NFPA Conference & Expo

Cooper Notification highlights new mass notification solutions at the NFPA Conference & Expo

Ted Milburn of Cooper Notification joins Butch Stearns to discuss some of the new products that will be on display at the 2012 NFPA Conference & Expo, as well as what he's looking forward to at the event. The exhibit floor continues to grow as new exhibitors are added daily.

Demonstrations of Emergency Stair Descent Devices

NFPA recognizes that fire and life safety may be more important to people with disabilities because of the barriers to accessing information and the physical barriers within the built environment.

Manufacturers of “Stair descent devices” (evacuation chairs) used to assist in the emergency evacuation of people with mobility functional needs from buildings, will be demonstrating their devices during the 2011 Conference & Expo.     

The demonstration “stage” is a 6 foot high, 8 foot by 8 foot platform with a set of stairs. Visitors will be able to see the devices in action and talk with the vendors and ask any and all questions you might have. 

 
Stryker, Evac+Chair, Garaventa and Creative Safety Solutions (from left to right) Evacuation Chairs   

While not endorsing any particular manufacturer or stair descent device, NFPA is facilitating these demonstrations to help educate users, assistants, caregivers, building owners and managers and first responders about this evacuation option. You are invited to see, in general, through these demonstrations, how these devices are used and how users and operators can practice transferring into and out of the devices and operating the devices during the descent process.

 

NFPA C&E Exhibitor Presentation Theater

Learn about exciting new and proven products directly from their developers. Thirty minute presentations, given by exhibiting suppliers, will run during expo hours in the exhibit hall theater.  (Location, 1400 aisle.)

Tentative schedule (with more to come):

Sunday

• New End to End FIRERAY® 3000 Beam Detector – Fire Fighting Enterprises
• Using ROV (remotely operated vehicle) for Fire Water Storage Tank Inspections without Draining – Conrady Consulting Services
• Revolutionizing Clean Agent Suppression – N2 Towers, Inc.

Monday

• Advancements in Smoke Detection Technologies Using Open-Area Smoke Imaging Detection (OSID) -- Xtralis
• Water Driven Proportioners – Fire Safe Services - FireDos
• Innovation Alarm Monitoring Solutions: The Digitize Advantage – Digitize, Inc.
• VESDA VLI Industiral Strength Fire Detection Technology Purpose Built for Industrial Environments -- Xtralis
• Introduction to FORCE500™  Clean Agent Fire Suppression System –SEVO Systems

Tuesday

• Victaulic Vortex™ Fire Suppression System, A Unique Hybrid Fire Suppression Technology that Protects Areas with Nearly Zero Wetting – FireFlex Systems, Inc.
• Protection of CSST Gas Piping from Electrical Arcing – Victaulic
• Protection of CSST Gas Piping from Electrical Arcing -- OmegaFlex

For greater detail on presentations of interest, visit the C&E Exhibitor Presentations website.

-Jerry Carter, ROC-NFPA, LLC

Remembering the Triangle Fire

 

Today (March 25) marks the 100^th anniversary of a fire that occurred at the Triangle Waist Company in New York City, which resulted in 146 workers losing their lives. A spotlight session (T34) at this year’s conference will feature the Fire Protection Research Foundation’s Casey Grant discussing how significant advances in fire protection can be traced back to this single tragic event. The incident prompted NFPA to create the Committee on Life Safety several years later, which established a fire safety code to address building exits. It was the precursor to today’s widely-used Life Safety Code®.

NFPA Journal® recently commemorated the anniversary of the Triangle fire with a feature story in its March/April 2011 issue. The story chronicled the 1911 fire and explored factory fire safety in the hundred years since in the cover story, The Triangle Fire, 100 Years Later. To date, the Triangle fire remains the largest accidental industrial building fire in U.S. history. 

Casey's spotlight session is sure to be interesting, will you be in attendance?

-Eileen

Expo floor at NFPA Conference in Las Vegas opens for business

Immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a crowd of eager convention attendees got their badges scanned and hit the expo floor. Over 300 exhibitors are featuring their products and services at this year's show, making it the premier event in fire and life safety.

- Bob Finn

Two more days until showtime

With two days left until the expo is officially open I took a rare look behind the scenes and snapped this pic of the NFPA booth being built out.  It's always impressive to consider how quickly these displays are constructed and how impressive they look when completed.  Where do they put all the empty wooden packing crates when they're done though?

- Bob Finn

Exhibitor presentations scheduled on June 8-10

Here are some more opportunities to hear first-hand about the latest industry products and services while you're in Chicago. These informative 45-minute presentations, taking place in the Exhibit Hall, are open to all

Monday, June 8
Hall open 3:30 - 7:30 pm

3:45-4:30 pm
FireDos
Speaker: Wayne Hepper, Product Manager
Session: FireDos Water Power Foam Systems
Uses and possibilities for FireDos Foam systems. From Apparatus mounted units to large fixed systems, requiring no outside power.

4:45-5:30 pm
Victaulic
Speaker: Frank Barstow, Vortex National Sales Manager
Session: The Victaulic Vortex Solution
The Victaulic VortexTM System is the world's first hybrid nitrogen and water fire suppression system for machinery spaces and industrial applications, providing nearly zero wetting of protected areas. Green design provides fast system recharge and minimal facility downtime which impacts the bottom line. Further, the unique discharge technology eliminates the need for assurance of room integrity.

5:45-6:30 pm
Fike
Speaker: Bruce McLelland, Sales Manager, Industrial Fire and Explosion Protection
Session: Are You Ready for an OSHA Explosive Dust Hazard Inspection
Do you have a combustible dust hazard in your facility? OSHA is expected to perform over 600 explosion dust hazard inspections in the U.S. this year. Will your facility be on their list?  This session will increase your understanding of the new requirements of NFPA 68 & 69, the pending legislation in Congress and how you can protect your facility today!

6:45-7:30 pm
axonX, LLC
Speaker: James (Andy Lynch), Technical Services Manager
Session: Implementation of a Video Image Smoke and Flame Detection System
The presentation will discuss the implementation of a video image smoke and fire detection system. Case studies will discuss issues faced by installers, end users, IT personnel, loss prevention managers, fire and security personnel as well as why video image detection was chosen over other fire detection methods.

Tuesday, June 9
Hall open 11:00 am - 4 pm

11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Fike
Speaker: Bill Howerton, Director System Sales
Session: Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems and Pressure Venting Requirements for Protected Space
NFPA 2001, 2008 edition, changed the enclosure requirements for spaces and structures utilizing Clean Agent Extinguishing Systems as content protection. This presentation will take you through the test results and evaluation of commonly utilized clean agent products. Find out what considerations and required test  are necessary for new, existing, and retrofitted space installations utilizing clean agents.

12:15 - 1:00 pm
Marioff Corporation Oy
Speaker: Joachim Gabran, General Manager, Industry & Energy
Session: HI-FOG® Fire Protection for Wind Turbines
Commercial presentation on Marioff's HI-FOG ® solution for Wind Turbines.

1:15 - 2:00 pm
Clarke Fire protection Products, Inc.
Speakers: Mark Evans, Global Marketing Manager, and Justin Strousse, Americas sales manager
Session: Electronic Pressure Limiting Driver (PLD)
The PLD was introduced with the adoption of variable speed pumping in NFPA-20 2003. With the requirement of Tier 3 engines in the USA, Clarke now introduces the electronic PLD in 2009 to limit the sprinkler system overpressure. Setpoints between 100 and 350 PSI.

2:15 - 3:00 pm
Marioff Corporation Oy
Speaker: Johannes Leppihalme, Business Manager, Buildings & Construction
Session: HI-FOG® for Large Data Centers
Marioff is the leading developer and supplier of water mist fire protection systems. HI-FOG ® uses remarkably small amounts of clean water to suppress the fire, thus keeping the business downtime to a minimum. HI-FOG ® is entirely safe for people and the environment, and cost-efficient throughout the system lifecycle.

3:15 - 4:00 pm
Mc4 Software
Speaker: Guan Ruggiero, Product Manager & Team Training
Session: Mc4 Software-FireCadDesign it right the first time
FireCad offers a powerful design tool in a user friendly environment. Versatility and easy data input allow the designer to focus on the project. Design sprinkler, hose and hydrant systems. FireCad automatically calculates accurate hydraulic requirements within seconds, highlighting the most demanding areas. Our unique "Devices Property Tab" allows the user to instantly change system properties, pipes and devices for the most efficient system configuration.

Wednesday, June 10
Hall open 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

10:15 - 11:00 am
xtralis
Speaker: Panel of ASD Experts        
Speaker Title: ASD Mythbusters
Session: ASD Mythconceptions Great Debate
Air-sampling smoke detection is for data centers and clean areas only? Air-sampling smoke detection is expensive and complex? Myths or facts? Join the ASD MythBusters, a panel of fire experts and thought leaders, as they engage in animated discussion and debate on these and other interesting topics, delving into the realities of fire detection issues, challenges and technologies. If you want the real facts on ASD, then don’t miss this exciting, thought-provoking session.

11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Lifetone Technology
Speaker: David E. Albert, M.D., Chairman of the Board, Chief Technology Officer
Session: Improving Smoke Alarm Waking Effectiveness
The 2010 edition of NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm Code® includes language that would require 520 Hz square-wave notification devices in all commercial sleeping rooms by 2014 and required in residential sleeping rooms for people with hearing loss as 2010 edition is adopted.

12:15 - 1:00 pm
Invisible Fence® Brand
Speaker: Kristin Rogers, Invisible Fence® Brand
Session: Pet Oxygen Mask Donation Program & Demo
Invisible Fence® Brand has developed a donation program to provide free Pet Oxygen Mask Kits to fire departments. The donation of these specially designed and potentially lifesaving masks will enable first responders to efficiently administer oxygen to a stricken animal. Presentation includes mask demonstration with a dog and donation request information. Invisible Fence® Brand is the original electronic fence containment system sold nationwide by professional dealers who offer custom installation and certified Perfect Start™ Pet Training to create an environment of safety and freedom for pets.