The standard, despite its title, is not a legal code, it is not published as an instrument of law and has no statutory authority unless adopted by the authority having jurisdiction. The standard, widely adopted in the United States, is however deliberately crafted with language suitable for mandatory application to facilitate adoption into law by those empowered to do so.
The bulk of the standard addresses "those construction, protection, and occupancy features necessary to minimize danger to life from fire, including smoke, fumes, or panic". The standard does not address the "general fire prevention or building construction features that are normally a function of fire prevention codes and building codes
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations
NFPA 921, "Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations", is a National Fire Code published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Its purpose is "to establish guidelines and recommendations for the safe and systematic investigation or analysis of fire and explosion incidents" (section 1.2.1). Familiarity with NFPA 921 is strongly recommended by National Association of Fire Investigators and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). NFPA 921 forms a large basis of the information which a professional fire investigator must know to pass the various Fire Investgator Certification (NAFI and IAAI) examinations.
While not every recommendation in NFPA 921 will apply to any particular fire or explosion investigation, the document itself recommends that if a particular fire investigator does not apply certain sections to an investigation where they are called-for, the investigator must be prepared to justify the exclusion.
While not every recommendation in NFPA 921 will apply to any particular fire or explosion investigation, the document itself recommends that if a particular fire investigator does not apply certain sections to an investigation where they are called-for, the investigator must be prepared to justify the exclusion.
Standard for the installation of stationary fuel cell power systems
Codes and standards have repeatedly been identified as a major institutional barrier to deploying hydrogen technologies and developing a hydrogen economy. To enable the commercialization of hydrogen in consumer products, new model building codes and equipment and other technical standards are developed and recognized by federal, state, and local governments.
Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response
NFPA 704 is a standard maintained by the U.S.-based National Fire Protection Association. It defines the colloquial "fire diamond" used by emergency personnel to quickly and easily identify the risks posed by nearby hazardous materials. This is necessary to help determine what, if any, specialty equipment should be used, procedures followed, or precautions taken during the first moments of an emergency response.
The four divisions are typically color-coded, with blue indicating level of health hazard, red indicating flammability, yellow (chemical) reactivity, and white containing special codes for unique hazards. Each of health, flammability and reactivity is rated on a scale from 0 (no hazard; normal substance) to 4 (severe risk).
Health (Blue) Flammability (Red) 4 Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury (e.g., hydrogen cyanide, phosphine) 4 Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily (e.g., propane). Flash point below 23°C (73°F)
3 Short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury (e.g., chlorine gas) 3 Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions (e.g., gasoline). Flash point between 23°C (73°F) and 38°C (100°F)
2 Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury (e.g., ethyl ether) 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur (e.g., diesel fuel). Flash point between 38°C (100°F) and 93°C (200°F)
1 Exposure would cause irritation with only minor residual injury (e.g., acetone) 1 Must be heated before ignition can occur (e.g., soybean oil). Flash point over 93°C (200°F)
0 Poses no health hazard, no precautions necessary. (e.g., lanolin) 0 Will not burn (e.g., water)
Instability/Reactivity (Yellow) Special (White)
4 Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures (e.g., nitroglycerine, RDX) The white "special notice" area can contain several symbols. The following symbols are defined by the NFPA 704 standard.
3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition but requires a strong initiating source, must be heated under confinement before initiation, reacts explosively with water, or will detonate if severely shocked (e.g. ammonium nitrate) W Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner (e.g., caesium, sodium, sulfuric acid)
2 Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water (e.g., phosphorus, potassium, sodium) OXY Oxidizer (e.g., potassium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide)
1 Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures (e.g. propene) SA Simple asphyxiant gas (includes nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon)
0 Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water (e.g. helium)
Note: These symbols are not part of the NFPA 704 standard, but occasionally used in an unofficial manner. The use of non-standard symbols or text may be permitted, required or disallowed by the authority having jurisdiction (e.g., fire department).
ACID and ALK to be more specific.
BIO: Biological hazard (e.g., smallpox virus)
POI: Poisonous (e.g. Strychnine),
(the Radioactive trefoil): is radioactive (e.g., plutonium, uranium)
CYL or CRYO: Cryogenic (e.g. Liquid Nitrogen)
National Fire Alarm Code
The NFPA 72 specifies "the application, installation, location, performance, inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems, fire warning equipment and emergency warning equipment, and their components." [§ 1.1.1]. Federal, state, and local municipalities across the United States have adopted the NFPA 72 as a standard in the enforcement of fire code regulation. Municipalities often adopt revisions of the code after years of review and amendments, making many local fire codes specific to their governing authorities.
Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
NFPA 70E, Electrical Safety in the Workplace
NFPA 70E is a standard of the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA is a membership organization whose headquarters is located in Quincy, Massachusetts. Its members include experts on electrical safety. NFPA is known for its sponsorship of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
NFPA 70E is the standard that addresses those electrical safety requirements for employees.
NFPA 70E addresses employee workplace electrical safety requirements. The standard focuses on practical safeguards that also allow workers to be productive within their job functions. Specifically, this standard covers the safety requirements for the following:
1.Electrical conductors and equipment installed within or on buildings or other structures, including mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and other premise (yards, carnival, parking lots, and industrial substations),
2.Conductors that connect installations to a supply of electricity, and
3.Other outside conductors on the premises.
NFPA 70E is a standard of the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA is a membership organization whose headquarters is located in Quincy, Massachusetts. Its members include experts on electrical safety. NFPA is known for its sponsorship of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
NFPA 70E is the standard that addresses those electrical safety requirements for employees.
NFPA 70E addresses employee workplace electrical safety requirements. The standard focuses on practical safeguards that also allow workers to be productive within their job functions. Specifically, this standard covers the safety requirements for the following:
1.Electrical conductors and equipment installed within or on buildings or other structures, including mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and other premise (yards, carnival, parking lots, and industrial substations),
2.Conductors that connect installations to a supply of electricity, and
3.Other outside conductors on the premises.
Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance
NFPA 70B (Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance) is a standard of the National Fire Protection Association that addresses recommended electrical equipment maintenance.
This recommended practice applies to preventive maintenance for electrical, electronic, and communication systems and equipment and is not intended to duplicate or supersede instructions that manufacturers normally provide. Systems and equipment covered are typical of those installed in industrial plants, institutional and commercial buildings, and large multifamily residential complexes
This recommended practice applies to preventive maintenance for electrical, electronic, and communication systems and equipment and is not intended to duplicate or supersede instructions that manufacturers normally provide. Systems and equipment covered are typical of those installed in industrial plants, institutional and commercial buildings, and large multifamily residential complexes
National Electrical Code (NEC)
The National Electrical Code (NEC), or NFPA 70, is a United States standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment. It is part of the National Fire Codes series published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). "National Electrical Code" and "NEC" are registered trademarks of the NFPA. While the NEC is not itself a U.S. law, NEC use is commonly mandated by state or local law, as well as in many jurisdictions outside of the United States.
National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a U.S. organization (albeit with some international members) charged with creating and maintaining minimum standards and requirements for fire prevention and suppression activities, training, and equipment, as well as other life-safety codes and standards. This includes everything from building codes to the personal protective equipment utilized by firefighters while extinguishing a blaze.
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