Since its inception in the 1940s, Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) have evolved into a series of sophisticated protection devices that have increased the protection of people from electric shock. It has also allowed for greater degrees of safe electrical power usage among numerous applications in all types of environments. Since its introduction in the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the 1970s, GFCIs have saved thousands of lives. This important technology received full attention on Monday during an early morning session at NFPA’s Conference & Expo in Boston. The special panel event paid tribute to the winner of the 2022 Phillip J. DiNenno Prize, Electrical Shock Hazard Protection by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Protection. The session introduced Jack Wells, primary associate at Pass & Seymour (P&S) and Henry Zylstra, author and holder of numerous patents pertaining to single-pole, two-pole, and other types of GFCI breaks. During the panel session they shared stories about their involvement in the development and commercialization of GFCI technology. Together with Alan Manche, Schneider Electric, and Steve Rood, Legrand Electrical Wiring Systems, they also discussed and helped review the role GFCIs have played in electrical safety over the years. Both Wells and Zylstra served as legacy presenters of the DiNenno prize at a special “Stars at Night” award ceremony last night at the conference. Widespread installation of GFCI protection throughout the built environment has directly led to significant, quantifiable increases in society’s current levels of electrical safety. And as the panel agreed, GFCI technologies will continue to prevent tragedies attributable to electrocutions even more so in the future. The Phillip J. DiNenno Prize recognizes pioneering innovations that have significantly impacted building, fire, and electrical safety. The prestigious award is named for the late Philip J. DiNenno, the greatly respected former CEO of Hughes Associates, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to fire safety. Read the full release about the winner of the 2022 DiNenno Prize.  

According to weather experts, in the last two years the Atlantic region has witnessed some of most active hurricane seasons on record marked with intense storm activity and causing billions of dollars of damage to many coastal communities. This year, as we enter another hurricane season (June – November), experts encourage people living in storm-prone areas to prepare as early as possible due to expected above-average activity this summer. To help residents navigate this storm season, NFPA provides the following electrical safety tips that can help reduce the risk for injury before, during, and after a storm: Listen to local weather reports for current weather and flooding conditions Turn off utilities if instructed to do so by authorities and turn off propane tanks. Stay out of flood waters, if possible, and do not drive into flooded areas. Even water only several inches deep can be dangerous. Treat all downed wires as if they are live even if you don't see any sparks, and especially if there is standing water nearby. Alert authorities immediately if you see downed wires in your area. If your home has experienced flooding, it's important to keep your power off until a professional electrician has inspected your entire home for safety, including appliances. Water can damage the internal components in electrical appliances like refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, and cause shock and fire hazards. Have a qualified electrician come visit your home and determine what electrical equipment should be replaced and what can be reconditioned. If you smell gas in your home or neighborhood, notify emergency authorities immediately. Do not turn on lights, light matches, or engage in any activity that could create a spark. In the event that electricity may not be available to your home and you have not experienced any water in your home, generators are a viable option to power some of your small appliances. However, if used improperly they also pose a fire hazard, risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and electrocution. The following are key guidelines for using a portable generator: Generators should be operated in well ventilated locations outdoors away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open. Place generators so that exhaust fumes can't enter the home through windows, doors, or other openings in the building. NFPA's safety tip sheet on portable generators provides these steps and more to help keep you safe. For any questions or concerns about your home's electrical system, including after a storm, contact a qualified electrician who can help, and visit our electrical safety webpage for additional tips and resources. Related information can found on NFPA's “emergency preparedness” webpage.

June marks the start of hurricane season bringing with it strong and damaging storms that will impact many parts of the U.S. As such, building owners and managers of industrial and commercial facilities in these areas could find themselves working through the daunting process of disaster recovery once the initial danger has passed. When electrical systems are damaged in a natural or man-made disaster, electricians need to make a critical decision about whether the electrical equipment that was damaged can be salvaged or not. NFPA has created a checklist for electricians to help highlight and simplify key aspects of this decision-making process. The checklist builds off of recommendations in Chapter 32 of NFPA 70B, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance (2019 edition), and includes: A list of disaster scenarios, which can inflict damage of varying degrees to facilities Steps for assessing equipment A priority assessment table Steps to help identify factors for replacement or repair The choice between repair and replace will not always be easy but following these simple suggestions can help make the difference between an impossible task and an informed decision. Download the free “Natural Disaster Electrical Equipment Checklist” and review the information. Having this information at your fingertips will be extremely valuable should your community call on you for your electrical experience and assistance in the aftermath of a storm or other weather-related event.   Need additional information? NFPA 70B is now available in NFPA LiNK™, the association’s information delivery platform with NFPA codes and standards, supplementary content, and visual aids for building, electrical, and life safety professionals and practitioners. Learn more at nfpa.org/LiNK.

In every community, home fires pose a severe threat to residents and responding firefighters. This year, we honored Home Fire Sprinkler Week on May 15 – 21 by bringing to light the many life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers and how they can help protect the people we love. But even as this year’s campaign ends, we know there’s still more work we need to do. The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) and the NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative remind everyone of the wealth of free resources available to support your ongoing sprinkler activism. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned educator, take advantage of our powerful educational tools including videos, animations and graphic art, reports, messaging, and so much more. Examples include: Resources for the fire service Educational resources and presentation materials for Authorities Having Jurisdiction and developers Virtual reality immersive presentation kits Consumer information A big “thank you” to everyone who participated in Home Fire Sprinkler Week! With more public awareness and education and outreach to local decision-makers about sprinkler protection, we can make a difference and help prevent injuries and save lives. Learn how by visiting the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition website today.

The NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) are pleased to announce they have awarded Michael Wos with the 2022 “Bringing Safety Home” Award. With this award, Wos, the executive director of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation and a fighter/paramedic with the City of Oshkosh, receives a $1,000 grant to further fire sprinkler advocacy and educational efforts throughout state. To those who know him, Wos has been a champion for the lifesaving benefits of fire sprinklers for many years. Among his advocacy work, he has included home fire sprinkler information in the Newspapers in Education program every year, reaching more than 500,000 readers, including students in 2,000 schools.  He worked with coalition partners to build a 700-square foot educational structure with installed home fire sprinklers at the Metropolitan Builders Association Home Show. Wos also has conducted live fire sprinkler demonstrations at the State Capitol and at Madison’s Brat Fest, which is attended by more than 150,000 people. Wos is currently the chair of the Wisconsin Fire Sprinkler Coalition. The Bringing Safety Home Award is great opportunity to raise awareness of home fire sprinklers for those who may not otherwise know about this life-saving technology. Each year, the award recognizes outstanding efforts by a safety advocate who diligently promotes the importance of home fire sprinklers. It honors members of the fire service and other fire sprinkler advocates in North America who use HFSC educational material, NFPA data, and Fire Sprinkler Initiative resources to educate decision-makers about the importance of home fire sprinklers. NFPA and HFSC congratulate Michael Wos on his award and for his continued commitment to making new homes safer from fire! Learn more about the benefits of home fire sprinklers and how you can become a safety advocate in your area by visiting the HFSC website.

Josh Gropper was experiencing a day like any other and preparing for a final exam for law school in Boston, when his father called to tell him that Danny, his younger brother, had been badly injured in a house fire. While the cause of the fire has not been fully determined, at the time of the incident, there were no working smoke alarms in the building. Danny, Josh was told, had suffered severe injuries, with burns covering 78 percent of his body. Danny survived but his recovery would be slow and take many years. In the ensuing days after the fire, Josh moved closer to home in New York, changed schools, and dedicated himself to helping his younger brother heal. One of the first things Josh did was find a good lawyer to guide Danny and their family through the legal process. Josh says this experience made him realize how critical it is to have a quality, caring lawyer by his family’s side, someone who was a strong advocate for Danny and others like him whose lives have been tragically altered by severe injuries. Through this revelation, rather than continue to pursue his path in corporate law, Josh changed the course of his professional career and moved into personal injury law. His work and devotion to helping his brother live a full life led him to the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors where Danny and their family found the ongoing peer support and resources they needed and a place to connect with others. It also opened the door for Josh to see how he could combine his knowledge and expertise in the law with his true passion for helping people in need. As Josh tells it, his entire adult life has been shaped by his and his brother’s experience. Today, through his law practice he has been able to support survivors and empower them to live their best life; his law firm has also become partners of the Phoenix Society’s mission and programs. Together with other fire and life safety advocates, Josh continues to educate people about effective burn prevention, burn care and equality, and raise awareness of fire safety, including the importance of having working smoke alarms in homes as a first line of defense in saving lives. Read Josh and Danny’s powerful story on the Phoenix Society’s website. Resources including tip sheets, videos, and related information is available on NFPA’s smoke alarms webpage.