In a recent issue of the Building Safety Journal International Code Council CEO Richard Weiland talks about the fire service's increased participation in the building-code process. I think it‘s important to note that ICC recognizes this shift and its importance to the code industry.
“Earlier this year at the codes Forum in Rochester [New York], we saw first hand the passion and motivation of fire services members in the debate over residential sprinklers (RB114)," Weiland said. "The proposal to require fire sprinklers in one- and two- family homes and townhouses sparked a spirited discussion. Fire professionals voiced their opinion, and their opinion was heard and respected. While that opinion ultimately did not prevail, I think the day was a success for the fire services, and for ICC as a whole.”
I really think this is a respectful acknowledgement, and the fire service should follow this momentum toward greater influence in the provision of building safety.
Weiland, however, observed that the fire service has put less emphasis on loss prevention. “Too many fire departments continue to put prevention on the back burner, when in fact more lives are saved preventing fires then putting them out,” he said. I have to imagine — or would like to think — that the ICC is concerned about a waking giant.
There was really a small crowd of fire service people participating in the ICC Code Hearings, compared to what there could have been. Even though we in fact have fire and life-safety loss management as a back-burner function, the fire service could easily double or triple the numbers seen in Rochester. In fact, there were a number of fire service people who were in Rochester whose bosses directed them to not vote due to the tremendous political ramifications and controversy over residential sprinklers in their jurisdictions.
But it is ongoing, up-front participation in the code process that is important. The vote in Rochester was to overturn the International Residential Code Committee's decision to not move sprinklers from the appendix to the code body. As usual the fire service was reacting to a challenge. It really is more effective to be involved on the front end through participation instead of trying to overturn a status quo action that requires a two-thirds majority. Firefighter safety in part depends on enforcement, engineering, education and all other means of thoughtful planning.
The fire service is represented on the ICC Board by two veterans: Vice President Adolph Zubia, fire chief in Las Cruces, N.M., and Barbara Koffron, fire marshal in Phoenix. These individuals represent the fire service's interests well, but we need more participation.
As I previously wrote, fire chiefs should be joining the ICC as members, participating on ICC committees, and forming better productive and supportive relationships with their local building officials. These actions even meet the spirit of the 16 Firefighter Life-Safety Initiatives. Number 15 says “advocacy must be strengthened for the enforcement of codes and the installation of home fire sprinklers.” These efforts are inexpensive and easy for every chief to do can some day save a firefighter‘s life.
