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 SAFETY / FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS
Laws:
- 5 U.S.C. §7902 (Safety Program)
- 15 U.S.C. §2225 (Fire Prevention and Control)
- 29 U.S.C. §668 (Occupational Safety and Health)
- 40 U.S.C. §619; (Construction, Alteration, and Acquisition of Public Buildings)
Management Policies
Director's Orders (DOs)
Codes and Standards
- ANSI/ASSE Z117.1, Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces
- International Building Code
- International Fire Code
- International Existing Building Code
- NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code
- NFPA 10, Portable Fire Extinguishers
- NFPA 11, Low-, Medium-, and High Expansion Foam
- NFPA 12, Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems
- NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems
- NFPA 13D, Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two- Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes
- NFPA 13R, Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and including 4 stories in Height
- NFPA 14, Standpipe and Hose Systems
- NFPA 15, Water Spray Fixed Systems
- NFPA 16, Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems
- NFPA 17, Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems
- NFPA 17A, Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems
- NFPA 20, Installation of Stationary Pumps
- NFPA 22, Water Tanks for Private Fire Suppression
- NFPA 24, Private Fire Service Mains
- NFPA 25, Water-Based Fire Protection SystemsM
- NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
- NFPA 30A, Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities
- NFPA 31, Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment
- NFPA 33, Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials
- NFPA 34, Dipping or Coating Processes using Flammable or Combustible Liquids
- NFPA 37, Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines
- NFPA 40, Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film
- NFPA 45, Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals
- NFPA 51B, Welding, Cutting, Other Hot Work
- NFPA 52, Vehicular Fuel Systems
- NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code
- NFPA 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids
- NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Code
- NFPA 59A, Liquefied Natural Gas
- NFPA 61, Fire and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities
- NFPA 68, Venting of Deflagrations
- NFPA 69, Explosion Prevention Systems
- NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
- NFPA 70E, Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code
- NFPA 75, Information Technology Equipment
- NFPA 76, Telecommunications Facilities
- NFPA 77, Static Electricity
- NFPA 79, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery
- NFPA 80, Fire Doors and Windows
- NFPA 80A, Exterior Fire Exposures
- NFPA 82, Incinerators, Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment
- NFPA 85, Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards
- NFPA 86, Ovens and Furnaces
- NFPA 88A, Parking Structures
- NFPA 90A, Air-Conditioning and Ventilation Systems
- NFPA 90B, Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Systems
- NFPA 91, Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Gases
- NFPA 92A, Smoke Control Systems
- NFPA 92B, Smoke Management Systems in Malls, Atria, and Large Spaces
- NFPA 96, Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations
- NFPA 101, Life Safety Code
- NFPA 101A, Alternative Approaches to Life Safety
- NFPA 102, Grandstands, Folding and Telescopic Seating, Tents, and Membrane Structures
- NFPA 105, Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives
- NFPA 110, Emergency and Standby Power Systems
- NFPA 111, Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems
- NFPA 130, Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems
- NFPA 150, Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing
- NFPA 160, Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience
- NFPA 170, Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols
- NFPA 204, Smoke and Heat Venting
- NFPA 211, Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances
- NFPA 214, Water-Cooling Towers
- NFPA 220, Types of Building Construction
- NFPA 225, Model Manufactured Home Installation
- NFPA 232, Protection of Records
- NFPA 241, Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations
- NFPA 251, Fire Resistance of Building Construction and Materials
- NFPA 252, Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
- NFPA 253, Critical Radiant Flux of Floor Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
- NFPA 255, Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
- NFPA 257, Window and Glass Block Assemblies
- NFPA 259, Potential Heat of Building Materials
- NFPA 262, Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces
- NFPA 265, Room Fire Growth Contribution of Textile Coverings on Full Height Panels and Walls
- NFPA 274, Fire Performance Characteristics of Pipe Insulation
- NFPA 275, Thermal Barriers Used Over Foam Plastic Insulation
- NFPA 285, Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components
- NFPA 286, Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth
- NFPA 288, Floor Fire Door Assemblies Installed Horizontally in Fire Resistance–Rated Floor Systems
- NFPA 289, Individual Fuel Packages
- NFPA 290, Passive Protection Materials for Use on LP-Gas Containers
- NFPA 291, Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants
- NFPA 301, Safety to Life from Fire on Merchant Vessels
- NFPA 302, Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft
- NFPA 303, Marinas and Boatyards
- NFPA 306, Control of Gas Hazards on Vessels
- NFPA 307, Marine Terminals, Piers, and Wharves
- NFPA 312, Fire Protection of Vessels During Construction, Conversion, Repair
- NFPA 403, Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting Services at Airports
- NFPA 407, Aircraft Fuel Servicing
- NFPA 409, Aircraft Hangars
- NFPA 415, Airport Terminal Buildings, Fueling Ramp Drainage, and Loading Walkways
- NFPA 418, Heliports
- NFPA 430, Storage of Liquid and Solid Oxidizers
- NFPA 434, Storage of Pesticides
- NFPA 484, Combustible Metals
- NFPA 490, Storage of Ammonium Nitrate
- NFPA 495, Explosive Materials Code
- NFPA 496, Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment
- NFPA 497, Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases or Vapors for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas
- NFPA 499, Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas
- NFPA 501, Manufactured Housing
- NFPA 501A, Fire Safety Criteria for Manufactured Home Installations, Sites, and Communities
- NFPA 502, Road Tunnels, Bridges, and Other Limited Access Highways
- NFPA 520, Subterranean Spaces
- NFPA 555, Evaluating Potential for Room Flashover
- NFPA 560, Storage, Handling, and Use of Ethylene Oxide for Sterilization and Fumigation
- NFPA 654, Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids
- NFPA 664, Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities
- NFPA 701, Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films
- NFPA 703, Fire Retardant–Treated Wood and Fire-Retardant Coatings for Building Materials
- NFPA 704, Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response
- NFPA 705, Field Flame Test for Textiles and Films
- NFPA 720, Carbon Monoxide Detection and Warning Equipment
- NFPA 730, Premises Security
- NFPA 731, Electronic Premises Security Systems
- NFPA 750, Water Mist Fire Protection Systems
- NFPA 780, Lightning Protection Systems
- NFPA 820, Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities
- NFPA 853, Stationary Fuel Cell Power Systems
- NFPA 909, Protection of Cultural Resource Properties
- NFPA 914, Fire Protection of Historic Structures
- NFPA 1141, Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Suburban and Rural Areas
- NFPA 1142, Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting
- NFPA 1194, Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds
- NFPA 1221, Emergency Services Communications Systems
- NFPA 1402, Fire Service Training Centers
- NFPA 2001, Clean Agent Fire-Extinguishing Systems
- NFPA 2010, Fixed Aerosol Fire-Extinguishing Systems
Directives, Standards, and NPS Guidelines
- 411 DM (Museum Property Handbook, Volume 1, Preservation and Protection of Museum Property)
- National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106, and 36 CFR 800
- 485 DM 19 (Fire Safety)
Professional Guidance
General Safety
- The design shall meet or exceed applicable safety, health, environmental and related trade codes and standards. It should be remembered that these codes and standards represent the minimum acceptable level of safety. Nothing precludes the design, construction or operation at a higher level of safety than that provided for in these codes and standards.
- The facility shall be compliant with OSHA requirements and hazards should be mitigated using engineered solutions.
- The design team should include a Certified Safety Professional.
Confined Spaces
- Confined Spaces should be minimized.
- Backflow Preventers and electrical switchgear should be located above grade, or inside of a building, rather than in a pit.
General Fire Protection
- A Code Analysis and/or Fire Safety Plan is required. (RM 58, page 27 (PDF))
- The design team should include a licensed Fire
Protection Engineer.
- Code Equivalencies and Variances are encouraged and shall be developed by a Fire Protection Engineer for approval by the DSC Building Official and/or Regional Fire AHJ.
- Fire modeling is encouraged to minimize fire and life safety systems impact, especially in historical structures.
Fire Protection Systems
- Although there are some exceptions, new buildings, buildings undergoing renovation, or buildings with a change in occupancy, shall have automatic sprinkler system protection. Unless there is an IBC requirement, the following do not require automatic sprinkler protection:
- Business, Storage and Industrial occupancies less than 5000 sq ft
- Comfort Stations
- Pump Houses/Sewage Lift Station
- Condemned/Abandoned Property
(NPS Reference Manual 58 Structural Fire, Page 6)
- Performance based designs are encouraged.
- Compact or mobile storage is Extra Hazard Group 1 with one hour fire separation.
- Sprinkler control valves shall be electrically supervised.
- Piping: Copper, Schedule 40 steel, or plastic.
- Dry Pipe and PreAction Systems: Hot-dip galvanized Schedule 40 pipe/fittings (threaded or cut groove only) or Copper; all pendent heads shall be dry pendents; all piping shall be sloped to drain preferably to the main riser; low point drains shall be drum drips and shall be minimized.
- Double check backflow prevention required.
- Gravity water supplies are preferred. The next preference is combined fire and domestic systems using commercial pumps. Fire pumps or pressure tanks may be used.
The preferred water supply will minimize the required Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance.
- High Pressure Water Mist or Special Extinguishing Systems (e.g. FM-200) shall be approved by the Regional AHJ early in the design process.
Fire Alarm Systems
- Although there are some exceptions, new buildings, buildings undergoing renovation, or buildings with a change in occupancy, shall be provided with an automatic fire alarm system. Unless there is an IBC requirement, the following do not require an automatic fire alarm system:
- Business, Storage and Industrial occupancies less than 5000 sq ft
- Comfort Stations
- Pump Houses/Sewage Lift Station
- Condemned/Abandoned Property
(NPS Reference Manual 58 Structural Fire, Page 6)
- The system shall be based on NFPA 72 as Total (Complete) Coverage using smoke detectors in all spaces. In unheated areas, heat detectors may be more appropriate.
- Visual appliances shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72 and ABAAS. Strobe candela ratings need to be shown.
(US Access Board, Technical Bulletin : Visual Alarms)
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