Tax Incentives for Installing or Upgrading a Fire Sprinkler System Installing a fire sprinkler system helps protect people and property and reduces the impact of a fire emergency. Additionally, many building owners are surprised to learn that fire sprinkler installations and upgrades can also qualify for significant tax incentives. These incentives can help offset project […]
Northern Illinois Home Fire Sprinkler Communities Many communities across Illinois have updated or adopted new building and fire codes. These codes often reference NFPA 13D, the national standard for the installation of sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes. The goal of adopting NFPA 13D or requirements that exceed this standard is […]
Illinois PFAS Reduction Act Aqueous film-forming (AFF) foam is a fire suppressant used to extinguish flammable liquid fires. While this foam was once a crucial part of many fire suppression systems, research shows that AFFF contains toxic chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These substances have raised environmental and health concerns. Therefore, efforts […]
Updated Fire Sprinkler Contractor and Inspector Licensing Rules Are Now in Effect The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has adopted the updated Fire Sprinkler Contractor and Inspector Licensing Rules (41. Ill. Adm. Code 109). This statute is now in effect and requires that all fire sprinkler inspection staff be licensed after January […]
Fire Prevention Week 2023 On October 8th, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire broke out, wreaking havoc on the city. The two-day blaze killed over 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned over 2,000 acres of land. 152 years later, Chicago still remembers the horrific damage the fire left behind. In commemoration […]
Lake County Illinois Adopts New Building Codes In 2022, 86 people died across the state of Illinois in residential structure fires. To help prevent such tragedies in 2023 and beyond, the Lake County Board has adopted the 2018 series of International Code Council building codes, and these new building codes are now in effect. What […]
Check the Weight Before It’s Too Late In August 2023, the Libertyville Fire Department reported that many businesses were not compliant with current fire extinguisher codes. Chapter 6, Article V, Section 906.3 of the Libertyville Code of Ordinances states that the minimum size ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher permitted shall be 10 pounds. Fire safety […]
National Backflow Prevention Day On August 16th, 2021, the first National Backflow Prevention Day was celebrated nearly a century after one of the most tragic backflow incidents in U.S. history. The 1933 Chicago World Fair attracted people from all over the world to see the rapidly growing metropolis of Chicago. Unfortunately, two of the main […]
NFPA 25 Inspection Requirements The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a nonprofit organization. This organization is responsible for setting codes and standards for best practices in the fire protection industry. As advancements are made in sprinkler technologies and new methods are developed, the codes require regular updates. Recently, the NFPA has included new requirements […]
Make Eye Protection Part of Your 2023 Vision Workplace eye injuries send 20,000 people to the emergency room each year. To help raise awareness and prevent such accidents, the American Academy of Ophthalmology names July National Eye Injury Prevention Month. With half the year gone already, take some time to refocus your safety efforts to […]