NFPA 551

Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments (2016 Edition)

(Softbound, 27 pages)
What is NFPA 551?
• This guide is intended to provide assistance, primarily to authorities
having jurisdiction (AHJs), in evaluating the appropriateness and
execution of a fire risk assessment (FRA) for a given fire safety
problem. While this guide primarily addresses regulatory officials, it
also is intended for others who review FRAs, such as insurance
company representatives and building owners. (Scope – Section 1.1)

• Revision cycle information - Revision Cycle: Fall 2018

Next Edition: 2019
Origin and development of NFPA 551
• In the mid-1990s, it was recognized that the application of fire risk
assessment methods in developing fire and life safety solutions continued
to increase.
• However, a set of rules or a framework that described the properties of an
acceptable fire risk assessment method was lacking.
• Additionally, there were no guidance documents available to those
responsible for approving or evaluating fire and life safety solutions that
were based on a fire risk assessment.
• NFPA 551, 2004 edition, was the first document prepared by the
committee in response to the growing need for guidance documents on
fire risk assessment methods.
Progression Path Revisions to NFPA 551
• An expanded discussion on the role of qualitative, semi-quantitative likelihood, semi-
quantitative consequence, and quantitative methods in a fire risk assessment and cost
benefit analysis was included, as was more detail on proper documentation and
elements of a fire risk assessment, and the importance of using checklists that address
both likelihood and consequence.
• The 2010 edition contained a reorganization of Chapter 7 to provide further guidance on
documentation requirements for the fire risk assessment concept report.
• The 2013 edition is a reconfirmation of the 2010 edition. This edition includes minor
updates to add explosions to the list of fire stimuli in Chapter 4 and includes the most
recent edition of the referenced publications in both Chapter 2 and Annex B.
• The 2016 edition is a reconfirmation of the 2013 with minor updates. It introduces new
definition for the term “Hazard” as well as updates to other definitions and reference
publications.
• The 2019 edition will have – research.
What does NFPA 551 address?
• In addition to discussion of selection and application of the various
types of fire risk methods and models, comprehensive coverage
includes guidance on identifying stakeholders, the role of the AHJ,
scope of the FRA, addressing uncertainty, cost-benefit analysis,
information requirements, documentation, and review approaches
and techniques. The importance of an operations and maintenance
manual in conducting a fire risk assessment, and the importance of
using checklists that address both likelihood and consequence are
also covered.
Purpose
• Correctly evaluate the appropriateness and execution of a fire risk
assessment for a fire safety problem with guidance in NFPA 551.

• Target audience for this consensus standard - Developed for AHJs,

insurance professionals, building owners, and anyone who reviews or
conducts fire risk assessments, NFPA 551: Guide for the Evaluation of
Fire Risk Assessments identifies the various types of fire risk
assessment methods and describes the properties these methods
should possess.
Table of Contents – NFPA 551
Chapter 1 Administration 1.1 Scope 1.2 Purpose 1.3 Application 1.4 Qualifications for Practitioners 1.5 Risk
Chapter 2 Referenced Publications 2.1 General 2.2 NFPA Publications 2.3 Other Publications 2.4 References for Extracts in
Advisory Sections.
Chapter 3 Definitions 3.1 General 3.2 NFPA Official Definitions 3.3 General Definitions
Chapter 4 Evaluating a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) 4.1 General 4.2 Stakeholders 4.3 Role of the Authority Having
Jurisdiction in the Process 4.4 Scope of FRAs 4.5 Uncertainty and Variability Analysis
Chapter 5 Selection and Evaluation: FRA Methods 5.1 General 5.2 Qualitative Methods 5.3 Semi quantitative Likelihood
Methods 5.4 Semi quantitative Consequence Method 5.5 Quantitative Methods 5.6 Cost-Benefit FRA Methods
Chapter 6 Information Requirements 6.1 General 6.2 General Quality of Information 6.3 Method-Specific Issues
Chapter 7 Documentation (Deliverables) 7.1 General 7.2 Fire Risk Assessment Concept Report 7.3 Comprehensive Project
Documentation 7.4 Operations and Maintenance Manual 7.5 Enforcement
Chapter 8 Review 8.1 Technical Review Approaches 8.2 FRA Review Techniques 8.3 Review Questions
Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex B Informational References
Index
How does NFPA 551 Help AHJs and others?
• NFPA 551 helps AHJs and others understand the basis for fire
assessments and learn how to confidently:

• Apply risk-informed decision making for fire safety.

• Select fire scenarios, identify representative challenging scenarios,
and group such scenarios into clusters for the purposes of conducting
more effective consequence analysis.
• Develop appropriate documentation to accompany a fire risk
assessment.
• Evaluate qualifications of those conducting a fire risk assessment.
What’s New in NFPA 551 (2016)?
Guidance on how to address uncertainty when conducting a fire risk
assessment.
Factors to consider when conducting or reviewing a fire risk assessment.
Guidance on how to address the changing effectiveness of fire protection
equipment, features, programs, and procedures.
Discussion on the role of qualitative, semi-quantitative likelihood, semi-
quantitative consequence, and quantitative methods in a fire risk assessment.
Discussion on cost-benefit analysis.
Details about proper documentation and elements of a fire risk assessment.
Guidance on applying risk-informed decision making for various fire safety
goals including the preservation of heritage resources.
Table 4.1.2 Example of Applications

Source: NFPA 551 Quincy, MA, 2016 Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
Figure 4.3 Overview of Review Process

Source: NFPA 551 Quincy, MA, 2016 Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
Table 5.1.2.1 Categories of FRA Methods

Source: NFPA 551 Quincy, MA, 2016 Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
Figure A.5.2.5 Risk Matrix (5 x 4)

Source: NFPA 551 Quincy, MA, 2016 Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
Summary
• NFPA 551 also covers the purpose and importance of an operations
and maintenance manual in conducting a fire risk assessment, and
the importance of using checklists that address both likelihood and
consequence.
References
• Yung, David (2008) Principles of Fire Risk Assessment in Buildings John
Wiley & Sons Ltd. ISBN 978-0-470-85402-0

• NFPA (2003) Fire Protection Handbook – 19th Edition Volume 1

• Watts, John M. Chapter 2 Fundamentals of Fire-Safe Building Design pages
2-37 to 2-49
• Hurley, Morgan J. & Quiter, James R. Chapter 10 Simple Fire Hazard
Calculations pages 3-147 to 3-159

• NFPA (2016) 551 Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments, 2016
Edition Quincy, MA ISBN 978-145591135-6