Hawaii Adopts NFPA 1 as State Fire Code

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For the first time, the state of Hawaii has adopted NFPA 1 as the state fire code, according to a news release from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The adoption of the code took effect at the beginning of this year.

The final decision to adopt the fire code was made by the State Fire Council which is comprised of Fire Chiefs from the four County Fire Departments. Members include Chief Ken Silva of the Honolulu Fire Department, Chief Darryl Oliviera of the Hawaii County Fire Department, Chief Bob Westerman of the Kauai Fire Department, and Chief Jeff Murray of the Maui Fire Department.

"We are very pleased that NFPA 1 has been adopted in Hawaii. It will be truly beneficial in helping us to ensure that all citizens of our state are better protected from the dangers caused by fires and explosions," said Chief Silva, Chair of the Hawaii State Fire Council.

The NFPA helped the Council by facilitating meetings of the Council's Fire Prevention Committee where members reviewed the code and determined amendments based on enforcement authority and other state and county statutes, according to the release. "The support that NFPA provided for this adoption effort is unprecedented. It allowed our staff to concentrate on the technical provisions and amendments, while the NFPA staff took care of secretarial duties. The result was the best fire code for the state," said Battalion Chief Socrates Bratakos of the Honolulu Fire Department.

The NFPA provides free programs to states that have adopted major NFPA codes and standards, Hawaii will receive their training in June. NFPA technical experts will covet the codes' requirements and the many ways they can be used and enforced.

For more information on the National Fire Protection Association or NFPA 1 visit www.nfpa.org.



Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com