Fire & Fabrication codes & standards

The primary design and installation standard for automatic fire sprinkler systems in commercial, industrial, and multi-family buildings. Covers system types, hydraulic design, pipe materials, hangers, and acceptance testing.

NFPA 13 governs the layout, hydraulic calculations, pipe sizing, and component listing requirements for wet, dry, pre-action, deluge, and antifreeze sprinkler systems. The 2025 edition includes updated requirements for residential occupancies, rack storage, and expanded guidance on alternative suppression technologies. Adoption lags publication; confirm the in-force edition with your AHJ before designing.

A simplified sprinkler standard for residential occupancies up to four stories (apartments, hotels, dormitories). Allows CPVC and copper piping and omits sprinkler requirements in certain closets and attic spaces.

NFPA 13R permits reduced coverage compared to full NFPA 13 — primarily protecting living areas rather than all spaces — making it appropriate for one- to four-story residential occupancies where full 13 coverage is not mandated. The residential sprinkler head listing requirements and flow calculations differ significantly from 13.

Governs the design, installation, and maintenance of standpipe and hose systems used by occupants and fire departments to fight fires inside large buildings.

NFPA 14 classifies standpipe systems as Class I (fire department use only, 2.5-inch hose connections), Class II (occupant use, 1.5-inch hose), or Class III (both). It specifies pressure requirements (100 psi residual at the hydraulically most remote outlet), pipe sizing, and FDC configuration. High-rise buildings typically require Class I or III systems on every floor.

Covers the selection, installation, and testing of electric- and diesel-driven centrifugal fire pumps and their associated controllers, drivers, and piping.

NFPA 20 specifies pump listing requirements, driver sizing (diesel engines must supply 110% of rated pump input), controller features (automatic start, manual stop), fuel supply (8-hour minimum), and weekly/annual acceptance tests. The standard drives the design of pump skid assemblies and the arrangement of suction and discharge piping.

The inspection, testing, and maintenance standard for all water-based fire protection systems including sprinklers, standpipes, fire pumps, water storage tanks, and backflow preventers.

NFPA 25 defines the minimum frequency and method for every inspection, test, and maintenance task required to keep water-based systems operational. Key intervals include: weekly visual inspection of control valves, quarterly waterflow alarm test, annual main drain test and full system inspection, and 5-year internal obstruction investigation.

Governs the application, installation, location, performance, inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems, supervising stations, fire emergency voice/alarm communication systems, and mass notification systems.

NFPA 72 is the governing document for everything from a single-station smoke alarm to a campus-wide mass notification network. Chapter 14 details ITM requirements for all alarm system components. The 2022 edition includes updated guidance on wireless systems, multi-criteria detectors, and protected premises signaling systems.

The building code chapter that determines WHEN fire sprinkler systems, standpipes, fire alarms, and alternative suppression systems are required based on occupancy group, building height, and area.

IBC Chapter 9 triggers the requirement for fire protection systems — NFPA 13/13R/13D and NFPA 72 govern HOW they are installed once required. Section 903 covers sprinklers, Section 905 covers standpipes, Section 907 covers fire alarms. High-rise buildings (over 55 ft) require NFPA 13 throughout and Class I or III standpipes on every floor.

Governs the design, installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of foam systems for Class B (flammable liquid) fires in aircraft hangars, tank farms, loading racks, and chemical plants.

NFPA 11 covers system design for low-expansion (≤20:1), medium-expansion (20:1–200:1), and high-expansion (200:1–1000:1) foam, as well as bladder tank and proportioner sizing, application rate, and drainage time calculations. The type of foam concentrate (AFFF, AR-AFFF, FP) and the hazard classification drive the application density.

Governs the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of total-flooding clean agent systems using halocarbon and inert gas agents such as FM-200, Novec 1230, and Inergen.

NFPA 2001 requires hazard analysis to determine enclosure integrity, agent quantity calculations (minimum design concentration by agent and temperature), and discharge time (≤10 seconds for most agents). Enclosure integrity testing (door fan test) verifies that the protected space can hold agent long enough for fire suppression to complete.