PRESS RELEASE

NBFAA and Rep. Arcuri Succeed with Life Safety Legislation
Association Urges Industry Support to Preserve Language in Senate

Irving, Texas, June 18, 2008 - The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) Government Relations team met with success as they recently worked with Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY) to insert fire life safety alarms language into H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act. 

The measure directs the Secretary of Education to use $6.4 billion in authorized grants to state educational agencies for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities. When the bill first passed through the House Education and Labor Committee, it only mentioned fire and safety standards as one of the areas for grant recipients.

Arcuri and his staff worked along with the House Education and Labor Committee staff and were able to insert a ‘manager’s amendment;’ a last minute change to the final bill before it was approved by the full House. The amendment added the phrase, “including professional installation of fire/life safety alarms,’ to the following section:

“(3) bringing public schools in compliance with fire, health, and safety codes, including professional installation of fire/life safety alarms, including modernizations, renovations, and repairs that ensure schools are prepared for emergencies, such as improving building infrastructure to accommodate security measures;”

“These alarms are necessary to alert students, staff and teachers to evacuate a public school facility when an emergency is detected. Professional installers, such as NBFAA member companies, are essential to the proper functioning of fire or security alarm systems since they are proficient in electronic systems and the codes and standards for this type of equipment installation,” explained NBFAA President George P. Gunning

NBFAA will continue to work on this important legislation in the Senate to see that the language is preserved, and encourages all those interested in life safety issues to support our efforts. To find out more about this and other important life safety legislation supported by NBFAA visit www.alarm.org or contact John Chwat, NBFAA Government Relations director at gov.info@alarm.org.

About NBFAA

NBFAA, a non-profit 501(c) 6 trade association, is the nation's oldest and largest organization dedicated to representing, promoting, and supporting the electronic life safety, security, and systems industry. Member companies specialize in a wide spectrum of services to commercial and residential consumers, including security and fire alarms, video surveillance, access control and monitoring. In cooperation with a federation of state associations, NBFAA provides government advocacy and delivers timely information, professional development tools, products and services that members use to grow and prosper their businesses. The NBFAA may be reached at (888) 447-1689 or on the Web at www.alarm.org.

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