Every year the NFPA collects information on firefighter deaths while on-duty.  On-duty fatalities include injuries that turn fatal, fatal mishaps involving non-emergency occupational hazards and illnesses that  were a result of an action that took place while on duty.   For the first time in 3 years on- the -job firefighter deaths has dropped below 100.  In 2009,  it was reported that 82 firefighters were killed which is a big drop from  2008, which reported 105 deaths.   

“While a drop over one year certainly isn’t enough to show a trend, it is definitely encouraging to see the number of firefighter fatalities drop well below that 10-year average,” said Rita Fahy, NFPA’s manager of fire databases and systems. “We are hopeful that we will continue to see fewer and fewer firefighter fatalities over the next 10 years.”

To read more on this article and view the full report visit NFPA. This annual report clearly shows the risks to our nation’s firefighters.

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The NFPA rating scale and bar code system supports the NFPA 704.  Defined by the NFPA, the objectives of the NFPA 704 System are:

• To provide an appropriate signal or alert for the protection of both public and private emergency response personnel
• To assist in planning for effective fire and emergency control operations, including clean-up
• To assist all designated personnel, engineers, plant, and safety personnel in evaluating hazards

The NFPA Rating scale is displayed as a diamond and consists of four segments including health hazard, fire hazard, specific hazard, and instability. They are also color-coded as follows: blue for health, red for flammability, white for specific hazard and yellow for instability.  The NFPA Color Bar consist of three of these same segments excluding the specific hazard.  These systems are widely used and will identify the hazards of a material by four principal categories:

Health Hazard – ranks the specific material’s probable severity to personal health

Fire Hazard – ranks the specific material’s susceptibility to burn

Instability – ranks the specific material’s ease, rate and quantity of energy released

Specific Hazard – identifies the specific material’s special hazard potential or any special protection which may be required

The Rating Explanation Guide below can be used to determine the specific rating to be used.  Seton carries many signs, charts and labels to meet your specifications for NFPA communication.

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The NFPA reported recently that after an adjustment for inflation in 2007,  Total Cost of Fire in the United States has increased 86% since 1980.

NFPA report states -  The complete total cost of fire is defined as the sum of economic loss (e.g., property damage, business interruption), human loss (e.g., lives lost, medical treatment, pain and suffering), and the cost of provisions to prevent or mitigate the cost of fire (e.g., fire departments, insurance, and fire protection equipment and construction).

Other key findings from the report:

• Although the core total cost of fire increased, the economic loss due to fire decreased by 13 percent since 1980, totaling at $18.6 billion.
• The total cost of direct property damages, reported or unreported, totaled at $16.6 billion.  This figure represents 90 percent of the economic loss.  The other 10 percent represents indirect losses, such as business interruption.
• Human losses are estimated at $42.5 billion.

For more information visit NFPA.org

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For nearly 90 years the NFPA has sponsored fire prevention campaigns in the month of October.  These campaigns are to stress the importance of fire safety and prevention to help avoid injuries and possible death.  Well, just the other day the NFPA announced their theme for this October! The theme is Smoke Alarms:  A sound you can live with! Just alone in 2008, home fires killed 2,755 people and injured 13,160. Most of these fires were in homes that had no smoke alarms or had smoke alarms were not working. Having working fire alarms can cut the chance of dying in half!

So mark your calendars!  Fire Prevention Week 2010 is October 3-9.  It’s not that far away!

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It is important to clearly mark  doors that do not lead out to an exit to lessen confusion during an emergency. There are requirements for No Exit signs that should be followed, but often times they are misunderstood or misapplied.  Below are 2 requirements from the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code that help clarify any confusion.

 Section 7 7.10.8.3 states that a “No EXIT” sign is only needed where “any door, passage, or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way of exit access and that is located or arranged so that it is likely to be mistaken for an exit shall be identified by a sign that reads as follows: NO EXIT.” This sign is required only if the door does not lead to a way out AND is likely to be mistaken for an exit door. It is not the code’s intent that such signs be placed on every door that is not an exit. If the door is labeled as to what it is, such as “Closet,” “Basement,” or “Electrical Room,” there should be no confusion.

 If a “No EXIT” sign is necessary, Section 7.10.8.3.2 clearly specifies that the word “No” must be 2 inches (5 centimeters) high and the word “EXIT” must be 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) high. This is so occupants will not key in on the word exit and mistake it for an exit sign.
There are a few differences between the exit sign requirements in the Life Safety Code and other codes used outside the United States that might encourage use of pictograms to mark exits or mandate specific color schemes.

Seton has a variety of EXIT and NO Exit signs to choose from.  Let Seton be your source for safety and signage needs!

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Safety Storage Cabinets help contain hazardous materials so having the right one is essential. There are several types of colors, door styles, capacities, shelves and approval ratings.  Before you start your research process you need to define what exactly you are using the cabinet for. Do regulations apply to the use of the cabinet? What type of materials will be stored in the cabinet? How much space will you need for storage? Seton has all your cabinet research information at your fingertips!

Regulation approvals for safety cabinets are coded into FM, N, O, and U.   FM stands for Factory Mutual tested and approved. N stands for designed to meet NFPA Code 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids) Regulations.   O stands for complies with OSHA Regulations.  U stands for complies with Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1 ). Make sure you check to see if you are obligated to comply to any of these regulations. Now according to your research of what types of materials will be placed in the cabinet you should choose a color.  The following colors usually identify what material is stored.

• Yellow = flammable liquids
• Red  = combustible liquids
• Blue = corrosive liquids
• Green = pesticides and insecticides
• Gray/White = miscellaneous such as hazardous waste
• White = laboratory settings to match existing case work

Cabinet storage capacity ranges from 4- gallons to 120-gallons.  Be sure to check what type of safety can or gallon drums will be placed inside so you can calculate the maximum capacity you might need. Regulations, type of storage material and capacity are the main characteristics you should be aware of before your search.  After that, style of storage cabinets vary  including shelving, number of doors, and type of door style such as manual or self-close.  Seton carries a large selection of Hazardous Storage and Transport containers for all your storage and transportation needs. Whether you need Hazardous Chemical Storage, Hazardous Liquid Storage, or just Storage of Hazardous Materials, we have a product solution for you.

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No Smoking Policies can be seen everywhere nowadays from public places, restaurants, bars, workplaces but do you ever stop and think of your own personal smoking habits? Smoking paraphernalia is the number one cause of fire deaths in the US. Here are a few facts from the NFPA regarding smoking statistics in a private home.

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Domino’s Pizza^® is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for a spring campaign to spread the word on fire safety in the home.  When a pizza is ordered the customer will see a message about fire safety featured on the pizza box.  “Domino’s makes 1 million deliveries each day, so we reach a lot of people in their homes, where fire safety begins,” said Domino’s spokesperson Chris Brandon.

“NFPA is constantly trying to reach people with fire safety information in different ways, and teaming up with Domino’s gives us a unique opportunity to deliver important fire safety tips directly to millions in their homes – with pizza!” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications. “

Safety lessons learned at home make for best practices outside the home as well – school, work, etc! So remind you employees, family and friends – The more you know, The better prepared you are in case of an emergency.

View the cooking fire safety checklist from Domino’s and NFPA.

Seton is The Source for Safety, Labeling & Signage 100% Guaranteed Every Time!

Source: ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 12, 2010

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In order to successfully protect your workers from a possible deadly exposure to arc flash,  let’s go back to the basics… 

 NFPA 70E defines a hazard flash as a dangerous condition associated with the release of energy caused by an electric arc.  An arc flash is caused from one exposed live conductor transmitting a short circuit that  flashes over to another conductor or to the ground. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)  provides guidance on implementing appropriate work practices required to protect workers while working on or near exposed electrical conductors.  In addition to the NFPA,  arc flash is also regulated by OSHA and the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers(IEEE).  Continuing to promote awareness of arc flash hazards is a great way to stay protected.   Posting an arc flash awareness poster in your workpace will inform and educate all workers to use safe practices.   Seton offers a variety of Arc Flash Training Aids.

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