2012-13952. 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, [phone]. David F. Alderman, NIST, 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 Code 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 standards. 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 and NFPA Conference & Expo, check the NFPA Web site at: www.nfpa.org/​tcmeetings.

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 1—2012	Fire Code	6/22/2012.
NFPA 2—2011	Hydrogen Technologies Code	1/4/2013.
NFPA 3—2012	Recommended Practice on Commissioning and Integrated Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems	6/22/2012.
NFPA 4—P*	Standard for Integrated Testing of Fire Protection Systems	6/22/2012.
NFPA 11—2010	Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam	1/4/2013.
NFPA 12—2011	Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems	1/4/2013.
NFPA 12A—2009	Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems	1/4/2013.
NFPA 13E—2010	Recommended Practice for Fire Department Operations in Properties Protected by Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems	1/4/2013.
NFPA 16—2011	Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems	1/4/2013.
NFPA 18—2011	Standard on Wetting Agents	6/22/2012.
NFPA 30—2012	Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code	6/22/2012.
NFPA 30A—2012	Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages	6/22/2012.
NFPA 30B—2011	Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products	6/22/2012.
NFPA 31—2011	Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment
NFPA 33—2011	Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials	1/4/2013.
NFPA 34—2011	Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids	1/4/2013.
NFPA 40—2011	Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film	6/22/2012.
NFPA 45—2011	Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals	1/4/2013.
NFPA 54—2012	National Fuel Gas Code	6/22/2012.
NFPA 59—2012	Utility LP-Gas Plant Code	6/22/2012.
NFPA 70E—2012	Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®	6/22/2012.
NFPA 73—2011	Standard for Electrical Inspections for Existing Dwellings	7/8/2013.
NFPA 79—2012	Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery	6/22/2012.
NFPA 85—2011	Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code	1/4/2013.
NFPA 86—2011	Standard for Ovens and Furnaces	6/22/2012.
NFPA 87—2011	Recommended Practice for Fluid Heaters	6/22/2012.
NFPA 88A—2011	Standard for Parking Structures	6/22/2012.
NFPA 90A—2012	Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems	6/22/2012.
NFPA 90B—2012	Standard for the Installation of Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Systems	6/22/2012.
NFPA 91—2010	Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists, and Noncombustible Particulate Solids	1/4/2013.
NFPA 92—2012	Standard for Smoke Control Systems	1/4/2013.
NFPA 99—2012	Health Care Facilities Code	6/22/2012.
NFPA 99B—2010	Standard for Hypobaric Facilities	6/22/2012.
NFPA 120—2010	Standard for Fire Prevention and Control in Coal Mines	1/4/2013.
NFPA 122—2010	Standard for Fire Prevention and Control in Metal/Nonmetal Mining and Metal Mineral Processing Facilities	1/4/2013.
NFPA 160—2011	Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience	7/8/2013.
NFPA 170—2012	Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols	1/4/2013.
NFPA 204—2012	Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting	1/4/2013.
NFPA 253—2011	Standard Method of Test for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source	1/4/2013.
NFPA 262—2011	Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces	1/4/2013.
NFPA 265—2011	Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Room Fire Growth Contribution of Textile or Expanded Vinyl Wall Coverings on Full Height Panels and Walls	1/4/2013.
NFPA 276—2011	Standard Method of Fire Tests for Determining the Heat Release Rate of Roofing Assemblies with Combustible Above-Deck Roofing Components	1/4/2013.
NFPA 286—2011	Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth	1/4/2013.
NFPA 302—2010	Fire Protection Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft	6/22/2012.
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 318—2012	Standard for the Protection of Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities	6/22/2012.
NFPA 326—2010	Standard for the Safeguarding of Tanks and Containers for Entry, Cleaning, or Repair	1/4/2013.
NFPA 329—2010	Recommended Practice for Handling Releases of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases	1/4/2013.
NFPA 405—2010	Standard for the Recurring Proficiency of Airport Fire Fighters	1/4/2013.
NFPA 408—2010	Standard for Aircraft Hand Portable Fire Extinguishers	1/4/2013.
NFPA 409—2011	Standard on Aircraft Hangars	7/8/2013.
NFPA 410—2010	Standard on Aircraft Maintenance	1/4/2013.
NFPA 422—2010	Guide for Aircraft Accident/Incident Response Assessment	1/4/2013.
NFPA 423—2010	Standard for Construction and Protection of Aircraft Engine Test Facilities	7/8/2013.
NFPA 484—2012	Standard for Combustible Metals	6/22/2012.
NFPA 520—2010	Standard on Subterranean Spaces	1/4/2013.
NFPA 556—2011	Guide on Methods for Evaluating Fire Hazard to Occupants of Passenger Road Vehicles	7/8/2013.
NFPA 557—2012	Standard for Determination of Fire Loads for Use in Structural Fire Protection Design	1/4/2013.
NFPA 600—2010	Standard on Industrial Fire Brigades	1/4/2013.
NFPA 601—2010	Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention	1/4/2013.
NFPA 701—2010	Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films	1/4/2013.
NFPA 720—2012	Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment	6/22/2012.
NFPA 790—2012	Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies	6/22/2012.
NFPA 791—2012	Recommended Practice and Procedures for Unlabeled Electrical Equipment Evaluation	6/22/2012.
NFPA 804—2010	Standard for Fire Protection for Advanced Light Water Reactor Electric Generating Plants	1/4/2013.
NFPA 805—2010	Performance-Based Standard for Fire Protection for Light Water Reactor Electric Generating Plants	1/4/2013.
NFPA 806—2010	Performance-Based Standard for Fire Protection for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Electric Generating Plants Change Process	1/4/2013.
NFPA 820—2012	Standard for Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities	7/8/2013.
NFPA 850—2010	Recommended Practice for Fire Protection for Electric Generating Plants and High Voltage Direct Current Converter Stations	1/4/2013.
NFPA 851—2010	Recommended Practice for Fire Protection for Hydroelectric Generating Plants	1/4/2013.
NFPA 853—2010	Standard for the Installation of Stationary Fuel Cell Power Systems	1/4/2013.
NFPA 914—2010	Code for Fire Protection of Historic Structures	1/4/2013.
NFPA 950—P *	Standard for Data Development and Exchange for the Fire Service	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1000—2011	Standard for Fire Service Professional Qualifications Accreditation and Certification Systems	7/8/2013.
NFPA 1003—2010	Standard for Airport Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1035—2010	Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, and Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1071—2011	Standard for Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications	7/8/2013.
NFPA 1091—P *	Standard for Traffic Control Incident Management Professional Qualifications	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1126—2011	Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience	7/8/2013.
NFPA 1145—2011	Guide for the Use of Class A Foams in Manual Structural Fire Fighting	7/8/2013.
NFPA 1150—2010	Standard on Foam Chemicals for Fires in Class A Fuels	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1201—2010	Standard for Providing Fire and Emergency Services to the Public	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1250—2010	Recommended Practice in Fire and Emergency Service Organization Risk Management	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1407—2010	Standard for Training Fire Service Rapid Intervention Crews	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1410—2010	Standard on Training for Initial Emergency Scene Operations	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1452—2010	Guide for Training Fire Service Personnel to Conduct Dwelling Fire Safety Surveys	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1581—2010	Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1583—2008	Standard on Health-Related Fitness Programs for Fire Department Members	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1584—2008	Standard on the Rehabilitation Process for Members During Emergency Operations and Training Exercises	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1620—2010	Standard for Pre-Incident Planning	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1710—2010	Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments	6/22/2012.
NFPA 1720—2010	Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments	6/22/2012.
NFPA 1901—2009	Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus	7/8/2013.
NFPA 1906—2012	Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus	7/8/2013.
NFPA 1931—2010	Standard for Manufacturer's Design of Fire Department Ground Ladders	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1932—2010	Standard on Use, Maintenance, and Service Testing of In-Service Fire Department Ground Ladders	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1936—2010	Standard on Powered Rescue Tools	1/4/2013.
NFPA 1952—2010	Standard on Surface Water Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment	1/4/2013.
NFPA 2001—2012	Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems	1/4/2013.
NFPA 2010—2010	Standard for Fixed Aerosol Fire-Extinguishing Systems	1/4/2013.
NFPA 2113—2012	Standard on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire	6/22/2012.
* 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: May 31, 2012.

Willie E. May,

Associate Director for Laboratory Programs.