Introduction

Whether you think about it or not, fire safety regulations are part of our lives on a day-to-day basis. They're a strong force in helping protect lives and property in the best ways possible. Facility professionals follow these regulations to reduce fire risks, ensure safety, and comply with legal requirements. These guidelines help prevent, detect, and suppress fires when necessary to create a safer environment for everyone.

Explanation of the NFPA National Fire Codes

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a self-funded nonprofit organization that has existed for more than 125 years. Originally established in Boston to focus on fire sprinkler codes, it now has international offices in Latin America, North Africa, China, and the Middle East to expand the use of codes and standards.

The NFPA National Fire Codes is a model code comprising more than 300 codes, standards, and guides. Subject-matter experts from all over the world developed it to be a leading resource in life safety, fire, and electrical guidelines and requirements. The NFPA National Fire Codes not only exists to reduce the risk of fire but also to protect human life, making sure that all buildings and work environments are safe.

Fire and Life Safety inconsistencies can be a matter of life and death. That’s why the NFPA has a four-step process to develop consensus-based standards involving subject-matter experts. This process includes:

1.    Public Input
2.    Public Comment
3.    NFPA Technical Meeting (Tech Session)
4.    Standards Council Action (Appeals and Issuance of Standard)

Because of this protocol, there are codes and standards, such as NFPA 170: Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols. It details how “using easily understood uniform symbols on labels and signs provides consistency, eliminates confusion, and improves communication.” Following the process above leads to consistency across different organizations and locations related to Fire and Life Safety.

Interpretations and Enforcement of NFPA National Fire Codes

While the role of fire marshals can sometimes vary from state to state, they tend to be responsible for “fire safety code adoption and enforcement, fire and arson investigation, fire incident data reporting and analysis, public education, and advising Governors and State Legislatures on fire protection,” according to the National Association of State Fire Marshals. They also say they can be responsible for “firefighter training, hazardous materials incident responses, wildland fires, and the regulation of natural gas and other pipelines.

Even though NFPA contributors may have written codes with a particular interpretation in mind, not every fire marshal may view them the same way. This is often due to their local context and specific building situations. Because of this, enforcement variations can occur by jurisdiction for the same code. According to Facilities Management Advisor, the most common violations involve faulty or missing smoke detectors, blocked or not enough exit routes, blocked or locked exit doors, improper exit signage or lack of emergency lighting, expired fire extinguishers, malfunctioning sprinkler systems, improper extension cord usage, and failure to meet elevator specifications.

If a fire marshal finds a violation, this can significantly impact your business. That’s why their interpretation of the codes is so important. Additionally, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), uses NFPA guidelines to support citation violations. OSHA issues a maximum penalty of:

•    $16,131 per serious violation
•    $16,131 per day beyond the abatement date
•    $161,323 per willful or repeated violation

In addition, you may need to comply with NFPA standards to receive a property insurance policy. If you still obtain coverage without compliance, you may have to pay a higher premium. Understanding what codes and standards have been adopted in your area and how your fire marshal interprets them can make inspections go smoothly.

“Feet on the Street” Expert Insights

When switching Fire and Life Safety companies, you may find that your old one said everything was fine, and the new one claims everything’s wrong. The first question that comes to mind in this situation is, “How did it pass before?” This goes back to the new company applying the NFPA National Fire Codes from their understanding, but the old one interprets it differently. Receiving conflicting information can cause confusion and concern. However, more profound reasons can depend on the state.

“Almost all states have their own fire code,” says Mark Conroy, an industry veteran and member of several NFPA technical committees. “They adopt a model code, either NFPA 1, Fire Code or the International Fire Code (IFC), with modifications (typically). NFPA 1 and IFC are a collection of enforceable provisions, many of which come from other NFPA codes and standards. The adoption of IFC or NFPA 1 with modifications becomes the state fire code.”

While the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) must comply with the current NFPA National Fire Codes that their state or jurisdiction has adopted, that doesn’t mean changes can’t be made for additional safety or compliance. “The AHJ has the right/authority to add to the NFPA requirement but cannot take away from the code requirement,” said Tom VanDeventer, director of planning and operations for Commercial Fire.

In addition, many customers may not know that being grandfathered to other standards is a thing of the past. “The statement of ‘being grandfathered’ does not exist any longer. Each state and jurisdiction now requires that systems be maintained and inspected to their state NFPA-adopted version of the code,” VanDeventer said. This can explain customers' confusion when switching to a different Fire and Life Safety company.

Overall, an “interpretation” is what a person thinks the words in the NFPA code or standard mean. “Usually, the best interpretation comes from the person that wrote the words in the standard,” Conroy said. “At the beginning of each of these books is a list of the people currently responsible for the content.”

Regardless of whether a fire marshal or inspector is providing the interpretation, it’s up to them to have a reasonable basis for their interpretation, as they’re responsible for enforcing the codes. Problems only arise when the local official interprets a standard poorly.

Conclusion

Understanding the ins and outs of fire code interpretations is essential for ensuring compliance and safety within any facility. Familiarizing yourself with the NFPA National Fire Codes and recognizing the role of fire marshals can help you navigate inspections and regulations. Overall, a proactive approach to Fire and Life Safety is the best way to mitigate risks and maintain a safe business environment.