NFPA Revises Standards Development Process

  • Mar 15, 2011

Effective for standards reporting in the Fall 2013 revision cycle are significant changes that include a new website to be the centralized entry point for participants in the process and also a single comment stage.

The National Fire Protection Association is changing its process for developing standards to streamline it and to embrace new technology. There are significant changes taking effect for standards reporting in the Fall 2013 revision cycle that will be relevant to many safety professionals because NFPA is the source of most core fire safety standards and codes used nationwide and beyond.

NFPA is responsible for 300 such codes and standards, including the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E), the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA 13), the Standard for Health Care Facilities (NFPA 99), the Hazardous Materials Code (NFPA 400), and the Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids (NFPA 654). The agency's standards development website says its more than 200 committees developing codes and standards include than 6,000 volunteer positions.

NFPA's summary of the changes it is making says a new online NFPA Standards Development Site is being created that will be the centralized entry point for participants in the development process. This site will be used for submission of all public proposals and for the publication of Technical Committee Reports and other information. The summary says the public review and comment period of the process is being consolidated into a single Comment Stage, and objections to a first draft of a standard must be submitted during this stage. Doing this will ease the workload of the developing committee, the association says in the summary, adding, "Moreover, it is expected that many, if not most, issues raised during the Input Stage will be satisfactorily addressed by the Committee in the First Draft so that formal Committee Action on Comments at the Comment Stage will be limited to only those issues that genuinely remain in contention."

Software development, testing, pilot projects, and training for the new process will be taking place this year, and the training will continue during 2012, according to the summary.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.