Standards Development: Brooks Tracks and Participates

By Mark Conroy

Much is happening in the world of codes and standards that impacts your business. Here is a snapshot of activities related to the development and updating of industry standards.

NFPA
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has entered the following standards into revision cycle:

• NFPA 10, Portable Fire Extinguishers, 2013 ed
• NFPA 17, Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems, 2013 ed
• NFPA 17A, Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems, 2013 ed
• NFPA 96, Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, 2014 ed

NFPA requires standards to be updated every 3-5 years, so entering these documents into the Fall 2016 revision cycle is in line with the NFPA regulations. Previously, NFPA 17 and 17A were a year out of sync with NFPA 96 but were moved to the NFPA 96 revision cycle to allow the two committees to correlate requirements and eliminate duplication. Additionally, NFPA 10 is now in the same revision cycle, based on input from committee members. All four standards will be issued with an edition date of 2017.

Brooks not only tracks changes to codes and standards, but we actively participate in the process. Brooks is a member of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) and participates on FEMA committees that develop and submit public input to these NFPA committees. Additionally, we hold seats on these committees and will participate in the debates during the NFPA committee meetings.

The following dates are critical in the standards revision process and apply to all four standards:

Fall 2016 Revision Cycle:
First Draft (Previously Reported on Proposals)

• Public Input Closing Date: January 5, 2015
• First Draft Report Posting Date: September 7, 2015

Second Draft (Previously Reported on Comments)

• Public Comment Closing Date: November 16, 2015
• Second Draft Report Posting Date: July 18, 2016

Notice of Intent to Make a Motion

• NITMAM Closing Date: August 22, 2016

Revised Edition Date: 2017

IKECA
The International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA) is a trade association but is also now a Standards Development Organization (SDO). Earlier this year, IKEC and NFPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which essentially enables both organizations to develop standards that are harmonized and don’t overlap. This type of cooperation will help to eliminate redundancy.

IKECA’s first standard, which was approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is ANSI/IKECA C-10, 2011, Cleaning of Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems.

IKECA is also developing two other standards, I-10 for inspection and M-10 for user operations and maintenance. Although it is early in their development process, IKECA seems to be focused on the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry and is avoiding fire protection systems or portable fire extinguishers.

As these four NFPA standards move through the revision process, Brooks will actively participate and promote positions that have a positive impact on your business. We will also continue to monitor the IKECA standards development and participate, if the need arises. Future updates on both organizations activities are planned so that you can stay abreast of changes with these important industry standards.