulnerable to fitting thefts, intentional and unintentional clogging debris, vandalism, and potential acts of terrorism. Preparing for emergencies of all types through preventive measures reduces the impacts from incidents that can severely impact day-to-day operations, both temporarily and long term. Educating businesses and fire sprinkler contractors on the importance of locking FDC caps to protect fire sprinkler systems and keep them operable during a fire has never had more urgency.

With more civil unrest activities and higher traffic in downtown areas, the increased risks to buildings and their fire sprinkler systems caused concern with the U.S. Fire Administration and Department of Homeland Security which issued notices to the country’s fire departments last year.

NASFM Executive Director Jim Narva stresses that “Locking caps are an essential and cost-effective addition to every business’s proactive preparedness efforts. We encourage our members to share this information with fire departments in their states and ensure that we protect one of the most vulnerable parts of a building.”

“Protecting the FDC is a win-win for all involved,” Narva adds. “FDCs which are not in proper working order place an increased risk to firefighters. Locking FDC caps also save the building owner money in the long term by reducing maintenance and repair costs while protecting tenants and businesses.”

Businesses need to enact vigilance and awareness about inspecting FDCs regularly and protecting their operability must be a priority.  Sharing this information with businesses and facility management organizations is essential.  

About NASFM, “50 States – One Strong Voice for Fire Prevention” 
The principal membership of NASFM comprises the senior fire officials in the United States and their top deputies. The primary mission of the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) is to protect human life, property and the environment from fire and related hazards. A secondary mission of NASFM is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State Fire Marshals’ operations. In addition to its principal membership, NASFM has several categories of membership to allow companies, associations, academic and research institutions, and individuals who support NASFM’s mission to contribute in meaningful ways.