NFPA Journal - November/December 2012 - (Page 54)

FIRE SAFETY + GREEN BUILDINGS NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®, has included requirements on installing solar photovoltaic systems since the 1984 edition, and NFPA 1, Fire Code, outlines system hazards and safety tactics for emergency responders and code inspectors. ability to vent the building during a fire and are rated “moderate.” If those systems are not properly depowered, however, they can pose the threat of electrocution, which merits a “high” rating. Lightweight, engineered lumber also received a “high” rating for its tendency to fail more quickly than traditional lumber when exposed to fire. NFPA’s codes and standards already address some of these hazards. NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®, has included requirements on installing solar photovoltaic systems since the 1984 edition, and NFPA 1, Fire Code, outlines system hazards and safety tactics for emergency responders and code inspectors. The 2012 edition of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, includes a series of provisions that must be met for the illumination of lights controlled by automatic sensor-type lighting switches—an energy-saving feature—so occupants can find their way to exits during fire or other building emergencies. NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code®, has contained goals and objectives on energy efficiency and the environment since the first edition was issued in 2002. The new edition of NFPA’s Fire and Life Safety Inspection Manual has a new chapter that outlines green building and sustainability trends and the potential risks that can follow. Even if these hazards haven’t yet been fully analyzed or evaluated, it is anticipated that future changes to the codes and standards are likely to be flagged when a substantiation or justification for the change introduces the green or sustainable concept. Solomon expects to see the relevant NFPA committees becoming more aware of the evolving concerns related to green design. For instance, he points to structural insulated panels (SIPs) that sandwich foam insulation between OSB. The insulating properties of the panels make them excellent energy-saving features, but Solomon is concerned that if not properly installed, the fire protection provided by the OSB for the foam core could be compromised. “As with any construction assembly, system, or S 5olar panels on a Target store in California. The fire service has voiced concern over fighting fires involving photovoltaic arrays on a range of buildings. Reporting System, the largest fire database in the U.S., does not collect this information. Researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), which developed the Safety Challenges of Green Buildings report for the Foundation, had to base their analysis primarily on anecdotal evidence. “It seems like the move to the greening of buildings happened without in-depth investigation of potential unintended safety consequences,” said Brian Meacham, the report’s lead author and an associate professor of fire protection engineering at WPI. While isolated research has looked at some of these issues, he said, “there does not appear to have been any coordinated or comprehensive research into the breadth and depth of potential hazards, level of risk, and mitigation strategies.” The new report outlines nearly 80 green building components—from bamboo flooring to photovoltaic roof panels to spray-applied foam insulation—and rates their “level of concern” as low, medium, or high risk, based on the possible hazards to occupants and emergency responders. Vegetative roof systems, or green roofs, for example, might contribute to the fire load or spread if not properly hydrated and are rated “moderate.” Roof-mounted photovoltaic panels that capture solar energy might impact a firefighter’s 54 NFPA JOURNAL NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 Photograph: Corbis

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - November/December 2012

NFPA Journal - November/December 2012
Contents
First Word
In a Flash
Perspectives
Firewatch
Research
Heads Up
Structural Ops
In Compliance
Buzzwords
Outreach
Electrical Safety
Wildfire Watch
Past + Present
Easy Being Green?
Pressure Points
2011 Large-Loss Fires
2011 Firefighter Injuries
Section Spotlight
What’s Hot
Looking Back

NFPA Journal - November/December 2012