Chapter 2Fire Protection Systems and the Model Code Process

Objectives • Define the terms code and model code.• Name the two most prominent model code

organizations.• Describe the International Code Council

(ICC) model code development process.

Objectives • Describe the National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA) model code development process.

• Define the terms referenced standard and code amendment.

Objectives • Describe the advantages to governments

and organizations that adopt model codes.• List the two most important code-related

conditions that determine the installation requirements for fire protection systems.

Introduction • Building and fire codes provide information

about building construction and occupant safety.

• Many parties deal with standards and codes:– Design professionals– Contractors– Government officials– Fire officials

Introduction • Little consideration is given to code and

standard writers and their development process.

• However, building, fire, and life-safety issues require knowledge of the development process.

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

put into effect by government– What you can and cannot do

• Model code: system of rules, guidelines, methods, and regulations created by private non-profits through a consensus process– Provide a forum for interested parties to come

together to debate and approve rules– Once approved, government may adopt into code

Model Code Organizations• History

– Codes and standards were originally developed by insurance companies.

– Later, model code organizations became the primary writers and promulgators.

• BOCA• ICBO• NFPA• SBCCI

Model Code Organizations• History

– In the mid-1990s, BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI merged to form the ICC.

– Today the ICC and NFPA are the primary developers and publishers of model building and fire codes for government adoption.

Model Code Organizations• Makeup and purpose

– Interested parties come together to develop and maintain building, fire, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and other codes, standards, and practices.

• The group operates independent of special interests.

• The staff does support work.• The members do development work and vote.

Model Code Organizations• International Code Council (ICC)

– ICC evolved in early 1990s in response to NAFTA and formation of the European Union

– Regional code development system came under scrutiny

– One uniform set of codes was deemed necessary to allow people to work from the same book regardless of location, and to allow manufacturers to compete.

Model Code Organizations• International Code Council (ICC)

– BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI formed ICC in 1994 to develop and maintain the International Code Series.

– Each separate organization published its own code until the new series was published.

– All organizations stopped publishing independent codes in 2000.

Model Code Organizations• ICC code development process

– Open process that avoids proprietary interests– At least one-third of each committee is

government officials.– Code revisions:

• Two review groups; reviewed on alternating years• In third year, all codes are prepared for publication• Publication occurs 6 to 8 months before next cycle

starts

• ICC development process– Eight-step process– Necessary to

ensure an open, consensus-based code development process

Model Code Organizations

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Model Code Organizations• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

– Originated in 1895 to deal with the confusing number of fire sprinkler system standards

– A group from fire insurance organizations developed a uniform standard.

– In 1896, Articles of Association created NFPA.• Articles renamed NFPA 13, Standard for Installation

of Sprinkler Systems• Still very widely used today

Model Code Organizations• NFPA membership originally limited to

stock fire insurance organizations– Expanded to include trade, engineering, and

industrial individuals and organizations– NFPA took on new roles:

• Educating the public• Providing engineering publications• Disseminating research findings• Developing standards and codes

Model Code Organizations• Today NFPA publishes over 300 safety

codes and standards– Fire– Building– Electrical– Process– Life-safety

• 70,000+ members from 100+ countries

Model Code Organizations• NFPA Standards Council

– 13 members appointed by Board of Directors– Responsible for code and standard

development activities– Oversees technical committees– Primary consensus body determining which

proposed code/standard projects move forward

Model Code Organizations• NFPA development process

– Applies to both new documents and revisions– Takes 101 or 141 weeks to complete– Promotes open and fair procedures

• NFPA development process (cont’d)– Four-step process

Model Code Organizations

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Referenced Standards• Documents published by other nationally

recognized organizations with specific expertise that are incorporated into code– To be adoptable, they must:

• Go through a consensus process• Be performance based• Not specify products or materials• Be mandatory• Be readily available

Referenced Standards• They provide specific information about

design and installation requirements.– The standards referenced in model code text

become part of the code.– Listed by year of publication

Referenced Standards• Model codes: “what to do and where”• Referenced standards: “how to do it”

Referenced Standards• Advantages

– Avoid writing thousands of pages of code– Make enforcement possible

Referenced Standards

(Continues)© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning

Referenced Standards

© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning

Code and Standards Development for Government • Government often adopts ICC and NFPA

codes. – Cost effective and practicable– Have gone through an extensive review

process– No discrepancies or contradictions between

already published companion codes• May amend codes to fit community

requirements

Code and Standards Development for Government • Amendments

– Model codes establish minimum level of performance and risk.

– Sometimes amendments are necessary.• Jurisdictions with special issues• Insurance carriers mandate additional

requirements– Amendments supersede model code and

usually occur at the state or local level.

Code-Required Fire Protection Systems

• Why do some buildings have fire protection systems and others do not?– Primary reasons:

• Code requirements at time of construction• Function of structure• Inhabitants of structure

Code-Required Fire Protection Systems

• Why do some buildings have fire protection systems and others do not? (cont’d)– Other determinants:

• Hazards and conditions within the structure• How far people must travel to the exit• Creation of a fire barrier between use areas• Protection of wall openings• Size of the use or occupancy within the building• Number of occupants, commodities, etc.

Code-Required Fire Protection Systems

• Past fire experiences influence building code requirements.– Many building codes were changed to require

installation of fire protection systems. – New codes do not usually have retroactive

requirements unless a structure has changed its use or occupancy classification.

Code-Required Fire Protection Systems

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Inducements to Install Fire Protection Systems

• High confidence in today’s automatic fire sprinkler systems has resulted in some increases and decreases in other performance characteristics.– Now longer travel distances to exits may be

allowed.– Fewer requirements for construction of exits

exist.

Inducements to Install Fire Protection Systems

• Code may include incentives to install systems in buildings that would not usually be required to have them.– If a system is installed, combustible materials

do not have to limit the structure.– Incentives maximize property use, protect

occupants, and protect the building.

Inducements to Install Fire Protection Systems

• Model codes seek to balance hazards.– The structure itself– Combustible contents– Floor areas that could be challenging to

firefighting efforts– Cost of construction

• Protection systems make achieving balance easier.

Inducements to Install Fire Protection Systems

• Installing fire protection systems makes good business sense.– Interruption of business can be more harmful

than fire damage.• Loss of competitive edge• Loss of employees and customers

– Insurers like protection systems.• Water damage can be cleaned up faster and costs less.• Businesses can open back up in hours or weeks (as

opposed to months or years).

Summary• Building and fire codes provide uniform and

consistent standards and guidelines for all parties to ensure public safety in buildings.

• A code is a system of rules, regulations, or laws, usually developed by government, that has statutory authority to be enforced; it establishes what a person or entity can or cannot do.

Summary• A model code is a system of rules,

guidelines, methods, and regulations that is typically developed by private, not-for-profit organizations, and is available to governments for adoption.

• Currently two organizations, the ICC and NFPA, in conjunction with their membership, develop and publish model codes.

Summary• The model codes establish the minimum

level of performance and risk, but there are situations where a problem needs special consideration and the model code does not adequately address the potentially higher risk or hazard. Under these circumstances, those with the authority write amendments to the code and write different requirements.

Summary• It is important to know who within any

state or local jurisdiction establishes the requirements and how the process works regarding the adoption of model codes for building, fire, and life safety.

• Installations of fire protection systems are generally a result of a code adopted by government to protect life and safety.

Summary• Fire protection systems are part of code-

based inducements that make the installation financially attractive, are a condition of insurance, or are an element to manage risk and ensure business continuity.