Professional Documents
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2007 EDITION –
NOTABLE
CHANGES FROM
2002 EDITION
BY: CRAIG VOELKERT
November 2006
Notice to Distribution:
by Craig Voelkert
The entire document has been changed in accordance with a new NFPA mandated
“Manual of Style”. As a result, Chapters have been renumbered and paragraphs have
been moved from one Chapter to another as deemed appropriate under the mandated
“Manual of Style”. A direct comparison of a numbered paragraph in the 2002 Edition
with the same numbered paragraph in the 2007 Edition will in most cases be impossible.
No paragraph is allowed to have more than one sentence so many paragraphs containing
multiple sentences in the 2002 Edition of NFPA 10 now have the exact same wording but
are split into multiple paragraphs.
Any wording that was not considered “enforceable” has been either changed to
enforceable language or has been moved to the Annex which is meant for informational
purposes only.
No “exceptions” are allowed and as such some of the paragraphs had to be changed,
renumbered or expanded in order to comply with this mandate.
In the past, any new Edition of an NFPA Standard would have a solid bar next to a
paragraph that was changed or if the paragraph was a new requirement, making it easy to
spot the differences between the previous Standard and the new Edition. Since the entire
Standard has been changed, there are no solid bars indicating new material in the 2007
Edition of NFPA 10.
Amerex Corporation cannot represent the NFPA 10 Committee, speak for the Committee,
give Formal Interpretations on the Standard or represent the Committee in any way. Any
views or opinions expressed in some of our explanations are strictly those of Amerex
Corporation
Chapter 3 Definitions:. A definition for Certified Person has been added and is an
extremely important item later in the Standard. Definitions for Maintenance,
Inspection, Hanger, Cabinet and Bracket are now found as “Extinguisher
Maintenance”, “Extinguisher Inspection”, etc. Other definitions have also been moved
within this chapter as sub headings under broader definitions. The definition for
“Automatic Residential Fire Extinguisher Unit” has been dropped.
Two new important paragraphs have also been added in this Chapter:
“4.4.1 Dry Chemical stored pressure extinguishers manufactured prior to October
1984 shall be removed from service at the next 6 year maintenance interval or the next
hydrotest interval, whichever comes first.”
This requirement coincides with the date of changes to UL 299. For more information on
the importance of UL 299 go to the FEMA (Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association)
website – www.femalifesafety.org. Once in the site, click on “educational materials” then
scroll to “portables” and click on UL 299 brochure or guide. This information may be
downloaded, printed or obtained from Amerex or the FEMA offices.
“4.4.2 Any extinguisher that can no longer be serviced in accordance with the
manufacturer’s maintenance manual is considered obsolete and shall be removed from
service.”
If the extinguishing agent or parts – either manufacturer’s recommended replacement
parts or parts specifically listed for use in the fire extinguisher - are not available, then the
extinguisher cannot be serviced according to the manufacturer’s manual.
A new requirement that was formerly only found buried in the “Scope” – and therefore
often considered unenforceable – has been added: “5.4.2 Selection by Occupancy. Fire
Extinguishers shall be provided for the protection of both the building structure and
the occupancy hazards contained therein regardless of the presence of any fixed fire
suppression systems.”
Cooking areas have been removed from the Extra High Hazard category and are treated
as a separate special hazard as in the 2002 Edition of the Standard.
Under “Class B Fires”, new wording has been added for “Pressurized Flammable
Liquids and Pressurized Gas Fires”. –“5.5.1.1.2 Large capacity dry chemical
extinguishers of 10 lb. (4.54 kg) or greater and a discharge rate of 1 lb. /sec.
(0.45/kg/sec) or more shall be used to protect these hazards. This same requirement is
listed for “Three-Dimensional Fires”.
Previously the only guidance was to “consult the manufacturer of this specialty
equipment”, this wording gives much better guidance. Several manufacturers, including
Amerex make “fast flow” or “high flow” extinguishers which are needed for these and
other hazards.
A new section – 5.5.4 Obstacle Fires - has been added requiring the same flow rates
and capacity as above along with the options of multiple extinguishers to be used
simultaneously or foam extinguishers.
A new section – 5.5.7 Areas Containing Oxidizers – has been added requiring only
water type extinguishers be used and specifically barring the use of ABC dry chemical
in these hazards.
This new requirement adds greater safety. Many manufacturers, including Amerex, have
published warnings and “Tech tips” on this subject. This will help to guide local
authorities towards proper selection of extinguishers under these circumstances.
“6.6.3 All solid fuel cooking appliances (whether or not under a hood) with fire boxes
of 5 ft3 (0.14m3) volume or less shall at least have a listed 2-A water-type fire
extinguisher or 1.6 gal (6 L) wet chemical extinguisher listed for Class K fires.”
This brings NFPA 10 in agreement with NFPA 96 for this particular hazard.
“7.1.2.3 The certification of service personnel shall be required after February 16,
2008.”
There are now 6 steps in the inspection procedures instead of 9. The requirement for
checking the safety seals and tamper indicators; checking to see if the HMIS label is in
place; examination for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage or clogged nozzle
are all no longer included in the inspection procedures (although these most of these
items remain in the procedures if certain circumstances are present). Those
requirements have been moved to the procedures for annual maintenance. Also,
“hefting” or weighing extinguishers to determine fullness during the inspection is
confined to only self expelling, cartridge operated extinguishers and pump tanks.
Other paragraphs have been added specifying when electronic monitoring may not be
used in lieu of a physical inspection.
A new table has been added showing the frequency of internal examination intervals,
including an annual internal examination and a paragraph has been added that
requires ab annual internal examination for some extinguishers that are exposed to
temperatures in excess of their listing.
Annex Material: As in previous standards, the items in the Standard marked with an
asterisk (*) will have supplementary material in the Annex. The Annex is still for
informational purposes only and is not considered to be part of the Standard –
therefore the Annex material is not enforceable. Here are some of the more significant
changes to the Annex:
The references and specifications for using dry ice converters for recharging CO2
extinguishers have been removed. In another section it states “Dry ice converters
should not be used to recharge carbon dioxide extinguishers.”
Again, these are by no means all of the changes in the 2007 Edition of NFPA 10. We
strongly suggest that you obtain a copy of the Standard and read it carefully and
thoroughly. Even if your current fire code is using a previous Edition of the Standard,
you will be prepared for the many changes coming your way should the 2007 Edition
become adopted as part of your code.
NOTES:
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Amerex Corporation
P.O. Box 81
Trussville, Alabama 35173
Email: sales@amerex-fire.com
Internet: www.amerex-fire.com
NFPA10 CHANGES_11/07T