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The event will begin at 07:30 AM on 24 March 2010, Wednesday at the Four Points by Sheraton; 1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike; Norwood, MA. Register now for this upcoming NEC-SFPE event.

This event has been developed to inform you of some of the latest applications, code requirements, and trends in fire protection system design and performance, including the new 8th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code. If you are involved in fire or safety engineering or design, code enforcement, facilities management, or risk management, this seminar will be of interest and value to you. The proper design, installation, and maintenance of fire protection systems are critical to their performance during a fire emergency.  Learn about current and new fire alarm and automatic sprinkler system developments in the industry. 
 
The seminar will provide ample opportunities to share ideas, expand your resources and network to enhance your personal development.  Take advantage of the experience of industry experts and peers to gain knowledge of current fire protection system issues and solutions.

The New England Chapter of SFPE will award 6 contact hours to each participant who successfully completes this seminar.  Successful completion will be based on your demonstration of learning the topics presented.  We will issue certificates of completion to each participant and maintain a permanent record of your participation.

This years seminar will feature four speakers.  Mr. James Lake of the National Fire Protection Association will be discussing the changes approved for the 2010 NFPA 13 standard.  Mr. Robert Schifiliti, P.E. of RP Schifiliti Associates will discuss the changes to the National Alarm Code, NFPA 72.  Mr. Jacob Nunnemacher from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services will be reviewing the proposed changes to Chapter 4 of the 8th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code.  Finally, Mr. Harold Culter will review hazardous occupancy approaches in Chapter 4 and an overview of changes to Chapter 9 for the 8th Edition.

For further information, contact the First Vice President (Program Chair) by email program@sfpe-newengland.org or contact details on the Executive Board  webpage.

New England Chapter of the SFPE
http://www.sfpe-newengland.org
info@sfpe-newengland.org

Tags: Code Commentary, Fire-Professionals.com News by Cathy Tabor
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Nearly 10,000 facilities must start tracking greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, as reported by Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s
Editor-in-chief, Michael G. Ivanovich 

There was heightened public attention on climate action in 2009 because President Obama shifted U.S. policy from being defensive to being proactive. Three strong federal measures for climate action were taken in advance of the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December 2009, where a binding agreement on emissions levels was expected.

Namely, the Obama administration signed Executive Order 13514 to reduce federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% by 2020; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the mandatory GHG reporting rule for large emitters; and the EPA declared GHGs in the atmosphere to be dangerous to human health and the environment.

Of these, only the mandatory GHG reporting was a new regulation impacting private companies and their facilities. [MORE]

Tags: Business News, non-members, Code Commentary by Cathy Tabor
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Your participation is important at the ICC’s Final Action Code Hearing in Dallas, May 14-23, 2010. Read the complete Report of Hearings

Tags: Business News, non-members, Code Commentary by Cathy Tabor
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Underwriters Laboratories has released the following information on Carbon Monoxide Alarms:
 
“Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms play an important role in protecting the public against carbon monoxide poisoning. Having a basic understanding of CO poisoning, CO alarms, how they are listed, and how they are to be installed and maintained is an important consideration for code authorities, especially those in jurisdictions where installation of CO alarms is required.  UL’s full document can be found here.  (From Residential Fire Safety Institute Newsletter, www.firesafehome.org )

Tags: Business News, non-members, Life Safety by Cathy Tabor
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The certification and consulting firm, exida, announced a certification for Det-Tronics.  exida certified the Det-Tronics X3301 IR Flame Detector per IEC61508 as Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 2 capable, single use (Hardware Fault Tolerance=0). The product design and development processes were also assessed as suitable for applications up to and including SIL 2.

“The assessment verified that Det-Tronics’ product development processes and product hardware design meet the high quality standards and safety integrity requirements of the IEC 61508 safety standard,” says Michael Medoff, senior safety engineer at exida. “A Failure Modes, Effects, and Diagnostic Analysis (FMEDA) was done as part of the hardware assessment. This analysis was validated by the field failure study. The combination shows an accurate picture of the random failure rates and demonstrates compliance with SIL 2.”

Tags: Fire-Professionals.com News, Members by Cathy Tabor
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February 27, 2010, Waltham, Massachusetts. In its drive to provide its customers with fire and life safety innovations, Norel Service Co., Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts has acquired National Fire and Security (NFS) of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.
Norel Service is a leading fire alarm and sprinkler service company and NFS is an established engineered systems distributor. 

Norel Service Co., Inc. will continue its tradition of testing and service, but with an important bonus for its new and existing customers — complete fire protection services and comprehensive product offerings. 

“We built this company by establishing a two-way, long-term relationship with our clients.  The addition of NFS provides our clients with a cost-effective and streamlined approach for all their fire protection needs.  This merger broadens Norel’s range of services from testing and inspections of fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, radio and phone line monitoring, to sales, engineering design, and installation of leading fire alarm and security systems” says Norel’s President Thomas F. Norton.
NFS will be a division of Norel.  “Our customers expect more and this new opportunity will deliver on that expectation,” Norton says.
 
Comprehensive service and product sales
The two companies enjoy reputations as top industry companies that provide exceptional customer service, competitive product sales, and support.  NFS will continue its distribution of top fire and life safety products from Gamewell-FCI, Siemens, Silent Knight, Cooper Wheelock Notification, Gentex, Space Age and Advanced Fire Systems, Inc. “We are pleased to be part of this and know this merger will provide our customers with enhanced service and support,” says Jack Nelligan, former President of NFS.
 
Nelligan’s is now Vice President of Sales and Training.  “I am looking forward to this new opportunity,” he says.
“The logical combination of our resources, services, and product offerings will provide our customers with a more comprehensive package of services and products.  It also allows us to be more competitive in today’s market,” Norton says.
Unmatched industry insight
Norton and Nelligan bring more than 70 years of industry knowledge, insight, and reliability.  Since 1971, Norel Service has provided building managers and owners with a comprehensive and accurate review of their facility’s fire protection needs. 
NFS has built its business on competitive sales, customer service, and product knowledge.  Before establishing NFS in 1996, Nelligan worked as a branch manager for CerberusPyrotronics, and Simplex Time Recorder.

Thomas F. Norton
President
Norel Service Co., Inc.
781.768.5500
Jack Nelligan
Vice President, Sales and Training
Norel Service Co., Inc.
781.768.5500
 
www.norelservice.com

Tags: Fire-Professionals.com News, Members by Cathy Tabor
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