Code Update [January 2022]

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.

• Security Codes and Standards - https://bit.ly/security_safety_codes
• Aviation Codes and Standards - http://bit.ly/ARFF_codes
• Technology Codes and Standards - https://bit.ly/tech_codes_standards

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Security Codes and Standards

Public Input Due:

• 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.

Public Comment Due:

• January 5, 2022: NFPA 730 and NFPA 731 (Premises Security)
• January 5, 2022: NFPA 2800, Facility Emergency Action Plans

Second Draft Meeting:

• January 11, 18, 20-21, 24-26: NFPA 1660 (Emergency Management/Business Continuity)

Aviation Codes and Standards

Public Input Due:

• January 5, 2022: NFPA 418 (Helicopter Facilities)

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)

Technology Codes and Standards

First draft report posting:

• March 22, 2022: NFPA 915, Remote Inspections
• October 26, 2022: NFPA 2400, Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Next edition TBD:

• NFPA 950 and NFPA 951 (Data Exchange)

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The 4 - 1 - 8 on Heliport Design

A heliport is defined as, "an identifiable area...used or intended to be used for landing and takeoff of helicopters."   NFPA 409, Standard on Aircraft Hangars  applies to all ground-level based aviation structures and facilities. Aviation facilities not at ground-level, meeting the definition of a heliport, must comply with the provisions of NFPA 418, Standard for Heliports.

"Heliport Monaco" by Neil Howard

NFPA 418 addresses the following heliport design and safety considerations:

• Rooftop landing facilities
• Rooftop hangars
• Offshore heliports
• Water supply
• Emergency operations

Chapter 4 of this standard identifies the basic requirements for these facilities.  When reviewing plans for heliport facilities, the plans must meet the requirements of NFPA 418. Additionally, the facility must be designed in accordance with FAA A/C 150/5390-2B (this advisory circular has been updated to 150/5390-2C), Heliport Design Advisory Circular.   As a consultant, or design professional, these documents should be utilized together to create a complete fire protection, life safety, and code compliance strategy.  As a fire plans reviewer, the primary concern is NFPA 418 compliance. The local fire official should place the responsibility for FAA compliance on the structure's owner/engineer and can require an FAA special expert to ensure the proper design criteria is met.

In addition to meeting the requirements of NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, tanks should be located per the requirements of NFPA 418. Flammable liquid, compressed gas, fuel storage, and liquefied gas storage tanks are not permitted to be installed within 50' of the FATO (final approach and takeoff area).  The required dimensions and space for the FATO are defined in FAA A/C 150/5390-2C.

Access for emergency response must be accessible, no fence or barrier that could prevent access is allowed to be installed.  A minimum of 2 access points to the landing pad are to be provided for fire department access.

All fueling systems are required to be installed in accordance with NFPA 407, Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing.  Fuel equipment cannot interfere with the FATO and safety obstruction clearances required by the FAA Advisory Circular. Additionally, the fueling equipment cannot be installed within 25' of a hangar or fixed fire protection equipment, or obstruct egress or emergency access points.

For emergency egress from the landing pad, two ways are to be provided.  These two means of egress are to be remotely located from each other and on different sides of the pad. A proper egress configuration is shown below:

image source: NFPA 418:A.4.8.1(b)

This is a brief outline of the basic protection requirements for heliport design.  Individual configurations are addressed by the NFPA 418 standard.  Each configuration will have additional requirements to be reviewed.