The new legislation, introduced recently at the request of the NBFAA, is designed to establish a grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to promote professional retrofit installation of fire alarm detection systems and other fire prevention technologies in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and hospice facilities.

Congressman Arcuri has received support for his bill from the Assisted living federation of America, the National Fire Prevention Association, National Center for Assisted Living and the New York State Health Facilities Association, a state affiliate of the American Health Care Association.

"This bill promotes the installation of fire alarm detection systems in long-term health care facilities and we are very pleased to see that congressman Arcuri has worked with the NBFAA to ensure that fire safety in these facilities involves both detection and suppression," says George Gunning, NBFAA president.

"Only automatic and manual fire alarm systems give advanced notice to all of the occupants, staff and just as importantly, the fire departments and emergency first responders. Stand alone smoke alarms are not fire alarm systems and are not Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed for commercial use. The elderly in these facilities often cannot save themselves, and many times lack the hearing capacity to listen for the shrill beeping of a smoke alarm. Smoke detectors installed on a fire alarm system are UL listed for commercial use and have audio and visual notification appliances required by the Americans with Disabilities Act for the hearing impaired. It is this advanced warning that accounts for an impressive decline in fire deaths in the U.S.," explains Gunning.

"NFBAA is working closely with Rep. Arcuri to have the bill considered by the House Ways and Means, Health Subcommittee and sent to the full House for support this session of Congress," says NBFAA government relations committee chairman Michael Meridith, president, Security Equipment, Inc., Omaha, Neb "It is our second initiative in this Congress aimed at recognizing fire alarm detection as a vital part of fire prevention technologies. This is the first time that we are supported in this effort by other professional associations, especially in the long-term care industry"

The NBFAA believes that the life safety community must work together to ensure a balanced fire protection system so as not to rely on any one single fire prevention technology to protect lives and property.

"Fire alarm detection along with suppression/sprinklers is the formula for fire safety. In fact, the NBFAA has in the last year undertaken a national campaign entitled Fire Detection + Suppression = Fire Safety. It seems quite clear to our industry that in the past only sprinklers were considered when rules were developed. This is unfair to the elderly in these facilities, their doctors, nurses, health practitioners and staff, as well as the families of the elderly who rely on the facility to be fire safe utilizing all best efforts to include detection with suppression capabilities," adds Meridith.