Aviation Fire Prevention - is it time for an advanced credentialing program?

In the fire service, we have advanced certifications and credentialing for almost every niche within the industry. There is the beginning required certifications of, EMT and firefighter. Progressing on to advanced level training of paramedic or officer level certifications.  Then there is specialty training on truck operations, technical rescue, hazardous materials, and ARFF. Beyond these, at the highest levels there is credentialing through organizations such as the Center for Public Safety Excellence.  The world of aviation firefighting is no different. In this niche industry we have the basic ARFF certification, we have ARFF specific officer certifications, and specialty training programs. We have credentialing as an A.M.F. through the ARFFWG and AAAE.  The ARFF training and educational path is further clarified through the ARFF Professional Development Framework Manual.  

When it comes to the area of fire prevention, especially in aviation, there is no established path or further specialized training. The same requirements for a fire inspector for the municipal structural department is all that is required for the airport and ARFF department. However, the environment, challenges, hazards, systems, processes, and code applications can be very different. Fire prevention in the ARFF environment is a specialized field and should require an advanced (or additional) level of training to ensure basic competence and understanding of the hazards and code applications that will apply. 

I have created a draft program outline. The program is called the Aviation Fire Prevention Credentialing Program. What follows is a brief outline of the program. The complete program and proposed curriculum can be downloaded here.

The program is divided into two credentials -- Aviation Fire Inspector (AFI), and the Aviation Fire Prevention Officer (AFPO).  The point-of-entry for this program is certification (State/IFSAC/ICC/ProBoard) as a Fire Inspector I, Fire Inspector II, and three years of experience in fire prevention or ARFF.

The first level of credentialing is the Aviation Fire Inspector (AFI). 

AFI credential program prerequisites:

• Certified as Fire Inspector I/II (State/IFSAC/ICC/ProBoard)
• Three years of experience in fire prevention or ARFF

The process for becoming a credentialed AFI is as follows:

• Submit application
• Application is reviewed and approved
• Candidate must register for and attend the 24 hour ‘Aviation Fire Inspector Course’ 
• Pass the class final exam with at least an 75%
• Credential awarded

The next level of credentialing is the Aviation Fire Prevention Officer (AFPO) credential. This credential is designed for the highest ranking fire prevention official, with program management and leadership responsibilities.

AFPO credential program prerequisites:

• Successful completion of AFI credential.
• Minimum of Fire Officer 1 certification (Fire Officer 2 recommended)
• Minimum of 5 years experience in ARFF and/or fire prevention.

The process for becoming a credentialed AFPO is as follows:

• Submit application
• Application is reviewed and approved
• Completion of 24 hour ‘Aviation Fire Prevention Officer Course’ 
• Pass the class final exam with at least an 75%
• Completion and presentation of an applied research paper (management, case study, proposal, project)
• Credential awarded

Download the full program and curriculum here.

What are your thoughts? Is it time for a credentialing program? Do you see a need for this type of training, credentialing process? I am looking for your feedback. Please comment below, or contact me directly at, thecodecoach@gmail.com.

www.AaronJ.org

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Why I quit the fire service...for consulting

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! 

www.AaronJ.org

thecodecoach@gmail.com

Schedule a FREE consultation

Understanding Class II Standpipe Systems

The classification and installation requirements for standpipe systems are identified in NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.  Standpipes are categorized as class I, class II, or class III. These classifications are based on the hose connection size and intended user of the hose. 

• Class I System. A system that provides 2 ½ in. hose connections to supply water for use by fire departments.
• Class II System. A system that provides 1 ½ in. hose stations to supply water for use primarily by trained personnel or by the fire department during initial response.
• Class III System. A system that provides 1 ½ i.n hose station to supply water for use by trained personnel and 2 ½ in hose connections to supply a larger volume of water for use by fire departments.

For a more extensive and in-depth look at all standpipe systems check out the QRFS article, Guide to Fire Hose Reels and Racks for Standpipe and Hose Systems.

The water source to the standpipe system can be automatic wet, automatic dry, manual dry, or semi-automatic. Automatic wet standpipes are designed to provide the needed water pressure and supply when the valve is opened. These can be wet or dry. Automatic wet systems have water in them all the time, whereas, automatic dry fill with water when the hose valve is opened.  Manual dry systems are designed for use by the fire department, these pipes are dry until the fire department arrives and connects to the fire department connection to fill the standpipe with water from their trucks. Semi-automatic systems require the activation of a fire pump or other device to fill the system with water. 

The Class II system provides a 1 1/2 inch hose station, as opposed to just a hose connection. The hose station is comprised of a connected hose with a nozzle, with the hose being secured on a rack or reel. These standpipe systems are only intended for use by trained personnel. Annex information of NFPA 14 defines trained personnel as those trained in accordance with NFPA 600, Standard on Facility Fire Brigades or the Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA). If the Class II system is located on a site with a dedicated fire brigade, then those members must be trained to the requirements of NFPA 600.  For those locations where a dedicated fire brigade is not in place, building occupants or those expected to use the Class II system, personnel training in accordance with the outline and materials provided by FEMA is sufficient.

Class II systems are only permitted to be fed by an automatic wet standpipe riser, with exceptions for areas subject to freezing.

5.4.2 Class II and Class III Standpipe Systems.Class II and Class III standpipe systems with 1 ½ in hose stations shall be automatic wet systems unless located in a facility where piping is subject to freezing and where a fire brigade is trained to operate the system without fire department intervention, in which case an automatic dry or semiautomatic dry system shall be permitted.

The hose connections and cabinets for these systems must be installed as prescribed in NFPA 14. The hose station must be visible and accessible, mounted between 3-5 feet above the finished floor. A hose station is to be located so that it can be accessed from within 130 feet of travel from any part of the building.

A.7.3.3 Hose stations should be so arranged as to allow discharge to be directed from the nozzle into all portions of important enclosures such as closets and similar enclosures.

To ensure the effectiveness of these systems they must be properly inspected, tested, and maintained. The first priority for ensuring system effectiveness is the initial acceptance test when the system is first installed.  The AHJ will visit the site and examine the installation for evidence that the following test and procedures have been completed:

• Underground piping and FDC piping to the building must be flushed.
• Verify hose threads are compatible with the hose connection. Compatibility and required hose thread types may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
• A hydrostatic test must be conducted at 200 psi (or 50 psi over working pressure) for 2 hours.
• Air pressure leak test at 40 psi for 24 hours must be conducted.
• Witness a main drain flow test.  System flow test may also be conducted, but can be waived by the AHJ.
• All notification and supervisory alarm devices will be tested. This process is outlined in NFPA 72.
• All required signage must be in place.

After the initial installation and acceptance testing, the system must continue to receive ongoing inspection, testing, and maintenance to ensure system readiness. There are annual and 5 year inspection and testing requirements. The hose, cabinet, piping, connections, rack or reel, and threads must be inspected once a year. This inspection is to verify that the system is in good condition, and their is no damage or missing parts, and that the hose is in a proper position to be quickly deployed as necessary.  Every 5 years a functional test with water flow and hydrostatic test of the piping must be conducted. Additionally, the hose must also be tested. If the hose fails the test, prescribed in NFPA 1962, then it must be replaced. 

When these systems or component go bad or need updated, QRFS.com can provide all parts and complete units for fire hose racks or fire hose reels, fire hose adapters, hose for racks and reels, valve cap and chain assemblies, and fire hose nozzles.

Fire Door Gap Size Allowances - Am I protected?

For me, it’s that time of year again, annual facility fire door inspections.  I already know that the majority of these doors are going to fail, primarily due to door gap size allowances being exceeded. Current codes, NFPA 80, requires a maximum door gap allowance of ⅛” around the top and vertical perimeters of a fire rated door.  They allow up to ¾” door gap allowance at the bottom perimeter of the door. 

As I walk through the facility with my tablet and door gap gauge, I have to be prepared for the litany of questions that I will inevitably receive from facility managers. The primary question being, “How do I know that gap measurement is sufficient?”

In March of 2018, the NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation published a report to answer the question of how did the gap size allowances come to be, and are the current gap allowances the best practice. The study included a literature review of more than 100 published documents and media, and computer modeling.  This report, Influence of Gap Sizes around Swinging Doors with Builders Hardware on Fire and Smoke Development, can be viewed in its entirety.

This study and report made some of the following conclusions:

“From this information a great deal of information and data was collected that directly reveals that the gap sizes around swinging doors have a significant effect on the fire development.”

“A significant amount of work was done to trace the historic record of the prescriptive gaps sizes included in NFPA 80. It was revealed that the first inclusion of these gaps sizes was added in 1959. Initially, requirements were based on the mounting of doors; however, in 1967 the requirements switched to being based on the door construction. There is no evidence to suggest that this was done from a fire performance perspective, however the test reports from that time period indicate that the prescriptive gap sizes are in the vicinity of what was found during full scale testing.”

Aegis Fire Door Gap Gauge