January 2004

NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®

Code Use and Development

¾ NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®, is the first and only building code developed through a
consensus process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the administrator and
coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system.

¾ NFPA 5000 contains provisions for every aspect of design and construction of buildings and structures, as well as
the creation of building systems for health, safety, comfort, and convenience. Comprehensive reviews of NFPA
5000 conducted by public safety experts have demonstrated that NFPA’s model building code provides the
highest level of safety of any available model building code, and is supported by services unmatched by other
model code developers.

¾ The building code also is the only building code featuring an occupancy-based format, along with integrated
provisions for both performance-based design options and the rehabilitative use of existing buildings.

¾ NFPA and its partners, including the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO);
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); and the Western Fire
Chiefs Association (WFCA), have developed C3, the Comprehensive Consensus Codes™. The C3 set is also the
only set of codes developed through an ANSI-accredited process. The codes affect virtually every building,
process, service, design, and installation in society today. NFPA 5000 is an integral element of the set. For online
information about the C3 set, log onto www.c3codeset.org.

Service and Training

¾ Public safety is NFPA’s top priority. In states that adopt elements of the C3 set, NFPA will make available free
training and associated codebooks to code enforcers. NFPA also serves as a resource to professionals by
publishing a wide range of handbooks, reference books, textbooks, field guides, and training manuals.

¾ NFPA has an experienced staff in place to support the adoption and use of the Building Construction and Safety
Code. Staff members include experts in structural engineering, architecture, and building systems. NFPA also
administers professional certification programs for Certified Building Inspectors and Certified Building Plans
Examiners.

Public Safety Benefits Beyond Code Adoption

¾ The benefits of using NFPA 5000 and other NFPA codes and standards extend beyond code adoption. NFPA
channels its resources into a variety of public safety efforts, including broad public education programs,
independent research initiatives, and continuing education services. All of these efforts are part of NFPA’s
commitment to enhancing public safety. When you support NFPA, you also are supporting those initiatives.

¾ Education efforts for the general public include the publication of fire, building, and life safety outreach programs
and materials for adults and children. No other code development organization shares NFPA’s commitment to
both the users of our codes, as well as to the communities in which our codes are used.
 January 2004

NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®:

Ease of Use

¾ Clearly stated goals and objectives: The Building Construction and Safety Code® includes clearly
stated goals and objectives (life safety, firefighter safety, property protection) on which all users will be
able to rely during the construction process.

¾ Performance-based design options: The Building Construction and Safety Code also is the only
building code to include integrated, performance-based design options. This option allows design
professionals, builders, code enforcers, and others in the field of construction to use innovative means
of protecting public safety as an alternate to the prescriptive requirements.

¾ Occupancy-based format: The code is organized based on the occupancy or use of the proposed
facility. The occupancy-based format will make it easier for all of those involved in the construction
process to find information relevant to their project. A similar format has been successfully used for
many years in the Life Safety Code® – a model code utilized by numerous federal government
agencies and in use in 35 states.

¾ Complete key structural engineering standards: The Building Construction and Safety Code
includes direct references to key structural engineering standards, without major revisions. As a result,
the code fully utilizes documents created by such safety organizations as the American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE), American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

¾ Integrated provisions for existing buildings: The Building Construction and Safety Code is the only
building code that includes integrated prescriptive provisions for the rehabilitation of existing buildings.
The inclusion of such important provisions in the code itself demonstrates that NFPA considers
rehabilitating existing structures a priority, not an afterthought. As a result, this code will help thousands
of communities across the United States preserve important parts of their architectural heritage while
providing the highest level of safety.

¾ Reduced potential for conflict: By adopting the Building Construction and Safety Code as part of the
Comprehensive Consensus Codes® (C3) set – an integrated set of correlated codes and standards –
state and local governments will reduce the potential for conflict among key safety documents.

¾ Free online access: The C3 partnership has taken the historic step of offering free online access to its
building code – making the code more available to an even broader group of interested parties.

¾ Free code books and training: The C3 partners also make available to code enforcers free training
and associated codebooks in states that adopt the Building Construction and Safety Code, further
reducing taxpayer costs.

¾ Streamlined construction process: Use of the Building Construction and Safety Code will bring
efficiencies to the design, construction, permitting, and enforcement process, reducing delays and
related costs without sacrificing safety.
 January 2004

NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®:

Preserving the Past, Advancing Safety
¾ Meeting the needs of communities: Rehabilitation of existing buildings is vital to historic
preservation and economic viability in communities all across the nation. In the past, model
building codes may actually have posed barriers to community redevelopment. In order to
manage this important issue, many communities began development of their own codes with
provisions for existing buildings. NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code™
addresses this need within a model code by including provisions for rehabilitation of existing
buildings.

¾ Fully integrating existing building provisions: As the first model code to incorporate a
realistic, stepped approach to regulating the rehabilitation of existing buildings, NFPA’s
Building Construction and Safety Code will help communities preserve the past and safely
rejuvenate existing buildings. In NFPA 5000, existing buildings are not an afterthought, but are
recognized as important pieces of a community’s fabric and future.

¾ Involving all interested parties: The Building Construction and Safety Code is the first
model code developed through a process accredited by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI). As part of the code development process, all of those interested in
rehabilitation were free to participate equally.

¾ Making building rehabilitation easier: The inclusion of existing buildings provisions in this
model building code allows design professionals, builders, code enforcers, and others to more
readily understand and implement the entire spectrum of potential rehabilitation work, from
repairs to reconstruction in every type of building, even historic structures. The enhanced
efficiency of this process likely will reduce the number of delays associated with rehabilitation
of existing buildings. And, it may increase interest in rehabilitation efforts in many urban areas
where a deteriorating building stock could not otherwise be beneficially re-used.

¾ Allowing flexibility: The existing buildings provisions in the Building Construction and Safety
Code are “stepped” logically, covering every aspect of rehabilitation work, from repair to total
reconstruction. This “stepped” approach allows for different levels of rehabilitation, based on
the way a particular building will be used. The format of requirements is the same for each of
the work categories, making them easy to use and follow. This approach provides workable
rules, requiring more upgrades to ensure that public health, safety, and welfare is maintained
or improved as more work is performed. While these upgrades will not bring an existing
building into compliance with the building safety requirements for new construction, they will
provide improvements in conditions that could otherwise legally continue to remain unabated in
existing buildings.
 January 2004

NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®:

Advancing Safety and Affordability
¾ Buildings are long-term investments in safety: Taking steps to ensure that a building will safely last
for many years is an important element of cost-efficient construction. Whether the building will be used
as a home or a business, the people who pay for its construction want to know that the building will
provide a safe environment for as long as possible. Therefore, all new construction should reflect the
latest, scientifically based developments in safety.

¾ Consideration of construction costs: NFPA's ANSI accredited codes and standards making process
includes consideration of construction costs. By bringing all affected interests to the table during code
development, technical committees consider many issues; balancing the level of safety with the short
term cost of construction. The outcome of providing a high level of safety with reasonable construction
costs leads to long term cost efficiency for the entire community.

¾ Framework for cost-efficient construction: From beginning to end, NFPA 5000®, Building
Construction and Safety Code® focuses on the protection of both building occupants and the
structures themselves. By providing government officials and code users with the latest safety
measures, NFPA’s Building Construction and Safety Code offers a lasting framework that will help to
keep buildings safe over the long term and increase the cost-efficiency of new construction.

¾ Streamlined construction process: The code is organized based on the occupancy or use of the
proposed facility. The occupancy-based format makes it easier for all of those involved in the
construction process to find information relevant to their project. Use of the Building Construction and
Safety Code will bring efficiencies to the design, construction, permitting, and enforcement process,
reducing delays and related costs without sacrificing safety.

¾ Encourages maintenance of existing structures: NFPA’s Building Construction and Safety Code
also includes provisions to make existing buildings safer by encouraging the rehabilitation and
maintenance of those structures. This model building code allows design professionals, builders, code
enforcers, and others to more readily understand and implement the entire spectrum of potential
rehabilitation work, from repairs to reconstruction in every type of building, even historic structures. The
enhanced efficiency of this process likely will reduce the number of delays associated with
rehabilitation.

¾ Free online access: NFPA 5000 is an important element of the Comprehensive Consensus Codes®
(C3) set. The C3 partnership has taken the historic step of offering free online access to its building
code – making the code more available to an even broader group of interested parties.

¾ Free code books and training: The C3 partners also make available to code enforcers free training
and associated codebooks in states that adopt the Building Construction and Safety Code, reducing
taxpayer costs.
 January 2004

NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®:

Building Safety and Environmental Responsibility

¾ Commitment to the environment: Recognizing a need to protect the environment while maintaining
public safety, NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code® was developed with a
commitment to occupant health and environmental responsibility. NFPA 5000 includes integrated
provisions for performance-based design options, a stepped approach to the rehabilitative use of
existing buildings, and allowances for the use of alternate materials and methods of construction.
Because of its content, NFPA’s model code provides jurisdictions with the flexibility needed to foster
innovative approaches to safely build environmentally friendly structures using sustainable construction
materials.

¾ Energy efficiency: Chapter 4 of the Building Construction and Safety Code sets goals for energy
efficiency in building design, construction, and operation, which are met through the prescriptive energy
conservation requirements. It protects public welfare and promotes occupant health, ensuring that
buildings are consistent with the reasonable expectations for energy efficiency, cultural heritage
preservation, mission continuity, and environment.

¾ Performance-based design options: Chapter 5 of NFPA’s model code details the performance-
based design options provided in the code, allowing easy use of alternate designs, materials, and
methods of construction. This fosters sustainable or “green” construction. Performance-based design
options allow design professionals, builders, code enforcers, and others in the field of construction to
use innovative, environmentally responsible construction, with public safety in mind.

¾ Building rehabilitation: Chapter 15 of the Building Construction and Safety Code encourages
building rejuvenation and the continued use or re-use of existing buildings. This model building code
allows design professionals, builders, code enforcers, and others to more readily understand and
implement the entire spectrum of potential rehabilitation work, from repairs to reconstruction in every
type of building, even historic structures. The enhanced efficiency of this process likely will reduce the
delays typically associated with rehabilitation. The code allows developers to accurately anticipate the
type of rehabilitation necessary in order to meet the requirements of the code. As the first model code
to incorporate a realistic, stepped approach to regulating the rehabilitation of existing buildings, NFPA
5000 will help communities preserve the past and safely rejuvenate existing structures. As a result, the
rehabilitation provisions within the building code in Chapter 15 may help to reduce the amount of
building materials wasted in unnecessary demolitions of older buildings.

¾ Developed through consensus: NFPA 5000 is the first and only building code developed through a
consensus process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the administrator
and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system. NFPA and its
partners, including the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO);
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); and the
Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), have developed C3, the Comprehensive Consensus Codes®
set. C3 is the only full set of integrated consensus-based codes and standards that covers the built
environment. The codes affect virtually every building, process, service, design, and installation in
society today. NFPA 5000 is an integral element of the set. For online information about the C3 set, log
onto www.c3codeset.org.
 January 2004

NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®:

Safeguards to Help Protect Firefighters and Emergency Responders

Background
The safety of firefighters and other emergency responders has always been a priority for
NFPA. And, NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code® is another step toward
that goal.

NFPA develops approximately 80 standards that directly impact fire department operations all
over the world. And, more than 18,000 members of the fire service are members of NFPA.
They represent all levels of responsibility including: chief officers, training officers, fire
marshals, inspectors, emergency medical, wildland, fire scene operations, personnel safety,
labor, administration, public education, professional qualifications, and others. In fact, several
NFPA membership sections, including the Fire Service, Metro Chiefs, and the International
Fire Marshals Sections, are dedicated solely to the fire service. The NFPA Board of Directors
has included fire service representatives for more than 20 years.

Even with tremendous progress in safety standards in recent years, annual fire fighter injury
and death losses remain high. For this reason, fire service members have recognized the
need for fire suppression and rescue considerations to be incorporated in the construction of
buildings. Based on NFPA’s unique experience and role in first responder safety, NFPA’s
Board of Directors was keenly aware of the importance of including provisions for first
responder safety in the organization’s model building code.

From the beginning, it was agreed that safeguards for fire fighter and emergency responder
safety would be a founding principle of NFPA’s Building Construction and Safety Code.
Consequently, not only does the code address every aspect of design and construction of
buildings and structures, NFPA 5000 is also the first ever model building code to mandate
consideration of fire fighter safety as part of the building construction process.

This approach fosters closer working relationships between building officials and fire service
personnel in the building design process. These provisions also facilitate the coordination of
related provisions contained within the 2003 edition of NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™ and
other important fire company responsibilities like pre-incident planning and emergency
rescue/operation plans.

Following are a few key provisions taken directly from NFPA’s Building Construction and
Safety Code that will help to protect the safety of firefighters and other first responders. As
you will see, consideration of their safety can be found throughout the document.
 January 2004
NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®
Key Provisions Regarding
Fire Fighter and Emergency Responder Safety

Scope:
The code addresses construction, protection, and occupancy features necessary to minimize
danger to life and property. (Chapter 1.1.1)

Safety from Fire:

Safety from Fire Goal: The fire safety goal of this code is as follows:
• To provide an environment for the occupants inside or near a building that is reasonably
safe from fire and similar emergencies.
• To provide reasonable safety for firefighters and emergency responders during search
and rescue operations. (Chapter 4.1.3.1.1)

Safety from Fire Objectives:

• Buildings shall be designed and constructed to provide reasonable safety for firefighters
and emergency responders during search and rescue operations. (Chapter 4.1.3.1.2.2)
• Buildings shall be designed and constructed to provide reasonable access to the building
for emergency responders. (Chapter 4.1.3.1.2.4)

Safety from Hazardous Materials:

Facilities containing high-hazard contents shall have the goal of protecting people and
property from the consequences of unauthorized discharges, fires, and explosions involving
hazardous materials. (Chapter 4.1.3.4)

Fundamental Fire and Life Safety Requirements:

Multiple Safeguards: The design of every building or structure intended for human occupancy
shall be such that reliance for property protection and safety to life does not depend solely on
any single safeguard. An additional safeguard(s) shall be provided for property protection and
life safety in case any single safeguard is ineffective due to inappropriate human actions,
building failure, or system failure. (Chapter 4.4.1)

Performance Based Option: The Building Construction and Safety Code is the only
building code to include integrated, performance-based design options. This option allows
design professionals, builders, code enforcers, and others in the field of construction to use
innovative means of protecting public safety as an alternate to the prescriptive requirements.
The performance-based options include a number of provisions for first responder safety.

Performance Criteria:
• Buildings shall be designed and constructed to reasonably prevent structural failure under
fire conditions for a time sufficient to enable firefighters and emergency responders to
conduct search and rescue operations. (Chapter 5.2.2.5)
• Buildings shall be designed and constructed to reasonably prevent fire spread to adjacent
buildings and structures for a time sufficient for emergency responders to arrive on site
and establish fire suppression operations. (Chapter 5.2.2.6)
 January 2004

NFPA 1, UNIFORM FIRE CODE™

Code Use and Development

¾ The Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) and NFPA (National Fire
Protection Association) jointly developed NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™, a fire
code that integrated NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code™ and the Uniform Fire
Code™ (UFC) – the two most widely adopted fire codes in the United States.

¾ NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™ was developed through NFPA’s American National
Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited, consensus code development process.
The collaboration between WFCA and NFPA provided an unprecedented
opportunity for participation by the fire service in the development of the fire
code.

¾ By joining forces, WFCA and NFPA brought together many years of technical
expertise and training to serve the public, forming a partnership that integrated
the best of both codes into NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™.

¾ NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™ is a key element of the Comprehensive

Consensus Codes® (C3) set, the nation's only full set of integrated codes and
standards for the built environment, developed through an ANSI-accredited
process. As part of this effort, NFPA and WFCA have partnered with the
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), the
publisher of the Uniform Plumbing Code™ and the Uniform Mechanical Code™,
and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE), developers of key energy standards.

Safety, Service and Training

¾ Comprehensive reviews of NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™ conducted by public

safety experts have demonstrated that NFPA’s model fire code provides the
highest level of safety of any available model fire code, and is supported by
services unmatched by other model code developers.

¾ NFPA’s commitment to safety extends beyond code development. NFPA and

WFCA will provide jurisdictions that adopt NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™ and
other major NFPA codes with free training, associated codebooks, and ongoing
technical support.
 January 2004
• Access shall be provided to enable fire apparatus to reach the principal building entrance
for fire department use and to reach the fire emergency equipment provided for the
building. (Chapter 5.2.2.7)

Performance-Based Design Characteristics and Assumptions:

• Emergency Response Personnel Characteristics and Assumptions:
9 Non governmental emergency personnel shall not be relied upon in the
performance design unless they are under the continuous and direct control of the
building owner or occupant. Emergency response personnel of the governmental
agency legally responsible for providing emergency responders to the local
jurisdiction shall be permitted to be relied upon in the performance design when
approved by the governmental agency. (Chapter 5.4.4.1)
9 Design characteristics and assumptions related to the availability, speed of
response, effectiveness, roles, and other characteristics of emergency response
personnel shall be specified, estimated, or characterized sufficiently for evaluation
of the design. (Chapter 5.4.4.2)
 January 2004

NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®

Code Use and Development

¾ NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®, also known as the NEC®, is considered to be the
blueprint for electrical safety throughout the world. The NEC focuses on the proper installation
of electrical systems and equipment to protect people and property from the potential dangers
of electricity. The quality of the NEC makes it the most widely adopted code for the built
environment.
¾ Fundamental to the development of the NEC is full and open discussion. No single interest
group may dominate, and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredits the
process by which the NEC is developed.
¾ Revised every three years to allow for new technologies and improved installation safety
practices, the NEC can help to reduce corporate liability by providing key safeguards.
¾ NFPA and its partners, including the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials (IAPMO); American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE); and the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), have developed the only full set
of integrated consensus-based codes created through an ANSI-accredited process, the
Comprehensive Consensus Codes® (C3) set. The NEC is an integral element of the C3 set.

Service and Training

¾ Public safety is NFPA’s top priority. Working to ensure public safety, NFPA makes available
free training, associated code books, and ongoing technical support to the jurisdictions that
adopt the NEC and other major NFPA codes and standards. NFPA serves as a resource to
professionals by publishing a wide range of handbooks, reference books, textbooks, field
guides, and training manuals.

Public Safety Benefits Beyond Code Adoption

¾ The benefits of using the NEC and other NFPA codes and standards extend beyond code
adoption. NFPA channels its resources into a variety of public safety efforts, including broad
public education programs, independent research initiatives, and continuing education
services. All of these efforts are part of NFPA’s commitment to enhancing public safety. When
you support NFPA, you also are supporting those initiatives.
¾ Education efforts for the general public include the publication of fire, building, and life safety
outreach programs and materials for adults and children. No other code development
organization shares NFPA’s commitment to both the users of our codes, as well as to the
communities in which our codes are used.
 January 2004

NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®

Code Use and Development

¾ Currently used in every U.S. state and adopted statewide in 35 states, NFPA 101, Life Safety
Code®, addresses minimum building design, construction, operation, and maintenance
requirements necessary to protect building occupants from danger caused by fire, smoke, and
toxic fumes. The Life Safety Code® is truly the genesis of nearly all means-of-egress and life
safety criteria codes used in the United States.

¾ NFPA 101 is the most comprehensive code addressing safety to life from fire and similar
emergencies in both new and existing buildings. The Life Safety Code® can be used in
conjunction with a building code or alone in jurisdictions that do not have a building code in
place.

¾ NFPA 101 is recognized and utilized by numerous federal government agencies, including the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

¾ NFPA and its partners, including the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials (IAPMO); American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE); and the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), have developed the
Comprehensive Consensus Codes® (C3) set, the only full set of integrated consensus-based
codes created through an ANSI-accredited process. NFPA's Life Safety Code® is an integral
element of the C3 set.

Service and Training

¾ NFPA’s commitment to safety extends beyond code development. NFPA has a long tradition
of providing jurisdictions that adopt NFPA 101 and other major NFPA codes with free training,
associated codebooks, and ongoing technical support. NFPA serves as a resource to
professionals by publishing a wide range of handbooks, reference books, textbooks, field
guides, and training manuals. NFPA will continue to make available this unparalleled level of
support for authorities adopting key codes and standards, including NFPA 5000™, Building
Construction and Safety Code™.

Public Safety Benefits Beyond Code Adoption

¾ The benefits of using NFPA 101 and other NFPA codes or standards also extend beyond code
adoption. NFPA channels its resources into a variety of public safety efforts, including broad
public education programs, independent research initiatives, and continuing education
services. All of these efforts are part of NFPA’s commitment to enhancing public safety. When
you support NFPA, you also are supporting those initiatives.

¾ Education efforts for the general public include the publication of fire, building, and life safety
outreach programs and materials for adults and children. No other code development
organization shares NFPA’s commitment to both the users of our codes, as well as to the
communities in which our codes are used.
 January 2004

NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code®

NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code®
Code Use and Development
¾ NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code ® provides requirements for the installation and operation of gas piping,
equipment installations, and venting. It is the accepted national measure for all fuel gas installations. NFPA 58,
Code for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases®, applies to all LP-Gas systems.

¾ Adopted in more than 30 states across the United States, NFPA 54 is the most widely accepted document in the
fuel gas industry, and helps to ensure that fuel gas safety is not compromised. NFPA 54 is the cumulative result
of years of experience of many individuals and organizations familiar with the installation of gas piping and
equipment designed for utilization of gaseous fuels.

¾ Adopted as law across the United States and used widely around the world, NFPA 58 is the most trusted source
for safety requirements throughout the LP-gas industry. And, starting with the 2001 edition, NFPA 58 now
addresses issues formerly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To consolidate requirements
and provide more unified guidance, Congress instructed the EPA to work with the NFPA 58 Committee rather
than promulgate its own safety requirements for propane usage.

¾ NFPA and its partners, including the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO);
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); and the Western Fire
Chiefs Association (WFCA), have developed the Comprehensive Consensus Codes® (C3) set – the only full set
of integrated consensus-based codes created through an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-
accredited process. NFPA 54 and NFPA 58 are integral elements of the C3 set.

Service and Training

¾ NFPA’s commitment to safety extends beyond code development. NFPA has a long tradition of providing
jurisdictions that adopt NFPA 54, NFPA 58, and other major NFPA codes with free code books, training, and
ongoing technical support. NFPA serves as a resource to professionals by publishing a wide range of handbooks,
reference books, textbooks, field guides, and training manuals. NFPA will continue to make available this
unparalleled level of support for authorities adopting key codes and standards.

Public Safety Benefits Beyond Code Adoption

¾ The benefits of using NFPA 54, NFPA 58, and other NFPA codes or standards also extend beyond code
adoption. NFPA channels its resources into a variety of public safety efforts, including broad public education
programs, independent research initiatives, and continuing education services. All of these efforts are part of
NFPA’s commitment to enhancing public safety. When you support NFPA, you also are supporting those
initiatives.

¾ Education efforts for the general public include the publication of fire, building, and life safety outreach programs
and materials for adults and children. No other code development organization shares NFPA’s commitment to
both the users of our codes, as well as to the communities in which our codes are used.
 January 2004

NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

Code Use and Development

¾ NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code is essential for anyone who deals with flammable
and combustible liquids. NFPA 30 is adopted as law in 34 states and used by the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration. NFPA 30 gives enforcing officials, design engineers, insurers, and workers
the most up-to-date requirements for dealing with flammable and combustible liquids.
¾ NFPA 30 also provides information on proper sitting of bulk storage tanks; design requirements for spill
control, and normal and emergency relief vents; requirements for container storage inside storage
cabinets, rooms, and warehouses, including spill containment and drainage and design criteria for fire
protection systems; and requirements for correct handling and use of liquids.
¾ NFPA 30 is part of the Comprehensive Consensus Codes® (C3) set. The first of its kind, C3 is the
result of model code and standard developers bringing their expertise together to form one fully
integrated, consensus-based code set. As a result of these coordinated efforts, C3 offers the only
complete set of model codes developed through an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-
accredited process.
¾ The C3 set includes codes and standards from a wide range of well-respected code development
organizations including: NFPA, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
(IAPMO), Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating
and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Service and Training

¾ Public safety is NFPA’s top priority. In states that adopt elements of the C3 set, NFPA will make
available free training and associated codebooks to code enforcers. NFPA also serves as a resource to
professionals by publishing a wide range of handbooks, reference books, textbooks, field guides, and
training manuals.
¾ NFPA’s commitment to safety extends beyond code development. NFPA has a long tradition of
providing jurisdictions that adopt NFPA codes with ongoing technical support. NFPA serves as a
resource to professionals by publishing a wide range of handbooks, reference books, textbooks, field
guides, and training manuals. NFPA will continue to make available this unparalleled level of support
for authorities adopting key consensus-based codes and standards, including NFPA 5000®, Building
Construction and Safety Code™.

Public Safety Benefits Beyond Code Adoption

¾ The benefits of using NFPA 30 and other NFPA codes or standards also extend beyond code adoption.
NFPA channels its resources into a variety of public safety efforts, including broad public education
programs, independent research initiatives, and continuing education services. All of these efforts are
part of NFPA’s commitment to enhancing public safety. When you support NFPA, you also are
supporting those initiatives.
¾ Education efforts for the general public include the publication of fire, building, and life-safety outreach
programs and materials for adults and children. No other code development organization shares
NFPA’s commitment to both the users of our codes, as well as the communities in which our codes are
used.
 January 2004

NFPA 30A, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages

Code Use and Development

¾ NFPA 30A, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages provides service
stations that dispense flammable fuels with important safety guidelines. NFPA 30A, adopted in
33 states, includes reorganized and revised requirements, including rules for repair garages,
and new separation distance criteria for aboveground storage tanks. The document also
addresses facilities that provide alternatives to gasoline and diesel.
¾ NFPA 30A is part of the Comprehensive Consensus Codes® (C3) set. The first of its kind, C3
is the result of model code and standard developers bringing their expertise together to form
one fully integrated, consensus-based code set. As a result of these coordinated efforts, C3
offers the only complete set of codes developed through an American National Standards
Institute (ANSI)-accredited process.
¾ The C3 set includes codes and standards from a wide range of well-respected code
development organizations including: NFPA, International Association of Plumbing and
Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), and the American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Service and Training

¾ Public safety is NFPA’s top priority. In states that adopt elements of the C3 set, NFPA will
make available free training and associated codebooks to code enforcers. NFPA also serves
as a resource to professionals by publishing a wide range of handbooks, reference books,
textbooks, field guides, and training manuals.
¾ NFPA’s commitment to safety extends beyond code development. NFPA has a long tradition
of providing jurisdictions that adopt NFPA codes with ongoing technical support. NFPA serves
as a resource to professionals by publishing a wide range of handbooks, reference books,
textbooks, field guides, and training manuals. NFPA will continue to make available this
unparalleled level of support for authorities adopting key consensus-based codes and
standards, including NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code™.

Public Safety Benefits Beyond Code Adoption

¾ The benefits of using NFPA 30A and other NFPA codes or standards also extend beyond code
adoption. NFPA channels its resources into a variety of public safety efforts, including broad
public education programs, independent research initiatives, and continuing education
services. All of these efforts are part of NFPA’s commitment to enhancing public safety. When
you support NFPA, you also are supporting those initiatives.
¾ Education efforts for the general public include the publication of fire, building, and life-safety
outreach programs and materials for adults and children. No other code development
organization shares NFPA’s commitment to both the users of our codes, as well as the
communities in which our codes are used.
 January 2004

NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

Use and Development

¾ NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, is the most widely adopted sprinkler
standard in the United States. Developed 100 years ago, the standard provides minimum requirements
for the design and installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems including the classification of
occupancies and commodities and system components. Key to this standard are provisions that
provide a reasonable degree of protection from fire for life and property. Today’s NFPA 13 integrates
key information from more than 40 NFPA documents and is the most comprehensive sprinkler
reference ever published.

¾ The use of sprinklers typically reduces the chances of someone dying in a fire and the average property
loss by one-half to two-thirds.

¾ NFPA and its partners, including the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
(IAPMO); American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); and
the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), have developed the Comprehensive Consensus Codes®
(C3) set – the only full set of integrated consensus-based, American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)-accredited codes and standards.

Public Safety Benefits Beyond Code Adoption

¾ The benefits of using NFPA 13 and other NFPA codes or standards also extend beyond code adoption.
NFPA channels its resources into a variety of public safety efforts, including broad public education
programs, independent research initiatives, and continuing education services. All of these efforts are
part of NFPA’s commitment to enhancing public safety. When you support NFPA, you also are
supporting those initiatives.

¾ Education efforts for the general public include the publication of fire, building, and life safety outreach
programs and materials for adults and children. No other code development organization shares
NFPA’s commitment to both the users of our codes, as well as to the communities in which our codes
are used.
 January 2004

NFPA: Building Safety for More Than 100 Years

Experience

For more than 100 years, NFPA safety codes and standards have played an
important role in protecting people and property around the world. Whether you are
at home or at work, it is likely that several NFPA codes and standards help to keep
you safe. Though more than 300 NFPA codes and standards exist to address a wide
variety of safety issues, they are all developed using the same thorough, consensus-
based process. And, as a result of that process, each NFPA document reflects the
most up-to-date public safety research, experience and information.

Quite simply, NFPA brings the best people and the best possible process together to
create the best available safety codes. The process is open to all materially affected
interests. Consumers, fire service professionals, electrical professionals,
manufacturers, architects, code officials, installers, manufacturers, and others
voluntarily serve on NFPA Technical Committees, providing their time and
expertise to aid in the development of safety codes.

All NFPA Technical Committees contain a balance of different interests, with no

more than one-third of a committee representing the same interest group. Each
committee must reach consensus by a two-thirds vote in order to take action. Also,
adequate and timely notice of all code development activities is provided, and an
appeals mechanism is available for the impartial handling of any complaints about
the process. To support these Technical Committee efforts, NFPA also maintains a
large permanent staff of engineers, fire service experts, building and design
professionals, research analysts, administrators, and others.

Accreditation

NFPA’s code development system has even achieved accreditation from the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) – a private, non-profit organization
that administers and coordinates the nation’s voluntary standardization and
conformity assessment system. Accreditation from ANSI demonstrates a code
development organization’s commitment to balanced input.

The nation’s first responders understand the importance of codes developed through
consensus. In fact, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has
endorsed the adoption of ANSI-accreditation in the development of safety codes. In
all jurisdictions, IAFF is committed to pursuing the adoption of open, voluntary and
consensus fire, building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes, developed and
adopted under an ANSI-certified process.

The federal government also has recognized the value of consensus-based code
development. Federal Public Law 104-113 requires federal agencies to use technical
documents crafted by voluntary, consensus-based developers. A subsequent Office of
Management and Budget Circular A-119 states that its purpose is to direct agencies
“to use voluntary consensus standards in lieu of government-unique standards.”
NFPA’s consensus process has resulted in some of the most widely used safety
documents in the world. For example:

• NFPA 70, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) is the most widely adopted code for
the built environment. The NEC is in use in all 50 states and its requirements
 affect 40 percent of the electricity used in the world. And, NFPA 101, Life Safety
Code® is currently used in every U.S. state to addresses minimum building
design, construction, operation, and maintenance requirements necessary to
protect building occupants from danger caused by fire, smoke, and toxic fumes.

• NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code® is the most trusted source for safety
requirements throughout the LP-gas industry. NFPA 58 is adopted as law in
every state across the U.S. and is used widely around the world. NFPA 58 now
addresses issues formerly regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). To consolidate requirements and provide more unified guidance,
Congress instructed the EPA to work with the NFPA 58 Committee rather than
promulgate its own safety requirements for propane usage.

• NFPA 101, Life Safety Code® is the most comprehensive code addressing safety
to life from fire and similar emergencies in both new and existing buildings. The
code was developed in response to the Triangle Shirtwaiste Fire in New York
City in 1910. That fire killed 147 people and tragically pointed to the need for a
safety code mandating adequate means of egress. And, the code has made a life-
saving difference. A 1987 fire in the DuPont Plaza Hotel in Washington D.C.
showed the important role of decisions made by the NFPA committee involved in
developing the Life Safety Code. As a result of the committee’s work, the code
mandated that corridors and lobbies be separated from assembly areas by walls
that provided at least 1-hour of fire protection – unless the buildings were
sprinklered or provided at least 50 percent of the egress independent of the
lobby. That requirement proved to be critically important in giving people time
to evacuate the DuPont Plaza fire. Today, the egress provisions of the Life Safety
Code are used in some manner in all 50 states.

Various elements of the NEC, NFPA 58, NFPA 101 and other key NFPA codes have
been part of model building codes for years.
NFPA 5000®, Building Constr uction and Safety Code ®

For several years, NFPA constituents requested a building code developed through
a true consensus-based process. To meet that need, NFPA issued NFPA 5000®,
Building Construction and Safety Code ® – the only model building code developed
through an ANSI-accredited process. A model building code was a natural
progression in the organization’s history as a code developer.

NFPA’s Building Construction and Safety Code contains provisions for every aspect
of the design and construction of buildings and structures, as well as the design of
integrated building systems for health, safety, comfort, and convenience. It provides
for the selection and design of building construction types and structural design
systems and assemblies, as well as fire protection systems and egress design
requirements for life safety and protection. It is also the only building code
featuring an occupancy-based format, along with integrated provisions for both
performance-based design options and the rehabilitative use of existing buildings.

Recent side-by-side comparisons of NFPA 5000 with the building code promulgated
by the International Code Council (ICC), the International Building Code (IBC),
have demonstrated key distinctions between these codes. Specifically, reviews have
concluded:

o “NFPA’s building and fire codes offer higher levels of safety than the ICC
codes in many key areas.”
– Operation Code Comparison, California Office of the State Fire
Marshal
o NFPA 5000 requires greater protection for key structural elements (i.e.
the skeleton that supports the structure) within high-rise buildings by
 mandating that structural elements be protected against fire for four
hours. The IBC only requires three hours of fire protection for these
elements. With this level of protection, those trapped or injured and the
firefighters trying to rescue them can be sure that the structure has the
highest level of fire protection available.
o NFPA’s building code does not allow designers to narrow the width of
stairwells, even if automatic sprinklers are present. In contrast, the ICC’s
building code allows for narrower stairways when automatic sprinklers
are included in the building design.
o The Building Construction and Safety Code includes key provisions that
better protect occupants of theaters and auditoriums against many
potential hazards. Specifically, NFPA 5000 is the only model building code
that requires operators of such buildings to prepare a detailed evaluation
of the potential risks posed by events such as terrorist incidents,
earthquakes, and fires. The evaluation also requires detailed plans on how
people will exit the facility and how an emergency response will be
implemented. This evaluation and detailed planning is not required by the
IBC.
o NFPA 5000 is the first code of its kind to mandate consideration of
firefighter safety as part of the building construction process. NFPA’s
entire code development process gives firefighters and other first
responders more input than is allowed by the ICC’s process. Fire service
input is particularly important now, when the use of lightweight
construction materials is more widespread than ever.

NFPA also has an experienced staff in place to support the adoption and use of the
Building Construction and Safety Code. Staff members dedicated to this effort
include experts in structural engineering, architecture, and building systems. NFPA
also administers professional certification programs for Certified Building
Inspectors and Certified Building Plans Examiners.
C3 Code Set

The Building Construction and Safety Code serves as a cornerstone of the first full,
integrated set of codes and standards developed through ANSI-accredited processes.
The Comprehensive Consensus Codes® (C3) set was developed through a
partnership involving NFPA, the International Association of Plumbing and
Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), and the
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE). The codes making up the C3 set already affect virtually every building,
process, service, design, and installation in society today.

The C3 set offers coordinated and integrated safety codes for the entire building
community, including:

o NFPA 5000® Building Construction and Safety Code ®

o NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®
o NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®
o NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™
o NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code
o NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code
o NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
o NFPA 30A, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair
Garages
o Uniform Mechanical Code™
o Uniform Plumbing Code™
o NFPA 900, Building Energy Code (ASHRAE 90.1 and 90.2)
The C3 set’s model fire code was created by integrating the two most widely adopted
fire codes in the United States – NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code™ and the Uniform
Fire Code™ (UFC™) – into one document, NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™

In addition, the 2003 editions of the C3 set’s model plumbing and mechanical codes
– the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC™) and the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC™)
– were updated by IAPMO through a consensus-based process that is accredited by
ANSI. The UPC and UMC are the most widely adopted plumbing and mechanical
codes in the U.S.

NFPA and ASHRAE also are developing an energy code element of the C3 set.
When completed, NFPA 900, Building Energy Code will incorporate ASHRAE's
widely used energy standards, Standard 90.1 and Standard 90.2, for energy efficient
new commercial and residential buildings.

Unmatched Support and Service for Communities

NFPA 5000 and the rest of the C3 set provide numerous benefits for adopting
jurisdictions and other users of codes. The set offers a seamless system of code
support and service from the best providers in the field — the C3 partners. This
combination enhances ease of use and ensures consistencies in content, making C3
codes easy to reference, read, and apply.

Also, adoption of the C3 set can help jurisdictions reduce code-related costs for
taxpayers. When a state adopts a C3 code, the code developers make available free
training and associated codebooks for code enforcers in that state at no cost to the
state’s taxpayers. Free Internet access to all provisions of both NFPA 5000 and
NFPA 1 also will be available.
NFPA’s safety efforts extend beyond the development of codes and standards. The
organization implements numerous public education programs (Fire Prevention
Week, Risk Watch®, Remembering When®, Learn Not to Burn®) that are designed
to help people stay safe. NFPA is also the premier resource for fire-data analysis.
NFPA’s Fire Incident Data Organization collects detailed reports on all significant
fires. NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation is a catalyst for intensive
research efforts on fire and building risks and new technologies. Information
gathered in such research is used to help protect the public and first responders.

Whether it’s through research, public education or code development, NFPA and the
other C3 partners have demonstrated their many years of experience and
commitment in the area of public safety. In fact, each organization recognizes that
the development of quality codes requires real input from all affected parties and
thorough service and support after adoption. When public safety is at stake,
anything less is unacceptable.
 January 2004

LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE ADOPTING ANSI REQUIREMENTS

Based on codes and standards available at the time of

enactment or developed thereafter, a state agency or other
governmental body shall not make, promulgate or revise rules
and regulations related to construction, plumbing, mechanical,
fire safety, electrical safety, or public health and safety,
which contain codes and standards, unless those codes and
standards are: Voluntary, consensus codes accredited or
certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

For the purposes of this paragraph, ‘consensus’ means voting

rights during the development of those standards are not
limited to or qualified by a specific professional status or
occupational role, and that voting rights during all stages of
the development process are open to all interested parties.
 January 2004

LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE ADOPTING C3 CODES

(STATE) Construction Code

Section (XXX). Adoption by regulations.

(a) Regulations

(1) The department shall, within 180 days of the effective

date of this section, promulgate regulations adopting the
2003 edition of NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and
Safety Code™ as the (STATE) Construction Code, except as
provided in section (XXX) and this section. The department
shall promulgate separate regulations which may make
changes to the 2003 NFPA 5000™, Building Construction and
Safety Code™ relating to administration that are necessary
for the department’s implementation of this act.

(2) The department shall, within 180 days of the effective

date of this section, promulgate regulations adopting the
current edition of the following codes and all referenced
codes and standards within as the model codes for the state
of (STATE):
a. NFPA 70, National Electrical Code;
b. NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code;
c. NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®;
d. Uniform Plumbing Code;
e. NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code;
f. NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code;
g. Uniform Mechanical Code;
h. NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code,
and NFPA 30A, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing
Facilities and Repair Garages;
i. NFPA 900, Building Energy Code; and any other code
document that is part of the C3, Comprehensive
Consensus Codes, set of codes.

Section (XXX). Revised or successor codes.

By December 31 of the year of the issuance of a new edition
of the aforementioned codes, the department shall
promulgate regulations adopting that new edition as the
model code for (STATE).