Purpose Statement: To be the principal source of technical, training and educational information essential for the specification and manufacture of reliable life safety products, their installation, performance, maintenance and inspection.
The Signaling Protection and Communication Section develops technical standards and guidelines for its products.
Product Scope
Audible and visual signals including bells, horns, speakers and strobes for use in fire alarm systems.
Automatic detectors for fire protection and other life safety hazards including heat, smoke, flame, gas, biohazard detectors, etc.
Smoke Alarms, CO Alarms and combination Alarms
Life safety protective signaling systems include:
Fire Detection and Notification
Mass Notification
First Responder Interface
Elevator Monitor Status
BAS and Smoke Control Interface
Suppression, Supervisory and other Special Hazard System Monitoring
Supervisory Signaling Station Notification
Electronic Security
Access Control
CCTV
Intrusion
Combination Systems
Two Voting Classifications have been authorized but are not yet organized
Paging Systems, Devices or Accessories Voting Classification paging systems, devices or accessories including those of the audible and visual type
Manual and Automatic Operated Contact Devices Voting Classification manual and automatic operated contact devices of the type principally used as accessories for, or components of products falling within the scope of the Signaling, Protection, and Communications Section
Health Care Communication and Emergency Call Systems Group
- Nurse Call Systems
Patient Monitoring
Patient Access Control
Click here for detailed product scope information.
Section Officers
Chair
Andrew Berezowski
ACS Fellow Advanced Systems Technology
Honeywell Fire Systems
agb@honeywell.com
Vice-Chair
Rodger Reiswig
Director, Industry Relations
SimplexGrinnell LP
rreiswig@simplexgrinnell.com
Staff
Vince Baclawski
(Technical Services)
vin_baclawski@nema.org
John J. Marcario
(Industry Programs)
joh_marcario@nema.org
Sarah Owen
(Government Relations)
sar_owen@nema.org
Technical Activities
Standards play a vital part in the design, production, and distribution of products destined for both national and international commerce. Sound technical standards benefit the user, as well as the manufacturer, by improving safety, bringing about economies in product, eliminating misunderstandings between manufacturer and purchaser, and assisting the purchaser in selecting and obtaining the proper product for his particular need.
NEMA devotes much of its time, effort, and resources to voluntary standardization activities. NEMA standards are offered and recommended to become American National Standards under the procedures of the American National Standards Institute, usually under the canvass method. This decision rests with the particular subdivision or subdivisions concerned. NEMA standards are also often submitted for consideration as IEC standards components or references. It is the intent of the association to continue its support of these, and many more, activities as the best method to continue providing sound and safe electrical products for the use of all.
Building Codes Committee
Propose: To develop NEMA proposals and comments on proposals on the codes and standards of other organizations that are under the Committee's purview. To identify candidates to represent NEMA on technical committees of other organizations that are under the purview of the Committee.
Jack McNamara, Chair
jack.mcnamara@us.bosch.com
Bill Adams, Vice Chair
billadamsapollo@aol.com
Installation Code Committee
Purpose: To develop NEMA proposals and comments on proposals on the codes and standards of other organizations that are under the Committee's purview. To identify candidates to represent NEMA on technical committees of other organizations that are under the purview of the Committee.
Rodger Reiswig, Chair
rreiswig@simplexgrinnell.com
Dan Finnegan, Vice Chair
daniel.finnegan@siemens.com
Manuals Committee
Purpose: The development and maintenance of standards publications, guides, brochures and white papers sponsored by the section.
Dan Finnegan, Chair
daniel.finnegan@siemens.com
Paul Turnbull, Vice Chair
paul.turnbull@siemens.com
Research Committee
Purpose: Directs Association and Industry-wide research projects in collaboration with other industry associations and groups
Isaac Papier, Chair
Isaac.Papier@Honeywell.com
Andrew Berezowski, Vice Chair
agb@honeywell.com
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Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Group
This group monitors local, state and federal regulations governing smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detection devices and tracks changes/additions to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards and the International Code Council (ICC) building codes.
Check out http://www.lifesafetysolutionsonline.com for more information on NEMAs Recommended Policies for State Adoption of Carbon Monoxide Detection Legislation, issue briefs and white papers on smoke and carbon monoxide detection, and position statements on state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives.
Debbie Hanson, Chair
dhanson@jardensafety.com
Richard Roberts, Vice Chair
Richard.Roberts@systemsensor.com
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Marketing and Promotion
The Section guides the development of industry-wide marketing and promotion of new technology for the purpose of increasing industry and consumer awareness. Sponsoring press releases, magazine articles and brochures, the Section works to increase awareness of the value of signaling, protection and communication products
Communications Committee
Purpose: Develops marketing, promotion and awareness projects for the industry through other associations such as Society of Fire Prevention Engineers, Residential Fire Safety Institute, National Fire Protection Association, etc.
Bob Boyer, Chair
bob.boyer@edwards.spx.com
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Government Affairs
Through NEMA, the section develops industry positions on legislative and regulatory initiatives that may affect member products, markets, and customers. NEMA's work has resulted in contributions to public policy development and in promoting competitiveness, technological progress, and public safety. On the Government Affairs homepage members can search for and e-mail federal representatives to convey opinions regarding energy policy or other issues related to the electroindustry.
NEMA impacts state and federal issues which impact life safety products by monitoring U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) activities, advocating on state and federal legislative and regulatory measures, and working to secure NEMA-championed provisions in fire, life safety, and building codes.
Government Affairs Committee
Purpose: Monitors and provides direction for federal and state issues impacting smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarm and detector products.
Jeff Brooks, Chair
jebrooks@simplexgrinnell.com
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Healthcare Communications and Emergency Call Systems Group
http://www.nema.org/prod/elec/sig/healthcare/
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Membership
Membership in NEMA is open to any firm actively engaged in the manufacture in North America of a product within the NEMA scope and for sale in the open market. Membership of foreign firms is subject to product section policies and NEMA Board of Governors approval.
NEMA operates on a fee-for-service basis. Each product section establishes its projects and activities and approves an annual operating budget. Visit Joining NEMA for more information on membership.
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