We all just got back from the conference in Sandestin, and it was fabulous. The dual track for educators and inspectors was a hit, the speakers were great, and every comment I heard was how informative and fun this conference was. I really enjoyed Dale Reisen’s professional development classes, and the Jeopardy game at John Lake’s presentation got rave reviews.

Chuck Akers almost single-handedly put this conference together, and he deserves our heartfelt thanks. So thank you, Chuck! You’re the BOMB!

Words can barely describe my elation at being selected as the 2006 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year! So rather than bore you all to tears with my carrying on, accept my sincere ---THANK YOU! I am very humbled and honored!

Our Board ran for office unopposed (Shame on all you that should be stepping up to run this Association!), so we all accepted another term, which is two years. I’m not sure if we’re “official” though, because in all the excitement (mine!), we forgot to get sworn in!

Two members boldly stepped forward to chair two vacant Task Force positions, Jeanine Mayo, Research Task Force, and Andrea Santa, Training Task Force. They may be calling you to join their task forces and to lend your expertise.

Puddin has distributed to the membership information on the 2007 Alaska Cruise. This will be with Royal Caribbean, it leaves in May, and it will go into the glacier. These cruises with our Association have been such fun in past years, and this one will be no different – just not too much bikini sunbathing!

As always, let us know what we can do to help you, because this is your Association!


Article Provided By:
Victoria Yeakley, Chair
yeakleyv@hillsboroughcounty.org.

Saturday, February 10, 2007 has been designated as “Florida State Fire Clown Day” at the Florida State Fair in Tampa.
Mark your calendars.

If you are interested in making this a weekend, please email Myndee Washington at washingtonm@hillsboroughcounty.org and let me know, so we can get discount hotel rates and start planning some activities.

Proper installation and detection parameters maximize coverage and minimize false alarms.

Tenants come and go. One month, an area might be filled with a maze of cubicles, the next, it may be a suite of private offices. As each new company takes over space in a building and adapts it to their needs, there’s a completely different set of fire-protection guidelines. However, the same versatility of space that makes a building desirable for renters can also present challenges when it comes to fire protection.

To guard against hazards associated with changing uses for building space, it is important for a fire- protection system to provide “total coverage.” Defined by the National Fire Protection Association in NFPA 72 guidelines, total coverage is achieved with the proper type of detectors installed in appropriate locations.


Where to Install Detectors?

The goal of a fire-detection system is to provide an accurate, early warning of a developing fire in all areas of a building. Even pockets of unoccupied space require protection because detectors may not quickly sense a developing fire on the far side of a wall or behind a closed door, allowing damage to multiply needlessly.


The correct placement of detectors is also important for reliable operation. In general, when only one detector is required in a room or space, it is best to install a ceiling-mounted detector as close to the center of the room as possible. If a central ceiling location is not viable, for example, due to wiring constraints, the detector must have sufficient “open space,” with its edge no closer than 4 inches to a wall. Likewise, a wall-mounted detector must clear between 4 and 12 inches from the top of the detector to the ceiling.

Another consideration for a total coverage plan is the proximity of detectors to the air-handling system. NFPA 72 discusses the potential for detector malfunction if installation is in the path of an airflow supply or return duct. A smoke test to monitor particulate travel-direction and velocity is helpful in determining detector placement. Smoke tests reveal potential causes of unwanted alarms, such as an air stream directed at the detector, which could result in dust accumulation that alters sensitivity levels.


How to Space Detectors?

Spacing detectors 30 feet apart to protect 900 square feet is the NFPA 72 standard for areas with smooth ceilings and no physical obstructions between ceiling and room contents. An example of an obstruction is floor-to-ceiling shelving stacked with materials. Variables for ceiling height may also be calculated into spacing requirements based on the amount and nature of combustibles present.

To determine appropriate detector coverage for the standard 30-foot spacing, a simple technique is to map the shape and dimensions of an area. Then, draw a circle with a radius of 21 feet. A single detector may protect any square or rectangle that fits within the circumference of that circle. The same technique shows that in a hallway measuring 10 feet wide, two detectors can protect up to 82 feet of the length.


What Type of Detectors?

To answer that question is to understand the use and contents of a particular area. For example, ionization smoke detectors are quicker to detect flaming fires, such as those commonly found in chemical-storage areas, rather than slow, smoldering fires that most typically occur in offices.


Ionization sensors almost immediately recognize fires characterized by combustion particles from 0.01 to 0.3 microns. However, ionization sensors offer limited or slower capabilities when installed in high- altitude locations or near high-humidity sources, such as kitchens or shower rooms.

Photoelectric smoke detectors, on the other hand, quickly respond to smoldering fires characterized by combustion particles from 0.3 to 10.0 microns. This type of detector will instantly identify visible white smoke, but will be slower to respond to black smoke produced by plastics or rubber. A common solution to detect both types of stimuli quickly is to install a multi-criteria detector that monitors particulate detection in tandem with a thermal-sensor input. Together, the two signals are cross-referenced by an on-board microprocessor that uses algorithms to “process out” false alarms while enhancing the response time to real fires. By monitoring the current signal values of each sensor as well as their trends, such as increasing heat or a decreasing photoelectric signal, multi-criteria detectors actually “learn” the environment, which helps to better reject nuisance alarms and maintain heightened sensitivities.

Which Code to Follow?

The location, quantity and type of detector should be determined by the use, size and contents of the space. However, total coverage must ultimately coincide with the guidelines set by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

Several independent organizations write model building and fire codes that are commonly adopted by local and state governments throughout the United States. While variances should be expected in individual are based on three organizations’ codes:

• Building Officials and Code Administrators’ National Building Code (BOCA): Northeast and Midwest

• International Conference of Building Officials’ Uniform Building Code: West and Southwest

• Southern Building Code Congress International’s Standard Building Code: South and Southeast

The International Code Council Inc.’s International Building Code/International Fire Code combines the above codes into a single set of model building and fire codes. Some states have adopted the International Building Code and International Fire Code.


Article Provided by:
David R. George
Director, Communications
System Sensor
Honeywell Analytics
3825 Ohio Avenue
St. Charles, IL 60175 USA
Telephone 630-377-6674

Join our group of Fire and Life Safety Educators and their friends on the Alaska Cruise. This is NOT a business trip. It is strictly fun!

Prices include: Port Charges – Tips - Taxes Your choice of staterooms (below) Rates per person based on double occupancy
Junior Suite: $1748.21 balcony cabin/suite
Balcony: $1,598.21 superior ocean view w/balcony
Outside Cabin: $ 1,018.21with window
Inside Cabin: $ 878.21 no view

First Deposit: $250, per person, due June 30,
2nd Deposit: $250 per person Due December 1,
Final Payment due March 10.
All deposits refundable until the last deposit date (March 10).

Since we are traveling from all over the place, your air fare is not quoted. You may book your own or go through the cruise line when you speak with Dell at World Travel.
Call: Dell at World Travel: 888-420-8747
Itinerary:
May 25-leaving Seattle,
May 26-at sea,
May 27-Juneau,
May 28-Skagway,
May 29-Tracy Arms,
May 30-Prince Rupert,
May 31-at sea,
June 1-Seattle.

This is the inside passage through the fiords. Traveling aboard the Vision of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Ship

Book as soon as you can. The ship will fill quickly to this desired destination. Passports Required for Everyone

See You There!
puddin@slcfd.org, 772-462-8337

The FFMIA and FAFLSE Boards of Directors would like to congratulate the International Fire Marshals Association on their 100 year anniversary celebrated June 6, 2006 in Orlando. We are proud to be associated with such a fine organization and wish you continued success.

The annual Fire and Life Safety Educators conference was held in June at the beautiful SanDestin Golf and Beach Resort.

This year, there were two tracts of classes running concurrently - one primarily for inspectors and one primarily for public educators. We had lots of great feedback that this format was a hit with attendees.

Thanks to Chuck Akers, we had wonderful speakers and the conference went "without a hitch." He and Juanita did their usual outstanding effort. We all appreciate their hard work.

The Ross Family scholarship recipients were impressed with their first conference experience. The all made wonderful expressions of their gratitude for such an opportunity.

Congratulations to Victoria Yeakley, FAFLSE Educator of the Year. She was joined by her friends, family and Hillsborough County's Chief Neismith who cheered on her accomplishment.


The auction was a big success, thanks to J. D. Hunter, auctioneer, who can get more money for the craziest things than one could think possible. It's always an entertaining experience. Thanks, JD.!



We announced the next cruise which will be to Alaska in May of 2007. Look for complete information on the FFMIA website, in this newsletter or contact Puddin Race at puddin@slcfd.org. Remember this is strictly fun - no business. Come and join the fun! It's going to be a BLAST!

Article provided by:
Puddin Race, St. Lucie Co. Fire District
772-462-8337
puddin@slcfd.org.

The 2006 NFPA World Conference and Exposition was held June 4 – 8, 2006 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Being held in Florida gave our Association a chance to participate in several events that were held throughout the week.

The week started early Saturday morning with the IFMA Chapter Presidents Meeting. This meeting is held annually, and is hosted by the IFMA Board of Directors. The President of the twenty- five IFMA Chapters are brought together to discuss issues facing their Chapter as well as issues facing Fire Prevention nationwide. It also provides an opportunity to network with our sister associations. The day ended with the Chapter Presidents Dinner. The next day FFMIA members attended the IFMA Executive Board Meeting and the Conference Opening General Session. Ron Farr from the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society and a long time friend of FFMIA was presented with the prestigious Percy Bugbee Award.

The Percy Bugbee Award was established in 1969 to honor a member of the International Fire Marshals Association whose notable, significant, and enduring contributions to the public safety are in keeping with the IFMA’s highest traditions. Bugbee served as NFPA president from 1939 through 1969 and Fire Marshals Association of North America (now known as IFMA) executive secretary from 1933 to 1942. Ron is only the seventh person to ever receive this award.

Later that afternoon the exhibit hall was opened where members had a chance to visit a wide variety of vendors. One vendor that seemed to draw quite a few visitors was our own FFMIA booth. Chuck, Juanita along with assistance from several of the FFMIA & FAFLSE E-Board Members staffed the booth throughout the exposition and as usual did an excellent job of representing the Association.

On Monday in addition to the Exposition members of FFMIA attended the annual IFMA Business Meeting and Codes and Standards Forum. During the Business Meeting the Elections for the IFMA Board of Directors was held. The following were introduced as the IFMA Executive Board for 2006- 2007:

Officers:

President: Jon Nisja, Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office
First Vice President: Jimmy Hill, Los Angeles City Fire Department
Second Vice President: Ed Altizer, Virginia State Fire Marshal’s
Secretary: R. T. “Whitey” Leicht, Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office

Executive Board:
Ken Crews, Durham Fire Department, Durham, North Carolina
David Lind, North Shore Fire Department, Bayside, Wisconson
Steven Peavey, Altamonte Springs Building/Fire Safety Division, Altamonte Springs, Florida
Gary S. Santoro, Fire Marshal Town of Wethersfield, Wethersfield, Connecticut

On Tuesday the FFMIA Co-Hosted a National Fire Prevention Strategy Symposium which brought together numerous Fire Prevention leaders from throughout the nation to discuss the history and the future of the Fire Prevention efforts in the United States. FFMIA was well represented in this symposium by 2nd Vice President Jeff Collins and Past President Steve Peavey.

The highlight of the Conference was the IFMA 100th Anniversary Celebration which was held Tuesday night at the Rosen Centre Hotel and was attended by approximately 200 people including the President and CEO of NFPA. There were numerous speakers and accolades including a letter that was read congratulating IFMA’s achievements from President Bush. Numerous State Fire Marshals, including Rand Napoli, Director of the Florida State Fire Marshals Office, and numerous IFMA Past Preidents and other dignitaries. FFMIA was well represented by our membership and members of the Executive Board.


Article submitted by:
Steven Peavey, Past President, FFMIA

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