National Fire Protection Association Blog

Earlier closing dates for paper submission of public input and comments

As NFPA continues to move forward with implementation of the Standards Development Process, many of the new benefits of online submission process continue to take hold.  When Public Input/Comments are submitted online the proposed changes are integrated in-line on the draft document.  Once the closing date has passed online submissions allow the Committee Members to see all of the proposed changes integrated into one complete document virtually immediately, maximize the amount of time each Committee Member has to review all of the proposed changes and prepare for any upcoming committee meeting.  However, while we want to provide as much extra time as possible to our Committee Members, we also want to consider the needs of those who still want to submit their Public Input/Comments on the “paper forms” via e-mail, fax or mail.  Beginning with the Fall 2014 submittals of Public Comments, we have implemented an earlier closing date for “paper submissions” of Public Input/Comments.  The earlier closing date will allow the necessary time to key and proof any proposed change to ensure the changes are presented for Committee consideration at the same time as the changes submitted online. 

Paper Submission Closing Dates.  The closing date for paper submissions, (this includes forms sent via e-mail, fax or mail), for the Fall 2014 comments will be October 11, 2013 and the closing date for the electronic submission system will be  November 15, 2013.  All revised schedules can be located on the respective document information page or http://www.nfpa.org/schedules.

Please be advised, that it is anticipated that in the future, “paper submissions” will not be accepted so please take this opportunity to try out the new system – we think you’ll really like it!  As always we are here to help you participate in the NFPA process.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 617-984-7240 or via email at standardsdev_support@nfpa.org .

For additional information on NFPA Standards Development Process, please visit NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org/newprocess.

Read the April issue of NFPA News, our free codes and standards newsletter

The April issue of NFPA News, our codes and standards newsletter, is now available.

In this issue:

• Comments sought on proposed TIA to NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®
• Errata issued on NFPA 70 Report on Comments and NFPA 1962
• TIAs issued on NFPA 58, 59A, NFPA 1917, NFPA 1971, and NFPA 2112 
• Comments sought on proposed new standard for the application of hybrid, gas, and fine water droplet systems
• NFPA 32 seeking additional expertise in the Textile and Garment Care Processes Industry
• Standards Forum and Committee Leadership Conference at 2013 NFPA Conference & Expo
• Standards Council minutes available from March 2013 meeting
• Free access to NFPA codes and standards
• Committees soliciting Public Input (formerly Proposals)
• Committees seeking members
• Committee meetings calendar 

NFPA News is a free newsletter, and includes special announcements, notification of public input and comment closing dates, requests for comments, notices on the availability of Standards Council minutes, and other important news about NFPA’s code and standards making process.

Free subscription
Sign-in on NFPA’s web site and then select “NFPA News” from your e-mail options.

NFPA Journal looks at sprinklers and high-volume low-speed fans

How do high-volume low-speed (HVLS) fans affect the placement of sprinklers in buildings such as warehouses and other large, open spaces? According to Matt Klaus in his column "Heads Up" in the most recent issue of NFPA Journal, NFPA’s Technical Committee for Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria first discused he impact of HVLS fans before the publication of the 2010 edition of NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Because the committee had no data on the subject, however, the published standard included no design requirements. 

The following year, the Fire Protection Research Foundation stepped up to find some answers, setting up a project to study the effects of HVLS fans on sprinkler performance in full-scale testing scenarios. The findings of the study were presented to the discharge committee, which used the information to develop a new set of design rules pertaining to this equipment for the 2013 edition of NFPA 13.

For more, turn to page 28 in your March/April issue of NFPA Journal or read Matt's column on line.

NFPA Journal tells how IKEA deals with fire protection challenges worldwide

The challenges the retail giant IKEA faces in the design, construction, maintenance, and protection of its stores around the world are enormous, according to Steve Wolin, P.E.

"IKEA’s own design standards help bring consistency to the level of safety in those stores, which are built to a wide variety of local construction requirements," says Wolin in his article "IKEA: Big Retailer Storage Hazard Challenge" in the latest issue of NFPA Journal. And IKEA’s desire to expand ensures that "fresh challenges are never far away." 

As part of its effort to provide the best protection possible for its stores and customers, IKEA co-sponsored a series of tests in 2012, organized through the Fire Protection Research Foundation, to develop protection criteria for exposed expanded plastics stored in racks. Those criteria would be considered for inclusion in NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and used in hundreds of IKEA stores around the world. 

Antifreeze in sprinkler systems update - this Thursday

The requirements for using antifreeze in a sprinkler system have been constantly changing over the past few years. For New Englanders (or anyone willing to drive/fly/ski to New England) looking for a comprehensive look at the "how and why" behind these changes and an update on where NFPA 13, 13R , 13D and 25 landed on this topic, I will be presenting this information at the 11th Biennial Fire Protection Systems Product Show held in Randolph, MA this thursday at 3:00 PM. For more information, or to register for this event, visit the New England Association of Fire Protection System Designers website at www.neafpsd.com.

Hazards of lithium-ion batteries identified at Research Foundation symposium

 

Christopher Wieczorek of FM Global presents findings from recent lithium-ion battery burn tests

If you own a laptop or cell phone, chances are these devices are powered by increasingly popular lithium-ion batteries, which refer to a family of battery chemistries using a flammable electrolyte. The potential fire hazards of these devices and related suppression methods led today's "high hazard challenges" track at the Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications Conference (SUPDET) in Orlando.

R. Thomas Long of Exponent, an engineering consulting firm, provided details on the first phase of a Fire Protection Research Foundation project that identified and assessed the life cycle hazards of these batteries. The project's second phase included fire tests with three types of lithium-ion batteries in storage settings and suppression methods. SUPDET presenter Christopher Wieczorek of FM Global outlined some key test results, noting that similar initial fire growth rates occurred for all three commodities. Future research will need to determine the effects of large-scale tests of these batteries. The Foundation anticipates the release of the Phase II report by April.

Check out the NFPA Journal feature outlining NFPA's response to storage and safety concerns of lithium-ion batteries.

Researcher explains methods for safeguarding cloud ceilings

Attendees at the Suppression, Detection, and Signaling Research and Applications Conference (SUPDET) in Orlando received a wealth of information on a sprinkler system's role in protecting increasingly popular cloud ceilings, or suspended ceilings covering a portion of a room or space. 

"There hasn't been much significant research on cloud ceilings," said presenter Jason Floyd with Hughes Associates. Moreover, NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, does not provide any definitive guidance on automatic sprinkler installation for these ceilings.

Floyd noted that a project under way by the Fire Protection Research Foundation has identified research gaps and initiated fire tests to examine this issue. Results from the project, anticipated for completion later this year, will be shared with NFPA 13 committee members for them to consider when developing the standard's next edition.

For more information on cloud ceilings and how this building feature is addressed in NFPA 13, read the NFPA Journal column "Head's Up" by NFPA's sprinkler expert Matt Klaus. Also, read the Journal feature story highlighting cloud ceilings and other key components of the 2013 edition of NFPA 13.

Suppression track at Research Foundation symposium takes on sprinkler protection

During this morning’s session at the Research Foundation’s Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications Symposium (SUPDET) in Orlando, three speakers presented the latest thinking on sprinkler protection technologies and challenges.

Wes Baker of FM Global

Wes Baker, Senior Engineering Technical Specialist at FM Global, presented an overview of Chapter 21 in the 2013 edition of NFPA 13, Standard on the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The intent of this chapter is to provide alternative protection options to those found in Chapters 12-20 based on sprinkler characteristics (K-Factor, orientation, RTI rating, sprinkler spacing type, and temperature rating).

Related: 13 things you need to know about the 2013 edition of NFPA 13.

Scott Futrell of Futrell Fire Consulting and Design

In his presentation on “Fire Sprinkler System Reliability: Arguments Regarding the Use of CPVC in Fire Sprinkler Systems”, Scott Futrell of Futrell Fire Consulting and Design, spoke about the risks and reliability of CPVC (Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride) piping. He said NFPA 13 has allowed the use of nonmetallic piping since 1984, and maintains that handling, installation, outside influences, contractor decisions and end-user choices all have impacts on the life expectancy of CPVC pipes and fittings. Read an abstract of his presentation.

Joseph Scheffey of Hughes Associates

Joseph Scheffey of Hughes Associates, spoke about the “Evaluation of Water Additives for Fire Control and Vapor Mitigation”. He said that various water additives are available in today’s marketplace that claim to provide advantageous performance characteristics for fire control and vapor mitigation. Of particular interest are additives that report to provide superior fire suppression capabilities through emulsification or encapsulation. Read an abstract of his presentation. 

Related: A Fire Protection Research Foundation project has been established to provide a comprehensive evaluation of water additives with the intent to clarify the fire protection benefit of using water with additives for fire suppression versus water without additives. This project directly relates to the requirements of NFPA 18A, Standard on Water Additive for Fire Control and Vapor Mitigation. Read the project summary.

NFPA 13 now open for public input

NFPA 13, The Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, along with the other sprinkler installation standards, NFPA 13R, NFPA 13 D, NFPA 24, and NFPA 291 are currently open for public input. Public input is the term now used at NFPA to address a code change proposal to a technical document.  

Submitting public input can be done in three easy steps.

1)Log in to the document information page of the standar d you would like to submit public input too. (for NFPA 13 use www.nfpa.org/13).

2)Find the code section you would like to modify and enter your changes in the text editor.

3)Provide a substantiation for your proposed change to the standard and click submit.

Once you have completed those three steps your proposed change will be sent to the  technical committee responsible for the section of the standard you would like to change. Your public input will be reviewed and acted upon at the First Draft meeting this summer.

It is important to remember that NFPA 13 and its associated  documents have a modified public input closing date of May 31. That means that all changes proposed changes to NFPA 13 and the other sprinkler design and installation standards must be submitted online through the new online submission process by that date.

We look forward to reviewing your proposed changes and look forward to another exciting cycle for the NFPA 13 committees.

Submit public input (formerly proposals) electronically on Annual 2015 documents

NFPA documents in the Annual 2015 revision cycle are now accepting Public Input (formerly proposals) electronically through NFPA's Electronic Submission System (e-PI). The system will automatically pull in the text and show any changes in “track changes” and even saves your input.

To submit input electronically, select the document from the list of NFPA codes and standards or search for documents available for public input using the search feature. Once on the document page, select "The next edition of this standard is now open for Public Input (formerly proposals)" to begin the process. You can submit input or just start and save your work in progress before the closing date.

Review further instructions on how to use the e-PI system

If you have any questions when you use the new system, you can contact Carolyn Cronin at (617) 984-7240 or by email.

Annual 2015 Revision Cycle documents:

NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes
NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies
NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
NFPA 24, Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances
NFPA 40, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film
NFPA 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code
NFPA 59A, Standard for the Production, Storage, and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
NFPA 73, Standard for Electrical Inspections for Existing Dwellings
NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives
NFPA 101A, Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety
NFPA 105, Standard for the Installation of Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives
NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems
NFPA 111, Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems
NFPA 150, Standard on Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities
NFPA 160, Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience
NFPA 291, Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants
NFPA 303, Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards
NFPA 307, Standard for the Construction and Fire Protection of Marine Terminals, Piers, and Wharves
NFPA 312, Standard for Fire Protection of Vessels During Construction, Conversion, Repair, and Lay-Up
NFPA 400, Hazardous Materials Code
NFPA 409,Standard on Aircraft Hangars
NFPA 415, Standard on Airport Terminal Buildings, Fueling Ramp Drainage, and Loading Walkways
NFPA 423, Standard for Construction and Protection of Aircraft Engine Test Facilities
NFPA 556, Guide on Methods for Evaluating Fire Hazard to Occupants of Passenger Road Vehicles
NFPA 820, Standard for Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities
NFPA 1071, Standard for Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications
NFPA 1126, Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience
NFPA 1145, Guide for the Use of Class A Foams in Manual Structural Fire Fighting
NFPA 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems
NFPA 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments
NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus
NFPA 1906, Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus
NFPA 1917, Standard for Automotive Ambulances

The public input closing dates for these documents are available on the links listed above.

Public input is a suggested revision to a proposed new or existing NFPA Standard submitted during the Input stage in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Regulations Governing the Development of NFPA Standards.