Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Electronic Monitoring of Fire Extinguishers

  • 11/01/06

Recognizing the improved reliability and added safety of electronically monitored fire extinguishers, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) voted to amend NFPA 10 and NFPA 72 to include electronic monitoring in lieu of mandatory physical 30-day inspections. The ruling went into effect in September following ratification by the NFPA Standards Council.


Strong support for the acceptance of the technology came from fire officials, end users, and members of the fire protection industry. Mike Halligan from the University of Utah provided written testimony in support of the proposed changes. His school installed electronically monitored fire extinguishers in two residence halls in September 2003. Halligan remarked that prior to their installation the university averaged 50 stolen or fire extinguisher tampers per year. After installing electronically monitored extinguishers they experienced only one tamper in three years.


According to the NFPA, electronically monitored fire extinguishers allowed under their codes must include the ability to assess proper location, access without obstruction, and pressurization. Moreover, the system must provide record keeping in the form of an electronic event log at the control panel.


Don Bliss, former New Hampshire State Fire Marshal, also testified in support of recognizing the technology as an equivalent to the mandatory 30-day inspections. Bliss said,“The overwhelming support for the technology just makes sense, the technology brings better accountability to fire extinguishers, helps ensure code compliance and improves life safety.”


For some buildings that have hundreds and often thousands of extinguishers on-site, physical inspections can be very costly and time-consuming efforts. Proponents say electronic monitoring reduces these expenses and improves safety.“Fire equipment industry studies show that 90 percent of 30-day inspections simply do not happen — representing a huge security and life-safety risk,” said John McSheffrey, vice president of Business Development, for MIJA Inc., of Rockland, MA. “I think historically speaking, today's vote will be looked at as the turning point for fire extinguishers, the day in which extinguishers became a fully recognized component of an intelligent fire protection package. Going forth, why would anyone specify standalone extinguishers in larger occupancies?”



Source: MIJA, Inc. (www.mija.com)


Featured

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • Children walking along bright school corridor with motion blur

    How Next-Gen Design Is Reshaping the Student Experience

    The environments where students learn play a crucial role in shaping their growth in and out of the classroom. By centering design on well-being, flexibility, and purpose, districts can ensure their facilities remain vibrant community assets for many years to come.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.