June 22 Update:

The NFPA Technical Meeting online voting occurs this week, June 22nd – June 26th.

Can I vote in NFPA’s 2020 Virtual Technical Meeting?

You can if registered by (last) Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

How to vote in NFPA’s 2020 Virtual Technical Meeting.

Voting occurs this year online June 22nd – June 26th. When you registered to vote, the NFPA provided a link to the TPNI application. Open the application and indicate by the YES or NO on the appropriate motion.

Does the NFSA have positions or voting guidance on motions?

Yes. The NFSA has two CAMs (1-6 and 1-9) on NFPA 1 that on the agenda for voting. Below are positions on every motion that has an impact to the fire sprinkler industry:

1. Motion 1-6 YES

2. Motion 1-8 YES

3. Motion 1-9 YES

4. Motion 4-1/4-5 NO

The NFSA has no positions on the remaining motions.

Who do I contact with questions or concerns?

The NFSA Codes, Standards, and Public Fire Protection department is fully committed to assisting our members and the public to understanding the NFPA process and the NFSA’s involvement. Please contact Jeff Hugo (hugo@nfsa.org) or Roland Asp (asp@nfsa.org) for further assistance.

June 11 Update:

The fire sprinkler industry relies heavily on NFPA codes and standards to ensure that fire protection systems are installed correctly, and that the performance of these systems will meet the intended goal. The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) performs a very active role in the codes and standards revision process through our members, staff and the activities of the Engineering and Standards Committee and Code Development Team.   

An important step in this revision process is the Technical Meeting (also known as Tech Session) which is traditionally held in conjunction with NFPA’s Annual Conference. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFPA Annual conference was cancelled but the technical meeting is still being held, albeit in a different form. This year, the Technical Meeting will be held virtually but this change in format does not lessen the importance to our industry. 

How to participate in the 2020 Virtual Tech Session?  

 The NFPA Virtual Technical Meeting is split into two parts:  

1. Debate: Each Certified Amending Motion (CAM) is open to the public for comment from June 8th – June 19th. There is no cost to review and comment in the debate portion.
2. Vote: The vote takes place between June 22-26. Every eligible NFPA member (a NFPA member since Dec. 19, 2019) can vote if registered. To vote, you must register by June 17th and pay a $50 fee. 

What do I do during June 8 and June 19 period?  

 During debate period each CAM is open for comment from the public through the “Join Debate” button This leads to an online form to support or oppose each CAM with a text field for comment. Each day, NFPA publishes the comments for each CAM in a daily digest. There is no limit to the number of comments accepted for each CAM.  

Does the NFSA have CAMs for open for comment?  

 Yes. The NFSA has two CAMs on NFPA 1 that is open for comments:

1. CAM 1-6 (scroll to page 4) – NFSA

Position: For/Support
Reason: The NFPA 1 technical committee reduced the fire apparatus access distance from 450 feet to 300 feet for NFPA 13R systems.

2. CAM 1-8 – Anthony Apfelbeck

Position: For/Support
Reason: NFPA 1 should not void provisions under the scope of another NFPA document.

3. CAM 1-9 (scroll to page 10) – NFSA

Position: For/Support
Reason: This requires a jurisdiction to retain electronic inspection records when deficiencies are enforced.

4. CAM 4-1/4-5 – Bill Koffel

Position: Against/Oppose
Reason: The committee statement for SR#4 clarified NFPA 4 is for integrated testing of active systems. Passive systems are inspected and cannot be tested as active systems are. Passive system commissioning is already covered by NFPA 3.

The NFSA encourages all members to read, comment, and support these CAMs on NFPA 1.  

Do I have to comment on the CAMS to vote?  

No. However, to vote, you must register by June 17th to vote during June 22nd  – June 26th.  

When do I Vote?  

 The voting period on the CAMs occurs from June 22nd – June 26th. It is very important to note, in order to vote, you must REGISTER by June 17th. There is a fee of $50 per NFPA member (a member since December 19, 2019) to register to vote during the tech session.  

Does the NFSA have a Voting Guide?  

 Yes, it will be released closer to the voting period. Stay tuned to this blog, NFSA’s TechNotes, and Friday’s Spotlight on Sprinklers for updates.  

What else is on the Agenda for the Tech Session?  

This year’s Tech Session will discuss the following documents: 

• NFPA 1 Fire Code 
• NFPA 4 Standard for Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing 
• NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code 

• NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code 
• NFPA 101® Life Safety Code® 
• NFPA 790 Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies 
• NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications 
• NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health and Wellness Program 

• NFPA 1700 Guide for Structural Fire Fighting 
• NFPA 5000® Building Construction and Safety Code® 

Who do I contact with questions or concerns?  

The NFSA Codes, Standards, and Public Fire Protection department is fully committed to assisting our members and the public to understanding the NFPA process and the NFSA’s involvement. Please contact Jeff Hugo (hugo@nfsa.org) or Roland Asp (asp@nfsa.org) for further assistance.