Technotes: The New Expert of the Day (EOD) Process

The NFSA has a new association management system (AMS) that improves the member benefits and user experience on the website. One of the key benefits to being an NFSA member is the ability to ask a technical question on codes and standards and receive an informal interpretation from one of several NFSA subject matter experts (SME) who represent the industry on dozens of NFPA, ICC, and other codes and standards.

Requests for an informal technical interpretation to the NFSA expert of the day (EOD) program has traditionally been by fax, phone, or email. Starting on July 15, 2020, the NFSA is transferring the EOD process to the new AMS where members can submit questions, track the progress, and view their EOD cases. The step by step process is detailed below or can be viewed at www.nfsa.org/protech (or view the video directly here).

Submitting a question to the EOD:

1. Sign into Members/Sign In at www.nfsa.org

2. Along the upper ribbon, click MY ACCOUNT

3. Scroll down and click on My EOD

4. To ask a new question, click Ask a New Question

5. In the next page an input form is displayed. Fill in the following (see Case Details Table):

Case Details Table

Field NameResponseDescription/Example
Case TitleSubject LineA short and summarized subject using a few key words
e.g. cloud ceilings, ESFR obstructions, water supply, etc.
Question Delaying ProjectYes/NoSome EODs are time sensitive. This assists the NFSA SME in processing the request.
NFPA StandardStandard Number and Suffixe.g. "13" for NFPA 13, "13R" for NFPA 13R, "914" for NFPA 914, "101" for NFPA 101.
EditionYearIndicate the four-digit edition year.
e.g. 1996, 2003, 2018, etc.
SectionCode Section NumberIndicate the section number that the question is referencing. If there is not a section number or unsure, use a section number or chapter that comes the closest.
e.g. if the EOD question is about the beam rule in the 2016 edition of NFPA 13, write in: 8.6.5.1.2.
ICC Code
(if applicable)
Model CodeIf the question is regarding a model code, such as the International Building Code (IBC), indicate which code from the drop-down box.
Other Codes
(If applicable)
Other CodeIf the question is regarding a code or standard from other organizations, legacy codes, or state codes, indicate which code from the drop-down box.
EOD QuestionSuccinct QuestionAsk the question in one or two sentences. Questions that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No" are preferred.
The additional information, background, and attaching supporting documents comes on the next screen

6. Press Save & Submit in the lower right-hand corner.
7. In the next page, an input form is displayed with the EOD Case Title, case number, and the EOD question.

a. This page provides an additional text box for more information on the case, but is not required to be filled in.
b. Attachments, such as drawings or pictures can be uploaded to the case from this page.

8. When complete press Submit Message. The EOD is now considered an active EOD case and will be processed by a NFSA SME.

a. Updates to the EOD case are sent via email.

9. The My EOD tab updates, tracks, and records each submission.

a. Active EOD cases are in the EOD SME queue for processing.
b. Resolved EOD cases are EOD responses that are complete.

EOD Processing and Updates

After the EOD case is submitted, the NFSA member will receive an email noting the case has been received and is being processed by NFSA. As the case updates, and when the case is resolved (completed), emails are generated to keep the member updated. The My EOD page under the My Account tab also shows active and past EOD cases that the member has generated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still call the EOD?
Yes. The NFSA SME is always available by phone during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4: 00 pm Eastern time zone) at (443) 863-4464.

Can I still send my question to eod@nfsa.org?
No. Starting on July 15, 2020, the EOD program switches over to processing technical questions through the new AMS.

Is there a way to search my history of questions?
Yes. The My EOD tab serves as the portal for asking questions, tracking active cases, and viewing resolved cases.