Colorado Fire Suppression Program Adopts Latest NFPA Codes

The latest editions of 22 National Fire Protection Association codes have been incorporated into regulations that comprise the Colorado Fire Suppression Program. NFPA documents are referenced as they pertain to the installation of sprinklers and other fire protection systems.

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff May 2, 2007

The latest editions of 22 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes have been incorporated into regulations that comprise the Colorado Fire Suppression Program. NFPA documents are referenced as they pertain to the installation of sprinklers and other fire protection systems.

In order to meet nationally recognized standards, Colorado developed a fire suppression program to ensure proper installation and maintenance of life safety systems for residential and commercial occupancies. NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code and NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code are among many NFPA codes being implemented within Colorado’s program.

Overall, the purpose of NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code, is to protect life and property by setting minimum regulations on construction, protection and occupancy features. The code establishes minimum design through regulation and control of the permitting, design, construction, quality of materials, use of occupancy, location and maintenance of all building and structures within a jurisdiction.

NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code, recognized worldwide and adopted statewide in 20 states, is a key NFPA document that is being used by the Colorado program as it relates to sprinklers and fire suppression. In general, NFPA 1 provides requirements necessary to establish a reasonable level of fire safety and property protection from hazards created by fire and explosion. Its primary purposes are to address basic fire prevention requirements and to reference or extract the fire prevention and protection aspects of many other NFPA codes and standards.