Canadian Province Adopts Latest NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code

May 23, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

Newfoundland and Labrador adopted editions of the Life Safety Code to address existing building standards in effect since 1979.

According to NFPA, the Newfoundland and Labrador model that addresses existing buildings and building rehabilitation is being promoted to the other Canadian provinces to solve the current gap in the codes.

The province of Prince Edward Island began using the NFPA Life Safety Code more than 20 years ago. It is used in every U.S. state, and adopted statewide in 39 of those states.

The Life Safety Code sets minimum building design, construction, operation and maintenance requirements necessary to protect building occupants from dangers caused by fire, smoke and toxic fumes. The code provides escape requirements for new and existing buildings.

Newfoundland and Labrador will participate in a NFPA-developed training program, which is offered to states that adopt NFPA 1, NFPA 101 and other NFPA codes and standards.

The training was customized for the specific needs of Newfoundland and Labrador and covered the code's requirements and the ways it can be used and enforced with the National Building and Fire Codes of Canada. The training and the associated codebooks are free to government code enforcement officials.

Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).