So you were, "Blinded--by science?"

Ron Greenman 
...On the phone

On Nov 4, 2010, at 5:08 AM, "George Church" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Between the Marriott points and getting to sit next to Big John it was a
> very worthwhile experience.
> There was, however, the day JD brought in new Advanced Hydraulics questions
> and we had to do math.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ron Greenman
> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 5:24 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: Physical Science :)
> 
> That sounds a lot like Nevada. But on the topic of why does NICET use those
> ancient standards you need to remember they weren't ancient when the test
> was written. The cost of writing and vetting these tests, keeping them
> secure, and administrating the program are substantial.
> If the test questions for every field NICET tests for (remember sprinklers
> are just one field in four fire protection areas and fire protection is one
> field in….) were constantly updated every time a new edition hit the street
> the cost of testing would soar, eliciting more complaints. And though '96
> will probably remain the edition in use for the remaining guys still
> finishing up element testing I suspect the new tests will be based on newer
> editions although I'm only guessing.
> I was asked to help in the development process and like the cook from
> Lonesome Dove when propositioned by the prostitute, I had the necessary
> cash, the desire, and the ability, but I unfortunately did not have the
> time. I'd have loved a roll in the hay with the new tests.
> 
> On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 9:16 AM,  <[email protected]> wrote:
>> When the State or jurisdiction in question has not adopted the latest
> version of the building and fire codes and the AHJ directs you to use the
> Standards referenced in their adopted code and you have written confirmation
> to that effect, you design to what their State law says is valid at that
> time.  You document your reservations and concerns and proceed.
>> 
>> There are cases where an AHJ will allow you to design to a newer standard
> but you have to use the whole standard and not pick and choose parts of it,
> submitting it as an alternative method.  This is not uncommon in some very
> rural areas and especially in some States where the decision of what Codes
> to use falls upon local governments since there is no State law mandating a
> single code set or edition.
>> 
>> I had a project early in the year where there was no State adopted code,
> they deferred to the local jurisdiction, when contacting the local AHJ, they
> basically said we could use whatever we chose to, the only inspections they
> do were on septic tanks.  I asked who inspected fire sprinkler and life
> safety systems and was told they didn't inspect those systems.  In another
> area the AHJ stated that we were the engineers and he trusted our design to
> be right so he didn't review shop drawings or do inspections, we were to
> inspect our own work.
>> 
>> Working around the country it is sometimes quite surprising what you run
> up against when dealing with local authorities.  Consistency is something
> that is seriously lacking especially in our field.
>> 
>> Septic tanks are more important than life safety systems obviously.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Craig
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [email protected] 
>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of David 
>> Blackwell
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 11:58 AM
>> To: [email protected]
>> Subject: RE: Physical Science :)
>> 
>> Has anyone on the list gotten feedback from their insurance carrier
> regarding using an old code [like the 1996 edition mentioned in the email
> below]?
>> 
>> I'm guessing they wouldn't like you designing to such an old code minimum
> which had inadequate minimum standards that were later fixed in newer
> editions of the code.  One glaring difference between 2010 & 1996 is in the
> area of seismic protection which was upgraded after a couple of quakes in CA
> demonstrated the code minimum requirements in that arena were insufficient.
>  If I were out in private practice I would be trying to design to the
> current latest published editions so I didn't end up in court with a lawyer
> asking me why I didn't use a more current edition...
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> David W. S. Blackwell, II, PE, CFI-I, CFPE Engineering
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>> Office of State Fire Marshal
>> 141 Monticello Trail
>> Columbia, SC 29203
>> Phone:  803.896.9833
>> Fax:  803.896.9806
>> Email:  [email protected]
>> OSFM Website: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/firemarshal.asp
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [email protected] 
>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of 
>> [email protected]
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 9:56 AM
>> To: [email protected]
>> Subject: RE: Physical Science :)
>> 
>> Sorry but when doing in-depth code analysis', there is no way you could
> find every bit of information needed in a tabbed book versus doing a digital
> search unless you have all the time in the world.  There is stuff buried in
> these texts that is not in the index and unless you've stumbled across it
> before and tagged it, you'd never find it.
>> 
>> Digital is here, now, not waiting for the next generation.
>> 
>> As far as the question concerning why NICET uses particular versions, it
> is probably due to the amount of work involved with reworking a test.  Plus
> not all jurisdictions jump on the new Standard immediately upon its
> publication.  I still have many jurisdictions using the 2002 NFPA 13 and had
> one earlier in the year that was still on the 1996 version.  It would be a
> significant task to develop a new test each time a new standard came out.
>> 
>> Craig L. Prahl, CET
>> Fire Protection
>> CH2MHILL
>> Lockwood Greene
>> 1500 International Drive
>> Spartanburg, SC  29304-0491
>> Direct - 864.599.4102
>> Fax - 864.599.8439
>> CH2MHILL Extension  74102
>> [email protected]
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [email protected] 
>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Todd 
>> Williams
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 9:50 AM
>> To: [email protected]
>> Subject: RE: Physical Science :)
>> 
>> We old timers are used to paper, but the next generation will probably 
>> be much more geared to digital. Somehow NICET and others will need to 
>> adapt. Agencies are not going to continue print issues just for some 
>> open book testing agency. I agree that finding information in a tabbed 
>> text is still a lot quicker than a computer search. But perhaps 
>> testing agencies will have to provide computer access to certain 
>> reference materials as a part of the computer testing procedure.
>> 
>> Brian, as far as your question, I have wondered that as well. Perhaps 
>> they use a random number generator
>> 
>> 
>> At 09:21 AM 11/3/2010, you wrote:
>>> Here's a question for some of you veterans, how does NICET come up 
>>> with what year code will be on the test? I don't get why some of these 
>>> codes are 2,3, and greater revisions behind the current one....
>>> 
>>> Brian Harris
>>> FDFP Inc.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [email protected]
>>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of George 
>>> Church
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 9:22 AM
>>> To: [email protected]
>>> Subject: RE: Physical Science :)
>>> 
>>> Its not as easy as it sounds to change a 30-year old certification 
>>> program as you might think.
>>> While it's a PIA to drag around all the reference materials, you must 
>>> also appreciate the numerous concerns and integrity requirements and 
>>> restrictions faced by any testing agency. They need to prevent theft 
>>> of test questions, they need to make sure you are using a hand 
>>> calculator rather than allowing the possibility you'll run a calc 
>>> program on a PC or programmable calculator, that you know where to 
>>> look things up based on familiarity with the references rather than rely
> on a word search, etc.
>>> 
>>> NICET is moving along with PC-based testing at readily accessible 
>>> testing centers nationwide, with open scheduling and instant results. 
>>> It's a large undertaking with substantial volunteer contribution to 
>>> make it work. To speed it along, participate and donate your time and 
>>> energy to the industry that puts food on your table.
>>> 
>>> NICET is also facing some competition in the market which may or may 
>>> not produce other streamlining of the process, but it is what it is 
>>> and the integrity of the process demands checking and validating the 
>>> changes, and that all takes time. Think of the 4 years +/- some of us 
>>> have been involved in the process, lugging ourselves to Alexandria, 
>>> and -not to sound like the proverbial schoolteacher, but I remember 
>>> borrowing references from the Atlanta fire marshal so I had to spend 
>>> Fri afternoon going downtown, lugging the books to the car, getting 
>>> familiar with them Fri night, and lugging them to the exam and on 
>>> Monday AM back to City Hall. It builds character and memories, like 
>>> then-mayor Andrew Young getting in the elevator with me Fri and 
>>> observing what a fun weekend I must be stocking up for :)
>>> 
>>> glc
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [email protected]
>>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of 
>>> [email protected]
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 8:56 AM
>>> To: [email protected]
>>> Subject: RE: Physical Science :)
>>> 
>>> Really, all of our codes are now in digital format.  Much easier to 
>>> search and cheaper for the company.  NICET needs to come into the 21st 
>>> century with this.  It's just crazy lugging 30-40 lbs of reference 
>>> books to a test.  Had one test that was on 2nd floor and had to tote 
>>> the load up the stairs.  Just plain ridiculous.
>>> 
>>> Craig L. Prahl, CET
>>> Fire Protection
>>> CH2MHILL
>>> Lockwood Greene
>>> 1500 International Drive
>>> Spartanburg, SC  29304-0491
>>> Direct - 864.599.4102
>>> Fax - 864.599.8439
>>> CH2MHILL Extension  74102
>>> [email protected]
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [email protected]
>>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Todd 
>>> Williams
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 7:08 PM
>>> To: [email protected]
>>> Subject: Re: Physical Science :)
>>> 
>>> And don't forget to put index tabs on your references and take a 
>>> dictionary with you.
>>> 
>>> What are they going to do when al this stuff is on our iPads?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> At 06:39 PM 11/2/2010, you wrote:
>>>> Same here, Brian.  Of course I'm so old that when I took it with me 
>>>> it was only one volume, not two.
>>>> --
>>>> 
>>>> PARSLEY CONSULTING
>>>> 
>>>> Ken Wagoner, SET
>>>> 
>>>> 760.745.6181 voice
>>>> 
>>>> 760.745.0537 fax
>>>> 
>>>> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>e-mail
>>>> 
>>>> www.ParsleyConsulting.com <http://www.ParsleyConsulting.com>website
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On 11/2/2010 2:46 PM, Jamie.seidl wrote:
>>>>> The fire protection handbook. It's all I used.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Jamie
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Nov 2, 2010, at 5:08 PM, "Brian
>>>>> Harris"<[email protected]>  wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Any recommendations for good reference material for the Physical 
>>>>>> Science portion of the Nicet test?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Brian Harris
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> First Defense Fire Protection
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 11957 Ramah Church Road
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Huntersville, NC 28078
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Phone: 704.948.3506
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Fax: 704.948.3507
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Nicet # 128476
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> Todd G. Williams, PE
>>> Fire Protection Design/Consulting
>>> Stonington, CT
>>> 860.535.2080
>>> www.fpdc.com
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>> 
>> Todd G. Williams, PE
>> Fire Protection Design/Consulting
>> Stonington, CT
>> 860.535.2080
>> www.fpdc.com
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> --
> Ron Greenman
> Instructor
> Fire Protection Engineering Technology
> Bates Technical College
> 1101 So. Yakima Ave.
> Tacoma, WA 98405
> 
> [email protected]
> 
> http://www.bates.ctc.edu/fireprotection/
> 
> 253.680.7346
> 253.576.9700 (cell)
> 
> Member:
> AFSA, SFPE, ASCET, NFPA, NFSA, AFAA, ASEE, NIBS, WSAFM, WFC
> 
> They are happy men whose natures sort with their vocations. -Francis Bacon,
> essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626)
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