The Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association, recently conducted a seminar to exchange information on new technologies and standards for fire detection systems in Beijing, China.

FPRF organized the Emerging Technology and Standards Development for Fire Detection Systems Seminar as part of the Standards and Conformity Assessment Cooperation Program of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

The foundation shared findings from several major research projects on initiatives to enhance fire safety standards for detection in support of the National Fire Alarm Code, published by the NFPA.

"This seminar presents a valuable opportunity to gain a better understanding of current practices surrounding fire detection systems in the U.S. and China with an eye toward the future," said Kathleen Almand, FPRF executive director.

One of the main objectives of the gathering was to foster international collaboration. Manufacturers and designers of fire detection and signaling systems attended the event, as did government officials responsible for standards development. The seminar was organized under the U.S. China Standards and Conformity Assessment Cooperation Program, which promotes cooperation on industrial standards policy and regulatory development.

"This particular workshop is exactly the sort of event we envisioned in putting this program together with USTDA," said Gene Eckhart, NEMA director of international operations. "It brings together the leading edge experts from U.S. industry and their counterparts from China to exchange critical information that can lead to safer systems for the citizens of China, while giving U.S. companies insight that could lead to new commercial opportunities."