USA



Definitions:


    Regulations


  • Documents with the Force of Law which List General Objectives and Act as a Framework for More Detailed Requirements

    Codes


  • Documents Connected with Regulations but which Comprise More Specific Requirements and are Valid for Particular Environments 
  • Standards
  • Documents Referred to either in Regulations or in Codes, which put Forward Special Techniques to Quantify Results
  • Guides
  • Documents that Explain the Concepts Associated with Particular Issues, Such as Test Methods or Properties


Codes are issued by:


    • International Code Council (ICC)
    • ICBO/BOCA/SBCCI: now ICC
    • NFPA
    • IAPMO (allied with NFPA)
    • WFC (allied with NFPA)


Agencies Involved are:




    Federal Government

  • Consumer Product Safety Comm.
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Federal Railroad Administration
  • Natl Highway Traffic Safety Adm.
  • Federal Transit Administration
  • Coast Guard

    State

  • Calif. Bureau Home Furnish.
  • NY State Dept of State
  • Boston Fire Department


Types of Code:



  • Building Codes: Building Products and Interior Finish
  • Fire Codes: Interior Finish and Contents
  • Life Safety Code: Interior Finish and Contents/Egress Emphasis
  • Residential Codes: Building Products and Interior Finish
  • Mechanical Codes: Ducts & Plenums
  • Wildland Interface Codes: Decks, etc.
  • Specific Codes & Standards

Fire Standards are issued by:


  • ASTM: (The Majority)
  • NFPA: (Similar to ASTM)
  • UL: Usually for Listing
  • FM Global: Usually for Insurance Purposes
  • Trade Associations: Own Products