Additional Code Issues & Recommendations

The following code review is based on the 2009 NFPA Handbook, the 2009 edition of the Life Safety Code (NFPA-101) and the 2005 edition of the Standard for Health Care Facilities (NFPA-99). These documents provide insight and useful guidelines for fire drills but are not yet adopted by the State of Colorado.

  • Section 4.7.2 of the NFPA 101 states that drills are to be held with sufficient frequency to familiarize occupants with the drill procedure and to establish conduct of the drill as a matter of routine. Drills are to include suitable procedures to ensure that all persons subject to the drill participate.
  • According to the NFPA handbook, the evacuation process should be considered in a four-phase sequence:
  1. The personnel supply phase,
  2. The occupant preparation phase,
  3. The occupant removal phase,
  4. The rest and recovery phase.
  • Section 18.7.2.2 of NFPA 99 states that a written health care occupancy fire safety plan is to provide for the following:
  1. Use of alarms,
  2. Transmission of alarm to fire department,
  3. Response to alarms,
  4. Isolation of fire,
  5. Evacuation of immediate area,
  6. Evacuation of smoke compartment,
  7. Preparation of floors and building for evacuation,
  8. Extinguishment of fire.
  • Section 18.7.2.3 of NFPA 101 states that all staff are to be instructed in response procedures to ensure transmission of an alarm under the following conditions.
  1. When the individual who discovers a fire must immediately go to the aid of an endangered person.
  2. During a malfunction of the building fire alarm system.
  3. Personnel hearing the code announced are to first activate the building fire alarm using the nearest manual fire alarm box and are to then execute their duties as outlined in the fire safety plan.
  • Section 13.4.1.2.10.4 of the NFPA 99 states that continuing safety education and supervision is to be provided, building specific incidents are to be reviewed monthly, and procedures are to be reviewed annually.