NFPA Journal

July/August 2019

In this issue, NFPA Journal details the successful response to a series of massive gas explosions and fires in three Massachusetts towns in 2018; the growing escape room industry and how it's kept safe; and how armies of volunteers are using social media to radically alter the response to disasters. PLUS: A look at the worldwide risks that persist two years after the Grenfell Tower fire, the 2018 US Firefighter Fatalities report, and much more.

FEATURES

Safe Escape

Escape rooms have become a booming industry worldwide. But are they safe?

Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2018

Sixty-four US firefighters died in the line of duty last year. It is the eighth time in 10 years that the number of firefighter deaths remained below 70.

Big Assist

How fire departments in three Massachusetts cities relied on a robust regional mutual aid system to overcome the ultimate nightmare scenario

Chasing the Chatter

How a volunteer army of social media sleuths are working to connect the digital dots between disaster victims and those on the ground trying to help

In Compliance

NFPA 72

A successful fire alarm system takes a village to design and install

NFPA 101

Protecting escape rooms and other special amusement buildings

NFPA 70

A new surge protecting requirement for dwelling service units is one for the additions to the 2020 NEC

NFPA 13

Sprinklers, state code, and the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem

Columns

First Responder

A growing threat of gun violence in the field is forcing more responders to consider ballistic protection

Research: Wake-Up Call

An explosion at an energy storage system in Arizona highlights the need for more research

Outreach: New Day, Old Challenge

Getting people to recognize the hazards posed by fire is a timeless challenge

Wildfire: Same As It Ever Was

We know that wildfire-resistant building codes work. So why do many communities insist on ignoring them?

P.O.V.

First Word

NFPA President Jim Pauley writes about the 2019 NFPA Conference & Expo in San Antonio

Perspectives

Created out of tragedy and propelled by a forward-looking mission, a fast-growing event safety group hopes to improve the safety of gatherings worldwide