Important Decision For New York State Codes Council In 2015
PATTERSON, N.Y., March 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) would like to express its support for the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council and its work this year to adopt the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) without amendments, which would include life-saving fire sprinklers in new home construction. NFSA is proud to be in the life safety business and support the New York fire service and the allied fire service organizations that have worked hard to educate stakeholders regarding the important role that fire sprinklers play in community fire protection.
"New York has inadvertently fallen behind on code adoptions and it's time to move forward with correcting this by adopting the current national minimum code which includes fire sprinklers," states NFSA New York Regional Manager Dominick Kasmauskas. "Lives will be saved with this code adoption – of citizens, New York firefighters and visitors as well."
The NFSA encourages those in the building and fire codes arena, fire service, and fire protection industries to call or write in support of adopting the 2015 I-Codes "as published by the International Code Council with minimal amendment as carried by a unanimous motion of the New York State Codes Council in August 2014." Support should be directed to Mr. Mark Blanke with the New York State Division of Standards and Codes in Albany, NY. Each voice can make a difference for the safety of New York citizens and visitors.
As the Association is committed through its mission, "To protect lives and property from fire through the widespread acceptance of the fire sprinkler concept," the NFSA supports the Build Safe New York Alliance, a group consisting of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, and others who are urging the Code Council to adopt the 2015 IRC.
"The recent Schenectady fire highlights the importance of fire sprinklers," adds NFSA Executive Vice President Shane Ray. "As a former fire chief, I am reminded of the challenges faced by our firefighters in today's modern fire environment and there has never been a time that fire sprinklers are needed more. It's time for fire protection to be built into new construction as both national minimum building codes set forth."
NFSA commends recent efforts by survivor-based organizations – namely the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and Common Voices — for their direct outreach and support to states that are working hard to make proactive choices that will save lives.
The Code Council is expected to cast its critical vote on code adoptions in upcoming months, and we encourage all stakeholder groups that support fire sprinklers to get involved and share their support. Working together, we can reduce fire deaths in New York and the United States.
For more information on fire sprinklers and how they work, visit NFSA's website at www.nfsa.org or call 845-878-4200. Fire sprinklers save lives, and provide valuable life safety protection for communities across America. NFSA is proud to call New York home for its Association office and supports the adoption of this code.
SOURCE The National Fire Sprinkler Association
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