September 9, 2002—The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and others are developing the first full set of codes ever developed through a consensus-based process accredited by the American National Standards Institute. They are expected to be published in April 2003.
Three of the codes to be included are: the NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code; ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings; and ASHRAE Standard 90.2, Energy Efficient Design of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
The codes will be known as the Comprehensive Consensus Codes. They will provide states and municipalities with the option of using an integrated set of safety requirements developed in conjunction with experts throughout a variety of specialty areas.
NFPA and ASHRAE are also developing an energy code element—NFPA 900, Building Energy Code. When completed, the code will incorporate Standards 90.1 and 90.2. These standards will continue to be revised by ASHRAE under its continuous maintenance procedures, and updates will periodically be included in the NFPA Energy Code.
Other partners in the code effort are the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the Western Fire Chiefs Association.
