IAFF encourages fire service involvement in building codes

In a recent blog post Pat Morrison, the Assistant to the General President for Education, Training and Human Relations at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) stresses the importance of fire service involvement in the building codes process. He cites new lightweight construction methods and the home fire sprinkler requirement as reasons the fire service needs to get involved.

“Building codes affect fire fighter safety every day, but too often fire departments and fire fighters don’t understand why it’s important to participate in the building code development process,” said Morrison

He announced that IAFF is launching a fire prevention and safety project “designed to increase awareness and encourage active fire service involvement in developing and passing new building and fire codes, as well as promoting enforcement.”

Morrison reminds us that fire fighters remain at high risk due to modern methods of construction involving lightweight materials, coupled with the fact that "many states have yet to mandate residential fire sprinklers, posing an increased threat to fire fighters in these jurisdictions.” He quotes IAFF President Harold Schaitberger; “We must take ownership of our work environment, and the buildings we respond to and operate in.”

One way that the fire service can get involved is to participate in NFPA’s technical committees. NFPA is recruiting enforcers for various technical committees currently seeking new members.

Visit the firefighters resource page to obtain a free presentation on the threats of lightweight construction methods.

Comments

[Carla Angell]

I agree with this blog. Sometimes firefighters think that it is not part of the scope of their work but actually it has everything to do with it. In fact, building strong fire codes for establishments will make their jobs less stressful and less risky. Prevention is always better than suppression.