National Fire Codes: Request for Public Input for Revision of Codes and Standards

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

National Fire Codes: Request for Public Input for Revision of Codes and Standards

AGENCY:

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice contains the list of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) documents opening for Public Input, and it also contains information on the NFPA Revision Process. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is publishing this notice on behalf of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to announce the NFPA's proposal to revise some of its fire safety codes and standards and requests Public Input to amend existing or begin the process of developing new NFPA fire safety codes and standards. The purpose of this request is to increase public participation in the system used by NFPA to develop its codes and standards.

DATES:

Interested persons may submit Public Input by 5:00 p.m. EST/EDST on or before the date listed with the code or standard.

ADDRESSES:

Amy Beasley Cronin, Secretary, Standards Council, NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-7471.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Amy Beasley Cronin, NFPA, Secretary, Standards Council, at above address, (617) 770-3000. David F. Alderman, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 2100, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, email:

david.alderman@nist.gov

or by phone at 301-975-4019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) proposes to revise some of its fire safety codes and standards and requests Public Input to amend existing or begin the process of developing new NFPA fire safety codes and standards. The purpose of this request is to increase public participation in the system used by NFPA to develop its codes and standards. The publication of this notice of request for Public Input by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on behalf of NFPA is being undertaken as a public service; NIST does not necessarily endorse, approve, or recommend any of the standards referenced in the notice.

The NFPA process provides ample opportunity for public participation in the development of its codes and standards. All NFPA codes and standards are revised and updated every three to five years in Revision Cycles that begin twice each year and take approximately two years to complete. Each Revision Cycle proceeds according to a published schedule that includes final dates for all major events in the process. The Revision Process contains four basic steps that are followed for developing new documents as well as revising existing documents. Step 1: Public Input Stage, which results in the First Draft Report (formerly ROP); Step 2: Comment Stage, which results in the Second Draft Report (formerly ROC); Step 3: the Association Technical Meeting at the NFPA Conference & Expo; and Step 4: Standards Council consideration and issuance of documents.

Note:

NFPA rules state that, anyone wishing to make Amending Motions on the Public Comments, Second Revisions, or Committee Comments must signal his or her intention by submitting a Notice of Intent to Make a Motion by 5:00 p.m. EST/EDST of the Deadline stated in the Second Draft Report. Certified motions will then be posted on the NFPA Web site. Documents that receive notice of proper Amending Motions (Certified Amending Motions) will be presented for action at the Association Technical Meeting at the NFPA Conference & Expo. Documents that receive no motions will be forwarded directly to the Standards Council for action on issuance.

For more information on these rules and for up-to-date information on schedules and deadlines for processing NFPA Codes and Standards, check the

NFPA Web site at

www.nfpa.org

, or contact NFPA Codes and Standards Administration.

Background

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops building, fire, and electrical safety codes and standards. Federal agencies frequently use these codes and standards as the basis for developing Federal regulations concerning fire safety. Often, the Office of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of these standards under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

When a Technical Committee begins the development of a new or revised NFPA code or standard, it enters one of two Revision Cycles available each year. The Revision Cycle begins with the Call for Public Input, that is, a public notice asking for any interested persons to submit specific input for developing or revising a code or standard. The Call for Public Input is published in a variety of publications.

Following the Call for Public Input period, the Technical Committee holds a meeting to consider all the submitted Public Input and make Revisions accordingly. A document known as the First Draft Report (formerly ROP), is prepared containing all the Public Input, the Technical Committee's response to each Input, as well as all Committee-generated First Revisions. The First Draft is then submitted for the approval of the Technical Committee by a formal written ballot. Any Revisions that do not receive approval by a two-thirds vote calculated in accordance with NFPA rules will not appear in the First Draft. If the necessary approval is received, the Revisions are published in the First Draft Report that is posted on the NFPA Web site at

www.nfpa.org

for public review and comment, and the process continues to the next step.

Once the First Draft Report becomes available, there is a 10 week comment period during which anyone may submit a Comment on the proposed changes in the First Draft Report. The Committee then reconvenes at the end of the Comment period and acts on all Comments.

As before, a two-thirds approval vote by written ballot of the eligible members of the Committee is required for approval of the Second Revisions. All of this information is compiled into a second report, called the Second Draft Report (formerly ROC), which, like the First Draft Report, is published, and is made available for public review for a five-week period.

The process of public input and review does not end with the publication of the First Draft Report and Second Draft Report. Following the completion of the Public Input and Comment periods, there is further opportunity for debate and discussion through the Association Technical Meeting that takes place at the NFPA Conference & Expo.

The Association Technical Meeting provides an opportunity for the Technical Committee Report (i.e., the First Draft Report and Second Draft Report) on each proposed new or revised code or standard to be presented to the NFPA membership for the debate and consideration of motions to amend the Report. Before making an allowable motion at an Association Technical Meeting, the intended maker of the motion must file, in advance of the session, and within the published deadline, a Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM). A Motions Committee appointed by the Standards Council then reviews all notices and certifies all amending motions that are proper. Only these Certified Amending Motions, together with certain allowable Follow-Up Motions (that is, motions that have become necessary as a result of previous successful amending motions) will be allowed at the Association Technical Meeting.

For more information on dates/locations of NFPA Technical Committee meetings go to the NFPA Web site at

www.nfpa.org/tcmeetings;

and for NFPA Conference & Expo, go to the NFPA Web site at

www.nfpa.org/conference.

The specific rules for the types of motions that can be made and who can make them are set forth in NFPA's Regulations Governing the Development of NFPA Standards which should always be consulted by those wishing to bring an issue before the membership at an Association Technical Meeting.

Request for Public Input

Interested persons may submit Public Input supported by data, views, and substantiation. Public Input should be submitted online for each specific document (i.e.,

www.nfpa.org/publicinput

). Public Input received by 5:00 p.m. EST/EDST on or before the closing date indicated with each code or standard would be acted on by the Committee, and then considered by the NFPA Membership at the Association Technical Meeting.

Document—Edition

Document title

Public input closing date

NFPA 10—2013

Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers

1/3/2014

NFPA 13—2013

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

5/31/2013

NFPA 13D—2013

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes

5/31/2013

NFPA 13R—2013

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies

5/31/2013

NFPA 14—2013

Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems

1/3/2014

NFPA 15—2012

Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection

7/7/2014

NFPA 18—2011

Standard on Wetting Agents

1/3/2014

NFPA 18A—2011

Standard on Water Additives for Fire Control and Vapor Mitigation

1/3/2014

NFPA 20—2013

Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection

7/8/2013

NFPA 24—2013

Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances

5/31/2013

NFPA 32—2011

Standard for Drycleaning Plants

1/3/2014

NFPA 35—2011

Standard for the Manufacture of Organic Coatings

1/3/2014

NFPA 36—2013

Standard for Solvent Extraction Plants

1/5/2015

NFPA 40—2011

Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film

7/8/2013

NFPA 51—2013

Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen-Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes

7/6/2015

NFPA 51A—2012

Standard for Acetylene Cylinder Charging Plants

7/7/2014

NFPA 52—2013

Vehicular Gaseous Fuel Systems Code

1/3/2014

NFPA 53—2011

Recommended Practice on Materials, Equipment, and Systems Used in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres

1/3/2014

NFPA 55—2013

Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code

7/8/2013

NFPA 59A—2013

Standard for the Production, Storage, and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

7/8/2013

NFPA 61—2013

Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities

7/6/2015

NFPA 67—2013

Guideline on Explosion Protection for Gaseous Mixtures in Pipe Systems

1/3/2014

NFPA 72—2013

National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

5/20/2013

NFPA 73—2011

Standard for Electrical Inspections for Existing Dwellings

7/8/2013

NFPA 75—2013

Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment

1/3/2014

NFPA 76—2012

Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities

1/3/2014

NFPA 80—2013

Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives

7/8/2013

NFPA 80A—2012

Recommended Practice for Protection of Buildings from Exterior Fire Exposures

7/7/2014

NFPA 101A—2013

Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety

7/8/2013

NFPA 102—2011

Standard for Grandstands, Folding and Telescopic Seating, Tents, and Membrane Structures

1/3/2014

NFPA 105—2013

Standard for the Installation of Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives

7/8/2013

NFPA 110—2013

Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems

7/8/2013

NFPA 111—2013

Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems

7/8/2013

NFPA 115—2012

Standard for Laser Fire Protection

1/3/2014

NFPA 150—2013

Standard on Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities

7/8/2013

NFPA 160—2011

Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience

7/8/2013

NFPA 211—2013

Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances

1/3/2014

NFPA 214—2011

Standard on Water-Cooling Towers

1/3/2014

NFPA 225—2013

Model Manufactured Home Installation Standard

1/5/2015

NFPA 232—2012

Standard for the Protection of Records

7/7/2014

NFPA 241—2013

Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations

1/5/2015

NFPA 252—2012

Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies

1/5/2015

NFPA 257—2012

Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies

1/5/2015

NFPA 268—2012

Standard Test Method for Determining Ignitibility of Exterior Wall Assemblies Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source

1/5/2015

NFPA 269—2012

Standard Test Method for Developing Toxic Potency Data for Use in Fire Hazard Modeling

1/5/2015

NFPA 275—2013

Standard Method of Fire Tests for the Evaluation of Thermal Barriers

1/5/2015

NFPA 285—2012

Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components

1/5/2015

NFPA 287—2012

Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Flammability of Materials in Cleanrooms Using a Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA)

1/5/2015

NFPA 288—2012

Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Horizontal Fire Door Assemblies Installed in Horizontal Fire Resistance-Rated Assemblies

1/5/2015

NFPA 291—2013

Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants

5/31/2013

NFPA 301—2013

Code for Safety to Life from Fire on Merchant Vessels

7/6/2015

NFPA 303—2011

Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards

7/8/2013

NFPA 307—2011

Standard for the Construction and Fire Protection of Marine Terminals, Piers, and Wharves

7/8/2013

NFPA 312—2011

Standard for Fire Protection of Vessels During Construction, Conversion, Repair, and Lay-Up

7/8/2013

NFPA 385—2012

Standard for Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids

1/5/2015

NFPA 400—2013

Hazardous Materials Code

7/8/2013

NFPA 402—2013

Guide for Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting Operations

7/6/2015

NFPA 407—2012

Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing

7/7/2014

NFPA 409—2011

Standard on Aircraft Hangars

7/8/2013

NFPA 414—2012

Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting Vehicles

7/7/2014

NFPA 415—2013

Standard on Airport Terminal Buildings, Fueling Ramp Drainage, and Loading Walkways

7/8/2013

NFPA 418—2011

Standard for Heliports

1/3/2014

NFPA 423—2010

Standard for Construction and Protection of Aircraft Engine Test Facilities

7/8/2013

NFPA 424—2013

Guide for Airport/Community Emergency Planning

7/6/2015

NFPA 450—2013

Guide for Emergency Medical Services and Systems

7/7/2014

NFPA 472—2013

Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents

7/6/2015

NFPA 473—2013

Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents

7/6/2015

NFPA 475 P *

Recommended Practice for Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents/Weapons of Mass Destruction

1/5/2015

NFPA 497—2012

Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas

1/3/2014

NFPA 499—2013

Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas

7/7/2014

NFPA 501—2013

Standard on Manufactured Housing

1/5/2015

NFPA 501A—2013

Standard for Fire Safety Criteria for Manufactured Home Installations, Sites, and Communities

1/5/2015

NFPA 550—2012

Guide to the Fire Safety Concepts Tree

1/5/2015

NFPA 551—2013

Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments

1/3/2014

NFPA 555—2013

Guide on Methods for Evaluating Potential for Room Flashover

7/7/2014

NFPA 556—2011

Guide on Methods for Evaluating Fire Hazard to Occupants of Passenger Road Vehicles

7/8/2013

NFPA 654—2013

Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids

7/6/2015

NFPA 655—2012

Standard for Prevention of Sulfur Fires and Explosions

1/5/2015

NFPA 664—2012

Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities

7/7/2014

NFPA 704—2012

Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response

7/7/2014

NFPA 820—2012

Standard for Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities

7/8/2013

NFPA 900—2013

Building Energy Code

1/3/2014

NFPA 901—2011

Standard Classifications for Incident Reporting and Fire Protection Data

1/3/2014

NFPA 909—2013

Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties—Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship

1/5/2015

NFPA 951 P *

Guide to Building and Utilizing Data Information

1/3/2014

NFPA 1000—2011

Standard for Fire Service Professional Qualifications Accreditation and Certification Systems

1/5/2015

NFPA 1037—2012

Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Marshal

1/5/2015

NFPA 1051—2012

Standard for Wildland Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications

1/5/2015

NFPA 1071—2011

Standard for Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications

7/8/2013

NFPA 1072 P *

Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications

1/5/2015

NFPA 1122—2013

Code for Model Rocketry

7/6/2015

NFPA 1124—2013

Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, Storage, and Retail Sales of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles

7/7/2014

NFPA 1125—2012

Code for the Manufacture of Model Rocket and High Power Rocket Motors

7/7/2014

NFPA 1126—2011

Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience

7/8/2013

NFPA 1127—2013

Code for High Power Rocketry

7/6/2015

NFPA 1128PYR—2013

Standard Method of Fire Test for Flame Breaks

7/7/2014

NFPA 1129PYR—2013

Standard Method of Fire Test for Covered Fuse on Consumer Fireworks

7/7/2014

NFPA 1141—2012

Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Wildland, Rural, and Suburban Areas

7/7/2014

NFPA 1142—2012

Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting

7/7/2014

NFPA 1144—2013

Standard for Reducing Structure Ignition Hazards from Wildland Fire

7/6/2015

NFPA 1145—2011

Guide for the Use of Class A Foams in Manual Structural Fire Fighting

7/8/2013

NFPA 1221—2013

Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems

7/8/2013

NFPA 1401—2012

Recommended Practice for Fire Service Training Reports and Records

1/5/2015

NFPA 1402—2012

Guide to Building Fire Service Training Centers

1/5/2015

NFPA 1403—2012

Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions

1/5/2015

NFPA 1405—2011

Guide for Land-Based Fire Departments that Respond to Marine Vessel Fires

1/3/2014

NFPA 1500—2013

Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program

7/6/2015

* Proposed NEW drafts are available from NFPA's Web site—

www.nfpa.org

or may be obtained from NFPA's Codes and Standards Administration, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-7471.

Dated: April 22, 2013.

Willie E. May,

Associate Director for Laboratory Programs.

[FR Doc. 2013-09938 Filed 4-25-13; 8:45 am]

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