Firestop Training On-line

The 2012 International Building Code requires special inspection of firestopping for certain structures. The International Firestop Council has created an in-depth on-line training course for third party firestop inspectors. The on-line course is free (requires 40-60 hours of time), upon completion of the course a certification test is offered ($250 now, $500 after July 31, 2014).

Link to the program --> http://www.firestop.org/inspection.html

The below article announcing the program was recently released on Fire Engineering.

IFC INTRODUCES CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYS MOST  COMPREHENSIVE ONLINE FIRESTOP TRAINING PROGRAM

05/01/2014

The construction industry's most comprehensive online firestop inspection training and education program has been developed by the International Firestop Council (IFC) for code officials, inspectors and all building trades professionals associated with commercial building firestopping from design through installation.

The IFC Recommended Training and Education for Third-Party Firestop Inspectors program is a free 40 to 60-hour, firestopping self-study program that educates via recommended outsourced videos, PowerPoint® presentations and documents all available via 22 Internet website links from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Code Council(ICC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), the IFC and other industry-leading sites.

The IFC created the program, because the industry's one-day classes and other training and education programs were either limited in depth, or not conveniently structured as online programs where applicants learn at a self-study pace on a computer, smartphone or printouts of public domain material.

The program is also important, because the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) requires special inspection of firestopping for buildings over 75-feet-high and for Risk Category III and IV facilities in compliance with ASTM E 2174 and E 2393 standards. The IFC program is the only curriculum currently available that provides third-party inspectors with the high training and competency level required to conduct such inspections. The program's syllabus is available as an interactive webpage or downloadable nine-page document at www.firestop.org/inspection.

While there is no charge for the program's self-study portion, registrants can opt for a two-hour, $250 ($500 after July 31, 2014) IFC-sponsored online, post-training certification test, which requires a minimum passing grade of 80-percent.

The exam's comprehensiveness is illustrated in recent IFC beta test results of several veteran firestop industry experts who did not achieve optimal exam grades. "Even firestop experts would find this test challenging if they donâ€™t go through the self-study curriculum," said test co-author, Pat Tesche, Firestop Inspectors Committee chair of the IFC, which is a Washington-based not-for-profit trade association of manufacturers, distributors, installers and inspectors of passivefire protection materials and systems in North America. "So spending the hours needed to study the entire online curriculum will allow any dedicated student to succeed in the exam, whether they are starting from a low or high level."

Passing students will receive a certificate from the IFC and a free listing at the www.firestop.org website. A free enhanced website listing is also available for students opting for two-hour, hands-on product training from four or more participating firestop manufacturers. "The theory and reading is very effective when combined with hands-on training, and will enable the IFC to offer firestop inspection competence and excellence to the construction industry," said John Valiulis, IFC's Code Action Committee chair.

The program's other features include:
a Study Skills refresher posted by Athabasca University for registrants that haven't taken educational courses recently.

A free pre-exam practice test can be taken online to evaluate full exam readiness.the test consists of 85 questions with multiple choice answers.

The test consists of 85 questions with multiple choice answers.

"Ultimately, well-trained, knowledgeable firestop inspectors will help reduce property loss as well as save lives during a fire," said James P. Stahl Jr., CFPS, president of IFC.

"The construction industry and building officials should accept nothing less than special inspectors who have completed this program."

How to Conduct Aircraft Fuel Servicing Operations

NFPA 407, Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing provides the requirements for conducting these operations in a manner that prevents fire and contributes to life safety.

Many times as we go through our workday in our respective careers we wonder why we do things the way we do. And we wonder if we are doing things right, or the “best way.” This brief introduction and overview of the operations section of NFPA 407 will enlighten you as to why fueling operations are conducted as they are, and serve as a guideline to ensure that your operation is performing these operations in a safe, and code compliant manner.

NFPA 407, Chapter 5 outlines the required safe operational practices during fuel operations.

The foremost requirement is that only properly trained personnel are permitted to conduct fueling operations....

Read the entire article featured in the April 2014 issue of, Ground Support Worldwide magazine. Click on the article title below to read it now on-line.

How To Conduct Safe Aircraft Refuel Servicing Operations

Rapid Refueling and NFPA 407

NFPA 407, Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing outlines the necessary requirements to prevent fire and provide for life safety during fuel servicing of aircraft. This standard addresses every issue from the type of equipment used, to fuel system design, to operations and personnel.

Though fuel servicing an active aircraft is prohibited by this standard, section 5.21 does allow the rapid “hot” refueling of helicopters (Jet A or Jet A-1 fuels only). However, there are six criteria that must be met:

Pilot must be FAA licensed and remain at the controls at all times.
All passengers must be deboarded and moved to a safe location.
No boarding or deboarding may occur during the fuel operation.
Only those individuals trained in rapid refueiling operations can perform this function.
All aircraft openings in the vicinity of the fuel inlet port are to remain closed and secured.
Only approved nozzles, flow, and equipment may be used. Fuel servicing vehicles are to remain at least 20’ from the aircraft. However, if a curb or barrier is present it shall prevent the vehicle from coming within 10’ of the aircraft.

These are listed as the minimum requirements for helicopter rapid refueling. NFPA 407, provides in-depth guidance on each of the listed components. It provides clear guidance on the loading and unloading of passengers, and safe distances during fuel servicing operations, outlines proper training requirements for fuel servicing personnel, identifies proper location and spacing for aircraft to be fueled, and it provides guidance for all equipment used in these operations.

For further information, you can view a read-only file of NFPA 407 at http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards. I would also recommend reading the article, “Helicopter Hot Fueling”, by DeborahAnn Cavalcante of Diversified Aviation Consulting.