Chapter 02

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Fire Protection Systems and The Model Code Process

Chapter 2


Learning Objectives

• List the two most important conditions determining the installation requirements for fire protection systems

• Define code and model code• Name the two most prominent model code

organizations• Describe the ICC model code development

process


Learning Objectives (continued)

• Describe the NFPA model code development process

• Define referenced standard and code amendment

• Describe the advantages to governments and organizations that adopt model codes


Introduction

• Building and fire codes provide uniform and consistent standards and guidelines– Maintain public safety in buildings

• Important to understand the code and standards development process

• Early days: standards developed by insurance industry

• Later, organizations championed the cause• Today, ICC and NFPA develop codes in use


Code-Required Fire Protection Systems

• Building codes in effect at time of building design and construction determines fire protection– Hazards within structure and how building exited– Fire barrier between use areas– Protection of an opening in a wall– Size or use of occupancy area within building– Number of occupants, products, commodities– Conditions within building


Figure 2-1 ICC and NFPA use and occupancy classifications


Figure 2-2 Code-required systems based on occupancy classifications


Code-Required Fire Protection Systems (continued)

• Codes generally do not force retroactive requirements

• Some codes include incentives to install fire protection systems where they aren’t required

• Model construction codes balance hazards posed by:– Structure and combustible contents– Floor areas above ground level and construction cost


Mission Essential

• Makes good business sense to install fire protection system

• Cost of loss to structure and contents often staggering

• Loss from business interruption often much greater than damage to structure

• Water damage cleanup and repair takes less time than fire damage repair


A Model Code• Code: system of rules, regulations, or laws

– Developed by government

– States what a person can or cannot do

• Model code: system of rules, guidelines, methods, and regulations – Developed by private or not-for-profit organizations

– Interested parties and the general public propose, debate, modify, reject, rules and regulations

– Available for governments to adopt

– Government provides codes for all to follow


Model Code Organizations• Consists of groups or individuals

– Design professionals, industry, fire agencies, governments, and manufacturers

• Examples: BOCA, ICBO, FNPA, SBCCI– Purpose: develop practices independent of influence

of special interest groups– Until late 1990s, all organizations remained

independent and viable

• Currently two organizations exist: NFPA, ICC


International Code Council (ICC)

• Evolved in the early 1990s because of two political events– Ratification of the North American Free Trade

Agreement (NAFTA)• Allowed tariff-free trade between Mexico, Canada, US

– Formation of European Common Market and European Union

• Eliminated trade boundaries

– One set of codes permits all parties to work from the same book no matter where they were


International Code Council (ICC) (continued)

• ICC code development process open to anyone• Structured to avoid domination by proprietary

interests– All meetings open to the public and held in public

forum– One-third of each committee composed of regulators

• Code revisions occur every 18 months– New editions of codebooks published every three

years


International Code Council (ICC) (continued)

• Eight basic steps to ICC code development– Submit code changes– Publish and distribute code changes– Code development hearing– Print and distribute public hearing results– Public comment– Print and distribute public comments– Final action consideration– Print and distribute final action


Figure 2-4 ICC code development process


Figure 2-5 International Building Code/International Fire Code, 2006 Edition


National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• 1896: Published NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems– Most widely used fire sprinkler standard today

• Currently maintains over 300 safety codes and standards– Revised and completely updated every three to five

years– Administered to by 7,000+ volunteers– 75,000 members in more than 70 nations


National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (continued)

• Standards Council is the primary consensus body that develops and revises standards– Evaluates merits of new project proposals and, if

appropriate, requests following information:• Comment on the proposed project

• Organizations that may be involved

• Available resource material

• Indication of willing participants if the project is approved


National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (continued)

• Five steps to the NFPA code development process:– Call for Proposals– Report on Proposals– Report on Comments– Technical Reports Session of the NFPA Annual

Meeting– Standards Council Issuance


Figure 2-8 NFPA code development process


Referenced Standards

• Models codes cover a wide variety of building, fire prevention, and life safety topics– Code writers look outside their organizations

• Referenced standards: documents published by other nationally recognized organizations– Provide specific information relative to design or

installation requirements

• Model codes tell you “what to do and where”• Referenced standard tells you “how to do it”


Code and Standards Development for Government

• Developing code or standard could take years• Many governmental agencies adopt codes

written by the ICC and NFPA– Cost effective and practical– Coordinated and compatible documentation

• Each code is a companion to another

• State and local governments may write amendments to model code


Amendments

• Model codes are the minimum acceptable level of performance or risk– Code may not be adequate for some circumstances

• Generally meets the needs of most jurisdictions– Problem may need special consideration– Model may need to be amended

• If amendment establishes higher level of performance, it supersedes model code and possibly referenced standard


Summary

• Building and fire codes provide uniform and consistent standards and guidelines

• Code: system of rules, regulations or laws developed by a government– Tells you what you can and cannot do

• Model code: system of rules, guidelines, methods, and regulations– Developed by private, not-for-profit organizations– Available to governments for adoption


Summary (continued)

• ICC and NFPA develop and publish model codes– Follow a multi-step process to ensure consensus

• Code organizations look outside to referenced standards

• Model codes establish minimum level of performance and risk

• Model codes may need to be amended

Technology

Chapter 02