Model Code Committee Update
and cdp ACCESS
NASFM Annual Conference 2014
Kelly Nicolello, Alaska State Fire Marshal
Chair, NASFM Model Codes Committee
Model Code Committee Activity Review
• Evaluated the effectiveness and direction of the MCC
• As a committee, we established that we wanted to grow the
influence of NASFM within the code community. Representing all
states we needed to be involved in both code processes to
adequately and professionally represent the organization.
• Conducted a survey of what NFPA standards we were
interested in following and developed a list of those
standards and aligned them with the NFPA standard review
schedule for us to comment on technical committee actions
and proposals.
Model Code Committee Activity Review
• The MCC were involved in the following areas:
• Developed code proposals and positions on ICC cycle A and B 2015
edition Fire and Building Codes, notably, the rewrite of the
emergency power provisions, health care alignment with NFPA
provisions to potentially allow the IFC to be used as a comparable
code to the NFPA provisions adopted by the Center for Medicare
and Medicaid for healthcare occupancies, and welding and hot
work safety provisions. The 2015 Codes are available for purchase
and adoption.
• The committee developed code proposals and positions on various
NFPA standard proposals. Most recently we were successful with 3
Certified Amended Motions at the NFPA Annual Conference
regarding overturning the NFPA 5000 and 101 Technical
Committees decisions to increase the size of smoke compartments
from 22,500 square feet to 40,000 square feet in hospitals.
Model Code Committee Activity Review
• The committee coordinated our positions and proposals with other
like-minded organizations as we participated in both the ICC and
NFPA processes. More importantly, we actively sought opportunities
to collaborate and build stronger relationships.
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International Association of Fire Chiefs, Life Safety Section
International Fire Fighters Association
Underwriters Laboratories
Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association
Fire Suppression Industry
Fire Alarm Industry
Healthcare Advocates
Smoke Control Advocates
Model Code Committee Activity Review
• Solicited participation, reviewed candidates and recommended ICC
code committee assignments to the board for MOU NASFM positions
on the committees.
• Drafted recommended code positions for NASFM.
Generally speaking, we believe we have had a very successful year.
We proactively addressed issues, were highly involved in discussions
and proposal development and ultimately in the publication of the
proposals in the 2015 ICC published edition of the codes and various
NFPA Standards.
The NASFM DNA is peppered all through the ICC and NFPA Codes.
More Participation Is Needed!
• Conversely, the process has changed. Our success last year will be
short lived unless we can increase our participation. The tools are
there. We as an organization must be willing to become more
engaged. A small committee can represent NASFM but with the new
process voting it will take all hands on deck to be successful.
• Our future direction is to seek additional participation of other states
in the Model Codes Committee and most importantly, seek to
increase NASFM membership in participating in both the ICC and
NFPA code process. Additional emphasis will be placed on
participating in the NFPA Technical Committee Enforcer Program and
participating with ICC committees when they call for committee
members.
Questions to Consider:
• Of those representing their state, whose state is an ICC state
or Jurisdiction?
• Of those representing their state, whose state is a NFPA state
or jurisdiction?
Any state or jurisdiction that adopts the ICC should also
consider that they are also a NFPA state!
NFPA process has changed; participation is all electronic and
can be accessed from the NFPA web page on any standard
that is scheduled for review and public comment.
The New NFPA Process
• The list of standards being reviewed is diverse and ongoing.
• 1st and Second draft technical committee decisions are
reviewable and comments may be made.
• If and when a position is taken on a second draft position a
Notice of Intent to Amend a Motion (NITNAM) can be filed to
overturn the Technical Committee action.
• It must be certified by the NFPA Standards Committee.
• Upon their approval it becomes a Certified Amended Motion
and it can be presented at the next annual business meeting
and voted on by the assembly.
The New NFPA Process
• Another way to get involved is the NFPA Enforcer program.
• This is where if you are an enforcer of the code and you
apply and are accepted on a technical committee, NFPA pays
80% of the cost to attend and participate.
• Every quarter NFPA publishes the list of committees looking
for members, or you can go on line and see the current list at
any time.
• It’s a great way to represent your state in subjects of
importance to you and the networking and career
enhancement of your staff are excellent motivators.
Why do we need to participate in the process
of developing codes?
• If you don’t participate in the process can you really
afford to complain about outcomes?
• The code process is a journey; would you rather drive
or be driven?
• There are competing forces that do not necessarily
have the best interest of the fire service in mind, in a
world of competing ideas we need to be part of the
conversation if we are to be a leader in the fire
community.
•Review ICC Code Development Process
and cdp Access voting
•Review NFPA Standard Development
Process