Keeping up with code change proposals and the code cycle can be an overwhelming task. I want to make it easier for you. I am involved in the codes and standards for three specific industries: security, aviation, and technology. At the beginning of every month I will send out an update on what's happening, and what's next. You can subscribe to get this update in your email by clicking here.
Security Codes and Standards
NFPA 730, Guide for Premises Security - Related News
Keeping up with code change proposals and the code cycle can be an overwhelming task. I want to make it easier for you. I am involved in the codes and standards for three specific industries: security, aviation, and technology. At the beginning of every month I will send out an update on what's happening, and what's next.
You can subscribe to get this update in your email by clicking here.
Keeping up with code change proposals and the code cycle can be an overwhelming task. I want to make it easier for you. I am involved in the codes and standards for three specific industries: security, aviation, and technology. At the beginning of every month I will send out an update on what's happening, and what's next.
You can subscribe to get this update in your email by clicking here.
I love books, especially code books. I love getting that new code book in the mail, I love holding it in my hand and flipping through its pages, and I love to look over and see it on my physical bookshelf. The reality of books, though, is that they are heavy, bulky, take up space, you can lose track of your notes and highlights, and you can not take your full bookshelf with you wherever you go. With online codes and standards platforms this is possible. These platforms allow the user to easily bookmark, save, and annotate important sections. These platforms provide instant access to every code and standard that the user may need. And these platforms make those code sections, and your notes, easy to share with collaborators and clients.
The NFPA and ICC each have their own online platforms. A third option, UpCodes, brings all of these together into one place. Below is a brief review and general information on each of these platforms.
The free view of NFPA codes and standards only provides a read-only file that cannot be marked, shared, or printed. NFPA LiNK, provides the user with full access to the codes and standard. The user can quickly and easily search, bookmark, annotate, and share code sections. This NFPA LiNK interface is visually appealing (it looks like books on a shelf) and user friendly. This program provides access to all NFPA codes and standards and multiple versions of each. This platform offers a feature that none of the others offer, that is offline access. At $9.99 per month, it is the most affordable of the online platforms.
The free view of ICC codes only provides a read-only file that cannot be marked, shared, or printed. ICC Digital Codes Premium, provides access to the full library of ICC codes, standards, commentary, study guides, and other documents. This subscription also provides access to the documents that are published under the ICC family of companies, such as from, IAEI, SEAOC, Wiley. Also available are standards from ASHRAE, ANSI, FEMA, RESNET, and others. This platform lets the user search and access codes and standards by state, collection, or publisher. This is the least user friendly and visually appealing of the platforms. It is also the most expensive.
UpCodes, overall, is the best product and investment. It provides access to codes and standards across a wide range of publishers and organizations including: NFPA, ICC, ANSI, IAPMO, ASHRAE, OSHA, and more. These can be searched by publisher or by jurisdiction. UpCodes contains only the codes and standards that have been adopted into law by a government agency and, therefore, fall under public domain use. The free version of UpCodes allows the user to view, link to, copy, and print code sections. Premium features provide for bookmarking, notes, projects that can be created, saved, and shared with collaborators, illustrative diagrams and commentary, code calculators, and robust search functions. UpCodes provides access to multiple code families and publishers, with links to references within the documents. This platform is user friendly, and easy to navigate and visually appealing.
If your work requires codes and standards use and research, you have to get on-board with these online platforms. They increase efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance accuracy. If you primarily deal in the ICC family of codes then perhaps the ICC Digital Codes Premium would be your best option. For jurisdictional code officials, consultants, architects, and those who work across jurisdictions, UpCodes may be your best option. For those who use NFPA specific documents within their industry, such as the fire departments, manufacturers, or occupancy specific functions, and NFPA LiNK subscription may be the best option. Or, perhaps, a combination of one or all of these platforms is what will serve you, the user, best!
Keeping up with code change proposals and the code cycle can be an overwhelming task. I want to make it easier for you. I am involved in the codes and standards for three specific industries: security, aviation, and technology. At the beginning of every month I will send out an update on what's happening, and what's next.
You can subscribe to get this update in your email by clicking here.
Also, you can track the code changes, proposals, and my commentary by accessing these live spreadsheets.
January 5, 2022: NFPA 1321, Fire Investigation Units
Personal commentary: Anyone involved in fire investigations should carefully review this document. It is set up as a standard that pertains to private and public entities (departments, companies, sole practitioners) that conduct fire investigations. There are a lot of sections that deal with business practices, which seems to be an overreach of NFPA, and potentially burdensome on jurisdictions tasked with enforcement of this standard. Additionally, this standard covers many items that NFPA 921 and 1033 already direct the user to.
Personal commentary: This should be of particular interest to those in the UAM and eVTOL space. This will become the guiding document on fire protection for UAM and eVTOL infrastructure. It is important that the industry uses their voice. This is the tool to use to do that.
Pre-First Draft Meeting:
January 20, 2022: NFPA 409, 415, 423 (Airport Facilities)
Have you ever been reading through the code and come to a section that you just can’t understand? One of those code sections that you read, read it again, think about it, then re-read it. Only to still not understand what it is saying? I’ve been in this spot more than once. So, how do you get past it? What are some steps to understanding what you are reading?
Here are the four steps to understanding hard code sections:
Annex information. Is there an asterisk by the code section (for NFPA codes and standards)? If so, refer to the annex for this code reference or section. Additionally, reading the code section before and after the problem section can help by providing context. If these sections have annex information, then review that, as well.
Other editions. Refer to past editions and future editions of the same code section or language. Sometimes the same concept is stated or explained another way in other editions. Other editions may make the concept to be more clearly understood.
Handbooks. Many codes have handbooks that are published by the code organization, or even outside publishers. Refer to the code section in the related handbook for potential commentary, explanation, or illustration, for clarity.
Google search. Finally, do a Google search of key phrases from the code section, the code reference, or copy and paste the entire code section into the search bar. This may produce other resources such as articles, blog posts, social media comments, and other items that may provide clarity and direction for understanding.
