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Advisory Working Group Members
The National Association of State Fire Marshals is grateful to have a very knowledgeable group of advisors to help guide our efforts and assist us as we carry out this project. We plan to expand the group over time to represent an even broader range of perspectives.
Meeting Minutes and Notes
National Association of State Fire Marshals
The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) is a 501(c)(6) professional and educational association whose membership comprises the most senior fire officials in the United States and their top deputies. NASFM’s primary mission is to protect human life, property and the environment from fire and related hazards. Its secondary mission is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State Fire Marshals' operations.
State Fire Marshals' responsibilities vary from state to state, but most State Fire Marshals tend to be responsible for fire safety code adoption and enforcement, fire and arson investigation, fire incident data reporting and analysis, public education and advising Governors and State Legislatures on fire protection. Some State Fire Marshals are responsible for fire fighter training, hazardous materials incident responses, wildland fires and the regulation of natural gas and other pipelines.
Most of our members are appointed by Governors or other high-ranking state officials. Some are state police officers. Many are former fire fighters. Some are fire protection engineers, while others are former state legislators, insurance experts and labor union officials.
Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA)
FM Global
General Services Administration
Green Building Initiatives (Green Globes)
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
International Code Council (ICC)
International Fire Marshalls Association (IFMA)
Liberty Mutual
Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards (NCSBCS)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Vision 20/20
Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA)
The Fire Equipment Manufacturers' Association is an international trade association led by industry experts with decades of fire protection experience, representing the top global brands in commercial fire protection.
Committed to saving lives and protecting property, FEMA’s key initiatives include: Providing top education opportunities and collateral; Advancing best industry standards and practices using the association’s core premise: that safety to life is best served through the implementation of a “balanced fire protection design;” and, Leading advocacy efforts to safeguard the public through lobbying activities and participation in code writing processes.
FEMA is composed of three product category divisions: portable fire extinguishers; fire hose/interior equipment and automated, pre-engineered suppression systems. Members work in smaller product-specific teams, as well as collectively, to impact industry issues and outcomes.
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FM Global provides comprehensive global commercial and industrial property insurance, engineering-driven underwriting and risk management solutions, groundbreaking property loss prevention research and prompt, professional claims handling. FM Global’s products and services directly support clients' overall risk management objectives through:
- Understanding the nature and reality of their specific risks;
- Establishing sound loss prevention solutions that safeguard against loss;
- Developing cost-effective insurance and risk transfer solutions backed by large, stable capacity; and,
- Providing the claims and loss mitigation support to minimize business disruption.
FM Global produces Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets that provide specific guidance on how to prevent or minimize property loss. The Data Sheet on Green Roof Systems provides guidance in evaluating and constructing vegetative roof coverings. Affiliate FM Approvals is working on development of Approval Standards for several vegetative roofing products and photovoltaic renewable energy systems.
FM Global has formed an internal Sustainable Technology Task Group to explore ways in which FM Global can further assist clients that are striving to be more environmentally responsible – either by choice or by regulation – while simultaneously maintaining their high standard of property loss prevention. As a first step, the group is evaluating ways in which clients can reduce the amount of water required to test and maintain fire sprinkler systems, and to reduce carbon emissions from diesel fire pump drivers.
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General Services Administration
GSA provides workplaces by constructing, managing, and preserving government buildings and by leasing and managing commercial real estate. GSA's acquisition solutions offer private sector professional services, equipment, supplies, telecommunications, and information technology to government organizations and the military. GSA policies promote management best practices and efficient government operations.
The landlord for the civilian federal government, GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS) acquires space on behalf of the federal government through new construction and leasing, and acts as a caretaker for federal properties across the country. PBS owns or leases 8,600 properties, maintains an inventory of more than 354 million square feet of workspace for 1.1 million federal employees, and preserves more than 480 historic properties.
GSA is committed to incorporating principles of sustainable design and energy efficiency into all of its building projects and operations. The result is an optimal balance of cost, environmental, societal and human benefits while meeting the mission and function of the intended facility. It is GSA's intent that sustainable design will be integrated as seamlessly as possible into existing design, construction and operational processes.
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Green Building Initiative (Green Globes)
Green Globes is a user-friendly, flexible and cost-effective environmental assessment and rating system that has been in use in the U.S. since early 2005. It is one of the most widely used and recognized green rating tools in the country. Currently there are over 100 buildings in the U.S. that have been certified using Green Globes. Additionally, it has been recognized in legislation, regulation or executive order in 20 states, and in the internal guidelines of four federal agencies. Finally, numerous insurance companies including Liberty Mutual, Aon and the Fireman’s Fund offer insurance products and/or discounts for buildings that achieve an official Green Globes certification.
Green Globes is more than just a sustainability report card. It is an online and interactive process, where the tool acts as an automated green ‘consultant’ offering recommendations for building improvements and supplementary information to help facilitate a learning environment. Furthermore, a Green Globes certification requires undertaking the most rigorous 3rd party assessment process in the U.S. This process includes a document review stage and an on-site visit by a GBI-authorized 3rd party assessor, which is unique to Green Globes.
The Green Building Initiative (GBI)
In the USA, Green Globes is owned and operated by the Green Building Initiative (GBI). The GBI’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches for residential and commercial construction.
In 2005, GBI became the first green building organization to be accredited as a Standards Developing Organization by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and began the process of establishing Green Globes as an official ANSI standard. The GBI ANSI technical committee was formed in early 2006 and includes members from the AIA, ASHRAE, EPA, and the American Lung Association as well as several academicians. The Committee is slated to finish their work in the spring of 2010, at which time Green Globes will become the first, and only, official American National Standard for commercial green building.
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International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
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International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 296,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,100 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada. In addition to city and county fire fighters and emergency medical personnel, the IAFF represents state employees, federal workers and fire and emergency medical workers employed at certain industrial facilities.
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International Code Council (ICC)
The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States.
International Green Construction Code
In 2009 the ICC announced its intent to initiate the commercially-focused International Green Construction Code (IGCC) development project and in March 2010 it will unveil the first draft of the IGCC to the public. The goal of the IGCC is to provide stronger, long-term performance of sustainable non-residential, built structures, whether they are new or existing. To achieve peak performance during the life of a building, the IGCC will incorporate critical elements, such as usability, flexibility, adoptability and enforceability. The IGCC is built to be easily integrated with the ICC family of I-Codes and Standards, The IGCC will also provide a new regulatory framework built to complement leading recognized rating systems such as LEED and Green Globes. The IGCC will provide criteria to drive green building and safety into everyday practice.
The code likely will address energy efficiency (including solar and other advanced
technologies), water use efficiency, materials and resource use conservation, indoor
environmental quality and overall building impact on the environment. It will be developed under the Code Council’s governmental consensus process, specifically under the management of the Sustainable Technical Building Committee. The Code Council will seek the collaboration of key partners, including the American Institute of Architects and ASTM International, along with input from its members and stakeholders. This coordinated approach will ensure that code officials, design professionals and other industry experts will have a prominent and appropriate role in the development process.
The initial approach will include the following components:
• The new code will focus on the commercial market.
• Residential issues will be addressed through ICC 700, known as the National
Green Building Standard.
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International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA)
The International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA) is a section member of NFPA.
IFMA’s mission is to aid in the preservation of life and property by advocating, promoting, and providing leadership in the prevention or mitigation of fire, explosions, and other related hazardous conditions.
Their goals and objectives are to: Unite for mutual benefit those officials engaged primarily in the prevention of fire, the investigation of fires, and/or public fire and life safety education; Provide educational and professional development opportunities through technological, certification, and prevention programs; Provide a resource service to its members; Actively market and promote a positive, dynamic, and proactive profile; Actively participate in the codes- and standards-making process at the international, national, state, and local levels; Monitor fire safety issues at the international, national, state, and local levels; Develop mechanisms for Chapters to participate in the Association; and, Monitor and support research and development of solutions to fire protection and fire prevention problems.
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Mutual Fire Safety Initiatives
Liberty Mutual has a deep and lasting affinity with America’s fire service, and has programs and interactive materials that help families keep their homes and loved ones safe from fires. Representatives in each of Liberty Mutual’s nearly 400 local offices across the country are equipped with resources to help local fire departments and schools conduct fire-safety outreach and public education. In addition, Liberty Mutual offers these innovative programs:
BeFireSmart.com
There are vast resources for parents at www.BeFireSmart.com to help them prepare their families about fire safety and to prevent home fires from occurring. The site includes games, instructional videos, interactive fire safety quizzes and a tool to build your own fire escape plan. The fast and fun kids’ section also features a downloadable coloring book that tells a story about the importance of never hiding from a firefighter during a fire. The site also offers classroom lesson plans for teachers, and resources for firefighters.
BeFireSmart Safety Pledge
Liberty Mutual launched in 2009 the annual BeFireSmart Safety Pledge Program. By encouraging local citizens to log on to the www.BeFireSmart.com website and complete a short fire safety quiz on its behalf, a local fire department could be eligible to win one of ten $10,000 Liberty Mutual grants.
LibertyMutual Firemark Award
For nearly 25 years, the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award is presented annually to dozens of U.S. firefighters who best represent their communities through courageous valor and who best demonstrate the firefighter’s selfless spirit. A committee comprised of numerous fire safety organizations, including the National Association of State Fire Marshals, chooses Liberty Mutual National Firemark Award winners from among those who have received local awards from a Liberty Mutual office in their community throughout the year. Liberty Mutual grants two national awards each year – one for heroism, the other for community service and public education – and provides a $20,000 grant for the winners’ fire departments.
Where’s the Fire?TM Exhibit – INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®
Liberty Mutual’s “Where’s the Fire?” attraction in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® - the nation’s largest fire safety and education experience – is a 4,000+ square-foot exhibit designed by Walt Disney Imagineering in cooperation with Liberty Mutual’s fire safety specialists and the U.S. Fire Administration. “Where’s the Fire?” features an interactive game house that challenges guests to find and eliminate common – and uncommon – home fire hazards using a technologically unique “safety light.” Younger children especially enjoy the smaller-scale “Play It Safe” house where they learn safe behaviors should a fire occur in their home.
The exhibit, which opened in 2004 and has provided fire-safety education to more than 1.2 million Epcot® visitors, also features a “Burning Questions” touch-screen game, a 30-foot interactive pumper truck adorned with the “Badges of Honor” display – Liberty Mutual’s tribute to the fire service.
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Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
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National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards (NCSBCS)
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
The mission of the international nonprofit NFPA is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.
NFPA membership totals over 75,000 individuals around the world and more than 80 national trade and professional organizations.
The Fire Protection Research Foundation is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to plan, manage and communicate research in support of the NFPA mission. The Foundation developed a five year research agenda based on three strategic areas: our changing demographics as a society; the new materials and technology we are
introducing; and the increasing concern about sustaining our natural resources.
Issues to be addressed include: Assessing the hazards of changing building furnishings, storage contents, and configurations; Developing performance criteria for advanced fire detection and suppression systems; Determining performance issues for advanced firefighting equipment and tactics to ensure that they meet the real needs of first responders; Evaluating the effectiveness of fire and electrical safety systems as they age in place; Developing guidance on the fire and electrical safety infrastructure needed for alternative fuels and energy sources; Analyzing fire safety strategies for the growing aging and disabled population; and, Developing fire protection strategies within the context of environmental considerations.
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National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA)
About the National Fire Sprinkler Association
Established in 1905, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is the voice of the fire sprinkler industry. NFSA leads the drive to get life-saving and property protecting fire sprinklers into all buildings; provides support and resources for its members – fire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers and suppliers; and educates authorities having jurisdiction on fire protection issues. Headquartered in Patterson, N.Y., NFSA has regional operations offices throughout the country.
About the NFSA Green Committee
In 2008, the NFSA Board of Directors agreed to establish a “Green Committee.” The Committee’s purpose is to promote recognition of the environmental benefits of fire sprinkler systems and to encourage inclusion of credits for fire sprinkler systems in the LEED® program. The committee will work with the United States Green Building Council to build a strong relationship and educate LEED® professionals of the inherent benefits of automatic fire sprinkler systems.
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National Instutute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
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National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
The NVFC is a nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the information source regarding legislation, standards and regulatory issues. The NVFC also provides vital resources, programs, and information to the volunteer fire and emergency services.
The mission of the NVFC is to provide a unified voice for volunteer fire/EMS organizations. This is accomplished by: representing the interests of the volunteer Fire/EMS organizations at the U.S. Congress and federal agencies; promoting the interests of the state and local organizations at the national level; promoting and providing education and training for the volunteer fire/EMS organizations; providing representation on national standards setting committees and projects; and, gathering information from and disseminating information to the volunteer fire/EMS organizations.
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Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) is the professional organization that represents engineers engaged in fire protection worldwide. Through its membership of over 5,000 professionals and 65 international chapters, SFPE advances the science and practice of fire protection engineering while maintaining a high ethical standard. SFPE and its members serve to make the world a safer place by reducing the burden of unwanted fire through the application of science and technology.
SFPE supports the development of the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) licensing exam in fire protection. The Society’s activities also include a series of educational seminars, technical symposia, conferences, books and publications designed to advance the state of the science of fire protection engineering and provide technical information to the fire protection community. The Society publishes a peer reviewed quarterly Journal and a quarterly technical magazine Fire Protection Engineering.
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Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
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U. S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The U. S. Department of Energy advances the frontiers of science and delivers solutions in energy, environment, and national security. Researchers in Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's (PNNL) Energy and Environment Directorate support this mission, working in partnership with academia, other national laboratories, government agencies and industry to address complex national and international energy and environmental challenges.
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With funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Fire Fighters Fire Prevention and Safety Grant program, the Institution of Fire Engineers US Branch has established a steering committee comprised of noted fire service and related agency leaders to guide a national strategic planning process for the fire loss prevention that results in a national plan that will coordinate activities and fire prevention efforts. Objectives of the Vision 20/20 initiative include:
- Provide a forum for sustained, collaborative planning to reduce fire loss in the United States;
- Involve agencies and organizations with expertise and commitment to fire loss reduction in this collaborative effort;
- Focus on actions that are needed to bridge the gap between recommended solutions and the current status of fire prevention activity;
- Communicate recommendations and actions clearly with all levels of the fire safety community; and,
- Build on the success and momentum of existing efforts.
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