Nfpa 85 Latest Edition
Trine Gritz
Generally an architect, as you've stated should have that on their code break down sheet.
How to find it yourself:
tl;dr go to the state website and get googlin
States will adopt or publish their own building code. Some States will adopt building code without alteration such as IBC, you can then go to that code and look up the addition that will be in use. For IBC go to chapter 35: REFERENCED STANDARDS for IBC 2018 its NFPA 13-16 for IBC 2015 Its NFPA 13-13
Other states such as New York make their own version of code usually based on IBC but have specifics added in or taken out.
As an example: I think California doesn't allow 13R, can anyone confirm?
There are also notices of adoption released by states. If a new version of NFPA 13,14 ect is released prior to or in advance of the the regular IBC/state code cycle a state may choose to adopt that. There are several states using NFPA 2019 now for instance. This information should be posted on the state website but often can be hard to find. Figure no less than 4hrs of digging for this and other information such as backflow requirements and fire department connections. If you have a contact that works in a jurisdiction you're not familiar with you should contact them and save yourself some heartache.
Large metropolitan areas can also have their own code so you need to double check those AHJ's as well.
Maybe a popular website with a great forum and blog could set up a page that tracts local codes?
Can only speak for CA
The state adopts the I codes and amends them, thus calling them the CA Fire Code or CA Bldg Code. Design standards like NFPA are adopted by referenced in Ch. 80. For example the 2018 I codes are the current 2019 CA Codes (Bldg and Fire for example). In Ch. 80 it specifies the NFPA Standard and what edition is adopted and then further lists any amendments to said standard. For NFPA 13, the 2016 edition is the current adopted edition. And NFPA 13R and 13D are adopted and amended. For the 2022 CA Fire Code, NFPA 13 2022 edition will be adopted (skipping the 2019 13 edition).
There are websites (e.g. American State Building Codes -building-codes-state/) that identify Code Department websites by state. Some states defer to local Code adoption by county or city.
The appropriate AHJ (authority having jurisduction) determines the adopted Code(s). Typically the "Fire Protection" standards (e.g. NFPA 13) are adopted and enforced by the fire department (e.g. fire marshall ... state, county, city). If a specific standard has not been individually adopted, the adopted Code (e.g. IBC and/or NFPA 101) includes a "referenced standards" identifying which standard it references. For instance, the 2021 IBC and the 202 NFPA 101 both reference the 2019 NFPA 13 since that was the latest edtition when these Codes were adopted.
This is a tough subject on many projects when doing work around the world. As a rule, I start out complying with the most current version. But I have seen projects still using codes that are many versions out of date.
I get into this often with ITM #25 work because we need to determine what standard was in place at the time of construction. Year ago, I downloaded every building code my state adopted, extracted the referenced standards and attached that to the Fire Protection Chapter (9 or 10) and referenced NFPA standard.
In Connecticut, the state Fire Marshal's office establishes which version of the NFPA codes are in effect and publishes it in the Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code. There is an advisory committee which reviews the NFPA codes prior to approving them. At present, Connecticut is using the 2013 version of NFPA 13.
Just piling on to the wisdom of others.
Follow what is current UNLESS a newer edition provides a design / installation advantage that was previously unavailable.
Use the argument that the newest, most current edition provides an advantage to the project.
Many states have adopted the Fire Prevention code. The Fire Prevention code is NFPA 1 and NFPA 101. Each state may have specific additions or omissions from NFPA 1 and 101 that they can add. Either way you can go to chapter two of the currently adopted NFPA 1 or 101 and see the current editions that will apply for all other NFPA codes. The currently adopted edition of The Fire prevention code is the 7th. (2018 edition of NFPA 1 & 101). This will run on 3 year cycle before it changes to the 2021 edition.
Remember that the state rule or IBC rule is to be considered as the minimum requirements.
Some Insurance companies may ask to follow the latest version of the standards, otherwise you will end up with recommendations and possibly additional premium fees.
This is not a mandatory requirement (not the law), as you may change your Insurance company, but for large industrial groups, you sometimes have no other choice
Regardless of the code you use, in order to provide the best service to your customer, I would look at more recent editions to see if any substantial changes have been made and present them to the customer as often editions being used are years behind the most recent edition. For example, I remember a large apartment project where they used an earlier edition of NFPA 13 which did not have the car stacker extra hazard sprinkler design requirement. The customer was putting in car stackers per the plans. Everything was approved and finished, then it came to me to review for insurance and I had to say no. I am sure that owner was very upset when he found out he couldn't get insurance anywhere because of that. I have other examples but in a nutshell, I would let the customer know what his options are.
For starters, I go to the International Code Council's website
There you can "Find Codes by State" with an interactive map of the U.S. Click on the project's State and it'll list the currently adopted Codes plus previous editions (and when you hover over the Code you can use the "View as Basic" to peruse the Code for free) Remember, these are the Codes adopted at the State level, you'll have to research your project's local jurisdictions to see what amendments/ordinances may also apply.
I would recommend designing to the latest published standard.
Designing to the state adopted is the minimum - I don't know of anything that specifically says that you cannot use the latest version.
In some instances you will be installing a system no longer allowed or proven to be inadequate. For example, the new multiple row rack depth limits/flue space requirements or changes in the allowed ESFR options in NPFA 13 -2022
This blog will only address Chapters 3 through 16, and will not identify every change to the standard, but will outline some of the significant changes from the 2014 edition. Though there are only a handful of frequency changes to the 2017 edition of NFPA 25, The Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance for Water-Based Fire Protection Systems has many changes and additions throughout the standard.
Where other standards are referenced throughout the standard, the name of the standard was removed, i.e., in previous years it would be written as NFPA 13 The Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems, in 2017 it will be written as NFPA 13.
There are a few visual issues with the physical standard. First, there are two versions of the standard. One has shading and one does not. The edition with no shading is the original printing. The one with shading is the second version. Be very cautious of using the tables at the beginning of each chapter in the 2017 edition. Both versions have issues with the tables not being correct, so it would be prudent to verify the section and frequency when using the chapter tables. There is an errata that can be downloaded from NFPA for free to correct this. An erratum is a list of corrected errors appended to the standard. There is also a TIA (tentative interim amendment) at the same link below that addresses technicians not opening an energized fire pump controller. A TIA is an amendment to an NFPA standard and becomes part of the standard for the specific edition of the standard. They are typically issued when there is possibility of harm to persons or property. They then automatically become a public input for the next cycle of the standard.
There are many language changes in Chapter 3 updating extract years and removing standard names, as well as added new definitions such as electronic sprinklers and several fire pump definitions, which the industry has used for years but were not defined in NFPA 25.
8.3.3.10.1 Is a new section for alarm conditions that require the controller to be opened to create or simulate an alarm condition. Adds they shall be tested by qualified personnel wearing appropriate protective equipment.
In keeping with CMS requirements, New York State began using the 2012 LSC and the 2012 Health Care Facilities Code for surveys of hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers and nursing homes conducted after November 1, 2016.
In conjunction with adopting the 2012 LSC and all its referenced standards, the Department will also be adopting the 2014 standards of the Association of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) Facility Guideline Institute (FGI) in advance of the approval of the regulation codifying these changes. Applications including new construction and renovation received after April 1, 2017 will be required to meet 2014 FGI and 2012 NFPA 101 and all its referenced standards. Projects currently submitted will be reviewed under the 2000 NFPA 101 and 2010 FGI guidelines, however, the 2012 NFPA 101 and the 2014 edition of FGI can also be used for CON submissions prior to April 1, 2017 and will be reviewed as an equivalency until the regulations are enacted.
Copies of the NFPA materials, including the 2012 LSC, 2014 Healthcare Facilities Code and associated standards and TIAs, can be obtained from the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169, or through the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org
c80f0f1006