Animal Safety

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Animal Safety

August 27, 2025
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“One of the Family” 1880 | Frederick George Cotman

NFPA 150 Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code has entered its s025 revision cycle.   Many education communities are responsible for animal safety in academic units, research enterprises. museums and even — as in the United Kingdom — large farm animals that wander freely on campus with students, faculty and staff.  The number of colleges and universities that permit students to live with their pets has expanded; and with it the responsibilities of university administration.

From the document scope:

This standard shall provide the minimum requirements for the design, construction, fire protection, and classification of animal housing facilities.  The requirements of NFPA 150 recognize the following fundamental principles:

(1) Animals are sentient beings with a value greater than that of simple property.

(2) Animals, both domesticated and feral, lack the ability of self-preservation when housed in buildings and other structures.

(3) Current building, fire, and life safety codes do not address the life safety of the animal occupants. The requirements found in NFPA 150 are written with the intention that animal housing facilities will continue to be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the applicable building, fire, and life safety codes.

The requirements herein are not intended to replace or rewrite the basic requirements for the human occupants. Instead, NFPA 150 provides additional minimum requirements for the protection of the animal occupants and the human occupants who interact with those animals in these facilities. 

 

A full description of the project is linked below:

Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code

Access to the 2025 Edition is linked below:

FREE ACCESS NFPA 150

We provide the transcript of the back-and-forth on the current 2022 edition to inform how education communities can contribute to the improvement of this title; a subject that stirs deep feelings about animal safety in research enterprises.

NFPA 150 First Draft Agenda

NFPA 150 Second Draft Report

Public comment on the Second Draft of the 2025 Edition will be received until March 27, 2024.   

We have been advocating risk-informed animal safety concepts in this document since the 2013 Edition and have found that it is nearly impossible to overestimate the sensitivity of educational communities to the life safety of animals — either for agriculture or medical research.

We maintain the entire NFPA catalog on the standing agenda of our Prometheus colloquia.  See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.

 

Issue: [11-1] and [19-5]

Category: Fire Protection, Facility Asset Management, Academic, Risk Management

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Josh Elvove, Joe DeRosier

More:

Protecting Animals When Disaster Strikes

Animals 300

 

Bibliography:

25 Most Pet-Friendly Colleges

National Institute of Health: Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

International Building Code: Section 304 (Business Group B): Animal hospitals, kennels and pounds

Terrestrial Animal Health Code

IEEE Guide for Animal Deterrents for Electric Power Supply Substations

ASHRAE Animal Facilities

IEEE Livestock Monitoring System

Ventilation Design Handbook on Animal Research Facilities

HVAC Design in Animal Facilities

USDA Animal Welfare Information Center

ISO Assistance Dogs

US Department of Agriculture: Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations

S. 4288: Reducing Animal Testing Act

Guaranteeing safety of animals under risk of fire: conceptual framework and technical issues analysis

Protecting Animals When Disaster Strikes

 

Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

August 27, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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The Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Stillwater was named after David Boren, who played a significant role in securing funding for Oklahoma’s only animal medical research and clinical delivery facility during his tenure as the Governor of Oklahoma in the 1970s. An additional $250 million has been allocated by the state for upgrades and operational costs — essential for maintaining the program’s accreditation.

Standards Oklahoma | GHW Architect Tulsa  | Manhattan Construction Oklahoma City

https://vethospital.okstate.edu/

 

Electrical Trade Labor Standards

August 26, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Free Journeyman Electrician Practice Test 2025 Study Guide

United States national electrical trade standards prioritize safety, reliability, and economic efficiency in electrical systems. Governed primarily by the National Electrical Code upon which the University of Michigan has had a vote since 1996.

The NEC outlines requirements for wiring, equipment installation, grounding, and overcurrent protection to prevent hazards like electrical shocks, fires, and equipment failures. Compliance ensures safe operation in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Standards also promote energy efficiency, encouraging practices like proper insulation, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy integration to reduce costs and environmental impact.

Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) further enforce safety through regulations and product certifications. Adherence to these standards minimizes risks, ensures system longevity, and supports economic benefits through reduced energy waste and maintenance costs, fostering a safe and sustainable electrical infrastructure.

European Union electrical trade standards prioritize safety, interoperability, and economic efficiency across member states. Governed by the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU and harmonized standards from the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), these regulations ensure electrical equipment operates safely between 50-1000V AC or 75-1500V DC. Standards like EN 60335 address appliance safety, while EN 50110 outlines safe maintenance and operation practices. Compliance with CE marking requirements certifies adherence to safety, health, and environmental standards, facilitating market access.

For economy, the EU promotes energy efficiency through directives like the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC, mandating efficient lighting, motors, and renewable energy integration to reduce consumption and costs. National regulations align with EU standards, ensuring consistency. These measures minimize electrical hazards, enhance system reliability, and support sustainability by reducing energy waste, fostering cost-effective, safe electrical infrastructure across the EU’s diverse markets.

Non-profit organizations and unions play a critical role in training electricians, ensuring skilled, safe, and competent professionals. Organizations like the National Electrical Contractors Association And unions such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Offer structured apprenticeship programs combining classroom instruction with hands-on training.

These programs cover electrical theory, National Electrical Code compliance, safety practices, and emerging technologies like renewable energy systems. Non-profits often provide certifications, scholarships, and continuing education to promote workforce development. Unions advocate for fair wages and safe working conditions, while their training centers emphasize practical skills, ensuring electricians meet industry standards and contribute to reliable, efficient electrical systems.

Join us today with the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

 

Michigan Electrical Administrative Act §338.883

August 26, 2025
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The requirement for a licensed electrician and a certified inspector to perform and certify any electrical work above $100 is prohibitive for homeowners and facility managers. To the best of our knowledge, no other US state imposes this requirement. There are more efficacious approaches to supporting effective public electrical safety services.

Licensing and Regulatory Affairs | Electrical Administrative Board

Next Meeting: February 13, 2025 10:00 am

Meeting Minutes: May 2, 2024 

Meeting Minutes: August 8, 2024 (not yet available)

Meeting Minutes: October 31, 2024 (submittals for agenda items due September 26th)

Related:

Michigan Public Service Commission

MPSC takes next steps in enabling interconnection and distributed energy resources

Of considerable importance is the criteria set by this board to determine whether a journeyman electrician is permitted to practice his or her trade in the State of Michigan.

We have been advocating for changes to the State of Michigan Electrical Administrative Act that currently requires all electrical work valued above $100 to be installed by a licensed journeyman electrician and inspected by an accredited electrical inspector.    The $100 threshold was set decades ago and has never been challenged by another other advocacy enterprise representing the user interest.  Almost all of the stakeholders on the present Electrical Administrative Board are stakeholders who benefit economically from the $100 threshold.    Much of the reason for the apparent imbalance of interests lies in tradition; but also because no user interest has been present to advocate for an update of the formal, fee schedule.

This advocacy priority was on the Do-List of the original University of Michigan codes and standards advocacy enterprise which was focused on strengthening the voice of the user/owner/final fiduciary in the promulgation of regulations affecting Michigan educational facilities (CLICK HERE for link to the legacy Advocacy Project 14-1).   Of all the trades covered in the parent legislation — Stille-Derossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (Act 230 of 1972) — the electrical power discipline is the only discipline in Michigan building technology regulations that sets a dollar criteria for electrical work to be performed and inspected.   While we recognize the need for safe installation of the electrical power chain within a building; we propose another criteria for establishing the requirement for a licensed electrician and a licensed inspector should be determined (as it is in all other construction disciplines administered by the Bureau of Construction Codes, a division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs).

The actual text of the present regulation is available by clicking here:   338.881 Definitions | Electrical Administrative Act 217 of 1956

Father Marquette

As a consequence of former Governor Snyder’s Office of Regulatory Reinvention significant changes to both the Bureau of Construction Codes, a division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) have taken place within the past twelve months; which make us optimistic about political support for our proposals.   We will be collaborating with our colleagues at Michigan State University to make necessary legislative changes we believe will lower the #TotalCostofOwnership of education facilities in the State of Michigan.

We will refer the Michigan Electric Code, and other state electrical codes to the IEEE Education and Healthcare Facilities Committee which hosts bi-weekly breakout teleconferences with electrical professionals in the education facilities industry as required by the demand for them.

Electrical Administrative Board Responsibilities and Meeting Schedule

The next meeting of the Michigan Electrical Board is November 2nd.   We have been attending the meetings in Lansing and have made our proposal to revisit the dollar criteria known to the entire board.  We hope the Electrical Administrative Board will develop another criteria; inspired by the electrical administrative boards of other states.

Issue: [14-1]

Contact: Mike Anthony, Jack Janveja, Richard Robben, Kane Howard

Category: Electrical, State & Local Legislation

Link to Issue 14-1 Legacy Website

LEARN MORE:

Wide Variations in State Adoptions of the NEC® Reveal Neglect of Electrical Safety

 

 

Electrical Training Alliance

August 26, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Electrical Training Alliance | IBEW & NECA

For as along as the University of Michigan has held a position on the National Electrical Code, new generations of tradespeople have come to Ann Arbor to receive training and credentialling in the electrical trades.  Originally the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee and hosted at several facilities on the UM campus in 1992 the event has expanded to require space at nearby Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University.

FYI: Work Session on Aluminum Wiring (August 2015)

Performance-Based Electrical Power Chain Design

August 26, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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ICC Response to Performance Based Wiring Design Proposal July 2025

 

2025 Group B | Committee Action Hearing #1 | Starts April 27, 1 PM

2024 Chapter 27 Electrical

Video Recording of Floor Debate: IBC G153-25

IBC Chapter 27 Proposal

Group A Model Building Codes

Fire Alarm & Signaling Code

August 26, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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“Prometheus Bound” | Thomas Cole (1847)

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code is one of the core National Fire Protection Association titles widely incorporated by reference into public safety legislation.   NFPA 72 competes with titles of “similar” scope — International Fire Code — developed by the International Code Council.  We place air quotes around the word similar because there are gaps and overlaps depending upon whether or not each is adopted partially or whole cloth by the tens of thousands of jurisdictions that need both.

Our contact with NFPA 72 dates back to the early 2000’s when the original University of Michigan advocacy enterprise began challenging the prescriptive requirements for inspection, testing and maintenance (IT&M) in Chapter 14.  There are hundreds of fire alarm shops, and thousands of licensed fire alarm technicians in the education facility industry and the managers of this cadre of experts needed leadership in supporting their lower #TotalCostofOwnership agenda with “code-writing and vote-getting”.   There was no education industry trade association that was even interested, much less effective, in this space so we had to do “code writing and vote getting” ourselves (See ABOUT).

Code writing and vote getting means that you gather data, develop relationships with like minded user-interests, find agreement where you can, then write proposals and defend them at NFPA 72 technical committee meetings for 3 to 6 years.  Prevailing in the Sturm und Drang of code development for 3 to 6 years should be within the means of business units of colleges and universities that have been in existence for 100’s of years.  The real assets under the stewardship of these business units are among the most valuable real assets on earth.

Consider the standard of care for inspection, testing and maintenance.  Our cross-cutting experience in over 100 standards suites allows us to say with some authority that, at best the IT&M tables of NFPA 72 Chapter 14 present easily enforceable criteria for IT&M of fire alarm and signaling systems.  At worst, Chapter 14 is a solid example of market-making by incumbent interests as the US standards system allows.   Many of the IT&M requirements can be modified for a reliability, or risk-informed centered maintenance program but fire and security shops in the education industry are afraid to apply performance standards because of risk exposure.   This condition is made more difficult in large universities that have their own maintenance and enforcement staff.  The technicians see opportunities to reduce IT&M frequencies — thereby saving costs for the academic unit facility managers — the enforcement/compliance/conformity/risk management professionals prohibit the application of performance standards.  They want prescriptive standards for bright line criteria to make their work easier to measure.

While we have historically focused on Chapter 14 we have since expanded our interest into communication technologies within buildings since technicians and public safety personnel depend upon them.  Content in Annex G — Guidelines for Emergency Communication Strategies for Buildings and Campuses — is a solid starting point and reflects of our presence when the guidance first appeared in the 2016 Edition.  We shall start with a review of the most recent transcript of the NFPA Technical Committee on Testing and Maintenance of Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems

NFPA 72 First Draft Meeting (A2024)

Public Emergency Reporting Systems (SIG-PRS) First Draft

Public comment of the First Draft of the 2025 Edition is receivable until May 31, 2023.   As always, we encourage direct participation in the NFPA process by workpoint experts with experience, data and even strong opinions about shortcomings and waste in this discipline.  You may key in your proposals on the NFPA public input facility linked below:

https://www.nfpa.org/login

You will need to set up a (free) NFPA TerraView account.   Alternatively, you may join us any day at 11 AM US Eastern time or during our Prometheus or Radio colloquia.   See our CALENDAR for the online meeting.

Issue: [15-213]

Category: Fire Safety & Security, #SmartCampus, Informatics

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Joe DeRosier, Josh Elvove, Jim Harvey, Marcelo Hirschler

More

2013 NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (357 pages)

TIA-222 Standard For Towers And Antenna Supporting Structures

 

Emergency Communication Strategies for Buildings

 

ARCHIVE / NFPA 72

National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security

 

What California College Students are Wearing

August 25, 2025
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“Everything which is in any way beautiful is beautiful in itself….
That which is really beautiful has no need of anything”…
— Marcus Aurelius (Meditations)

No Logo Campus Apparel

Cheap Clothes and Costly Consequences

Textiles

Laundry

Evaluating devices to reduce microfiber emissions from washing machines

10 Tampa Bay

Liberty Bell March | John Philip Sousa

August 25, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Campus Child Day Care

August 25, 2025
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“The concentration of a small child at play
is analogous to the concentration of the artist at work.”

 

§
Page 522/523: 305.2 Group E, day care facilities for five or fewer children.
Page 624: Group E Security
Page 1440: Storm Shelters
§

Today at the usual hour we review a selection of global building codes and standards that guide best practice for safety, accessibility, and functionality for day care facilities; with special interest in the possibilities for co-locating square footage into the (typically) lavish unused space in higher education facilities. 

Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

International Building Code

    • Governs overall building construction, fire safety, occupancy classification, and egress requirements for daycare centers.

International Fire Code

    • Regulates fire prevention measures, emergency exits, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and evacuation protocols for daycare centers.

National Fire Protection Association

    • NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code: Addresses occupancy classification, means of egress, fire safety, and emergency planning.
    • NFPA 5000 – Building Construction and Safety Code: Provides fire protection and structural safety guidelines.

Americans with Disabilities Act

    • Requires daycare centers to be accessible for children and parents with disabilities, covering entrances, bathrooms, play areas, and signage.

European Norms – CEN Standards

    • EN 1176 – Playground Equipment and Safety Requirements: Covers safety standards for daycare playgrounds and outdoor spaces.
    • EN 16890 – Safety Requirements for Mattresses in Children’s Products.

British Standards (BS) for Early Years Facilities

    • BS 8300: Accessibility requirements for childcare facilities.
    • BS 9999: Fire safety guidance for daycare and educational buildings.

Australian Building Code & National Construction Code

    • Covers fire safety, structural integrity, ventilation, and child safety measures for daycare centers.

ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management

    • Establishes safety requirements for employees working in daycare facilities, ensuring a safe environment for both children and staff.

Canadian Building Code & Fire Code (NBC & NFC)

    • Provides structural, fire safety, and child safety guidelines for daycare centers in Canada.

“Kindergarten” 1885 Johann Sperl

Preschool Children in the Dome

Playgrounds

Kindergarten

 

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