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Registration Fees

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Full Conference Monday/Tuesday $250.00  includes Continental breakfast each day, luncheon each day, all breaks and Dinner on Monday evening

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Single Day Attendance                   $ 105.00     includes Continental breakfast, luncheon and all breaks

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Extra Dinner guest                          $ 55.00

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Regular Registration Deadline is April 11th

$50.00 late fee will be assessed for registrations received after this date

Registration cutoff is April 25th no registrations will be accepted after this date

 

Please note that all registrations must be submitted online regardless of the method of payment. If you require a hard copy for internal use or to process payment a hard copy is available to be printed.  Payments may be mailed with a copy of the registration form. If you require an invoice you can print from the online registration, any issues email Rick Tustin directly.

 

CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

May 12, 2025

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730am             Registration Continental breakfast

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9am                 Welcome – Opening Ceremony

                       

                       

930am             A1 –   10th Ed Building Code overview – Jake Nunnemacher DFS                     

                            The 780 CMR – 10th Edition will become the sole building code enforceable on July 1st, 2025.  This session will present the new 780 CMR – 10th Edition (Base Code, Existing Building Code, and Residential Code) highlighting the significant changes to the code and introducing new concepts.  It will be tailored to the local fire prevention officer’s duties in their review of fire protection and life-safety systems as required by 780 CMR.                                   

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1030am           Break

 

 

11am                A1 – 10th Ed Building Code overview continued

                                                

 

12pm  Lunch

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1pm                 B1 – Lithium-Ion Batteries: Micromobility and Vehicles – for the Fire Service– Bob Duval NFPA

                            This session will review the functioning and associated hazards presented by lithium-ion batteries in use in society today. These include household products, micromobility devices, and electric vehicles. The first portion of the program will review battery chemistry and the process of thermal runaway. Next there will be a review of recent incidents involving thermal runaway and malfunctioning devices and vehicles, and how the fire service was or may be impacted by similar incidents. Throughout the program, fire fighters, fire investigators/inspectors will be shown how these battery technologies impact fires, their aftermath and how their investigations/inspections will be affected. With battery fires occurring each day around the world, becoming familiar with this technology is vitally important to the fire service and fire protection communities.

 

                            B2 – Introduction to lithium-ion battery hazards – Kurt Ruchala Jensen Hughes

                            This session will introduce stakeholders to the complexities of battery energy storage system (BESS) technology, safety considerations, and risk assessment. Participants will learn about the potential risks associated with BESS and the relevant industry guidelines and regulations, with a focus on fire and explosion hazards and protection methods. The session will also include a detailed checklist for AHJs to understand what information to ask for, and how to understand that BESS hazards are being appropriately evaluated and protected

 

                      

230pm            Break and visit exhibitors

 

3pm                 C1 – Construction Safeguarding – Chris Towski and Bob Duval

                        This session will build on NFPA 241 safeguarding construction with an emphasis on the collapse of buildings and what fire prevention professionals need to know.  With the recent collapses of buildings under construction such as was just seen in Brookline this topic is timely.

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                            C2 – NFPA 4 – What You Really Need to Know and Living in the Gray – Adapting to Emerging Challenges – Jen Hoyt – CRC

                            This session Part 1 - All new and existing high-rise buildings and buildings with smoke control are required to demonstrate Integrated Fire and Life Safety System Testing in accordance with NFPA 4 prior to occupancy. Testing must be completed with a report submitted to the AHJ prior to the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy and witness of AHJ acceptance testing. This not only applies new buildings, but also existing buildings where: new fire protection or life safety systems are installed and integrated into existing fire protection and life safety systems; existing fire protection or life safety systems are modified to become part of an integrated system; or changes are made to site-specific software for an individual system that is a part of an integrated system. Code Red will present a high-level overview of NFPA 4 integrated testing and what it means from an enforcement standpoint.

                             Part 2 - How do we evaluate fire safety design when the concept is in development, or too new to be adopted into code? Code Red will discuss the approach to evaluating energy storage systems, electric vehicle parking in garages, fire risk exposure analysis and other emerging challenges faced by fire prevention officers which fall somewhere outside the black and white prescriptive code requirements. We will discuss a process for identifying the hazards, utilizing prescriptive code requirements, and finding and applying currently available research to navigate a path from concept to reality in these increasingly challenging circumstances

                       

530pm             Social Hour – Cash Bar

 

630pm            Dinner  (Included in full program registration)

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May 13, 2025

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8am                 Registration Continental Breakfast

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9am                 Business meeting –

 

930am             D1 – 780 CMR 428 and 527 CMR 26 – Jon Eisenberg

                            Historically, the Massachusetts building and fire codes contained 2 approaches for laboratory design and operation:  Control Areas and Group H, High Hazard occupancies.  Owners and tenants, particularly on levels above the 3rd Floor, are often challenged to maintain compliance with the Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs) of hazardous materials in storage and in closed system & open system use.  A work group was appointed by the BFPR in 2022 to draft new provisions for Laboratory Suites in 527 CMR 26 and 780 CMR 428.  The building code provisions for lab suites were accepted by the BBRS in 2024 and are included in the 10th edition of 780 CMR.  This presentation will cover the requirements for laboratory suites and the advantages of using this design & operational approach.  Example lab facilities will be shown to illustrate the lab suite concepts.

                           

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                        D2 – Bi Directional Antennas – When are they needed, what does the FP official need to know- Mark Cady LB Comms LLC

                            Bi directional antennas are crucial for FF communications safety when working in large buildings.  This session will explore when bi directional antennas are required, what the FP officer need to work with other officials and building representatives and the importance of maintaining these systems.                        

 

1030am           Break

 

 

1100am            E1 – Hazards, Mitigation and Pre-Planning for the installation of Photovoltaic Systems on Roofs and Facades–                                                       Tim Rodrique  FM Global

                             This session will review the issues with integration of building systems with PV systems. Included will be a review of a PV pre plan documents 

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                         E2 – From Tragedy to Transformation: How Massachusetts Fires Shaped Modern Fire & Life Safety Policies"-

                                 Joshua Shanley DFS

                         This session explores how major historical fires in the Commonwealth have influenced fire safety regulations, training programs, and public education initiatives.               

 

                                       

12pm              Lunch

 

1pm                F1 – Low Frequency Smoke Detectors requirements for R1 and R2 occupancies– RSI

                           This session will review the requirements for low frequency smoke detectors in R1 and R2 occupancies as noted in the 10th edition of 780 CMR

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                           F2 – Emerging Hazards & Cascading Failures: Preparing for Complex Disasters" Joshua Shanley DFS

                           This session examines evolving fire and life safety risks, emphasizing interconnected hazards and the challenges they present for emergency response and public safety planning

                       

                       

2pm                Break

 

230pm            G1 – Auxiliary Dwelling Units – Jake Nunnemacher - DFS

                           This session will briefly cover the new 760 CMR 71.00 regulation on Protected Accessory Dwelling Units.  However, the primary focus of the session is the building and fire code requirements for the construction of new accessory dwelling units whether as single free-standing unit (including Tiny Homes), an addition to an existing home, or the creation of an unit in existing home.  To facilitate a better learning experience, many examples will be used throughout the presentation.​

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                        G2 – Navigating 13D Sprinkler System Requirements: Inspection, Maintenance, and Community Impact –

                               Tom Poirier, Tim Healy Hopkinton Fire

                          Join us for an in-depth discussion on the inspection requirements for newly installed NFPA 13D sprinkler systems, along with insights from our experience managing over 1,200 systems in our community. We’ll cover key considerations for both new and existing systems, including maintenance needs and common challenges. To highlight the real-world impact of residential sprinklers, we’ll share examples of sprinkler saves in our community and discuss strategies to help increase system adoption in yours. While we’ll touch on updates from the 2019 edition of 13D, our focus will be on practical applications and lessons learned. Whether you're refining your inspection process or looking to expand residential sprinkler use, this session will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies.

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330pm             Conference ends

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Vendor Day

Monday May 12th

Plan to visit with our Vendors during the day.

Their support helps to make our conference a success.

Vendors will be available from 8am to 5pm

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ACCOMODATIONS

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Hotel Accommodations – Wellsworth Hotel 135.00 plus tax

Lodging reservations made directly with Hotel – 508-765-8000  Please state Fire Prevention Association of MA  when making reservation.

Reservation must be made by April 10, 2025

 

Do not include the hotel and conference registration fees together.

 

Please read carefully:  All registrations received after April 11, 2025 will be assessed a $50.00 late fee.  Deadline to register will be April 25, 2025

Anyone canceling their registration up to ten days before the beginning of the conference will receive a full refund of their fees minus a $35.00 cancellation-processing fee.  All cancellations must be in writing.  Telephone cancellations will not be accepted unless a letter of cancellation immediately follows them. Email cancellations will be accepted.  The FPAM will charge conferees a $25.00 return check fee to cover administrative costs.

Additional Conference information can be found at:

    www.massfpam.org

Conference questions may be directed to

Rick Tustin; email rltustin@comcast.net or 339-221-3629

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Please make checks payable to F.P.A.M.

Return registration form with full payment to:

FPAM Conference Registration

PO Box 2144

Amherst, MA.  01004-2144

Credit card payments may be made via PAYPAL at

www.massfpam.org