NFPA 1963 Fire Hose Connections

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NOTICE: An asterisk (*) following the number or letter designating a paragraph indicates that explanatory material on the paragraph can be found in Annex A.

A reference in brackets f 1 following a section or paragraph indicates material that has been extracted from another NFPA document. As an aid to the user, the complete title and edition of the source documents for extracts in mandatory sections of the document are given in Chapter 2 and those for extracts in informational sections are given in Annex C. Extracted text may be edited for consistency and style and may include the revision of internal paragraph references and other references as appropriate. Requests for interpretations or revisions of extracted text shall be sent to the technical committee respon­sible for the source document.

Information on referenced publications can be found in Chapter 2 and Annex C.

Chapter 1 Administration

1.1* Scope.

• This standard gives the performance and requirements for new fire hose couplings and adapters with nominal sizes from % in. (19 mm) through 8 in. (200 mm) and the specifica­tions for the screw thread connections on those couplings and adapters.
• This standard also gives the performance and require­ments for the mating surfaces of nonthreaded fire hose couplings and adapters with nominal sizes of 4 in. (100 mm) and 5 in. (125 mm).

1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to provide a uniform standard for safe couplings and adapters for the users of fire hose connections.

1.3 Application.

• The requirements of this standard shall apply to the following coupling and adapters in the sizes defined in Section 1.1.
  • Fire hose couplings
  • Booster hose couplings
  • Suction hose couplings
  • Adapters
  • Reducers
  • Caps
  • Plugs
  • Connections on fire hose appliances where they attach to fire hose
• The requirements of this standard shall also apply to screw thread connections and nonthreaded mating surfaces on the following devices in the sizes defined in Section 1.1:
  • Pump intake connections on fire apparatus
  • Pump discharge connections on fire apparatus
  • Sprinkler connections
  • Standpipe connections
  • Hose connections on fire hydrants
  • Connections on all other hose fittings and appliances that attach to fire pumps, fire hose, or hydrants

Chapter 2 Referenced Publications

• The documents or portions thereof listed in this chapter are referenced within this standard and shall be considered part of the requirements of this document.
• NFPA Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Battery march Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471.

NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2018 edition.

• Other Publications.
  • ASME Publications. ASME International, Two Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5990.

ASME B1.2, Gages and Gaging for Unified Inch Screiu Threads, 83rd edition, 1991, reaffirmed 2007.

• ASTM Publications. ASTM International, 100 Ban- Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

ASTM B30, Standard Specification for Copper Alloys in Ingot Form, 2016.

ASTM B117, Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus, 2016.

ASTM B584, Standard Specification for Copper Alloy Sand Cast- ings for General Applications, 2014.

ASTM D395, Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property — Compression Set, 2016.

ASTM D573, Standard Test Method for Rubber Deterioration in an Air Oven, 2004, reapproved 2015.

ASTM D3183, Standard Practice for Rubber — Preparation of Pieces for Test Purposes from Products, 2010, reapproved 2015.

2.3.3 Other Publications.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, Merriam- Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA, 2003.

2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sec dons.

NFPA 24, Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances, 2019 edition.

NFPA 1961, Standard for Fire Hose, 2013 edition.

NFPA 1964, Standard for Spray Nozzles, 2018 edition.

Chapter 3 Definitions

• The definitions contained in this chapter shall apply to the terms used in this standard. Where terms are not defined in this chapter or within another chapter, they shall be defined using their ordinarily accepted meanings within the context in which they are used. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, shall be the source for the ordinarily accepted meaning.
• NFPA Official Definitions.

3.2.1* Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdic­tion.

3.2.2* Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.

• Indicates a mandatory requirement.
• Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.

• General Definitions.

• Any device that allows fire hose couplings to be safely interconnected with couplings of different sizes, threads, or mating surfaces, or that allows fire hose couplings to be safely connected to other appliances.
• Nonthreaded Coupling or Adapter. A coupling or adapter in which the mating is achieved with locks or cams but without the use of screw threads.
• Screw Thread Coupling or Adapter. A coupling or adapter in which the mating is achieved with the use of threads.
• Blunt Start. The removal of the incomplete thread at the end of the thread. This is a feature of threaded parts that are repeatedly assembled by hand. Also known as the “Higbee cut.”
• Bowl Gasket. See 3.3.8.1.
• Coupling Assembly. A complete coupling including its gaskets and the expansion rings or collar pieces used in attach­ing the coupling to the hose.
• One set or pair of connection devices attached to a fire hose that allow the hose to be interconnected to additional lengths of hose or adapters and other fire-fighting appliances.
• Face Gasket. See 3.3.8.2.
• Fire Department Connection. A connection through which the fire department can pump supplemental water into the sprinkler system, standpipe, or other water-based fire protection systems, thereby supplementing existing water supplies. [24, 20191
•  
• Bowl Gasket. See Tail Gasket.
• Face Gasket. The water pressure seal at the mating surfaces of nonthreaded couplings or adapters.
• Tail Gasket. A gasket in the bowl of a coupling used to provide a watertight seal between the coupling and the hose in an expansion ring-type coupling.
• Thread Gasket. A gasket used in a female threaded connection to provide a watertight seal between the male and female threaded connections.
• Large-Stream Device. Any device that discharges water at a flow rate greater than 400 gpm (1600 L/min).
• An American National Fire Hose Connection Screw Thread. (See Section 5.2.)
• Nonthreaded Coupling or Adapter. See3.1.1.
•  
• Spray Nozzle. A nozzle intended for connection to a hose line or monitor to discharge water in either a spray pattern or a straight stream pattern as selected by the opera­tor. [1964,2018]
• Straight Tip Nozzle. A smooth-bore nozzle for producing a solid stream.
• Primary Inlet. The inlet where an appliance connects to a hose.
• Screw Thread Coupling or Adapter. See 3.3.1.2.
• Spray Nozzle. See3.12.1.
• Straight Tip Nozzle. See 3.3.12.2.
• Suction Hose. A hose that is designed to prevent collapse under vacuum conditions so that it can be used for drafting water from below the pump (lakes, rivers, wells, etc.). [1961,20131
• Tail Gasket. See 3.3.8.3.
• Thread Gasket. See 3.3.8.4.

Chapter 4 General Coupling and Adapter Requirements

4.1* Workmanship. The coupling assembly or adapter shall be made and finished in a workmanship-like manner through­out.

• All edges shall be chamfered and free from burrs.
• Hose bowl or tailpiece lips shall be rounded to prevent damage to the hose.

1963-5

GENERAL COUPLING AND ADAPTER REQUIREMENTS

4.2 Materials. Materials used shall be free of defects that would adversely affect the performance or maintenance of individual components or of the overall assembly

• Minimum Waterway. The design of the shank-type and nonthreaded expansion ring coupling shall be such that the coupling shall not restrict the waterway by more than ‘A in. (6.4 mm) on couplings of nominal size 2!4 in. (65 mm) or less and not more than 14 in. (12.7 mm) on couplings of nominal size greater than 2/4 (65 mm). Gaskets shall not protrude into the waterway.
• The waterway of a size-increasing-style coupling, other than a shank-type coupling, shall be no smaller than the nomi­nal size of the hose to which it is attached.
• The waterway of a size-reducing-style coupling, other than a shank-type coupling, shall be no smaller than the nomi­nal size of the attachment face.
• Gasket Groove. All sizes of internal NH threaded couplings, connections, or adapters shall have a standard gasket groove diameter as shown in Table 5.4.2, column (See also Figure 5.1.5.1, dimension K.)
• Tests required by this standard shall be conduc­ted by the manufacturer or by an approved testing facility designated by the manufacturer.
• All tests shall be conducted on standard commercially available product.
• Any test that requires the use of hose shall use hose with the highest senice test pressure commercially available to which the coupling can be attached.
• Internal Strength.
• The coupling or adapter shall be capable of withstancl­ing a hydrostatic pressure equal to the service test pressure without leakage, two times service test pressure with no leakage more severe than 12 drops per minute {% ml per minute), and three times the se n ice test pressure plus 100 psi (690 kPa) without separation. It shall be tested in accordance with 4.6.2 to prove compliance.
• Internal Strength Test.
• The coupling or adapter shall be plugged and adapted on one end to accept a pump connection from a hydrostatic test table.
• The other end shall be plugged or adapted to accept a petcock to remove air.
• The coupling or adapter shall be filled with water until all air has been exhausted and the petcock closed.
• Pressure shall be applied until the test pressure is reached.
• The test pressure shall be held for at least 15 seconds but not more than 60 seconds.
• Tensile Strength.
• Couplings shall have a tensile strength of at least 1200 lb/in. (210 N/mm) of diameter. They shall be tested in accordance with 4.7.2 to prove compliance.
• Tensile Strength Test.

4.7.2.1 A pair of couplings shall be attached to a section of hose.

• The couplings shall be connected together and the hose installed in a tension testing machine such that the tension will be on the couplings.
• A tensile load shall be applied at a rate of not more than 2 (51 mm) per minute up to 1200 lb/in. (210 N/mm) of nominal hose diameter.

4.7.3 After the tensile strength test, the couplings shall be subjected to a test pressure equal to the service test pressure of the hose to which they are attached. Any leakage or deforma­tion shall constitute failure of this test.

• Connect/Disconnect Capability.
• Couplings shall be capable of being connected and disconnected at least 3000 times without leakage or failure. They shall be tested in accordance with 4.8.2 to prove compli­ance.
• Connect/Disconnect Capability Test.
• Tests shall be conducted on standard commercial product without lubrication.
• Hose couplings shall be completely connected and disconnected to each other at least 3000 times.
• At the completion of this portion of the test, the couplings shall be attached to hose such that tested couplings can be connected together.
• The tested couplings when connected together shall withstand the service test pressure of the hose without leakage or failure.
  • Rough Usage.
    • Couplings shall be capable of being dropped up to 6 ft (1.8 m) without deformation or damage that impairs opera­tion. They shall be tested in accordance with 4.9.2 to prove compliance.
    • Rough Usage Test.
      • Couplings shall be installed on approximately 10 ft (3 m) lengths of fire hose.
      • The couplings shall be coupled together, forming a loop in the hose.
      • The coupling assembly shall then be dropped onto a concrete surface from a height of 6 ft (1.8 m) so as to land as squarely as possible on the swivel ring.
      • The procedure in 4.9.2.3 shall be repeated three times.
      • The couplings shall operate freely and shall show no signs of deformation when inspected inside and outside.
      • Samples showing distortion or binding of the swivel mechanism shall be judged acceptable if the mechanism can be corrected to turn freely and evenly when straightened by the use of a hammer.
      • Samples developing cracks or broken sections either before or after attempts to straighten damaged portions shall be deemed as having failed the test. The coupling/hose assem­bly shall withstand the service test pressure of the hose without leakage or failure.

• Coupling Retention.
• Couplings shall remain on the hose without movement up to the rated burst pressure of the hose. They shall be tested in accordance with 4.10.2 to prove compliance.
• Coupling Retention Test.
• The couplings shall be attached to a 3 ft (1 m) length of hose.
• The hose and coupling as an assembly shall be pres­surized to the sen ice pressure of the hose for 1 minute, and then the pressure shall be released.
• The position of the coupling with relation to the hose shall be marked.
• The pressure in the hose/coupling assembly shall then be raised at a rate of 300 psi/min to 1000 psi/min (2068 kPa/min to 6895 kPa/min) until the rated burst pres­sure of the hose is reached.
• The pressure shall be held for a minimum of 15 seconds but not longer than 60 seconds.
• The hose shall show no signs of movement from the coupling.
• Vacuum Tightness.
• When couplings are used on suction hose, they shall be capable of holding a vacuum of 22 in. Hg (74.2 kPa) for 5 minutes. They shall be tested in accordance with 4.11.2 to prove compliance.
• Vacuum Tightness Test.
• The coupling shall be attached to a suitable section of suction hose.
• A blank cap shall be attached to the coupling on one end, and a vacuum pump shall be attached to the other end.
• A vacuum of 22 in. Hg (74.2 kPa) shall be developed within the assembly, and the assembly shall hold the vacuum for 5 minutes without any loss of vacuum.
• Corrosion Resistance.
• Couplings having parts other than high-strength yellow brass No. 8A as defined in ASTM B30, Standard Specification for Copper Alloys in Ingot Form, or ASTM B584, Standard Specification for Copper Alloy Sand Castings for General Applications, shall be capable of being coupled and uncoupled using accepted stand­ard practices and shall not show any evidence of galvanic corro­sion between dissimilar metals after testing in accordance with 4.12.2.
• Coupling assemblies, including expansion rings and gaskets, shall be supported vertically in a fog chamber and exposed to salt spray (fog) as specified by ASTM B117, Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus, for a period of 120 hours.
• Nonmetallic Materials. Any nonmetallic material used in couplings except for the gaskets shall be certified by the manu­facturer of the nonmetallic material as fit for the service inten­ded.
• High-Temperature Performance.
• Temperatures up to 275°F (135°C) shall not affect the ease with which a coupling assembly is coupled or uncoupled. Couplings shall be tested in accordance with 4.14.2 to prove compliance.
• High-Temperature Performance Test.
• Diy couplings with gaskets installed shall be condi­tioned in an oven at 275°F (135°C) for 4 hours.
• Immediately upon their removal from the oven, the torque to connect and disconnect the couplings shall be meas­ured and shall be within the original torque range.
• Low-Temperature Performance.
• Temperatures down to -25°F ± 2°F (-32°C ± 1°C) shall not affect the performance of the coupling assembly. Couplings shall be tested in accordance with 4.15.2 to prove compliance.
• Low-Temperature Performance Test.
• With the gasket(s) installed, a coupling assembly shall be subjected to an environment of 0°F ± 1°F (-18°C ± 1°C) for a period of 24 hours and subsequently to an environment of – 25°F ± 2°F (-32°C ± 1°C) for a period of 2 hours.
• Following this exposure, the coupling shall be drop­ped from a height of 10 ft (3 m) onto its longitudinal axis.
• The torque to connect and disconnect the couplings shall then be measured and shall be no greater than the torque required before the test.
• Gasket Performance. The gasket material used with any coupling or adapter shall meet the test requirements of 4.16.1 through 4.16.3.
• Low-Temperature Test.
• Gaskets shall be subjected to an environment of 0°F ± 1°F (-18°C ± 1°C) for a period of 24 hours and subsequently to an environment of-25°F ± 2°F (-32°C ± 1°C) for a period of 2 hours.
• Immediately upon removal from the test chamber, the gasket shall not crack when squeezed from any two oppo­site points into a figure 8 configuration.
• Accelerated Aging Test.
• Samples of the gasket material shall be prepared in accordance with the procedures described in ASTM D3183,

Standard Practice for Rubber — Preparation of Pieces for Test Purposes from Products.

• The samples of the gaskets shall then be subjected to oven aging at 212°F ± 3°F (100°C ± 2°C) for 70 hours in accord­ance with ASTM D573, Standard Test Method for Rubber — Deterio­ration in an Air Oven.
• The samples shall then be tested for tensile strength and ultimate elongation, and the tensile strength shall be not less than 80 percent, and the ultimate elongation shall be not less than 50 percent of the corresponding properties of samples that have not been so treated.

Annex B History of Fire Hose Coupling Thread Standardization in the United States

This annex is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only.

B.l The need for securing uniformity and interchangeability of fire hose coupling threads was demonstrated by the Boston conflagration of November 1872. The following year, standardi­zation was proposed by the International Association of Fire Engineers (IAFE), now the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). In subsequent years, various suggested standard threads were considered. A special committee of the IAFE prepared a report adopted by its 1891 convention in which the present principal dimensions for 214 in. fire hose coupling screw threads were suggested, but no specifications for the shape of thread were included.

Little more was done toward standardization until difficulties with nonstandard threads were encountered by fire depart­ments called to assist at the Baltimore conflagration of 1904. The following year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) took up the project actively, appointing a Committee on Standard Thread for Fire Hose Couplings. The committee developed general screw thread specifications covering the 2’4 in., 3 in., 3!4 in., and 44 in. sizes, using as a basis the earlier report of the IAFE committee and working with the active cooperation of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The principal dimensions for the 2/4 in. couplings of 714 threads per inch and S’/ib in. outside diameter of the exter­nal thread (ODM) were selected to facilitate conversion of existing couplings, the majority of which had either 7 or 8 threads per inch, and 3 in. or 3’4 in. ODM.

During the years that followed until 1917, the committee worked diligently to secure recognition of these specifications as a “National Standard” and their adoption by cities and towns throughout the United States. Its efforts were rewarded with considerable success, and, in addition, as many as 20 organiza­tions officially approved and adopted the standard. It was also published by the National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU) in 1911, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1913, the U.S. Bureau of Standards as Circular No. 50 (1914 and 1917), and the AWWA.

Between 1920 and 1923, a series of conferences were held that were attended by representatives of the manufacturers of fire hose couplings, the NFBU, the National Screw Thread Commission (NSTC), and the ASME. These conferences resul­ted in an agreement concerning the standardization of screw thread tolerances, allowances, and methods of gauging. Efforts to bring about the general adoption of the standard through­out the country were continued.

In October 1923, NBFU, NFPA, and ASME asked the Ameri­can Standards Association (ASA) to approve and designate this standard as an “American Standard.” Shortly afterwards, ASA assigned joint sponsorship for the project to NBFU, AWWA, and ASME. At that time, through the cooperation of a group of gauging experts, including members of NSTC, the limiting dimensions were added to the original specifications, and the standard for fire hose coupling screw threads for sizes 214 in. and larger was approved by the ASA in May 1925.

In 1917, by mutual agreement, the field work of the NFPA committee concerned with encouraging adoption and applica­tion of the standard was taken over by a Committee on Fire Prevention and Engineering Standards of the NBFU. At the same time, NFPA organized a Committee on Small Hose Couplings to develop standards on fire hose screw threads in sizes from 14 in. to 2 in. nominal diameters. A standard cover­ing these sizes was developed and adopted by NFPA in 1922. These smaller size couplings had the same general characteris­tics of thread design as the standard couplings for 214 in. and larger hose. The NFPA’s Standard for Small Hose Coupling Screw Threads was submitted to the ASA for approval in 1926 and is the basis for the current fire hose screw thread dimensions included in this standard.

The National Screw Thread Commission also had prepared dimensions for the screw threads of small hose couplings ‘4 in. to 2 in., inclusive, which were published in 1921, 1924, and 1928 reports. The pitches and other dimensions of these threads, except for the garden hose size, varied from those proposed by the NFPA for use on fire hose, which requires a heavier thread that can be connected quickly in the field.

In January 1927, the ASME requested that the ASA authorize the organization of a sectional committee to complete the standardization of fire hose couplings and to attempt to unify and complete the dimensions of small hose couplings. A sectional committee was organized in October 1928, under the sponsorship of the ASME, to prepare specifications for screw threads for small hose couplings ranging from 14 in. to 2 in. nominal size. Data on these smaller threads were published by ASA.

Subsequently, it was found that almost every pump manufac­turer was using different threads on 4 in., 5 in., and 6 in. supply hose and fittings required on certain sizes of fire department pumping engines, so the supply hose from one pumper could not be used on another pumper at the same time. Accordingly, in 1955, NFPA adopted standards for threads on these three sizes of fire hose.

In 1956, NFPA adopted dimensions for gaskets for standard fire hose couplings of all sizes from % in. to 6 in. couplings, as well as data on the required gasket seat dimensions. Caskets were felt to be an essential feature of a fire hose coupling standard because hose connections feature swivel or “female” fittings that must provide a tight waterway when connected to the opposing thread.

NFPA also prepared a text showing the suggested application of the standard to various items of fire-fighting equipment because experience had shown that the wrong size of standard thread was sometimes used, limiting the effectiveness of the equipment.

In 1961, the duties of the ASA sectional committee were transferred to a newly established subcommittee of the ASA Sectional Committee on the Standardization of Pipe Threads, for which the ASME and the American Oas Association (ACA) were joint sponsors. The subcommittee was organized to deal with threads for fire hose couplings and fittings. New material from the ASA subcommittee was subsequently included in the NFPA document.

Once the current edition is published, a Standard is opened for

Public Input.

Step 1 – Input Stage

• Input accepted from the public or other committees for consideration to develop the First Draft
• Technical Committee holds First Draft Meeting to revise Standard (23 weeks); Technical Committee (s) with Cor­relating Committee (10 weeks)
• Technical Committee ballots on First Draft (12 weeks); Technical Committee (s) with Correlating Committee (11 weeks)
• Correlating Committee First Draft Meeting (9 weeks)
• Correlating Committee ballots on First Draft (5 weeks)
• First Draft Report posted on the document information page

Step 2 – Comment Stage

• Public Comments accepted on First Draft (10 weeks) fol­lowing posting of First Draft Report
• If Standard does not receive Public Comments and the Technical Committee chooses not to hold a Second Draft meeting, the Standard becomes a Consent Standard and is sent directly to the Standards Council for issuance (see Step 4) or
• Technical Committee holds Second Draft Meeting (21 weeks); Technical Committee(s) with Correlating Committee (7 weeks)
• Technical Committee ballots on Second Draft (11 weeks); Technical Committee (s) with Correlating Committee (10 weeks)
• Correlating Committee Second Draft Meeting (9 weeks)
• Correlating Committee ballots on Second Draft (8 weeks)
• Second Draft Report posted on the document informa­tion page

Step 3 – NFPA Technical Meeting

• Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM) accepted (5 weeks) following the posting of Second Draft Report
• NITMAMs are reviewed and valid motions are certified by the Motions Committee for presentation at the NFPA Technical Meeting
• NFPA membership meets each June at the NFPA Techni­cal Meeting to act on Standards with “Certified Amend­ing Motions” (certified NITMAMs)
• Committee (s) vote on any successful amendments to the Technical Committee Reports made by the NFPA mem­bership at the NFPA Technical Meeting

Step 4 – Council Appeals and Issuance of Standard

• Notification of intent to file an appeal to the Standards Council on Technical Meeting action must be filed within 20 days of the NFPA Technical Meeting
• Standards Council decides, based on all evidence, whether to issue the standard or to take other action

Notes:

1. Time periods are approximate; refer to published sched­ules for actual dates.
2. Annual revision cycle documents with certified amend­ing motions take approximately 101 weeks to complete.

Sequence of Events for the Standards Development Process

3. Fall revision cycle documents receiving certified amend­ing motions take approximately 141 weeks to complete.

The following classifications apply to Committee members and represent dieir principal interest in the activity of the Committee.

1. M Manufacturer: A representative of a maker or mar­

keter of a product, assembly, or system, or portion thereof, that is affected by the standard.

2. U User: A representative of an entity that is subject to

the provisions of the standard or that voluntarily uses the standard.

3. IM Installer/Maintainer: A representative of an entity that

is in the business of installing or maintaining a prod­uct, assembly, or system affected by the standard.

4. L Labor: A labor representative or employee concerned

with safety in the workplace.

5. RT Applied Research/Testing Laboratory: A representative

of an independent testing laboratory or indepen­dent applied research organization that promulgates and/or enforces standards.

6. E Enforcing Authority: A representative of an agency or

an organization that promulgates and/or enforces standards.

7. I Insurance: A representative of an insurance company,

broker, agent, bureau, or inspection agency.

8. C Consumer: A person who is or represents the ultimate

purchaser of a product, system, or service affected by the standard, but who is not included in (2).

9. SE Special Expert: A person not representing (1) through

(8) and who has special expertise in the scope of die standard or portion thereof.

NOTE 1: “Standard” connotes code, standard, recom­mended practice, or guide.

NOTE 2: A representative includes an employee.

Committee Membership Classifications^1,2‘³‘⁴

NOTE 3: While these classifications will be used by the Standards Council to achieve a balance for Technical Com­mittees, the Standards Council may determine that new classifications of member or unique interests need repre­sentation in order to foster the best possible Committee deliberations on any project. In this connection, the Stan­dards Council may make such appointments as it deems appropriate in the public interest, such as the classification of “Utilities” in the National Electrical Code Committee. NOTE 4: Representatives of subsidiaries of any group are generally considered to have the same classification as die parent organization.

6/16-A

Information on the NFPA Standards Development Process

1. Applicable Regulations. The primary rules governing the processing of NFPA standards (codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides) are the NFPA Regulations Governing the Development of NFPA Standards (Regs). Other applicable rules include NFPA Bylaius, NFPA Technical Meeting Convention Rules, NFPA Guide for the Conduct of Participants in the NFPA Standards Development Process, and the NFPA Regulations Governing Petitions to the Board of Directors from Decisions of the Standards Council. Most of these rules and regulations are contained in the NFPA Standards Directory. For copies of the Directory, contact Codes and Standards Administration at NFPA Headquarters; all these documents are also available 011 the NFPA website at “ww.nfpa.org.”

The following is general information 011 the NFPA process. All participants, however, should refer to the actual rules and regulations for a full understanding of this process and for the criteria that govern participation.

1. Technical Committee Report. The Technical Committee Report is defined as “the Report of the responsible Committee (s), in accordance with the Regulations, in preparation of a new or revised NFPA Standard.” The Technical Committee Report is in two parts and consists of the First Draft Report and the Second Draft Report. (See Regs at Section 1.4.)

• Step 1: First Draft Report. The First Draft Report is defined as “Part one of the Technical Committee Report, which documents the Input Stage.” The First Draft Report consists of the First Draft, Public Input, Committee Input, Committee and Correlating Committee Statements, Correlating Notes, and Ballot Statements. (See Regs at 4.2.5.2 and Section 4.3.) Any objection to an action in the First Draft Report must be raised through the filing of an appropriate Comment for consideration in the Second Draft Report or the objection will be considered resolved. [See Regs at 4.3.1 (b).]

4. Step 2: Second Draft Report. The Second Draft Report is defined as “Part two of the Technical Committee Report, which documents the Comment Stage.” The Second Draft Report consists of the Second Draft, Public Comments with corresponding Committee Actions and Committee Statements, Correlating Notes and their respective Committee Statements, Committee Comments, Correlating Revisions, and Ballot Statements. (See Regs at 4.2.5.2 and Section 4.4.) The First Draft Report and the Second Draft Report together constitute the Technical Committee Report. Any outstanding objection following the Second Draft Report must be raised through an appropriate Amending Motion at

the NFPA Technical Meeting or the objection will be considered resolved. [See Regs at 4.4.1 (b).]

4. Step 3a: Action at NFPA Technical Meeting. Following the publication of the Second Draft Report, there is a period during which those wishing to make proper Amending Motions 011 the Technical Committee Reports must signal their intention by submitting a Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM). (See Regs at 4.5.2.) Standards that receive notice of proper Amending Motions (Certified Amending Motions) will be presented for action at the annual June NFPA Technical Meeting. At the meeting, the NFPA membership can consider and act 011 these Certified Amending Motions as well as Follow-up Amending Motions, that is, motions that become necessary as a result of a previous successful Amending Motion. (See 4.5.3.2 through 4.5.3.6 and Table 1, Columns 1-3 of Regs for a summary of the available Amending Motions and who may make them.) Any outstanding objection following action at an NFPA Technical Meeting (and any further Technical Committee consideration following successful Amending Motions, see Regs at 4.5.3.7 through 4.6.5.3) must be raised through an appeal to the Standards Council or it will be considered to be resolved.
5. Step 3b: Documents Forwarded Directly to the Council. Where 110 NITMAM is received and certified in accordance with the Technical Meeting Convention Rules, the standard is forwarded directly to the Standards Council for action 011 issuance. Objections are deemed to be resolved for these documents. (See Regs at 4.5.2.5.)

• Step 4a: Council Appeals. Anyone can appeal to the Standards Council concerning procedural or substantive matters related to the development, content, or issuance of any document of the NFPA or 011 matters within the purview of the authority of the Council, as established by the Bylaws and as determined by the Board of Directors. Such appeals must be in written form and filed with the Secretary of the Standards Council (see Regs at Section 1.6). Time constraints for filing an appeal must be in accordance with 1.6.2 of the Objections are deemed to be resolved if not pursued at this level.
• Step 4b: Document Issuance. The Standards Council is the issuer of all documents (see Article 8 of Bylaius). The Council acts 011 the issuance of a document presented for action at an NFPA Technical Meeting within 75 days from the date of the recommendation from the NFPA Technical Meeting, unless this period is extended by the Council (see Regs at 4.7.2). For documents forwarded directly to the Standards Council, the Council acts 011 the issuance of the document at its next scheduled meeting, or at such other meeting as the Council may determine (see Regs at 4.5.2.5 and 4.7.4).

1. Petitions to the Board of Directors. The Standards Council has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the codes and standards development process and the issuance of documents. However, where extraordinary circumstances requiring the intervention of the Board of Directors exist, the Board of Directors may take any action necessary to fulfill its obligations to preserve the integrity of the codes and standards development process and to protect the interests of the NFPA. The rules for petitioning the Board of Directors can be found in the Regulations Governing Petitions to the Board of Directors from Decisions of the Standards Council and in Section 1.7 of the
2. For More Information. The program for the NFPA Technical Meeting (as well as the NFPA website as information becomes available) should be consulted for the date 011 which each report scheduled for consideration at the meeting will be presented. To view the First Draft Report and Second Draft Report as well as information 011 NFPA rules and for up-to- date information on schedules and deadlines for processing NFPA documents, check the NFPA website (ww.11fpa.org/ docinfo) or contact NFPA Codes & Standards Administration at (617) 984-7246.

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