1Expertly Engineering Safety From Fire®

The Impact the Reference Standards in the 2012 Edition of NFPA 101® have on the Operation of Health Care Facilities: NFPA 13, 25, and 72

Sharon S. Gilyeat, P.E.Elizabeth C. KellerMarch 15, 2018

Introductions

• Sharon S. Gilyeat, P.E.

• Director of the Koffel Associates, Inc. Southeast Office

• Serves on multiple NFPA Technical Committees

• Subject Matter Expert and instructor for CMS

• 35 years industry experience

• Elizabeth C. Keller

• Fire Protection Engineer with Koffel Associates, Inc.

• Research and technical experience in fire suppression systems

• Experience in healthcare, design, and litigation services

CMS Adopts 2012 Edition of NFPA 101®,Life Safety Code®

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services formally adopted

provisions of the 2012 Edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code,

effective July 5, 2016.

LSC 2000 - 2012

• Numerous changes over the last 12 years

• Many changes are beneficial to health care facilities

• Today’s focus is on some of the changes to the referenced standards

Objective

• Provide an overview of the significant changes in the

Referenced Publications upon adoption of NFPA 101, Life

Safety Code, 2012 Edition (LSC)

⁻ NFPA 13, 2010 Edition

⁻ NFPA 25, 2011 Edition

⁻ NFPA 72, 2010 Edition

NFPA 101 Referenced Publications

• NFPA 101 Chapter 2, Referenced Publications

⁻ Become part of the LSC, but only to the extent

called for within other chapters of the LSC

⁻ Where requirements differ, the LSC governs

⁻ Not the intent to continually upgrade existing

buildings

Limitations

• Not all Life Safety Code (LSC) reference standard changes will be discussed

• Chapter 2 contains many different publications

• Many “minor” changes might have a big impact on a specific situation

• Wording provided on slides is not always Code or Standard text, refer to reference standards for specific text

Overview of Changes to NFPA 13, 1999-2010

• Standard is on a 3-year revision cycle

• Today’s conversation spans 3 editions; 2002, 2007, and 2010

• 2013 and 2016 Editions will not be discussed

NFPA 13 – Application Through NFPA 101

• Sprinkler systems required by another section of the

LSC:

• NFPA 13

• NFPA 13D

• NFPA 13R

• Health Care chapters, LSC 18/19/20/21.3.5

Extinguishing Requirements

• Note that sprinkler protection is not always required

in these four chapters

• If provided, comply with NFPA 13 (LSC 9.7.1.4)

NFPA 13 – Chapter 1, Administration

• Consists of seven subject areas:

• Scope – provide minimum requirements

• Purpose – provide reasonable degree of protection

• Application – water supplies, sprinklers, fittings, piping, valves & materials used

• Retroactivity Clause – reflects consensus, AHJ can apply to existing systems

• Equivalency – permits equivalent approaches with AHJ approval

• New Technology – permits new technology

• Units and Symbols – metric units

NFPA 13 – Owner Certificate (4.3)

NFPA 13 – Relief Valves (7.1.2.1)

• Previously for gridded systems• Now required for all wet pipe systems• Stems from corrosion concern• Valve must be listed• Minimum ½-in. valve • Pipe relief valve to drain• Operate at 175 psi or 10 psi above

max operating pressure

NFPA 13 – Closets (2013 Edition)

• NFPA 13 2013 Edition 8.5.5.4⁻ ≤ 400 ft³ only a single sprinkler at the highest ceiling space

required without regard to obstructions or minimum distance to the

wall

⁻ Includes closets with mechanical equipment

NFPA 13 – Storage

• 2002 Edition

• Absorbed NFPA 231

• 2007 Edition

• 8 new storage chapters, Chapters 12-20

• OH 1 & 2 definitions were clarified

where storage is present

• New Chapter 13, Misc. Storage

• Storage, OH1 at minimum

• Gist – Sprinkler protection in offices now

used for storage must be evaluated

NFPA 13 – Sprinklers in Patient Room Closets

• LSC 18/19.3.5.10

• Not required in clothes closets of patient sleeping rooms in hospitals where area of closet does not exceed 6 ft2

• Distance between sprinkler in room and back of closet wall must meet sprinkler coverage requirements in NFPA 13

NFPA 13 – Privacy Curtains

• NFPA 13 8.(6-9).5.2.2.1

⁻ In light hazard occupancies, privacy

curtains are not considered

obstructions provided:

• Fabric mesh at top of curtain

• Openings in mesh are ≥ 70%

• Mesh extends ≥ 22 in. from ceiling

NFPA 13 – Ceiling Pockets

• An architectural ceiling feature that consists of a bounded area of ceiling located at a higher elevation than the attached lower ceiling

• Channels formed by structural members are not ceiling pockets

NFPA 13 – Ceiling Pockets (continued)

• NFPA 13 8.6.7 and 8.8.7

⁻ Total volume of unprotected ceiling pocket < 1,000 ft³

⁻ Depth of unprotected ceiling pocket < 36 in.

⁻ Entire floor under unprotected ceiling pocket is protected at lower ceiling

⁻ Total size of all unprotected ceiling pockets w/in 10 ft of each other < 1,000 ft³

⁻ Unprotected ceiling pocket, noncombustible or limited-combustible finishes

⁻ Quick response sprinklers are utilized throughout the compartment.

• Example: 10 pockets of 100 ft3 can be unprotected and be within 10 ft of each other

NFPA 13 – Compact Storage

• New Section 20.6 (2010)

• Full-scale fire tests

• Light Hazard Design

⁻ Paper records, up to 5% plastics

⁻ Limited to 8 ft in height

⁻ Top of storage module at least

18 in. below sprinkler

⁻ Compact storage module <250 ft2

⁻ Module construction rules; Steel

barriers

NFPA 13 – Exterior Projections

• Exterior Roofs/Canopies/Porte-Cocheres/Balconies/Decks

• 5-13.8 (1999)

⁻ > 4 ft in width and combustible roof/canopy OR if used for storage

• 8.15.7 (2010)

⁻ > 4 ft in width, sprinkler protection required unless:

⁻ Non/limited combustible construction or fire retardant-treated

wood

⁻ Other provisions for combustible construction where exposed

finish is non/limited combustible construction or fire retardant-

treated wood

⁻ Sprinkler protection required where width is > 2 ft over areas where

combustibles are stored

NFPA 13 – Library Stack Areas and Medical Record Storage

• NFPA 13 8.15.9 (2007)• Storage of books or medical records in fixed open

book shelves

• If 18-in. clearance provided, space sprinklers without

regard to aisles

• Provide sprinklers in every aisle where 18-in.

clearance cannot be maintained

DO NOT

DO THIS

NFPA 13 – Heat Tracing of Sprinkler Pipe

• 8.15.3 (2002)• Annex note – unacceptable practice to heat trace

& insulate branch lines

• 8.16.4 (2007)• Heat tracing permitted where temperature cannot

be maintained ≥ 40°F

• Must be specifically listed for branch lines

• Power supply must be monitored by fire alarm

system

NFPA 13 – Flexible Sprinkler Hose Fittings

• NFPA 13 9.2.1.3.3 (2003)

• Required to be listed

• If supported by drop

ceilings, comply with ASTM

C 635 and ASTM C 636

• Unsupported length ≤ 6 ft

• Label limiting relocation on

anchoring component where

connected to branch lines

NFPA 13 – Earthquake Protection

• NFPA 13 provides instruction for protecting sprinkler systems from earthquake damage

• Sway bracing is provided to prevent excessive movement of system piping

• 2007 Edition provides maximum load tables using Schedule 10 and 40 steel pipe for lateral sway bracing

• 2010 Edition added maximum load tables for Schedule 5 steel, CPVC, and copper tube. Specially listed nonstandard pipe can be used following values provided by the manufacturer

NFPA 13 – Inactive Sprinkler Systems Abandoned In Place

• Where all or part of an inactive sprinkler system

is abandoned in place, sprinklers, hose valves

and hoses, and alarm devices shall be removed

• Remove operating mechanisms of control

valves

• Uniquely identify abandoned sprinkler system

piping and valves to differentiate from active

systems

Overview of Changes to NFPA 25, 1998-2011

• Bill Koffel is Technical Committee Chair• Today’s conversation spans 3 editions:

• 2002• 2008• 2011

• 2014 Edition will not be discussed

NFPA 25 – Antifreeze Systems

• NFPA 25 5.3.4.2.1

• Existing solution concentrations

⁻ < 50% glycerin, < 40% propylene glycol by volume

⁻ Listed antifreeze solution not required until 9/30/2022

⁻ > 38% glycerin, > 30% propylene glycol

⁻ AHJ approved risk analysis required to remain in service

• Newly introduced solutions must be factory mixed

NFPA 25 – Standpipe Flow Test

• NFPA 25 6.3.1.1

⁻ 5-year test required at hydraulically most remote

hose connection of each zone of an automatic

standpipe system

NFPA 25 – Fire Pump Testing Frequency

• NFPA 25 8.3.1

⁻ Required weekly for diesel engine-driven pumps

⁻ 30-minute churn test

⁻ Required monthly for electric motor-driven pumps

⁻ 10-minute churn test

NFPA 25 – Fire Pump Annual Flow Test

• NFPA 25 8.3.5.4

⁻ > 5% degradation of pressure from initial acceptance test

curve or nameplate rating

⁻ Investigation required to determine cause of degraded

performance

NFPA 25 – Sprinkler System Impairments

• LSC 9.7.6* Sprinkler System Impairments.

• 9.7.6.1 Where a required automatic sprinkler system is out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period, the authority having jurisdiction shall be notified, and the building shall be evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all parties left unprotected by the shutdown until the sprinkler system has been returned to service.

• 9.7.6.2 Sprinkler impairment procedures shall comply with NFPA 25

NFPA 25 – Impairments

• NFPA 25 15.5.2(4)

⁻ Where a fire protection system is out of service for

> 10 hrs in a 24-hr period, implement one of the

following:

⁻ Evacuation of the building or area

⁻ Implement a fire watch

⁻ Establish a temporary water supply

⁻ Implement an approved fire control program

NFPA 25 – Water Flow Alarm Device Test

• NFPA Tables 5.1.1.2 and 13.1.1.2

⁻ Semiannual for vane and pressure type

⁻ Quarterly for mechanical

NFPA 25 – Obstruction Investigation

• NFPA 25 14.2.1

⁻ Internal inspection of piping and branch lines is required

every 5 years

⁻ Must be performed at the end of one main and at a

sprinkler near the end of a branch line

NFPA 25 – Main Drain Test

• NFPA 25 13.2.5 and 13.3.3.4

⁻ Test required annually

⁻ Or after each time a control valve is closed and

reopened at a system riser

⁻ Quarterly test required if sole fire protection

water supply is through a backflow preventer

⁻ ≥ 10% reduction in full flow pressure when

compared to previous tests requires

⁻ Investigation required to determine cause

NFPA 25 – Classification of Corrections/Repairs

• Annex E⁻ Classifies needed corrections and repairs

⁻ Impairment

❖ System is out of order and may not function during a fire event

⁻ Critical deficiency

❖Can have an effect on performance of system

⁻ Noncritical deficiency

❖Does not affect the performance of the system

Overview of Changes to NFPA 72, 1999-2010

• Standard is on a 3-year revision cycle

• Today’s conversation spans 3 editions:

• 2002

• 2007

• 2010

• 2013 and 2016 Editions will not be discussed

NFPA 72 – Application

• Fire alarm system required another section of the LSCmust be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with:

• NFPA 70

• NFPA 72

• Health Care chapters, LSC 18/19/20/21.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems

• All four chapters require a fire alarm system in accordance with 9.6

• Fire alarm systems installed to make use of an alternative permitted by the LSC shall be considered required systems

NFPA 72 – General Changes

• Name Change – Reflects the Additional Scope• National Fire Alarm Code (1999)

• National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (2010)

• Several new chapters added• 1 – Administration (2002)

• 2 – Referenced Publications (2002)

• 3 – Definitions (2002)

• 12 – Circuits and Pathways (2010)

• 21 – Emergency Control Functions and Interfaces (2010)

• 24 – Emergency Communications Systems (ECS) (2010)

• Includes Mass Notification Systems (MNS)

• Permits new pathway technologies in addition to

traditional copper

• Ethernet

• Fiber optic

• Wireless

NFPA 72 – Chapter 12, Circuits and Pathways

# 1 # 3# 2FA

CP

Evacuation Signaling Zones (Notification Zones)

… attack by fire within an evacuation signaling zone shall not impair control and

operation of the notification appliances outside the evacuation signaling zone.

NFPA 72 – Circuits and Pathways (cont.)

• Survivability Levels

Level Definition

Level 0 no survivability, still need to comply with NFPA 70

Level 1 located in sprinklered facility and in conduit

Level 2 fire-rated cable or enclosure (2-hr)

Level 3 fire-rated (2-hr) AND sprinklered

NFPA 72 – Circuits and Pathways (cont.)

NFPA 72 – Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (cont.)

• ITM covered in Chapter 14• Owner or designated representative is responsible

for ITM

• Delegation of responsibility shall be in writing

• Impairments/Deficiencies (10.19)• Owner must be notified when system is impaired

• Owner must maintain written record of impairment for 1 year

• Mitigating measures acceptable to Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may be required

• Notify owner when impairment period is complete

• Includes Emergency Communications

Systems (ECS) components

• Revised requirements for testing intelligibility

• Gas detectors and combination smoke/CO

detectors now included

• Automated testing allowed

• Performance-based testing programs

permitted

NFPA 72 – Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (cont.)

NFPA 72 – Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (cont.)

• 14.4.1.2 Reacceptance Testing• New initiating, notification or relay device must be

functionally tested.

• When existing device is removed, another device

on same circuit must be tested.

• Changes to control equipment hardware must be

tested, per Table 14.4.3.2.

• Changes to site specific software must be

functionally tested.

NFPA 72 – Smoke Detector Requirements

• 17.4.8 & 9

⁻ Where smoke detector is concealed

location and >10 ft AFF or where

detector indicator is not visible:

⁻ Provide remote alarm or

supervisory signal

⁻ Must be accessible and labeled

• 17.5.2

⁻ Where partitions are >85% of ceiling

height, space is considered separate

room

NFPA 72 – Heat Detector Requirements

• 17.6.2.2.2

⁻ Heat detectors marked with operating temperature

or range

⁻ Spot type heat detectors marked with RTI

• 17.6.2.3

⁻ Detector temperature rating >20°F higher than

maximum expected ambient ceiling temperature

NFPA 72 – Manually Actuated Alarm-Initiating Devices

• 17.14⁻ Manual fire alarm boxes must be red

⁻ Must be against a background of contrasting color

⁻ Red may not be used for manual alarm-initiating

devices for emergencies other than fire

• Intelligibility• First included in the 1999 Edition of NFPA 72

• Relevant to voice messages and mass notification

• Chapter 18 – Emergency Control Functions

• Requires intelligibility [18.4.10]

• Chapter 24 – Emergency Communications Systems

• Requires ECS to be intelligible [24.3.1]

• Not necessarily in all areas of buildings

• Detailed guidance is still Annex material

NFPA 72 – Notification Appliances (Chap 18)

• Low Frequency Sounders (18.4.5)

⁻ Where audible appliances are provided to produce signals for

sleeping areas

⁻ 520 Hz, square wave

⁻ Better suited for waking the hearing impaired

⁻ Effective January 1, 2014

⁻ Also in Household Fire Alarm Section [29.3.8.1]

NFPA 72 – Notification Appliances

• Moved from Chapter 6 (2007) to

Chapter 21 (2010)

• Name change from “Protected

Premises Fire Safety Functions”

• Elevator interfaces, now includes

• First Responder Use Elevators [21.5]

• Elevators for Occupant-Controlled

Evacuation [21.6]

NFPA 72 – Emergency Control Functions and Interfaces

• New Chapter 24

• Intent is to communicate information on a range of

emergencies

• Added to NFPA 72 in 2007; further refined in 2010

• As required by the AHJ or other codes/standards

• Includes Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication

(EVACS) PLUS other types of communication

systems such as MNS

NFPA 72 – Emergency Communication Systems (2010)

• Four major sections• One-way communication (24.4)

• Two-way communication (24.5)

• Command and control (24.6)

• Performance-based design (24.7)

• Requires intelligible voice messages

• Pathway survivability is defined depending on how ECS is used

NFPA 72 – Emergency Comm. Systems (cont.)

• In-Building Mass Notification System (MNS) [24.4.2]• Moved from the 2007 annex into the body of the code

• Requires risk analysis

• Permits a mass notification control unit to take control of fire alarm notification appliances including amplifiers, speakers, and strobes

• Potential for additional hardware:

• Autonomous Control Unit (ACU)

• Local Operating Console (LOC)

• Fire alarm control interface (FACI)

• Textual Visible Notification (and Video)

• Strobes marked “Alert” not “Fire”

NFPA 72 – Emergency Comm. Systems (cont.)

NFPA 72 – Transmission Channels (2013 Edition)

• You can no longer use two telephone lines when

using a DACT

• When using a DACT, employ one telephone line

(number) and one of the following:

⁻ One-way private radio alarm system

⁻ Two-way RF multiplex system

⁻ Transmission means complying with 26.6.3.1

Performance-Based Technologies

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Sharon S. Gilyeat, P.E.Koffel Associates, Inc.

2015 Ayrsley Town BlvdSuite 202

Charlotte, NC 28273704-280-8365

sgilyeat@koffel.com

Elizabeth C. KellerKoffel Associates, Inc.

2015 Ayrsley Town BlvdSuite 202

Charlotte, NC 28273704-280-8367

ekeller@koffel.com