ICC to Develop Certifications for Fire Equipment Technicians, Offers Guide on Smoke Management
The International Code Council (ICC) announced the guide of a newly revised reference book addresses smoke management in the 2006 International Building Code (IBC). This book creates a bridge between the complex subject of smoke management and the code requirements of the IBC.
Developed jointly by the International Code Council and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, "A Guide to Smoke Control in the 2006 IBC" will help experienced and new practitioners.
"This guide will help code officials, engineers and designers understand smoke control requirements that will save lives and protect property," said International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland.
The 2006 IBC smoke control requirements are more performance-based than previous editions and allow engineers the flexibility to address particular fire hazards in building design. The 2006 edition also includes a new reference for exhaust method design and facilitates the use of different types of models, such as network, zone and computational fluid dynamics models. The guide explains these and other new requirements and provides engineers, designers and code officials with practical examples. Of particular interest in the guide is the section dealing with the commissioning and testing of smoke control systems. As an added tool, the appendix includes a plan review checklist.
"This guide demonstrates how the results of fire science can be applied to building safety," said David Evans, SFPE executive director. "The information contained in this joint Code Council-SFPE publication is needed by both engineers and code officials in applying the 2006 IBC smoke control provisions."
ICC also announced that it is joining forces with the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) to develop new certifications for fire equipment technicians.
The Code Council/NAFED Technician Certification Program combines the organizations' technical and exam preparation expertise to meet industry standards for testing programs. When complete, the groups will offer Fire Extinguisher Technician certification and Pre-Engineered Fire Extinguishing Systems Technician certification.
"The new certifications provide an added level of safety for the public," said International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. "Earning certification also reflects the professionalism and commitment of Fire Extinguisher Technicians."
To be sure that fire extinguishers serve the functions intended by the International Codes, it is necessary that they be maintained by qualified individuals. The new exams and joint certifications will be available July 1. All individuals currently certified by NAFED will receive new certificates with the Code Council and NAFED endorsement.
"Professionalism is an important part of NAFED," said NAFED's Executive Director -- Technical, Norb Makowka. "Working with the Code Council's certification programs maintains that professionalism at the highest levels."
For more information, contact ICC at www.iccsafe.org.