Engineering
Life Safety
NFPA 1, the Uniform Fire Code™, was originally developed by the National Fire Protection Association to serve as a guide for states or localities to follow when drafting state/local fire prevention codes. The intent of the document was to address all aspects of fire prevention and protection. NFPA 1 has been updated periodically to reflect a variety of compliance updates and technical knowledge updates.
NFPA 101®, the Life Safety Code®, was originally developed by NFPA's Committee on Safety to Life, which initially focused on the causes of fires involving the loss of life, and particularly on the construction of stairways, exit facilities, and fire escapes in factories, schools, and other buildings. NFPA 101 has been updated periodically to reflect a variety of compliance updates and technical knowledge updates, including issues such as accessibility, fire suppression and sprinkler design, fire alarm design, furnishings and interior finishes, and other issues intended to make a building more occupant-friendly.
The Life Safety Code now addresses virtually all types of buildings, including healthcare facilities, hotels, apartment buildings, daycare facilities, correctional facilities, and others. High-rise buildings have different life safety requirements than other structures. New construction may have different life safety requirements than restoration work in existing buildings. Today, life safety codes are intended to provide an enhanced level of protection for the building occupants.
Life safety systems obviously vary among facilities, depending on a number of factors, such as the type and age of the facility. The issue of life safety requirements always needs to be addressed, especially with renovations or restoration work in mature buildings, which could trigger new life safety requirements. A change in the use of a building, for example, could also trigger new life safety requirements.
These codes have provided the basis for codes in several states. For example, the State of Florida has adopted a modified version of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1, Uniform Fire Code™ and NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®. Known as the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Rule 69A-60 of the Florida Administrative Code consists of NFPA 1, the Uniform Fire Code - Florida Edition, and NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code - Florida Edition.
MZA Life Safety specialists understand existing code requirements and stay current on updated code requirements. In some cases, the building owner needs assistance to identify the applicable current regulations pertaining to a particular issue, such as smoke detection systems, industrial ventilation requirements, emergency lighting equipment, egress requirements for existing occupancies, hazardous materials storage, or other concerns. This in itself may appear straightforward, but it can be a daunting task for the building owner. MZA's MEP engineering staff also designs the necessary upgrades to bring the facility into compliance.
In other situations, more assistance may be required. Drawing on our expertise in engineering, forensic architecture, construction management, and asset management, MZA Life Safety specialists work with building owners and facility managers to analyze existing conditions, review historical documentation about the building, and address a variety of issues such as architectural furnishings, firewalls, detection systems, egress capacity, and other life safety issues that have been affected by the restoration work or that would be affected by future building changes. MZA works with the client to identify the triggered code compliance issues, evaluate options, and determine the most cost-effective way to accomplish the restoration or renovation work.