Keeping up with code change proposals and the code cycle can be an overwhelming task. I want to make it easier for you. I am involved in the codes and standards for three specific industries: security, aviation, and technology. At the beginning of every month I will send out an update on what's happening, and what's next. You can subscribe to get this update in your email by clicking here.
Security Codes and Standards
NFPA 730, Guide for Premises Security - Related News
I love books, especially code books. I love getting that new code book in the mail, I love holding it in my hand and flipping through its pages, and I love to look over and see it on my physical bookshelf. The reality of books, though, is that they are heavy, bulky, take up space, you can lose track of your notes and highlights, and you can not take your full bookshelf with you wherever you go. With online codes and standards platforms this is possible. These platforms allow the user to easily bookmark, save, and annotate important sections. These platforms provide instant access to every code and standard that the user may need. And these platforms make those code sections, and your notes, easy to share with collaborators and clients.
The NFPA and ICC each have their own online platforms. A third option, UpCodes, brings all of these together into one place. Below is a brief review and general information on each of these platforms.
The free view of NFPA codes and standards only provides a read-only file that cannot be marked, shared, or printed. NFPA LiNK, provides the user with full access to the codes and standard. The user can quickly and easily search, bookmark, annotate, and share code sections. This NFPA LiNK interface is visually appealing (it looks like books on a shelf) and user friendly. This program provides access to all NFPA codes and standards and multiple versions of each. This platform offers a feature that none of the others offer, that is offline access. At $9.99 per month, it is the most affordable of the online platforms.
The free view of ICC codes only provides a read-only file that cannot be marked, shared, or printed. ICC Digital Codes Premium, provides access to the full library of ICC codes, standards, commentary, study guides, and other documents. This subscription also provides access to the documents that are published under the ICC family of companies, such as from, IAEI, SEAOC, Wiley. Also available are standards from ASHRAE, ANSI, FEMA, RESNET, and others. This platform lets the user search and access codes and standards by state, collection, or publisher. This is the least user friendly and visually appealing of the platforms. It is also the most expensive.
UpCodes, overall, is the best product and investment. It provides access to codes and standards across a wide range of publishers and organizations including: NFPA, ICC, ANSI, IAPMO, ASHRAE, OSHA, and more. These can be searched by publisher or by jurisdiction. UpCodes contains only the codes and standards that have been adopted into law by a government agency and, therefore, fall under public domain use. The free version of UpCodes allows the user to view, link to, copy, and print code sections. Premium features provide for bookmarking, notes, projects that can be created, saved, and shared with collaborators, illustrative diagrams and commentary, code calculators, and robust search functions. UpCodes provides access to multiple code families and publishers, with links to references within the documents. This platform is user friendly, and easy to navigate and visually appealing.
If your work requires codes and standards use and research, you have to get on-board with these online platforms. They increase efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance accuracy. If you primarily deal in the ICC family of codes then perhaps the ICC Digital Codes Premium would be your best option. For jurisdictional code officials, consultants, architects, and those who work across jurisdictions, UpCodes may be your best option. For those who use NFPA specific documents within their industry, such as the fire departments, manufacturers, or occupancy specific functions, and NFPA LiNK subscription may be the best option. Or, perhaps, a combination of one or all of these platforms is what will serve you, the user, best!
Keeping up with code change proposals and the code cycle can be an overwhelming task. I want to make it easier for you. I am involved in the codes and standards for three specific industries: security, aviation, and technology. At the beginning of every month I will send out an update on what's happening, and what's next.
You can subscribe to get this update in your email by clicking here.
Also, you can track the code changes, proposals, and my commentary by accessing these live spreadsheets.
January 5, 2022: NFPA 1321, Fire Investigation Units
Personal commentary: Anyone involved in fire investigations should carefully review this document. It is set up as a standard that pertains to private and public entities (departments, companies, sole practitioners) that conduct fire investigations. There are a lot of sections that deal with business practices, which seems to be an overreach of NFPA, and potentially burdensome on jurisdictions tasked with enforcement of this standard. Additionally, this standard covers many items that NFPA 921 and 1033 already direct the user to.
Personal commentary: This should be of particular interest to those in the UAM and eVTOL space. This will become the guiding document on fire protection for UAM and eVTOL infrastructure. It is important that the industry uses their voice. This is the tool to use to do that.
Pre-First Draft Meeting:
January 20, 2022: NFPA 409, 415, 423 (Airport Facilities)
There are currently more than 200 companies developing air taxis and electric vertical take-off and lift aircraft for the urban air mobility space. Robots pick, package, and ship our online orders. Specific to fire protection we have new revolutionary fire extinguisher designs, electronically activated fire sprinkler heads, artificial intelligence for fire and building codes and standards, fire protection systems that don’t require any type of agent, specialized tools to move the industry forward. We are rapidly moving into a real future only seen in sci-fi movies, and closing in on a “Jetson’s like” existence.
The innovative fire protection solutions for these emerging technologies will be driven by the codes and standards that regulate them. As an innovative entrepreneur, manufacturer, or developer you understand your product and the unique problem that it solves. You know your fire protection solution is better than what already exists. Even though this is true, without a code or standard that permits the use and implementation of the solution, it will not be approved for use by local fire code officials, or the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). This brief guide, Affecting Change Through Codes and Standards, will:
Provide an introduction to code making bodies
Outline the code development process
Reveal how to avoid a denied code change proposal
Demonstrate a plan for monitoring and tracking these codes and standards
I entered the fire service when I was twenty-two years old. I had no idea what I was getting into. It seemed like a good career choice. And it has been! From my earliest days in the fire academy I knew I wanted to pursue two specific niches - ARFF (aircraft rescue firefighting) and Fire Prevention. The last sixteen years have given me many opportunities to accomplish much in these fields. With this professional career and growth came personal development. A passion I picked up and actively pursue is involvement in codes and standards. As technology develops and the speed of implementation increases, it has become increasingly difficult to manage code requirements that keep pace with advances in fire protection and emerging technology. This has created a need within the fire protection industry.
For the past several years, I have worked with various clients to help them close the gap between their technology and the code requirements. I was doing this as a “side-hustle” along with my responsibilities at the fire department. However, as demand has increased for these services, and the market is demanding that this space be filled, I have made the decision to resign from the fire department and pursue this effort (my passion) with my full focus.
I work with companies, individuals, and organizations that are making the world a better place through innovative fire protection technologies. I do this by raising awareness of the fire problem, providing education on the unique solution, and fully implementing the fire protection solution. This is achieved through content creation, training curriculum and program delivery, and codes and standards development.
If you have an innovative fire protection product or service, or a new application for an existing fire protection solution, then we need to be working together!
Innova Eco Building System manufactures ready-to-assemble panels made with a magnesium oxide board (MGO). These MGO panels are made with magnesium skins which are stronger and have a more superior fire ratings than fiber cement and OSB SIPs panels. These are being used to replace concrete block and wood framing. These panels are 60% lighter than masonry block and concrete, do not rot or mold, are not subject to destruction by termites, are toxin free, can withstand 200 mph winds, and are fire resistant.
Have you seen these?
Are these in your community?
Are there any specific firefighting or construction challenges that they may pose?
I have had the opportunity to use the Acer Chromebook for over a week now, and I am very satisfied with its construction, performance, and functionality (online and offline).
For a $199 laptop, the Acer is very well constructed. It does not feel breakable, “plasticy”, or cheap. It is very lightweight, yet sturdy. Acer combines the best of Mac and PC controls and keyboard shortcuts. For example, the mouse pad operation is the same as that of a Macbook, and the keyboard shortcuts match those of a PC, without the annoying ‘command’ key found on Macs. The screen is brilliant, vivid, and clear. The screen size is very comfortable for viewing.
On-line functionality is quick and seamless, with no lag time, error messages, or other glitches. The ChromeOS does a great job of further blurring the lines between offline/online. Most applications that a person would need are available offline. However, offline functionality for entertainment/gaming purposes is lacking, but it will probably be just a matter of time before more gamine apps are made to fully function offline. The one thing that I miss is a dvd/cd player, but music/movies can be purchased for offline viewing.
If you are contemplating a new computer purchase, if your not an Apple fan, or your fed up with Windows error messages, the Chromebook is the way to go. The low price of, $199 is unbeatable. The price to product performance makes this machine and operating system a great value!
While contemplating a new laptop purchase I came across the Google Chromebook. The Chromebooks run on the Linux based, Chrome OS. The Acer Chromebook starts at only $199, the next level up is the Samsung Chromebook starting at $249. These systems operate in the cloud while also allowing work to be performed offline. As I currently work heavily with Google Drive (docs, spreadsheets, slides, gmail, calendar, blogger, etc.) this sounded like a perfect option for me. Also, you can download and utilize apps from the Google Chrome web store, another plus as I currently use an Android based phone. Added benefits are no outdated software, the newest updates happen automatically, and all files can be located in the cloud, available wherever/whenever you need them.
As I have been researching this technology, it seems that governments have been taking note of the affordability of Google's array of software and hardware. Here are two stories of governments that have gone Google:
This makes good sense for use in the public sector. Astronomical financial savings would be found in, reduced funds for computer leasing and hardware updates, eleimination of software licensing and upgrade fees, and reduced cost of server maintenance and upkeep.
I have not purchased mine yet, but it will happen in a couple of days. I will be posting a review here as I begin to use it.
