Fire Protection Issues and News

 
 

Fire is our greatest fear.  When an item is stolen from our collection, it can be recovered. When it is vandalized, it can generally be restored. But when it burns up, it is gone forever. Museum fires are not uncommon. Every year somewhere in the world a major museum fire occurs. Over the past century there have been several major museum fires in the U.S.


This section explains the various fire codes and standards that affect us in museums here in the U.S. White papers will be added in the near future on fire related issues including the use of sprinklers and sprinkler alternatives in museums.  Danny McDaniel prepared this list of fire codes and standards for our member use.

Fire: The Most Devastating Threat

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FIRE CODES AND STANDARDS


NFPA Cultural Resource Committee Publications: National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA, 02169


NFPA 909, Code for the Protection of Cultural Resources—Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship


NFPA 909 prescribes principles and practices of protection for museums, libraries, and places of worship, their contents, and collections against conditions or physical situations that could cause damage or loss. The term cultural resource property is broadly inclusive because of the extraordinary range of institutions and facilities that are considered culturally important. Moreover, the distinctions become blurred because museums often contain library collections, libraries often have museum quality exhibits and artifacts, and places of worship can have extensive collections of both. NFPA 909 is a code, and it must be adopted by the state, locality, or the cultural resource property to be enforceable. Once adopted, it is enforced by an authority having jurisdiction, who may be a code official, an insurance company representative, or the owner, governing body, or chief executive of the cultural resource property, depending upon where the facility is located and whether it is a private or public entity. The Code requires the governing body of the institution to designate a fire safety manager and a security manager to be responsible for on-going oversight of fire safety and security programs in the institution and to vest the fire safety manager and the security manager with sufficient authority to enforce its provisions.


NFPA 909 covers ongoing operations and the preservation of culturally significant and character-defining building features, sensitive and often irreplaceable collections, as well as continuity of operations by requiring all-hazard, objective-based, mission-driven protection programs. The Code provides tools for a systemic approach to the evaluation of potential threats, the facility and its contents, staff, and client audience or users to develop a comprehensive protection plan. In particular, Chapter 5 includes a planning flow chart, a threat assessment checklist, and a vulnerability assessment survey form to be used in identifying and measuring risks and for developing strategies to mitigate and manage those risks; Chapter 6 includes tools and provisions for developing a damage limitation plan; Chapters 7 and 8 outline the requirements for the fire safety and security elements of the protection plan; and Chapter 10 outlines how management operational systems, e.g., management oversight and intervention, planning, and staff training can be permitted to satisfy code requirements in a prescriptive or performance-based design.


NFPA 914, Code for Fire Protection of Historic Structures.

NFPA 914 prescribes principals and practices for fire safety in historic structures and for those who operate, use or visit them. The Code covers ongoing operations, renovation, and restoration and acknowledges the need to preserve historically significant and character-defining building features and to provide continuity of operations. The Code addresses those construction, protection, operational, and occupancy features that are necessary to minimize danger to life, structures, and historic fabric from the effects of fire, including smoke, heat, and fumes. NFPA 914 is a code, and it must be adopted by the state, locality, or the cultural resource property to be enforceable. Once adopted, it is enforced by an authority having jurisdiction, who may be a code official, an insurance company representative, or the owner, governing body, or chief executive of the cultural resource property, depending upon where the facility is located and whether it is a private or public entity. The Code requires the governing body to designate a fire safety manager to be responsible for on-going administration and enforcement of its provisions.


NFPA 914 covers the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic structures and the preservation of character-defining building features by means of objective-based and mission-driven protection programs. The Code provides tools for developing prescriptive-based and performance-based designs for renovating, restoring, or adaptively reusing historic structures to maintain their authenticity. Chapter 7 describes a process for application of the Code that includes collaboration with and input from all the stakeholders; Chapter 8 describes a prescriptive-base option for compliance with the Code; Chapter 9 outlines the requirements for a performance-based option for compliance; and Chapter 10 outlines how management operational systems, e.g., management oversight and intervention, planning, and staff training can be permitted to satisfy code requirements in a prescriptive or performance-based design.

Other NFPA Publications:


NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code.

NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.

NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.

NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.

NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.

NFPA 33, Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials.

NFPA 40, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film.

NFPA 42, Code for the Storage and Handling of Pyroxylin Plastics.

NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals.

NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work.

NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®.

NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm Code®.

NFPA 75, Standard for the Protection of Information Technology Equipment.

NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems.

NFPA 90B, Standard for the Installation of Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Systems.

NFPA 96, Standard for the Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.

NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®.

NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.

NFPA 211, Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances.

NFPA 232, Standard for the Protection of Records.

NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations.

NFPA 251, Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Endurance of Building Construction and Materials.

NFPA 703, Standard for Fire Retardant Impregnated Wood and Fire Retardant Coatings for Building Materials.

NFPA 731, Standard for the Installation of Electronic Premises Security Systems.

NFPA 780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems.

NFPA 1123, Code for Fireworks Display.

NFPA 1144, Standard for the Protection of Life and Property from Wildfire.

Watch for more fire and fire system content in the near future!