Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Acceptance Testing, IBC/IFC Ch. 10: Means of Egress, IBC/IFC Ch. 8: Interior Finish, Decorations, and Furnishings
Presented by John Swanson, National Fire Sprinkler Association
See TVSFPE 2025 Annual Seminar Flyer.pdf
TVSFPE will host a two-day course covering three topics. The first topic will provide participants with the requirements from the IFC or NFPA 1, NFPA 13, and NFPA 72 related to fire sprinkler and fire alarm acceptance testing. Criteria ensuring the two fire protection systems work together will be addressed, along with potential issues inspectors should look for while conducting final inspections. Compliant vs. noncompliant methods for transmitting the fire alarm (and waterflow) signals from the protected premises to the supervising station will also be discussed.
The second topic will provide attendees with the requirements from IBC/IFC Chapter 10 related to means of egress. Topics to be discussed include how to determine occupant load based on the occupant load factors in Chapter 10, how to determine the minimum egress width requirements, specific exiting requirements for magnetic locks (delayed egress, special locking arrangements, etc.), door swing, and evaluation of different exit scenarios (using photos) to discuss if a violation is present or not.
The last topic will cover the IFC (and IBC) Chapter 8 requirements regulating interior finish, decorations, and furnishings. Topics to be discussed include, discussing history and why interior finish is a concern, occupancy specific requirements covered in Chapter 8, along with how to address decorations and furnishings for the different occupancy classifications.
Instructor:
John Swanson currently serves as NFSA’s Codes and Standards Specialist. In this role he provides training and education and represents NFSA on code development and technical committees. Prior to joining NFSA, John spent 20 years as a Deputy State Fire Marshal-Inspector/Plan Reviewer with the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division and served 8 years as a Firefighter with the City of Lakeville, Minnesota. He currently serves as a Principal member of the NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Technical Committee and the International Building Code (IBC) Fire Safety Committee. He serves as a contract instructor and subject matter expert for the International Code Council (ICC) and has assisted with development of ICC exam content. In 2013, John was appointed by MN Governor, Mark Dayton to serve as the fire service representative to the Minnesota Board of Architecture and Engineering.
Location:
This seminar will be held at the Bearden Banquet Hall: 5806 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919.
Seminar registration cost is $500 for professionals and $250 for fire service and state/municipal code officials. The registration cost does not include travel or lodging expenses. Registration and payment deadline is March 21, 2025. You will receive a confirmation of receipt of registration form and payment. A receipt and map/directions (if requested) will accompany the confirmation. Please register online or mail the completed registration form, with payment, to:
TVSFPE 2025 Seminar c/o Justin Gardner
1310 Centerpoint Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37932
The seminar will consist of a morning session and an afternoon session each day with a lunch break in between. The morning sessions will begin at 8:00AM and end at approximately 11:30AM each day. There will be a one-hour lunch break from 11:30PM to 12:30PM. The afternoon sessions will begin at 12:30PM and end at approximately 4:00PM each day.
***Class materials will be provided electronically. Printed class materials are available for an extra charge.***
The seminar is an excellent opportunity to accumulate CEUs or PDHs. This seminar will provide 14 continuing education credits. The State of TN, pending approval, will issue 14 CEUs for Fire Inspector and Building Inspector. Participants will receive class materials, breakfast and lunch both days, and a
certificate of completion for the course.
For any questions about registration, seminar details and/or the TVSFPE in general contact David DeVinney at (270) 303-5976 or david.devinney@tvsfpe.org.
A portion of seminar proceeds will be applied to the TVSFPE Scholarship Fund, which allows us to provide an annual scholarship to students pursuing formal education in the field of fire protection.
