NFPA 1 (2022) - Fire Code

Category Provision Details

Establishes fire Provides minimum fire safety requirements

1. Scope &
prevention regulations for buildings, structures, and premises to
Purpose
and safety measures. reduce the risk of fire and related hazards.

2. General Requires compliance with NFPA codes and

Fire Safety Compliance
Requirements local fire department regulations.

Inspections and Regular fire safety inspections for buildings,

Maintenance systems, and equipment.

Specifies requirements for different

Occupancy and Use
occupancy types (residential, commercial,
Regulations
industrial, etc.).

3. Fire Protection Automatic Sprinkler Must comply with NFPA 13 for design,
Systems Systems installation, and maintenance.

Must comply with NFPA 14 for installation

Standpipe Systems
and operation.

Must comply with NFPA 20 for performance

Fire Pumps
and maintenance.

Must comply with NFPA 72 for detection,

Fire Alarm and Signaling
notification, and emergency
Systems
communication.

4. Hazardous Storage and Handling of Must comply with NFPA 30 for safe storage
Materials Flammable Liquids and use.

Requires compliance with NFPA 55 for gas

Compressed Gases
storage, handling, and safety.

Regulated under NFPA 1123 and NFPA 1124

Explosives and Fireworks
for public safety.

5. Building Buildings must provide sufficient access for

Services & Fire Department Access firefighting and emergency response
Features vehicles.

Fire Barriers and Fire-rated walls, doors, and dampers must

Separation meet NFPA 80 requirements.

Emergency Lighting and Must comply with NFPA 101 for occupant
Egress safety during an emergency.
6. Life Safety Specifies minimum exit widths, exit signs,
Means of Egress
Measures and emergency escape routes.

Requires regular fire drills and training

Fire Drills and Training programs in workplaces, schools, and high-
occupancy buildings.

7. Fire Prevention Open Flame and Smoking Restricts smoking and open flames in high-
& Inspection Regulations risk areas.

Fire Extinguisher Requires fire extinguishers in designated

Requirements areas, with inspections per NFPA 10.

Electrical systems must be installed per

Electrical Fire Prevention NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) to
prevent fire hazards.

8. Emergency Fire Department Requires pre-incident planning and

Response Response Planning coordination with local fire departments.

Fire hydrants and water sources must meet

Water Supply for Fire
NFPA 24 standards for flow and
Protection
accessibility.

Establishes defensible space and fire control

Wildland Fire Protection
measures in areas prone to wildfires.
NFPA 13 (2022) Standards and Provisions – Tabular Summary

Category Provision Measurement/Details

Installed below piping, deflector faces

1. Sprinkler Types Pendent Sprinkler
downward, used for ceilings.

Installed above piping, deflector faces

Upright Sprinkler upward, suitable for open ceilings and
mechanical spaces.

Installed on walls, sprays water horizontally or

Sidewall Sprinkler
at an angle, used in narrow spaces.

Hidden behind a cover plate, aesthetically

Concealed Sprinkler pleasing, commonly used in residential or
commercial spaces.

Installed flush with the ceiling for a seamless

Flush/Recessed Sprinkler
look.

Used in areas subject to freezing

Dry Sprinkler temperatures, prevents water from entering
the pipe near the sprinkler until activation.

Extended Coverage Designed to cover larger areas per sprinkler,

Sprinkler reducing total sprinklers needed.

2. Sprinkler Maximum Distance Light Hazard: 15 ft (4.6 m) Ordinary Hazard:

Spacing Between Sprinklers 12 ft (3.7 m) Extra Hazard: 12 ft (3.7 m)

Minimum Distance
6 ft (1.8 m)
Between Sprinklers

Light Hazard: 225 sq ft (21 sq m) Ordinary

Maximum Area Coverage
Hazard: 130 sq ft (12 sq m) Extra Hazard: 100
per Sprinkler
sq ft (9.3 sq m)

3. Ceiling Minimum Clearance from

18 in (457 mm) below sprinkler deflector
Clearance Obstructions

4. Sprinkler Pendent/Sidewall: 4-12 in (102-305 mm)

Distance from Ceiling
Deflector Upright: 1-6 in (25-152 mm)

Minimum Pipe Diameter

5. Pipe Sizes 1 in (25 mm)
(Steel)

Minimum Pipe Diameter

3/4 in (19 mm)
(CPVC)
Category Provision Measurement/Details

Light Hazard: 0.1 gpm/sq ft (4 mm/min) over

6. Hydraulic Minimum Density
1500 sq ft Ordinary Hazard Group 1: 0.15
Design Requirements
gpm/sq ft (6 mm/min) over 1500 sq ft

Light Hazard: 30 minutes Ordinary Hazard:

7. Water Supply Minimum Duration
60 minutes Extra Hazard: 90 minutes

Additional Water Flow Light Hazard: 100 gpm (379 L/min) Ordinary
8. Hose
Requirements for Fire Hazard: 250 gpm (946 L/min) Extra Hazard:
Allowance
Hoses 500 gpm (1,893 L/min)

Maximum Spacing for Steel Pipe: 12 ft (3.7 m) CPVC Pipe: 6 ft (1.8

9. Hanger Spacing
Pipe Hangers m)

Ordinary: 135-170°F (57-77°C) Intermediate:

10. Temperature Sprinkler Activation
175-225°F (79-107°C) High: 250-300°F (121-
Ratings Temperatures
149°C)

11. Pressure Minimum Operating

Residential Sprinklers: 7 psi (0.5 bar)
Requirements Pressure

Typically between 7-60 psi (0.5-4.1 bar),

Recommended Pressure
depending on hazard classification and
Range
hydraulic calculations.

Maximum Allowable Generally 175 psi (12.1 bar) for most systems
Pressure unless otherwise specified.

12. Sprinkler Sidewall sprinklers must be 4-6 inches (102-

Distance from Walls
Positioning 152 mm) from the wall.

Distance from Beams & Sprinklers should be at least 3 inches (76

Soffits mm) away from beams.

13. Fire Pump Minimum Pressure for Varies depending on hazard classification but
Requirements Fire Pumps typically 100-175 psi (6.9-12.1 bar).

14. Storage Clearance for Storage Minimum 18 in (457 mm) clearance below
Considerations Racks sprinkler heads for proper water distribution.

Maximum Storage Height

for Light Hazard 12 ft (3.7 m)
Occupancies

Clearance from Light

15. Obstruction Must maintain a minimum of 18 inches (457
Fixtures, Ducts, and
Rules mm) of clearance.
Structural Elements
Category Provision Measurement/Details

When installed under obstructions greater

Sprinklers Under
than 4 ft (1.2 m) wide, additional sprinklers
Obstructions
are required.

16. Test & Hydrostatic Testing Systems must be tested at 200 psi (13.8 bar)
Maintenance Pressure for at least 2 hours.

Alarm valves and water flow alarms must be

Alarm Testing Interval
tested quarterly.

Full System Inspection A full sprinkler system inspection is required

Frequency annually.
NFPA 14 (2022) Standards and Provisions – Tabular Summary

Category Provision Measurement/Details

Provides 2½-inch (65 mm) hose connections,

Class I Standpipe
1. System Types intended for use by trained fire department
System
personnel.

Class II Standpipe Provides 1½-inch (38 mm) hose stations for

System use by trained building occupants.

Class III Standpipe Combines Class I and Class II, allowing for
System both 1½-inch and 2½-inch connections.

Automatic Wet Continuously filled with water and

2. System Design
Standpipe pressurized for immediate use.

Automatic Dry Filled with pressurized air or nitrogen; water

Standpipe is supplied automatically when needed.

Water-filled but requires a fire department

Manual Wet Standpipe
connection (FDC) for pressure.

No permanent water supply; requires fire

Manual Dry Standpipe
department pumping.

Semi-Automatic
Requires manual activation to supply water.
Standpipe

3. Hose Connection Minimum Number of

At least one per floor in high-rise buildings.
Requirements Outlets

Location of Hose Must be placed near exit stairwells or fire

Connections department access points.

Minimum Height Above

3-5 feet (914-1524 mm)
Floor

Minimum Standpipe Class I: 2½ in (65 mm) Class II: 1½ in (38 mm)

Outlet Size Class III: Both 1½ in and 2½ in

Minimum Residual
4. Pressure Class I & III: 100 psi (6.9 bar) Class II: 65 psi
Pressure at Most
Requirements (4.5 bar)
Remote Outlet

Maximum Allowable 175 psi (12.1 bar) unless pressure-regulating

Pressure devices are used.
 Class I: 500 gpm (1893 L/min) Class II: 100
Flow Rate for Testing gpm (379 L/min) Class III: 500 gpm + 250
gpm per additional standpipe.

Minimum Diameter for 4 in (100 mm) for most buildings. 6 in (150

5. Pipe Sizing
Standpipe Mains mm) for taller structures.

Minimum Riser Class I: 4 in (100 mm) Class II: 2 in (51 mm)

Diameter Class III: 4 in (100 mm)

Minimum: Two 2½-inch (65 mm)

6. Fire Department Required FDC Outlet
connections or one 4-inch (100 mm) Storz
Connection (FDC) Size
connection.

FDC Location Must be placed facing fire access roads and

Requirements within 100 ft (30.5 m) of a hydrant.

FDC Signage Must indicate system type, pressure

Requirements requirements, and building floors served.

7. System Water Minimum Duration for High-Rise Buildings: 60 minutes Other

Supply Water Supply Buildings: 30 minutes

Minimum Flow Class I & III: 500 gpm for first standpipe, 250
Requirements for gpm per additional standpipe, max 1250
Standpipe Systems gpm.

8. Hanger and Maximum Horizontal 2½-inch pipe or larger: 15 ft (4.6 m) Smaller

Support Spacing Pipe Support Spacing than 2½-inch: 8 ft (2.4 m)

Maximum Vertical Pipe

Every 25 ft (7.6 m)
Support Spacing

9. Standpipe Maximum Vertical

Typically 275 ft (84 m) without pressure-
Installation Height Height for Wet
regulating devices.
Limits Standpipes

High-Rise Buildings over 75 ft (22.9 m) require

Considerations automatic standpipes.

10. Testing and Hydrostatic Testing 200 psi (13.8 bar) for 2 hours or 50 psi
Inspection Pressure Requirement above working pressure if over 150 psi.

Flow Testing Frequency Every 5 years for standpipe systems.

Visual Inspection
Annually for pipes, valves, and FDCs.
Frequency
11. Obstruction Clearance from Storage 18 inches (457 mm) minimum clearance
Rules and Equipment from obstructions.

Must be easily accessible and free of

Standpipe Accessibility
obstructions.
NFPA 20 (2022) - Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection

Category Provision Measurement/Details

Governs the installation of

Ensures reliable water supply for fire
1. Scope & Purpose stationary fire pumps for
protection systems.
fire protection.

Includes horizontal split-case, vertical

2. Fire Pump Types Centrifugal Fire Pumps inline, vertical turbine, and end suction
types.

Positive Displacement Used for special applications requiring

Pumps high pressure at low flow rates.

Determined by system demand, typically

Minimum Flow
3. Fire Pump Sizing 100% of required fire flow at 100% rated
Requirement
capacity.

Pump must not exceed 140% of rated

Overload Condition capacity without exceeding maximum
power input.

Minimum Pressure for Fire Typically ranges from 40 psi to 250 psi
4. Rated Pressure
Pumps (2.8 to 17.2 bar).

Maximum Allowable 175 psi (12.1 bar) unless system is

Pressure designed for higher pressure.

Electric Motor-Driven Must comply with NFPA 70 (National

5. Power Supply
Pumps Electrical Code) for fire pump controllers.

Diesel Engine-Driven Requires dedicated fuel supply, automatic

Pumps starting, and compliance with NFPA 110.

Steam Turbine-Driven Used in facilities with existing steam

Pumps supply.

6. Water Supply Adequate and Reliable Can be from municipal supply, storage
Requirements Water Source tanks, reservoirs, or wells.

Must be sized to provide required flow

Suction Pipe Size without cavitation (minimum pipe
diameter per pump size).

7. Pump Room
Fire Pump Room Location Must be protected from fire and flooding.
Requirements

Minimum Clearance for At least 3 ft (0.9 m) clearance around

Maintenance equipment.
 Must comply with NFPA 70 and include
8. Controllers and
Fire Pump Controller start/stop, alarms, and phase reversal
Alarms
protection.

Must provide alarms for pump running,

Alarm & Signal
failure to start, phase reversal, and low
Requirements
suction pressure.

Required upon installation; must

9. Fire Pump Testing Acceptance Testing demonstrate capacity and pressure
rating.

Fire pumps must be tested annually at

Annual Flow Test
100%, 150%, and churn flow conditions.

Diesel-driven pumps must be run 30

Weekly No-Flow (Churn)
minutes weekly; electric pumps 10
Test
minutes weekly.

10. Relief Valves & Relief Valves for Diesel Required if pressure exceeds 175 psi or
Pressure Regulation Pumps system components' rated pressure.

Pressure Maintenance Used to maintain system pressure and

(Jockey) Pumps prevent false pump starts.

11. Installation Must comply with NFPA 13 (Sprinkler

Piping and Valves
Requirements Systems) and NFPA 14 (Standpipes).

Drainage required to prevent water

Pump House Drainage
accumulation.

12. Obstruction & Minimum Clearance 3 ft (0.9 m) for maintenance and

Clearances Around Pump Equipment inspection access.

Area must be well-ventilated, free of

Free of Obstructions combustible storage, and protected
against freezing.

13. Performance Minimum Suction Pressure Positive pressure at suction inlet must be
Requirements for Pump Operation maintained.

Cannot exceed 175 psi unless system

Maximum Net Pressure components are rated for higher
pressure.

14. Fuel Supply for Minimum Fuel Storage Must provide at least 8 hours of
Diesel Pumps Capacity operation at rated load.
 Must comply with UL 142 or UL 2085
Fuel Tank Construction
standards for fire resistance.
NFPA 25 (2022) - Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems

Category Provision Frequency/Details

Covers inspection, testing, and

1. Scope & Ensures system reliability and
maintenance (ITM) of water-
Purpose compliance with fire codes.
based fire protection systems.

2. General The building owner is responsible for

Owner Responsibilities
Requirements system ITM and record-keeping.

Inspections and testing must be

Qualified Personnel
conducted by qualified professionals.

Weekly, monthly, quarterly, and

3. Sprinkler
Inspection Frequency annual inspections depending on
Systems
system type.

Flow tests, alarm tests, and main

Testing Requirements drain tests performed at prescribed
intervals.

Sprinkler heads must be free of

Maintenance Procedures obstruction, properly positioned, and
replaced if damaged or corroded.

4. Standpipe Monthly visual inspections of valves,

Inspection Frequency
Systems hose connections, and pipes.

Required every 5 years for automatic

Flow Testing
and manual standpipes.

Pressure-reducing valves tested

Pressure Regulation annually and full flow-tested every 5
years.

Diesel-driven pumps: 30 minutes

5. Fire Pumps Weekly No-Flow (Churn) Test weekly; Electric pumps: 10 minutes
weekly.

Pump must be tested at 100%, 150%,

Annual Flow Test
and churn flow conditions.

Jockey pumps must maintain system

Jockey Pump Operation
pressure and be inspected weekly.

6. Water Storage Visual inspections monthly; internal

Inspection Requirements
Tanks inspection every 5 years.
 Tank water level, heating system, and
Testing and Maintenance water temperature monitored
weekly.

All control valves must be inspected

7. Valves & Piping Inspection Requirements
weekly/monthly, depending on type.

Main drain test performed annually;

Testing and Maintenance
system valves exercised annually.

Hydrants inspected annually, with

8. Fire Hydrants Inspection Frequency
lubrication and flushing as needed.

Hydrants flow-tested every 5 years to

Flow Testing
verify adequate water supply.

9. Alarm and Waterflow alarms tested quarterly;

Detection Inspection & Testing Supervisory alarms tested semi-
Systems annually.

ITM records must be maintained for a

10. ITM Records Documentation Requirements
minimum of 3 years.

Digital records are acceptable if they

Electronic Record-Keeping
meet NFPA 25 compliance standards.
NFPA 72 (2022) - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

Category Provision Details

Covers design, installation, testing, and

Establishes standards for fire
1. Scope & maintenance to ensure effective
alarm and emergency
Purpose performance in fire detection and
communication systems.
occupant notification.

2. System Fire Alarm Control Units Central processing unit for monitoring and
Components (FACU) controlling alarm signals.

Includes horns, strobes, speakers, and

Notification Appliances
bells to alert occupants.

Manual pull stations, smoke detectors,

Initiating Devices heat detectors, water flow switches, and
carbon monoxide detectors.

Includes voice evacuation systems, mass

Emergency Communication
notification systems, and firefighter
Systems
communication systems.

Must comply with NFPA 72 and be based

3. Installation
Fire Alarm System Design on occupancy type, building size, and local
Requirements
regulations.

Requires primary (main electrical) and

Power Supply secondary (battery or generator backup)
power sources.

Fire alarm circuits must be monitored for

Wiring & Circuit Protection integrity and protected from mechanical
damage.

30 ft (9.1 m) spacing in typical conditions,

4. Detection and
Smoke Detector Spacing with adjustments for ceiling height and air
Signaling
movement.

Varies based on ceiling height and

Heat Detector Spacing detector type, generally 50 ft (15.2 m)
apart for fixed temperature detectors.

75 dBA at 10 feet (3.05 m) in sleeping

Notification Appliance
areas, 15 dBA above ambient noise level
Audibility
in other areas.

Minimum 110 candela (cd) for large areas,

Strobe Light Intensity
15 cd for small rooms.
5. Testing & Tested annually; sensitivity testing
Smoke and Heat Detectors
Inspection required every 2 years.

Notification Appliances & Must be inspected semi-annually, tested

Control Equipment annually for proper functionality.

Batteries must be tested monthly and

Backup Power Sources
replaced every 5 years or as specified.

Fire alarm signals must be transmitted to

Signal Transmission
a monitoring station within 90 seconds.

6. Maintenance Installation and maintenance records must

System Documentation
& Records be kept for the life of the system.

Preventive maintenance must follow the

Periodic Maintenance manufacturer’s recommendations and
NFPA 72 guidelines.

If a system is out of service, a fire watch

Impairments must be established until repairs are
completed.
NFPA 80 (2022) - Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives

Category Provision Details

Covers installation, maintenance,

Ensures fire doors and openings
and inspection of fire doors,
1. Scope & Purpose maintain fire-resistance ratings to
windows, and opening
prevent fire and smoke spread.
protectives.

Fire doors must have a minimum

2. Fire Door fire rating of 20 minutes to 3
Fire Door Ratings
Requirements hours, depending on location and
use.

Fire doors must be factory-labeled

Labeling and Certification and certified by an approved
testing agency.

Must be fire-rated and installed per

Frame and Hardware
manufacturer specifications.

Fire doors must self-close and self-

Closing Mechanisms
latch unless otherwise permitted.

Fire windows must meet a

3. Fire Windows Fire Window Ratings minimum rating of 20 minutes to 3
hours, depending on application.

Fire-rated glazing must be tested

Glazing Requirements
to NFPA 257 or UL 9 standards.

Frames must be fire-rated and

Frame and Mounting securely installed to prevent
displacement during a fire.

Required in duct systems to

4. Dampers Fire and Smoke Dampers prevent fire and smoke spread
through HVAC systems.

Must be inspected and tested

Testing and Maintenance every 1-4 years depending on
system type.

May be fusible link, smoke

Actuation Methods detection, or fire alarm system
activated.
5. Inspection, Fire doors, windows, and dampers
Testing & Frequency must be inspected and tested
Maintenance annually.

Doors must be fully closed,

Operational Testing latched, and operate without
obstruction.

Inspection reports must be kept for

Record-Keeping
at least 3 years.

6. Repairs and Fire doors must not be modified in

Field Modifications
Modifications a way that voids the fire rating.

Repairs must be performed by

Repairs qualified personnel using
approved methods and materials.

Required on smoke and draft

Gasketing and Edge Seals control doors to prevent smoke
infiltration.