NFPA Codes

NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Automatic Sprinklers 1991 is the guide for the installation of sprinklers. NFPA 318 Standard for the Protection of Cleanrooms outlines where sprinklers need to be installed within semiconductor manufacturing facilities. 

---

National Fire Codes N Compilation o/NFPA Codes, Standards, Kecommended Practices, Manuals, and Guides, Vol. II, National Fire Protection Association, Md., 1987. 

Dual Suction Impeller, Single Stage, NFPA Code/ Firewater... 

All of tlie recoimnended heat flax equations in API 520 and NFPA Codes tliat are used to design relief valve assmne tliat tlie liquids are not self-reactive or subject to runaway reaction. If tliis situation arises, it is necessary to include tlie heat of reaction and tlie rate of tlie reaction into account in sizing the relief device. 

The National Fire Protection Association has extensive codes that relate to fire and explosion prevention and protection for all major industries and/or occupations, for example [10, 26, 27, 33, 55], NFPA Code No. 69 [55]... 

Reprinted with permission, NFPA Code 68, VeriUngof Defl/igralions (1988) National Fire Protection As.sociation. Quincy,. VIA 02269 [27],... 

To aid in establishing the hazard classification by the designer, see NFPA-Code 321 and 497Aand 497B. ... 

R = ratio of the maximum deflagration pressure to the maximum initial pressure, as described in NFPA Code-69, Par 5-3.3.1... 

R = adjusted value of R, for NFPA Code-69 Rcxp = distance from center of explosion source to the point of interest, ft... 

Boiler feed water pump, 194 Calculations, 189-191 Corrections, 192, 193 Required by pump, 180, 181, 182,188-190 Newton s lavs, chart, 226 NFPA Codes, 398... 

The author s method which gives an interval of confidence shows that we have < 95% chance to be right when asserting the NfPA code. 1 can not be attributed to this substance (this will be explained p.81) ... 

The NFPA code is represented in a diamond containing 4 sectors, respectively toxicity, inflammability, reactivity and special risks . A coloured code that will appear on glass labels, at the back of transport vehicles, room doors etc enables the danger to be better noted. It is used by American companies although some French companies have also adopted it and it appears to be an efficient device. 

Below is a picture of this diamond that comes from an American source. This source allows immediate and up-to-date access to the current NFPA codes. 

This classification system is compulsory throughout Europe, although other classification methods are also used. Like the NFPA code it is based on boiling and flashpoint parameters. It classifies substances into five categories that are defined as follows ... 

They cannot be part of a mathematical model whose purpose would be to turn the classification into a continuous quantitative variable. In particular, the example of physical factors illustrates this. Whereas for the highest degree criteria are the same as those of the NFPA code, the simple fact of wanting to add in physical factors to these calculation models forced the originators of this technique to forget about the NFPA code. 

Their value does not refer to a real degree of the risk level variation. Therefore a substance in NFPA code 4 cannot be considered as presenting a risk that is twice as high as of a code 2 substence. This indicates the limits of physical factors, which are only a qualitative variable masked by an arbitrary increase of modalities that nevertheless improve the accuracy of classification. 

With regard to inflammability, NFPA coding classifies reactivity hazard into five degrees from 0 (no danger) to 4 (maximum danger), defined as follows ... 

Examples of substances bearing different NFPA codes... 

In degree 2 only reactivity degrees are treated vis- i-vis exothermic polymerization in particular and addition reactions on the double bond (ethylene, butadiene, styrene, propylene), easy peroxidation (isopropyl oxide, acetaldehyde), hydrolysis (acetic anhydride). Possibly only propionitrile and substances with code 0 have an actual NFPA stability code. Every time one has to deal with the NFPA code one has to interpret it after carefully reading the paragraphs in Part Two. 

To summarise the information aiready presented and to enabie an opinion on the possibiiities of forecasting instabiiity risk to be formed, it is interesting to make a comparison of the different reactivity/instability risk classifications. The table below sums up these different approaches. The substances are classified in descending order according to the NFPA coding and are taken from Stull s publication already mentioned (note, p.120) ... 

Finally, the reactivity NFPA code takes this risk into account. The ethers listed in the table below are given in descending order of risk. 

The propensity for polymerisation is given by codes 1 or 2 of the NFPA reactivity code. The risk related to polymerisation is given in the transport regulations of dangerous compounds. The table below gives the available data. Crotonic acid is added, which has a surprising low NFPA code. 

Health and safety considerations are addressed jointly by an industrial hygienist and a safety specialist. These are the individuals that are "the authority having jurisdiction" as referenced by the National Fire Protection Association. Because of the unique nature of many research laboratories, it is not always possible to adhere strictly to the NFPA Codes and these individual must use their professional judgement in applying the intent of the Codes. 

Sprinklers and fire protection systems are required by NFPA Codes, but are often dependent on the overall size of the facility and quantity of stored flammable/combustible material. The wisest course of action is to provide heat and smoke detectors in each laboratory and provide a sprinkler system at least in the hallways. Each laboratory should have at least one ABC portable fire extinguisher. Computers have become more important to laboratories than ever. Halon fire extinguishing systems are available which are nondestructive to both electronic equipment and human life. These should be employed for fire protection. 

Use NFPA codes except as modified by company guidelines. 

---