NFPA Codes to be More Stringent in Wake of Disasters
The Standards Council of the NFPA recently issued amendments to the association's two key safety codes. Precipitated by recent nightclub tragedies in both Rhode Island and Chicago, the amendments institute requirements that are believed at this time to be among the nation's most stringent.
Effective in mid-August, the new requirements, also known as amendments, will strengthen NFPA safety codes: NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®, and NFPA 5000™, Building Construction and Safety Code™. The requirements call for fire sprinklers in all new nightclub-type facilities, and for existing nightclubs with occupancies exceeding 100. Also issued were restrictions to festival seating when occupancies exceed 250 (unless a life-safety evaluation is performed), a requirement for crowd managers for all places of assembly, and requirements for regular egress inspection and record-keeping for existing nightclubs.