Price for ABC multi-purpose fire extinguishing dry chemical skyrockets!

The price for ABC dry chemical, the most common fire extinguishing chemical found in portable fire extinguishers today, has increased over 150%. There are several reasons for the staggering increase.

The first reason is due to a higher demand worldwide for the primary ingredient in ABC dry chemical - monoammonium phosphate (MAP). MAP is also used in the production of fertilizer and the demand for fertilizer has increased more than 300% since 2007.

The second reason for the astronomical increase in ABC dry chemical prices is that there is a worldwide shortage of sulphur. Sulphur is used in the processing of the phosphate rock that is a base component of ABC dry chemical.

Finally, the surge in energy costs have significant impacted the overall production costs of ABC dry chemical.

What can consumers expect? Consumers will pay up to 30% more for new fire extinguishers containing ABC multi-purpose dry chemical than for those purchased at the start of 2008. Consumers will also pay up to 50% more to refill ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers after use.

News From the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently launched a new Sparky the Fire Dog® game to help children learn about emergency preparedness. The game, “Look and Learn,” is now available free online at www.nfpa.org. It stresses the importance of being prepared for an emergency by teaching children about items that should be included in an emergency supplies kit. 

The NFPA has recently developed an Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities in order to assist in the identification of the needs of people with disabilities in relation to evacuation.

Illinois News

The office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced a change in the rules and regulations concerning licensed fire equipment distributors and employees. The new rules took effect March 5, 2008.

Some of the important changes are listed below:

The minimum liability insurance requirement has been increased to $1 million.

Technicians licensed in any of the three categories will need to be certified and maintain ongoing certification through the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (Nafed). Technicians hired after March 5, 2008 will need to pass a Nafed test and obtain Nafed certification in the license category of interest (portable fire extinguishers, pre-engineered fire suppression systems and engineered fire suppression systems) as a prerequisite to obtaining a license.

Continuing education hours (8) per year, with documentation, will be required to renew certification.

Certification tags will change colors each year. The rotation will be as follows: 2008 - white; 2009 - yellow; 2010 - green; 2011 - blue; 2012 - white; 2013 - yellow; and so on.

Tamper indication seals will also need to be colored to match the color of the current certification tag.

The following standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have been adopted:

NFPA #10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (2007 edition)

NFPA #11 Low-Medium-High Expansion Foam (2005 edition)

NFPA #12 Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems (2005 edition)

NFPA #12A Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems (2004 edition)

NFPA #17 Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems (2002 edition)

NFPA #17A Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems (2002 edition)

NFPA #72 National Fire Alarm Code (2007 edition)

NFPA #96 Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations (2008 edition)

NFPA #750 Water Mist Fire Protection Systems (2006 edition)

NFPA #2001 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems (2004)

The new rules and regulations are available on the State Fire Marshal's web site at www.state.il.us/osfm/.

Illinois Fire & Safety Company’s President, Mr. Tom Farruggia, serves as an appointed member of the Illinois Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee Advisory Board through the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.