1. The American Fire Code System
Russell P. Fleming, P.E., FSFPE
Managing Director
International Fire Sprinkler Association

2. The American Code System
The adoption and enforcement of building and fire codes is a function of the cities or states, not the federal government
Most states and cities find it best to adopt a model code to avoid the cost and difficulty of developing independent codes
There are two private membership organizations in the U.S. that undertake development efforts

3. NFPA vs. ICC
National Fire Protection Association – an organization founded in 1896 following the successful development of a common standard for the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems
International Code Council – an organization formed in 1994 by the merger of three separate member associations of building officials, the oldest of which first published a code in 1927

4. Decision Making
In both code systems, there is reliance upon the judgment of well-informed individuals who are responsible to make decisions to keep the public safe.
In the NFPA system, reliance is on the consensus judgment of technical committees selected to represent, on a balanced basis, a wide range of interests.
In the ICC system, reliance is on the collective judgment of individuals employed only by government entities.

5. Codes and Standards
Building Codes – Address how buildings are to be initially constructed to provide for occupant safety
Fire Codes – Address how buildings are to be used in a safe manner
Standards – Provide the details for the design and installation of building products and systems to be used in conjunction with building and fire codes

6. NFPA ICC Codes and Standards Building Codes Fire Codes Standards
NFPA Building Construction and Safety Code
- Used in some countries outside U.S.
International Building Code (IBC)
- Adopted or used in all 50 states
Fire Codes
NFPA 1 - Fire Code
- Adopted statewide in 19 states
NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code
- Used in all 50 states and adopted statewide in 43 states
International Fire Code (IFC)
- Adopted or used in about 42 states
Standards
Universally used fire protection standards, including NFPA 13, 14 & 72
Some standards but not related to fire protection equipment

7. Revision of NFPA Codes and Standards
Document revision cycles begin twice each year, and take about two years to complete
Every document is on either a 3-year, 4-year, or 5-year revision cycle

8. Revision of NFPA Codes and Standards
Technical Committees or Panels are the groups charged with reaching consensus, and are limited to no more than 30 voting members
Committees are balanced such that no single interest group constitutes more than 1/3 of the committee membership

9. The NFPA Interest Categories
Manufacturer User Installer/Maintainer Designer Insurer Labor Enforcer Consumer Special Expert Research/Testing

10. The NFPA Process – Four Fundamental Steps
Public Input
Public Comment
Technical Meeting
(Tech Session at Annual Meeting)
Standards Council Action
(Appeals and Issuance of Standard)

11. 1. Public Input Stage
A public notice for an existing or proposed new document is published on the website to invite proposals from anyone and everyone
At its “first draft meeting” the committee establishes a position on each Public input
First Revisions that pass ballot are published as a First Draft Report

12. 2. Comment Stage
Public comments are accepted for 10 weeks following publication of the First Draft Report
After the closing of the comment period, a Second Draft Meeting of the committee is held
Successfully balloted revisions are published in a “Second Draft Report”

13. 3. NFPA Technical Meeting
A Notice of Intent To Make A Motion (NITMAM) is accepted for 5 weeks following posting of a Second Draft Report
The entire NFPA Membership is invited to meet in June of each year to act on “Certified Amending Motions” (proper NITMAMS) to the codes and standards
Following the Technical Meeting, committees vote on any successful motions

14. 4. Standards Council Action
The NFPA Standards Council, a group carefully balanced by interest, oversees the entire standards process
A notice of intent to appeal to the Standards Council must be made within 20 days of the Technical Meeting
The Council considers the totality of information on a document in making the decision to issue the code or standard or take some other action

15. The ICC - Two Cycles of Code Development
Cycle A
IBC (International Building Code)
IEBC (International Existing Building Code)
International Mechanical and Plumbing Codes
Cycle B
IBC Chapters 9 (fire protection systems) and 16 (structural design)
IFC (International Fire Code)
IRC (International Residential Code)
Codes published at 3-year intervals

16. I-CODE DEVELOPMENT CYCLE
Code Changes
Submitted
Code Change Agenda Posted
Committee Action Hearings (CAH)
CAH Results Posted
Public Comments Sought on CAH Results
Public Comment Agenda Posted
Public Comment
Hearings (PCH)
PCH Results Posted
OGCV
I-CODE DEVELOPMENT CYCLE
Due: Jan Changes: Mar 8 CAH Vote: May 11 Pub Comm: July 22
CAH Assembly Floor Motion Voting

17. 2016 Code Development Year Public Comment Hearings (PCH)
October 19-25, Kansas City, MO
Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV)
November 8-21

18. Governmental Member Voting
Population
Voting Rep’s
Dues Per Year
0-50,000 4
$135 & $55 per
50, ,000 8
$240 & $55 per
Over 150,000 12
$370 & $55 per
Governmental Member
Must be engaged in administration, formulation, or enforcement of laws.
Designated 4-12 voting representatives, based on population
Employees or officials
Full or part time
Voting rights
Validated by ICC
Government/Municipality (includes agencies, departments & units) engaged in administration, formulation or enforcement of laws, regulations or ordinances relating to public health, safety and welfare.
A Governmental Member may designate 4-12 voting representatives (based on population) who are employees or officials of that governmental member and are actively engaged full or part-time in the administration, formulation or enforcement of laws, regulations or ordinances relating to public health, safety and welfare. Number of representatives based on population. See Governmental Member Application for details.
Governmental Members have voting rights. Read the ICC By-Laws , Articles II and III to learn more, including the allowed number of Governmental Member Voter Representatives (GMVRs.)

19. U.S. Typical Code Requirements for Fire Sprinklers in New Construction Since Year 2000
All covered malls
All multi-theater complexes
All types of buildings with floor level > 55 ft (16.7 m) above vehicle access with occupant load > 30
Assembly – Fire area > 12,000 ft2 (1115 m2) or occupant load > 300 above or below level of exit discharge
Educational – Fire area > 20,000 ft2 (1858 m2)

20. U.S. Typical Code Requirements for Fire Sprinklers in New Construction Since Year 2000
Factory – Fire area > 12,000 ft2 (1115 m2) or combined fire areas all floors > 24,000 ft2 (2230 m2) or > 3 stories
Mercantile – Fire area > 12,000 ft2 (1115 m2) or combined fire areas all floors > 24,000 ft2 (2230 m2) or > 3 stories
Storage – Fire area > 12,000 ft2 (1115 m2) or combined fire areas all floors > 24,000 ft2 (2230 m2) or > 3 stories

21. U.S. Typical Code Requirements for Fire Sprinklers in New Construction Since Year 2000
Institutional – All health care and detention facilities
Hotels and motels – all except those < 4 stories where each guest room has direct egress to an exterior exit.
Apartments – All >2 stories in height or more than 16 dwelling units

22. New Single-Family Homes
Both the NFPA Codes and the ICC’s International Residential Code now call for the installation of residential sprinkler systems in all new dwellings, but home builders have successfully lobbied most state legislatures to remove the requirement during code adoption processes
At present, while a growing number of cities and towns have this requirement, only two states require sprinklers in all new homes: California and Maryland

23. Fire Sprinklers in Existing Buildings
Beginning around 1975, there have been numerous city, state and federal requirements for sprinkler retrofit of some types of occupancies:
High-rise buildings (New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Nevada, etc.)
Nursing homes (Federal mandate)
College dormitories (New Jersey, Texas, etc.)
Nightclubs (Washington, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, etc.)

24. Codes Addressing Existing Buildings
NFPA 1 – Fire Code and NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code are especially noteworthy in terms of existing building requirements
NFPA 101 includes sprinkler requirements for a wide range of existing building types
NFPA 1, among its requirements for sprinklers in existing buildings, includes the requirement that all high-rise buildings (having an occupiable floor more than 23 m above the lowest level of fire department access) be retrofit with sprinklers within 12 years of the code adoption

25. Code Development Recommendations
Efforts should be aimed at either a national code or a model that can be universally adopted by individual jurisdictions for the protection of its citizens
The code development process should be clear and fair, open to public proposals, with ultimate decision-making in the hands of a group that can either be considered unbiased or with offsetting biases
The individuals involved should be competent with access to the best available information and data

26. Thank you
Obrigado