NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH
THE NATIONAL CARBON MONOXIDE AWARENESS ASSOCIATION
Emmitsburg, MD – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is humbled to partner
with the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) in efforts to improve
firefighter safety. Recently code proposals were submitted to enact changes to the International
Fire and Building Codes which would establish uniform baseline requirements for carbon
monoxide (CO) alarms in all new and existing commercial buildings that have fuel-burning
appliances or have attached garages. At the end of September 2021, following a defeat on these
proposals at the spring code development hearings, there was a hearing to reconsider both
proposed code changes, IFC-102 and IFC-116. Thanks to great work by many involved,
including testimony from the NFFF, both proposals received 2/3 approval by the ICC
Membership at the public comment hearing. The next step is to pass the online governmental
consensus voting which will then complete the process for this change in the 2024 ICC Code
documents.
Why is this important? CO poisoning accounts for 95,000 reported poisonings annually. Health
effects of CO poisoning range from fatigue, dizziness, and headaches to long-term neurological
disabilities. When members of the public are exposed to CO, so are firefighters. In many
instances, both the victim and the firefighters are not aware that CO is the source of the
emergency it is determined through atmospheric monitoring, which may be too late in preventing
lethal exposure.
How can you help? The Online Governmental Committee Vote will take place October 15,
2021, through November 1, 2021. If you or your agency possess ICC voting privileges, please
review the final proposals and vote in support of these proposals. Doing so will reduce risk to the
public and firefighters.
