NFPA 1700 - Guide for
Structural Firefighting
Joseph M. Jardin, PE
Battalion Chief – FDNY
Rescue Operations Battalion
Chair – FCO-AAA
Richard “Smokey” Dyer
Chief, KCFD (Ret)
Briefing OBJECTIVES
• Convey Accurate Overview of Project History/Status
• Overview Document Scope & Purpose
• De-Conflict Rumors and innuendo
• Encourage Fire Service Engagement in the Document
development Process
• Provide guidance for how to impact NFPA 1700
Note – This Presentation is not delivered in an official capacity as a member of the
FDNY. These statements represent the opinions of the presenter as the TC Chair
and not necessarily those of the FDNY.
Social Media Myths
• Firefighter Basic Blog: “Thoughts on NFPA 1700”
• Some of you may know this but the NFPA is currently in the works
of creating a standard on fire attack.
• Furthermore is a consensus tactical guide needed? Will it include
information on staffing, equipment, fire conditions, response times,
or the make up of our jurisdictions? Will it cover all the variables
that go into deciding which fire attack method to pick?
• The release of NFPA 1700 may push the fire service farther apart
and cause irreparable damage to certain tactics and skills that may
hurt the fire service and our citizens in the long run.
Social Media Myths
NFPA Project Initiation
NFPA Project Initiation
FCO-AAA
• Committee Title: Committee on the Fundamentals
of Fire Control within a Structure Utilizing Fire
Dynamics
• Committee Scope: The Committee Shall have
Primary Responsibility for Documents Relating to
Techniques and Methods used in firefighting based on
accepted scientific principles and research in the field
of fire dynamics
TC Member
Expectations
• “We are now a profession”
• “Develop Common Language”
• “Historic”
• “Transformational”
• “Research to Application Funnel”
• “Major Global Impact”
• Replacing “Trades” understanding with science & “Impact
Fire Service in a way that NFPA 921 impacted Fire
Investigations” (Dyer)
Document Development
Scope – This Guide* addresses structural firefighting
strategy, tactics, and tasks as supported by science based
research.
Purpose – The purpose of this document is to provide
guidance for the development of policies, procedures and
guidelines including strategies, tactics, and tasks for
structural firefighting supported by science-based research.
Application – The intent of this guide* is to provide
guidance on the application of science-based research
supporting firefighting practices recognizing that the life
safety of the public and the first responder is the highest
incident priority.
*GUIDE
Guide -an NFPA Standard that is advisory or informative
in nature and that contains only nonmandatory provisions.
A guide may contain mandatory statements such as when a
guide can be used, but the NFPA Standard as a whole is
not suitable for adoption into law.
Activity
- Draft Development
- 4 TC Meetings from Dec ‘15 – Feb ’17
- Multiple Phone Conferences
- 1 TG Meeting at NFPA, Quincy
Draft Document
Organization
Chapter 1 Administration
Chapter 2 References
Chapter 3 Definitions
Chapter 4 General
Chapter 5 Fundamental of Fire Science
Chapter 6 Fire Dynamics in Structures
Chapter 7 Building Construction and Structural
Considerations
Draft Document
Organization
Chapter 8 Firefighting Protective Clothing and Equipment
Characteristics and Limitations
Chapter 9 Strategic Considerations
Chapter 10 Tactical Considerations
Chapter 11 Exposure and Hygiene Considerations
Chapter 12 Fire Specific Tactical Considerations
Chapter 13 Implementation
Annex – Sample (or Template) S.O.P. / S.O.G.
Engagement Points
www.nfpa.org/1700
Questions
• Joe Jardin
• [email protected]
• Twitter: @joejardin