Most people in the electrical industry know there are thousands of codes and standards which they need to go by, but how many actually know the difference and how they get created and changed?
The NFPA codes and standards are developed and periodically reviewed by more than 5,000 volunteer committee members with a wide range of professional expertise, this is to ensure their adaptability, relevance, and understanding.
What is a code and what is a standard?
According to the NFPA:
- Code – A standard that is an extensive compilation of provisions covering broad subject matter or that is suitable for adoption into law independently of other codes and standards.
- Standard – A document, the main text of which contains only mandatory provisions using the word "shall" to indicate requirements and which is in a form generally suitable for mandatory reference by another standard or code or for adoption into law. Non- mandatory provisions shall be located in an appendix, footnote, or fine-print note and are not to be considered a part of the requirements of a standard.
So where do all these codes and standards come from? Any individual can submit a request for a project to develop a new code or standard. The Standards Council reviews all requests and, if appropriate, the Council directs that a notice be published in a variety of publications, including NFPA’s membership newsletter, NFPA News. This notice asks for:
- comments on the proposed project
- information on organizations that may be involved in the subject matter
- a listing of available resource material
- an indication of who is willing to participate in the project if it is approved.
Then the process goes through five more steps:
- The Call for Proposals
- Report on Proposals (ROP)
- Report on Comments (ROC)
- The Technical Report Session of the NFPA Annual Meeting
- Standards Council Consideration and Issuance
If the proposed code or standard makes it pass all of the above mentioned guidelines then the Standards Council will issue it and make it a full on code , then recognized by the NFPA.
For more information on the code process please visit, www.nfpa.org
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