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For Public Comment: NFPA Proposed Tentative Interim Amendment No. 1944

In the aftermath of the Gabriel House fire, which claimed ten lives on July 13, 2025, our Fire Prevention Bureau identified recalled sprinkler heads that remain in service in several buildings throughout Fall River. These sprinkler heads were recalled more than twenty years ago, yet there is currently no requirement under NFPA 25 to verify whether installed sprinklers have been recalled.

As you may know, Captain Joshua Hetzler, our Assistant City Fire Marshal, was instrumental in getting the Massachusetts fire code amended to require inspections for recalled sprinkler heads. While this was an important step toward addressing the issue here in Massachusetts, we believe this is a significant life safety concern that extends well beyond the borders of the Commonwealth.

Captain Hetzler has continued his efforts at the national level by submitting a proposed emergency amendment to NFPA 25. Proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) No. 1944 would require annual verification of sprinkler systems for recalled sprinkler heads, replacement of any identified recalled sprinklers, and treatment of affected systems as impaired until those replacements are completed.

Given what we experienced at Gabriel House and what we’ve discovered since, I believe this is an important fire and life safety issue that deserves the attention and support of the fire service nationwide.

The public comment period closes Friday, November 20, 2026. Chiefs wishing to support the proposed amendment can do so by taking the following steps:

  1. Send an email to TIAs_Errata_FIs@nfpa.org
  2. Use the subject line: Comment on Proposed TIA 1944 on NFPA 25
  3. Begin the email with: “I SUPPORT Proposed TIA No. 1944.”
  4. Include a brief explanation, in their own words, of why they support the amendment and its importance to public safety.
  5. Sign the email with their name, title, department, and municipality.

The proposed amendment can be reviewed here:

https://docinfofiles.nfpa.org/files/AboutTheCodes/25/NFPA_25_Proposed_TIA_1944.pdf

Support from fire chiefs across Massachusetts could make a significant difference as the NFPA 25 Technical Committee and Standards Council consider this proposal.