Seminars

Laying the Groundwork: Fundamentals for Site Plan Review

Description:

Your fire department’s site plan review is a critical first step in ensuring safe, accessible communities. This interactive session explores how to evaluate site plans using the 2024 International Fire Code. Participants will walk through real-world scenarios, spot common pitfalls, and explore how local amendments and policies shape review practices. Whether you’re new to plan review or ready to refine your process, this session will help you lay a stronger foundation for fire-safe development.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key site plan elements reviewed under the 2024 International Fire Code.
• Apply IFC requirements to evaluate fire department access, water supply, hydrant placement, and fire protection features.
• Interpret common challenges in site layout and recommend code-compliant solutions.
• Collaborate effectively with planning and building departments during plan review.
• Recognize how local amendments or jurisdictional policies may influence site plan review.

Instructor:

Sarah Carter, ICC Fire and Disaster Mitigation Program Manager, has over two decades of experience in construction and code compliance in both the Building and Fire service arenas. With her unique perspective and extensive experience in project design and regulatory compliance, she is a passionate leader in advancing fire code training and professional development initiatives.

COST:  FREE

Core Chapters of NFPA 101

Location:  TBD

Description:

This class will cover the Core Chapters (Chapters 1-10) of NFPA 101 (2015 ed) as adopted by the OSFM. This will include how NFPA 101 is used throughout Illinois, such as how this adoption is affected by home rule and non-home rule municipalities and in state licensed and state buildings. .

Instructor:

Catherine Stashak is a fire protection engineer having worked with OSFM for 19-1/2 years. She graduated from IIT with a B.S. in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering and an MBA. She retired from the Des Plaines Fire Department as a firefighter/inspector. Catherine serves on NFPA Technical Committees, the NFPA Standards Council, UL Standards Technical Panels, CANENA working groups (WG) related to refrigeration, and on WGs for the ICC Fire Code Advisory Committee.

COST:  

$30 each for IFIA members
$50 each for Non-Members