Resource Library

Operation Life Safety newsflash will bring you the most comprehensive source of breaking news, action alerts and updates on current events related to residential fire sprinklers, carbon monoxide detection, smoke alarms, home fire safety education and other life safety information. You will receive the new OLS News Brief on a monthly basis, and more frequently as news breaks.

January 13, 2010 – The National Fire Sprinkler Association today announced that the State of California has adopted new building code changes that will require all new one and two-family homes and townhouses built in the state starting January 1, 2011, to be equipped with life-saving fire sprinkler systems. Read full Article...

A valuable discussion guide the ICC Code development process and the Minneapolis Code Hearing on residential sprinklers in 2009. Also discussed is the impact of this vote on the future of new home construction.

Developed by the Joint Ad-Hoc Residential Sprinkler Committee in the state of Colorado (September 25, 2009)... the purpose of this document is to provide guidance to local jurisdictions contemplating the adoption of the residential sprinkler requirements found in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC)

This is an outstanding and detailed guide, intended to be used as a source of factual and logical information for correct decision making, should the issue of residential fire sprinklers for homes becomes a Legislative discussion issue. Authored by Buddy Dewar

A study of select jurisdictions was conducted to determine the housing cost and supply impacts of residential sprinkler ordinances at the local level.

Adoption Guidance Document Developed by the Joint Ad-Hoc Residential Sprinkler Committee (September 25, 2009) The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to local jurisdictions contemplating the adoption of the residential sprinkler requirements found in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC)

An excellent 2009 report on residential sprinklers and other extinguishment options published by NFPA

The study looked at detailed information for 20 US communities with a residential sprinkler ordinance and concluded that water supply integration requirements have been put into place, and there are no examples of insurmountable problems or issues

The Fire Protection Research Foundation undertook this study to provide a national perspective on the cost of home fire sprinklers by developing data on installation costs and cost savings for ten communities distributed throughout the United States. The study also explores the range of insurance premium discounts which are available to home owners with sprinkler systems in their houses.

A study of select jurisdictions was conducted to determine the housing cost and supply impacts of residential sprinkler ordinances at the local level.

A humorous video that will get people interested in sprinklers. Would you rather have sprinklers or a firefighter that messes up the place is the theme, which is the message that we’re trying to send – contained fire with little damage or big fire with smoke damage throughout, lots of water, overhaul, and potential life loss.

Preparations for the International Code Council’s 2010 Spring Group A Final Action Hearings are in full swing! This year’s Spring Hearings in Dallas, Texas, offer you and your members the opportunity to affect the future of building safety and fire prevention...

With the help of its Science Advisory Committee, NASFM has updated the Smoke Alarms Guidance Document first issued in 2006.

Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms play an important role in protecting the public against carbon monoxide poisoning. Having a basic understanding of CO poisoning, CO alarms, how they are listed, and how they are to be installed and maintained is an important consideration for code authorities, especially those in jurisdictions where installation of CO alarms is required. Download PDF

A great deal of activity has been happening in South Carolina this month. For additional related SC stories, click here:

There has been a great deal of activity in Pennsylvania this month, click here for more news.

A host of new training opportunities, special reports and valuable tools have become available recently. Please click the following link for additional information on these opportunities

Under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, Underwriters Laboratories examined fire service ventilation practices as well as the impact of changes in modern house geometries. Two houses were constructed in the large fire facility of Underwriters Laboratories in Northbrook, Ill.