NFPA 101

[fseengg]

Dear All,

I am new to this forum as well as NFPA standards. I am using NFPA 101 for most of my reference.
I prefer to understand the rationale behind the code values rather than just remember it.
Any help/ resource/guide for this would be better.

Thank you.

 

[cdafd]

Read the scope of each chapter to see if it applies to your situation.


Get the handbook to explain what you are reading

 

[MatthewJWillis]

Membership in NFPA. Pay attention to all ROP's/ROC's. You can even receive email updates on the Code.
Go a few years back and follow the additions and deletions to the code.
The handbook is invaluable.


R/
Matt

 

[fseengg]

Thanks so much guys for your suggestion. that is really an useful information.
I am in the process of applying NFPA membership with online learning.
I will try to buy handbook too.

 

[chicopee]

As cdafd said, the scope is very important as people tend to quote the elements of the NFPA out of context.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Make sure you understand there are major differences between existing versus new buildings AND certain occupancies have alternate standards regarding a minimum level of fire safety (primarily health care).

 

[cdafd]

Also read all the exceptions

 

[DavidCR]

Remember 101 is the minimum requirements for places considering people safety. You have to keep in mind that if premises (money, bussiness continuity, etc.) are important, these will not be necessary adressed correctly in 101. Also, local codes or AHJ rules or other may differ from 101.

When using 101, you need to understand some concepts that may be not clear for novices and it would be hard to understand the code without some criteria explanation. For example, the concept of "means of egress" is missunderstood by common sense as an "emergency exit" and this may lead you to mistakes and waste of time if you don´t have the correct concept in mind, so adittional reading and courses with experienced people are useful.

Also remember the 101 does not contain design methods it is just the law that summarizes the required rules to set a standardarized balance for all the parts to relativeli happy.

For me, the best point of view to see the 101 is that a safe bulding must be designed by a good architech that does not need to use the 101 to design, he knows how to design by his methods, experience, modelling tools, etc. The 101, building code, AHJ are just to check that everything has at least the minimum standard requirements. The 101 is dangerous if you think you can use it to do the job of an architect.

 

[fseengg]

Thanks David for your valuable information.
I am basically a fire consultant doing fire and life safety review of building design.
So I use 101 as my bible to check the validity of a building design in terms of life safety.
That is the reason I was specifically asking for 101.
you suggested additional reading and courses. If you can give me more details on that, that would be very helpful for me.
Thanks in advance.

Cheers...

 

[cdafd]

=fseengg

In the US?

New or existing buildings ??[pre][/pre]

 

[DavidCR]

NFPA training seminars, I´ve received the 101 official NFPA course for latin america by a guy that is an industrial safety old expert from argentina (sorry, I dont reckon his name) and he was good teaching you criteria.

Books,..., my advice is to find design books depending on your interests, for example: if you want to be an expert on applying 101 rules about about elevators, go first to ASME A17 standard, or architecture books dealing with the design of elevators, technical info from manufacturers, etc., then, go to the 101 and you will get the real thing NFPA wants you to rule. etc., etc..

 

[fseengg]

@cdafd
No. I am from middle east. Mostly doing code compliance review for new buildings.

@David,
I am actively searching for courses available for 101. Anyway I bought some of NFPA online courses to get more knowledge.
Your idea about books is very interesting. yeah thats right its better to understand the system to efficiently review it.
I will invest some time to understand the related systems too.

Thanks both.

Cheers...