Model Code Committee Update and cdp ACCESS

NASFM Annual Conference 2014

Kelly Nicolello, Alaska State Fire MarshalChair, 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.• 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