Fire Prevention Training

The Department of Fire Services is pleased to introduce a multi-level training program for fire prevention officers. The training will prepare them to receive credentials for each level of the training from the State Fire Marshal - Basic, Level I and Level II. The first level - Fire Prevention Officer - Basic has an e-learning component and is the first part of the training to be launched. This program is the introductory level of our new Fire Prevention Officer Credentialing program and is designed to address the need of everyday fire prevention activities across the Commonwealth by providing information on basic inspections, smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarms, liquid propane (LP) installations and oil burner installations. The Credentialing Program will be issued by the State Fire Marshal to any Massachusetts fire service individual. Individuals must be a member of a Massachusetts fire department or Department of Fire Services staff. The credential will be issued upon receipt of a completed application by any firefighter and verification of the successful completion of the training program and examination.

• 527 CMR 33 Hazardous Material Process or Processing Round Two Training  file size 1MB  
  The Division of Fire Safety in conjunction with other divisions that are interested, come together to discuss topics related to Fire Prevention such as Fire Prevention Codes, Enforcement, and other topics as needed on a quarterly basis. Topics include the following: CMR 1, 14, & 33. CMR 33: This training will be geared to providing a phase 2 approach on the regulation. This training will focus on a brief review of the introductory training, and causes of typical fires in these facilities. This class will focus on the requirements of category 5 and category 4 facilities, as we approach their deadlines for permit submission. Included will be suggested ideas and questions to determine compliance with the steps required. CMR 1 and CMR 14: This training will be an overview of 527 CMR 1.00 and 527 CMR 14, of the State Fire Code, dealing with the permitting and storage of flammable and combustible liquids in conjunction to the implementation of 527 CMR 33.

• Annual Liquor License Inspections – A Team Approach  September 2012
  Nightclub Inspections - DFS  file size 2MB  
  Nightclub Inspections - DPS  file size 1MB
  This program is designed to bring awareness to code officials of requirements pertaining to nightclubs type environments. Many of these code requirements apply to other facilities. The training emphasizes a team approach to the annual liquor license inspections by focusing on the various codes and enforcement authorities, which may be applicable for compliance and enforcement.

• 527 CMR 33 Hazardous Material Process or Processing Training  file size 2MB  
  This training is designed for the purpose of educating and informing local fire departments of the new regulation and it's requirements. The new regulation contains requirements of both facilities handling hazardous materials and the local head of the fire department. These requirements include the following: 1. Expand required permits to include additional hazardous materials and related material processing (as defined) that may not have been previously subject to a permit or related government oversight. 2. The permit will be issued by the local head of the fire department, who will also carry out an enhanced oversight role in implementing the regulatory requirements. 3. As a condition to such permitting, the regulation requires disclosure and information regarding the details about the hazardous material process activity taking place at the facility. 4. Once disclosed, certain requirements are established based upon category classification. 5. Maintaining the required permit is conditional upon continued compliance with regulatory requirements, which focus on preventive, protective, and safety control measures in conformance with recognized and generally accepted practices.

• Achieving Safe Housing - A Team Approach  file size 167MB  May 2012
  This program addresses the issue of illegal apartments and the development of strategies to achieve safe housing in communities. The training emphasizes a team approach to achieving safe housing by focusing on the various codes and enforcement authorities which may be applicable for compliance and enforcement. The program will define the problems relating to illegal and/or unsafe housing and the steps available, under Massachusetts law, to ensure that such housing is made safe.

• Blasting Detail Orientation  file size 37MB  March 2011
  This presentation covers the basic knowledge required by fire department personnel who will be working a blasting detail including the transportation, storage and use of explosive materials. The program also covers the regulation (527 CMR 13) relative to air blast, ground vibration and fly rock

• Fireworks  file size 25MB  February 2011
  This presentation covers the basics of the Massachusetts Fire Code (527 CMR 2) governing fireworks including recent updates to the regulation, which became effective March 4, 2011 and the new regulation, which go into effect on January 1, 2012.

• Shelter/Crowd Manager Training  file size 17MB  January, 2011
  This program covers recent amendments to 527 CMR 10 and 780 CMR concerning temporary emergency shelters in places of worship. The program also covers the upcoming implementation of the requirements in 527 CMR 10 for crowd managers in certain places of assembly.

• Requirements in 527 CMR 10 for Emergency Plans, Planning and Drills  file size 1MB December 2010
  This program details the requirements of 527 CMR 10.00 for the development of emergency plans for various occupancies. It also describes mandatory drills relative to those plans, for both the fire department and the building occupants; and the fire department's review of those plans.

• 8th edition of the State Building Code  October/November 2010
  This presentation provides an overview of the 8th edition of the State Building Code and highlights changes from the 7th edition.

• Photovoltaic and Wind Power  file size 2MB  November 2010
  Photovoltaic and wind power are becoming increasingly popular alternate energy sources. This handout will cover some of the fire fighter safety and code enforcement issues related to these energy sources. Green building construction will become more popular in the future and the fire suppression issues will need to be addressed.

  Reprinted with permission from the National Fire Protection Association, copyright ©2010, NFPA, all rights reserved, no portion may be reproduced or transferred without the express written approval of the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA acknowledges that some pictures came from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and disclaims any rights of ownership on such public domain material.

  This permission is for use by the State Fire Academy only, and may not be transferred or otherwise permitted.

• Fireworks Regulations - Fireworks 527 CMR 2  file size 3MB  June 2010
  This presentation summarizes the pertinent codes and regulations for fire prevention officers on supervised displays of fireworks in Massachusetts.

• BFPR Updates To Review New & Revised 527 CMR Sections   May 2010
  This program reviews changes and additions made by the Board of Fire Prevention. It provides an opportunity for fire service personnel to get information on the latest code changes.

• Hazard Classification for NFPA 13 Sprinkler Design   May 2010
  This presentation discusses the first step in properly designing a fire sprinkler system - identifying the hazard that the sprinkler system must be designed to protect.

• Permits Issued by the Fire Department - Chapter 148 and 527 CMR 1.00 - 50.00  file size 8MB  April 2010 This training reviews all permits required under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 148 and 527 CMR along with the proper forms to be used.

• Smoke & CO Requirements with emphasis on 527 CMR 32  file size 7MB  March 2010
  This training provides special emphasis on 527 CMR 32 along with Sections 26F and 26F½ of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148, and 7 ^th edition of the Massachusetts Residential Building Code, presenting requirements for fire alarm and carbon monoxide alarms in one and two family homes.

• The Court System & Fire Code Violations  file size 1MB February 2010
  A training program that covers the process and procedure used to bring fire code violators before the court system, including 148A ticket appeals. The program also provides information on the District and Housing Courts, the two courts most frequently used by fire prevention officers.

• Updated Combined Slide Presentations  Special Enhanced Sprinkler Protection for Buildings With Over 7,500 Sq. Ft. - Update to M.G.L. Chapter 148 § 26G, December 2009
  This program will present an overview of the enhanced sprinkler requirements of Chapter 148 § 26G that is enforced by the fire departments on a statewide basis. The presentation will cover the provisions of this law including the significant amendments effective January 1, 2010

  Commercial Cooking Operations Updates to 527 CMR 11.00, December 2009
  This program will review the revisions to the existing regulation and the new requirements for cleaning/inspection. 527 CMR 11.01 pertains to the design, installation, operation, cleaning, and maintenance of all public and private commercial cooking operations.

  Temporary Overnight Shelter from the Cold pursuant to 780 CMR Updates to 527 CMR 10.00, December 2009
  This program will review the revisions to 527 CMR 10 governing the regulations and requirements for the use of churches/places of worship used as temporary overnight shelters from the cold.

• Fire Alarm System Plan Review  file size 1MB  December 2009
  This training is an introduction to the basic fire alarm system requirements set forth in the Massachusetts State Base Building Code (780 CMR) - Seventh Edition. The training will focus on what type of fire alarm system is required by 780 CMR, and in what occupancies. In the training, the required information to conduct a proper FAS plan review will be reviewed.

• Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems (NFPA 13D/R)   November 2009
  This training reviews the history of residential fire sprinkler systems and the differences between the requirements for NFPA 13-commercial systems and residential fire sprinkler systems specified in NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R. The training also reviews when it is appropriate, and when it is not appropriate, to apply the various fire sprinkler standards based on Massachusetts codes and statutes. Common residential fire sprinkler system design errors and installation problems are addressed.

• Fire Sprinkler Plans Review  file size 3MB October 2009
  This training reviews the basic procedural and technical requirements for NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system installations/modifications, the required information for fire department submittals, and discusses typical and dangerous deficiencies in the plan submittals. The appropriate application of NFPA 13, NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R is also discussed.

• Fireworks Regulations - Fireworks 527 CMR 2  file size 26MB June 2009
  This presentation summarizes the pertinent codes and regulations for fire prevention officers on supervised displays of fireworks in Massachusetts.

• Overview of 148A/Role of Municipal Hearings Officer  June 2009
  The following PowerPoint is intended to offer a review of the relevant aspects on how to conduct an administrative hearing specifically as regards Chapter 148A for appeals of fire/building code citations. Although we believe this to be an excellent resource, the material provided is for convenience and reference only. Certification as a municipal hearings officer still requires attending a training course developed by the Attorney General's Office and offered periodically through the Department of Fire Services.

• BBRS-BFPR Update  file size 4MB May 2009
  Updates of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards and the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations, presenting regulation changes and proposed changes that occurred within the last year.

• Blasting - 527 CMR 13  file size 238MB April 2009 (238 MB - 10+ minutes to start)
  Section 13.00 of the State Fire Code, presenting the regulations governing the permitting, transportation, storage and use of explosives in commercial blasting operations.

• Large Fires & Lessons Learned  file size 10MB March 2009
  Large loss fires & lessons learned, presenting OSFM findings of code reviews of large loss residential fires that have recently occurred.

• Smoke and CO Alarm Inspection Requirements for One and Two Family Dwellings  file size 2MB February 2009
  Sections 26F and 26F½ of the Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 148, and 7 ^th edition of the Massachusetts Residential Building Code, presenting requirements for fire alarm and carbon monoxide alarms in one and two family homes.

• MGL 148 and 527 Training  file size 6MB January 2009
  Chapter 148 of the Massachusetts General Laws, and Section 1.00 of the State Fire Code, presenting an overview of the state fire laws and administration/enforcement provisions of the fire code.

• Special Training PowerPoints:

• Keep Warm Keep Safe Training for Fire and Building Officials  Fall 2008
  This training covers the appropriate building and fire code regulations regarding the installation and maintenance of heating appliances and provides public education materials and referral contact information for heating and fuel assistance. 

• USFA Coffee Break Training for Fire and Building Inspectors
  The U.S. Fire Administration provides brief overviews of topics of interest to fire and building inspectors that can be easily read and absorbed during a "coffee break."

• Resources:

• Smoke Alarm Regulations
• Carbon Monoxide Detector Regulations
• Keep Warm Keep Safe Toolkit
• School Wall Decorations