VdS joins Euralarm as associate member in Extinguishing, Fire, Security and Services

by Featured NewsFire DetectionSafetyTraining

Euralarm adds VdS as associate member

Euralarm has welcomed VdS as a new associate member in Zug, Switzerland, in March 2026.

VdS will become a member of its Extinguishing, Fire, Security and Services Sections.

VdS services and areas of work

VdS described its work as covering fire protection, security, cyber security and natural hazard prevention.

Its services include risk assessments, testing and certification, inspection services, information systems for natural hazards and a training programme.

The institute also publishes guidelines that it said set international safety and security standards.

How Euralarm described member benefits and section roles

Euralarm said companies joining the association gain insight into other European markets and opportunities, alongside access to EU policy expertise and connections with technical and political experts and potential business partners.

It added that membership enables organisations to gain expertise on standardisation and support and direct standardisation and legislative processes.

The association outlined its four sections as Extinguishing, Fire, Services and Security, with VdS joining all sections.

New construction product PAS 2000 links Grenfell recommendations with UK reform

by ConstructionFeatured NewsSafety

Construction products PAS 2000 published by BSI

A new framework designed to strengthen product safety and support regulatory reform across the built environment sector has been published following a recommendation that came out of the Grenfell Inquiry.

BSI stated that PAS 2000, Construction products – Bringing safe products to market – Code of practice, sets a practical framework for construction product manufacturers to demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to best ensure products placed on the market are safe for their intended use.

The code of practice was sponsored by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

The PAS aligns with Recommendation 3.3 of the Morrell-Day Review which called for industry collaboration with BSI to produce guidance on the due diligence expected when placing a construction product on the market.

Link to Grenfell and construction product regulatory reform

The PAS was developed following recommendations in the Morrell-Day Testing for a Safer Future report and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report.

It also responds to the UK Government’s programme of construction product regulatory reform.

BSI said this included the launch of the Construction Product white paper on 25 February.

Ian Richardson, Sector Lead, BSI said: “This publication reflects our clear commitment to responding constructively to the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Morrell-Day Review, and to supporting safety across the built environment.

“At a time of significant regulatory reform, PAS 2000 has been developed to support greater transparency, accountability and due diligence across the supply chain.

“By setting clear expectations and good practice, manufacturers and other economic operators should be empowered to embed robust product safety governance and align with evolving regulatory requirements.

“We encourage organizations across the built environment sector to engage with the standard and support its adoption.”

Launch event scheduled for 10 March

BSI said it will host a launch event on 10 March to explain the background to the development of PAS 2000 and outline the structure, content and practical benefits of the standard.

The event is also set to clarify how organisations can implement the framework and provide an opportunity for questions and industry engagement.

Speakers are due to include representatives from OPSS, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Dr Hywel Davies OBE as the technical author for PAS 2000.

The standard and its launch event are positioned as part of ongoing construction product regulatory reform work.

Public consultation launched on fire safety standards in construction

by ConstructionFeatured NewsIndustry Comment

Construction consultation and key dates

Draft fire safety guidance for construction sites has been released for public consultation, with responses due by Wednesday 18 March.

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) said the consultation is intended for manufacturers, suppliers and system specifiers, and may also support installers and construction site managers responsible for fire safety.

A Special Interest Group meeting will take place on Monday 16 March to gather feedback and help develop the FIA’s position.

Comments must be submitted by close of business on Wednesday 11 March, after which registered contributors will receive draft copies, a comments template sheet and meeting distribution details.

What the fire safety guidance covers

The draft code of practice sets out guidance for managing fire safety on construction sites, including projects lasting more than 30 working days with over 20 workers on site at any one time or exceeding 500 person-working days.

Recommendations include the development of fire safety management systems designed to address both organisational and site-specific risks during construction works.

A separate draft specification defines requirements and performance criteria for fire detection and fire alarm systems intended for temporary use during construction.

The specification is primarily intended for manufacturers, suppliers and system specifiers, and is also relevant to installers and site managers with fire safety responsibilities.

Temporary installations fall within its scope, with permanent systems and project-specific suitability remaining outside its remit.

The document also references fire safety responsibilities set out in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Draft versions of both documents are available through the BSI Standards Development pages here and here.

The NFPA Standards Council: Who are the people shaping global fire and life safety standards?

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured News

What is the NFPA Standards Council?

Most NFPA standards never make headlines, but they influence decisions made every day in buildings, industrial facilities and fire grounds around the world.

Behind those documents is the National Fire Protection Association Standards Council, the body responsible for overseeing how NFPA standards are developed, interpreted and maintained.

Appointed by the NFPA Board of Directors, the 13-member Council provides governance for the standards process, appoints technical committee members and serves as the final appeals authority when questions or disputes arise.

Meeting three times each year and presiding over the annual NFPA Technical Meeting, the Council is responsible for ensuring that standards are developed in accordance with NFPA Regulations and Rules.

It appoints members to NFPA Technical and Correlating Committees and serves as the final appeals body for issues related to standards development.

Together, the Council brings decades of experience from engineering, enforcement, manufacturing, research and the fire service – a breadth of perspective designed to support balanced, consensus-based standards.

Leadership grounded in global fire engineering

Chairing the Council is James R. Quiter, whose career has spanned more than four decades at the forefront of fire protection engineering.

Recently retired as a Principal at Arup, Quiter previously led the firm’s 300-person Los Angeles office and remains affiliated with the company.

Widely recognised for his expertise in performance-based design and US codes, he has chaired multiple NFPA correlating committees and currently leads the NFPA High Rise Building Safety Advisory Committee.

His work with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, including contributions to guidance on very tall buildings, reflects a career focused on translating engineering theory into practical safety outcomes.

Code enforcement and public administration expertise

From a municipal perspective, Anthony C. Apfelbeck brings more than 35 years of experience in building and fire codes.

As Director of the Building and Fire Safety Department for the City of Altamonte Springs, Florida, he oversees everything from construction plan review to investigations and code enforcement.

His career began in the fire service and has expanded into technical committee work, professional education and executive leadership – a combination that reflects the real-world challenges of applying codes consistently and effectively.

Engineering practice and complex risk environments

Industry engineering practice is represented by figures such as Tracey D. Bellamy, Chief Engineering Officer at Telgian Corporation.

Bellamy’s work focuses on fire protection engineering and life safety consulting for large construction projects and hazardous materials facilities.

His experience reflects the growing need to address complex risk profiles across diverse occupancies and industrial environments.

Similarly, Michael A. Crowley of Coffman Engineers brings more than 40 years of consulting experience, with a particular focus on healthcare occupancies and life safety systems.

A former president of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Crowley continues to work with architects, facility managers and owners globally, helping translate standards into operational safety.

Standards development from the inside out

Several Council members have spent significant portions of their careers embedded directly in standards development.

Guy R. Colonna, a former NFPA engineer and staff liaison, worked for more than three decades on documents addressing maritime fire protection and industrial hazards.

Since retiring from NFPA, he has remained active through consulting and technical committee participation, bringing historical knowledge of how standards evolve over time.

Raymond A. Grill, principal of Ray Grill Consulting, also represents this long-term engagement with NFPA’s technical process.

With more than 40 years in fire protection engineering, Grill has chaired and served on numerous NFPA committees, particularly those related to life safety, sprinklers and emergency communications.

Fire service and operational leadership

Operational fire service experience is represented by Randy J. Krause, Fire Chief of the Port of Seattle Fire Department.

Krause’s career includes service in the US Air Force, private-sector industrial fire protection and leadership at one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs.

His long-standing involvement with NFPA occupational health and safety committees reflects the importance of aligning standards with responder realities.

Catherine L. Stashak, now an engineer with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, also brings frontline fire service experience.

After two decades with the Des Plaines Fire Department, she moved into regulatory and technical services, where her work now supports rulemaking, code interpretation and engineering review across a wide range of fire and life safety issues.

Science, testing and certification perspectives

The Council also includes members whose careers are rooted in testing, certification and research.

John A. LeBlanc, a senior engineering specialist at FM, has spent four decades developing property loss prevention guidance and supporting special hazard standards.

His work bridges chemical engineering, fire protection engineering and practical loss prevention strategies.

At UL Solutions, Dwayne E. Sloan serves as Technical Director for the Built Environment Division.

Over 37 years, his focus has included reaction-to-fire testing, exterior wall assemblies, ventilation systems and building materials.

His involvement across UL, NFPA and ASTM committees highlights the interconnection between testing, certification and code adoption.

Electrical safety and systems expertise

Electrical systems and power reliability are represented by Alan Manche of Schneider Electric.

With more than 30 years in the electrical industry, Manche has worked across product design, certification and standards development.

His long involvement with the National Electrical Code and emergency power system standards reflects the critical role of electrical safety within the broader fire protection landscape.

Industry association and system design insight

Rounding out the Council is Victoria B. Valentine of the American Fire Sprinkler Association.

A licensed professional engineer and Fellow of SFPE, Valentine has spent over two decades working with non-profit associations on professional qualifications, training and codes and standards development.

Her background in fire sprinkler systems and risk assessment adds a systems-based perspective to the Council’s work.

Competence Hub launched to fix fragmented competence information

by Featured NewsSafety

Competence Hub brings competence resources into one place

BSI has launched a national digital resource called the Built Environment Competence Hub.

The Hub is intended to bring together standards, competence frameworks, guidance and industry insight in one central place.

BSI describes it as a central point of reference for competence-related information across the built environment lifecycle.

How the Built Environment Competence Hub is intended to be used

The Hub is managed by BSI and was developed in collaboration with the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).

BSI said the Hub responds to concerns that competence information is fragmented, difficult to access and inconsistent across roles and disciplines.

The Hub is intended to provide a shared space for industry to engage on competence, exchange best practice and access resources intended to support clarity and consistency.

What BSI says the Hub is for

Anthony Burd, Director of Built Environment, BSI Knowledge Solutions, BSI, said: “Competence is fundamental to a built environment sector that is safe, trusted and capable of meeting society’s needs.

“The Built Environment Competence Hub has been designed as a living resource, shaped by ongoing industry input and able to evolve as competence requirements, standards and best practice continue to develop.

“By improving access to authoritative information and supporting a more consistent understanding of competence, the Hub also aims to play a vital role in helping the sector respond to regulatory reform following the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022.”

The Hub is open to professionals, organisations and stakeholders, with users encouraged to register to access resources and engage with content.

New BSI evacuation standard outlines accessible lift use

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementSafety

New lift rules address disability evacuation in the UK

BSI Group has published BS EN 81-76:2025, a revised standard addressing the use of lifts for the evacuation of persons with disabilities in the UK.

The organisation said the new standard updates previous guidance and introduces three operational modes to support different building types and evacuation strategies.

BSI said the standard applies to new passenger and goods passenger lifts and forms part of the wider BS EN 81 series that sets out safety rules for lift design and installation.

The 2025 edition replaces CEN/TS 81-76:2011 and reflects updated approaches to accessibility, evacuation planning, and fire safety in the built environment.

According to BSI, professionals involved in lift design, installation and facility management are encouraged to review the standard to support compliance and safe evacuation planning.

Standard outlines where evacuation lifts apply

BSI said the standard specifies additional requirements to EN 81-20:2020 for passenger and goods passenger lifts that may be used during evacuation.

The organisation explained that the guidance supports evacuation during a fire alarm but does not apply to emergency conditions such as flooding, earthquakes, or chemical attacks.

In these cases, BSI said further risk assessment measures would be needed beyond those covered in the standard.

It added that BS EN 81-76:2025 also does not apply to lifts manufactured before its publication date.

According to the organisation, the standard excludes scenarios involving fire or smoke in lift wells, water ingress, entrapment in waiting areas, structural failure, and harmful atmospheres.

BSI noted that the document is a type-C standard under EN ISO 12100, and therefore takes precedence where its requirements differ from type-A or type-B machinery safety standards.

Three modes of evacuation operation included

The new standard defines three optional modes for evacuation lift operation: driver assisted, automatic, and remote assisted.

According to BSI, “driver assisted evacuation operation” refers to a trained assistant manually controlling the evacuation lift, a model previously outlined in the 2011 technical specification.

The “automatic evacuation operation” option, the organisation said, supports independent evacuation by individuals with disabilities, provided a suitable fire alarm and lift system are in place.

“Remote assisted evacuation operation” allows the lift to be operated externally from outside the lift car, ideally within the same building, BSI added.

These modes are intended to accommodate a range of evacuation needs depending on building type, layout, staffing, and system complexity.

Class A and Class B lift categories introduced

BSI said the standard introduces two categories of evacuation lifts: Class A and Class B.

Class A lifts are intended for simpler building types, such as residential structures where firefighter lifts are not required and where only one evacuation floor is designated.

BSI stated that these lifts do not require secondary power supply or prioritised landing service and can include automatic rescue operation if needed.

Class B lifts, by contrast, include additional control and size requirements, BSI explained.

These lifts may be used in buildings with more complex evacuation strategies and allow for remote assisted evacuation mode where specified.

The organisation said car size, power backup, and landing service requirements differ between the two classes to match evacuation demands.

Applicability and stakeholder relevance

BSI stated that the document is particularly relevant for manufacturers, health and safety regulators, and market surveillance bodies.

It said the drafting process involved stakeholders across industry, safety bodies, and user groups, including organisations representing persons with disabilities.

According to the organisation, machine users, employers, trade unions, and service providers are also affected by the safety levels described.

BSI said the document includes Annexes B, C and D covering the concept of evacuation lifts, information for use based on building-specific conditions, and listed hazards respectively.

The organisation emphasised that building owners and facility managers should familiarise themselves with the guidance, especially where occupants include people requiring assistance in emergencies.

New BSI evacuation standard outlines accessible lift use: Summary

BSI Group has published BS EN 81-76:2025.

The standard applies to new passenger and goods passenger lifts.

It is intended to support evacuation of persons with disabilities.

The document outlines three evacuation lift operation modes.

These include driver assisted, automatic, and remote assisted.

It defines two classes of lifts: Class A and Class B.

Class A lifts are for simple building evacuation needs.

Class B lifts are for complex settings and offer more features.

The standard excludes use during chemical, flood or seismic emergencies.

It does not apply to lifts built before its publication.

It is a type-C standard and overrides conflicting type-A or type-B guidance.

Stakeholders involved in drafting included regulators and disability organisations.

The standard is part of the wider BS EN 81 lift safety series.

UK emergency planning boosted with new Resilience and Emergencies standards

by Featured News

New national standards to support emergency preparedness in the UK

The Workforce Development Trust has announced the publication of new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Resilience and Emergencies, developed under the UK Cabinet Office.

The new NOS are intended to support the development of skills, training and recruitment across organisations responsible for preparing for and responding to major incidents.

These include government departments, local authorities, emergency services and infrastructure operators.

The Workforce Development Trust said the NOS align with the launch of the UK Resilience Academy and aim to improve the ability of organisations and civil society to prepare for, respond to and recover from events such as climate-related emergencies or a pandemic.

Development guided by emergency and resilience professionals

According to The Workforce Development Trust, the NOS were created through a collaborative process involving experts in emergency planning from across national and local government, the NHS, emergency services and other key sectors.

The organisation said the aim was to provide a shared baseline for competencies in resilience, applicable across a range of agencies and sectors.

The standards are intended to guide recruitment, skills assessments, performance management and training design for those working in statutory and non-statutory roles linked to emergency response.

Fire and rescue sector views NOS as tool for interoperability

Dave Walton, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and Co-Chair of the West Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, supported the publication of the NOS.

Walton, who also leads on resilience for the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “Resilience is vitally important to fire and rescue services because we have to plan and train for emergencies and be able to respond 24/7, 365 days a year.

“What resilience looks like is different for every organisation, however, meaning that the NOS gives everyone a baseline to work from in terms of ensuring emergency response is as effective as it as possibly can be.

“The Resilience and Emergencies NOS will therefore be vital for supporting interoperability and intraoperability in fire and rescue and the wider emergency services, providing recognised standards we can all train our staff towards.

“Society presents us with dynamic and complex challenges, some are predictable, some are less so, which is why effective emergency response is an integral part of strengthening our resilience overall.”

National framework intended to support qualification development

The Workforce Development Trust explained that the NOS include 11 specific standards for resilience and emergencies. These can be used alongside other occupational standards in areas such as IT, governance and management.

The Trust said these standards can support development of vocational qualifications, be embedded into training and job descriptions, and serve as benchmarks of on-the-job competence.

John Rogers, Chief Executive of The Workforce Development Trust, said: “In a complex and uncertain world, it is paramount that society as a collective takes action to strengthen the nation’s resilience to new and emerging threats, protecting the health and security of our communities.

“Strengthening our resilience requires business, government and civil society to work together to develop the shared capabilities and capacity to re-think, re-adjust and re-align in the face of rapid change.

“Skills and skills development are integral to this, and so the NOS for Resilience and Emergencies provide an overarching framework and common language to support employers and qualifications bodies to work in alignment with one another to achieve this goal.”

National regulators and UKRA integration

According to The Workforce Development Trust, the NOS for Resilience and Emergencies are supported across the UK’s qualification systems.

They are recognised by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Qualifications Wales and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland. In England, they form part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework.

Hamish Cormack, Head of the UK Resilience Academy, said: “NOS provide an employer-led, multi-sector definition of competence, setting the standards which govern and quality assure skills and skills development across the UK.

“The NOS for Resilience and Emergencies are a significant step forward in terms of supporting a UK-wide approach to resilience and emergency preparedness, providing the foundations for building skills capacity across our nations and regions to mitigate the risks posed by a range of disruptive challenges.”

UK emergency planning boosted with new Resilience and Emergencies standards: Summary

The Workforce Development Trust has published new National Occupational Standards for Resilience and Emergencies.

The standards were developed with input from emergency services, government and critical infrastructure sectors.

The NOS are designed to support emergency preparedness by providing a baseline for training and recruitment.

The NOS align with the launch of the UK Resilience Academy.

There are 11 specific Resilience and Emergencies standards included.

The NOS are intended for use across statutory and non-statutory emergency planning roles.

The standards can be used in vocational qualifications, training, job descriptions and performance assessments.

They are recognised by national qualification bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Dave Walton of West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said the NOS support interoperability in emergency services.

John Rogers of The Workforce Development Trust said the NOS provide a framework for shared capability building.

Hamish Cormack of the UK Resilience Academy said the NOS support a UK-wide approach to risk mitigation.

Updated BS 9991:2024 fire safety standard for UK residential buildings

by Featured NewsSafety

New fire safety guidance for residential buildings

The UK’s national standards body will publish the revised fire safety standard BS 9991:2024 on 27 November 2024, superseding the previous 2015 version.

This update provides detailed recommendations for fire safety in the design, management, and use of residential buildings.

The revisions come after extensive consultation with stakeholders and were already in progress before the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report in September 2024.

Although the Grenfell report did not recommend specific updates to BS 9991, it reinforced the importance of maintaining thorough and current fire safety standards.

Key changes in the updated BS 9991:2024

The revised standard expands its scope to include residential care homes and introduces updated guidance on evacuation lifts.

It also revises sprinkler installation height limits and considerations for single-stair buildings to enhance safety.

The updates aim to provide clear recommendations for mitigating fire risks and ensuring life safety in residential settings.

They also address the need for protecting property and businesses near residential complexes from fire impacts.

Alignment with UK fire safety regulations

BS 9991:2024 is designed for use across the UK, harmonising guidance with regional regulations such as Approved Document B in England and Wales, Technical Handbook 2 in Scotland, and Technical Booklet E in Northern Ireland.

The document represents a consensus-based approach, balancing the requirements of these differing regulations while supporting statutory guidance.

This unified approach seeks to enhance trust among stakeholders, including residents, property managers, and regulatory authorities.

BSI’s remarks on the importance of updated standards

Scott Steedman, Director-General of Standards at BSI, emphasised the relevance of the updated standard.

He said: “The Grenfell tragedy and the subsequent inquiry and report have brought the issue of building safety into focus for the whole sector and beyond.

“It is critical that we ensure all standards reflect the latest evidence.”

He added: “The updated BS 9991 guides the design, installation, and maintenance of fire safety systems in residential buildings, ensuring that effective escape routes and fire safety measures are in place to protect occupants and enhance overall safety.

“This new edition has been fully revised, taking into account extensive changes within industry and the increased focus on robust fire safety measures.”

BS 9991:2024 summary

The updated fire safety standard BS 9991:2024 will be published by BSI on 27 November 2024, following extensive consultation.

The revised guidance includes expanded provisions for residential care homes, updated evacuation lift recommendations, and new sprinkler height limits.

It aligns with regional fire safety regulations across the UK and aims to improve trust and compliance among stakeholders.

BSI has expressed its gratitude to the technical experts and organisations involved in updating the standard.

The technical committee FSH/14, comprising industry experts, regulators, and Fire and Rescue Service representatives, contributed to this update.

Further information on FSH/14 is available on BSI’s Standards Development Portal.

Draft British Standard 8674 opens for public consultation

by ConstructionFeatured NewsResearch

Fire Sector Federation comments on draft British Standard 8674 for public consultation

The draft British Standard 8674 has been released for public comment, focusing on fire risk assessment competence in the UK.

As reported by the Fire Sector Federation, this draft Standard aims to reinforce professional standards within fire safety roles by defining clear competence requirements for fire risk assessors.

The Fire Sector Federation, which has long supported independent third-party assessment in fire-related occupations, views the draft Standard as a significant step towards improved oversight and competence in the sector.

The new Standard builds on existing efforts to establish a robust conformity-based system for assessing fire risk professionals.

Industry collaboration on fire risk assessor competence

The development of British Standard 8674 reflects years of collaboration among fire risk assessors and related industry stakeholders.

This new competence system is designed to ensure that individuals performing fire risk assessments are appropriately qualified and skilled.

The system, which integrates UKAS-accredited certification schemes and qualifications under the UK’s Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), will categorise fire risk assessors into three tiers of competence.

This tiered approach provides clarity for dutyholders, who are legally responsible for ensuring that fire risk assessments are carried out by competent professionals.

Transition to a conformity-based system

As part of this new framework, fire risk assessors with existing UKAS certificates or RQF qualifications are encouraged to evaluate their alignment with the draft British Standard.

The Fire Sector Federation, in collaboration with industry partners, continues to support the transition from unregulated fire risk assessment practices to a more structured and accountable system.

Ongoing work with UKAS and RQF organisations is aimed at facilitating the transition for experienced assessors, ensuring they meet the competence criteria outlined in the draft Standard.

This will aid both the fire risk assessors and dutyholders in adapting to the changes.

Impact on public safety and fire assessment clarity

The draft British Standard 8674, which is now open for public comment, is expected to simplify the often confusing landscape of fire risk assessment qualifications.

The new Standard will provide clear guidelines on what constitutes a competent fire risk assessor, helping dutyholders and the public gain confidence in fire safety assessments.

By aligning with this draft Standard, fire risk assessors will be able to demonstrate their competence more effectively, contributing to improved transparency in fire safety management.

This clarity is crucial as calls for better oversight in the fire safety sector continue to grow.

NFPA seeks comments on development of battery safety standard

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsSafety

NFPA considers comprehensive battery safety standard

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is considering the development of a comprehensive standard to address battery hazards.

As reported by NFPA, the proposed NFPA 800, Battery Safety Code, aims to provide uniform, minimum requirements for fire, electrical, life safety, and property protection related to battery technologies.

The increasing use of batteries in various applications, from consumer products to electric vehicles and energy storage systems, has led to a rise in fire incidents.

Although existing codes address some aspects of battery safety, there is no single standard covering the full spectrum of requirements.

NFPA 855, first released in 2019, addresses risks associated with stationary energy storage systems but does not cover general battery safety throughout the battery lifecycle.

Call for public comments

NFPA is seeking comments from interested organizations and individuals to determine support for the proposed standard.

The proposed NFPA 800 standard intends to reference existing related standards and develop new requirements to fill gaps, particularly in areas like fire and explosion risks associated with battery technologies.

Comments are being sought on the need for standards to address known battery hazards, ensure comprehensive safety throughout the battery lifecycle, and minimize losses and damages from current and future battery technologies.

Interested parties can submit their comments via email to stds_admin@nfpa.org by 12 July 2024.

Technical committee applications

In addition to public comments, NFPA is seeking potential candidates for a Technical Committee if the Standards Council approves the development of the proposed project.

Stakeholders interested in participating can submit an application online through NFPA’s website.

Applicants must be logged into NFPA.org to complete the application and provide comments supporting the project.

Further information about the proposed standards development on battery safety can be found at nfpa.org/batterysafety.

Importance of a comprehensive standard

The proposed NFPA 800 aims to address the gap in guidance for general battery safety beyond specific installations.

By establishing minimum requirements and referencing existing standards, NFPA hopes to create a safer environment and support local authorities in determining applicable codes and standards for battery hazards in their communities.

NFPA 855 currently serves as the primary reference within NFPA’s standards process for raising battery safety issues.

However, the expansion of battery use necessitates a more comprehensive approach to address the evolving risks associated with battery technologies.

IFSJ Comment

The consideration of a comprehensive battery safety standard by NFPA reflects the growing recognition of the risks associated with widespread battery use.

With incidents of fires and other hazards on the rise, the development of a unified standard like NFPA 800 could provide much-needed guidance to ensure safety across various battery applications.

By soliciting public comments and seeking technical committee members, NFPA is taking a proactive approach to involve stakeholders in the creation of these important safety standards.