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NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code

2021 NFPA 5000 Code - Current Edition
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  • Description

    Be prepared to help protect lives and property from new hazards in the built environment with NFPA 5000®, 2021 edition.

    In the ever-evolving building and construction industry, it's critical to keep pace with the latest requirements for minimizing injuries and safeguarding life, health, property, and public welfare. NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code®, offers provisions for regulating and controlling the permitting, design, construction, quality of materials, and use, occupancy, and location of buildings, structures, and specific equipment.

    Created to fill the gap in the code regime for a building code developed using American National Standards Institute procedures, NFPA 5000 is a vital resource for architects, engineers, authorities having jurisdiction, contractors, building owners and developers, multinational companies, and anyone with responsibilities for safety in the built environment. The code addresses natural and human-made dangers such as fire, flood, earthquake, wind, and related natural hazards and environmental concerns.

    The 2021 edition of the Building Construction and Safety Code provides the information you need to help improve public safety and compliance today and into the future.

    NFPA 5000 is updated in response to, and, in some cases, in anticipation of, emerging technologies or as society looks to code developers to address new hazards. The 2021 edition features updates based on emerging trends and safety concerns, such as security, new building materials, and exterior wall testing.

    Critical changes include:

    • New Chapter 56 on security systems and features to outline security requirements for the built environment with references to NFPA 730, NFPA 731, and NFPA 914. The chapters on educational occupancies and daycare occupancies also require the use of this new chapter.
    • Revisions to reaffirm wind loads and design loads based on ASCE 7-16 as well as the section on vegetative roof systems
    • Significant updates to the building height/area restrictions and testing requirements for specific materials
    • New options, height increases, and area increases for mass timber construction
    • Revisions to testing requirements and height limitations in the sections on light-transmitting plastic wall panels and metal composite materials (MCM)
    • Updates to the requirements for fire-retardant-treated wood
    • Changes to align with updates in referenced concrete standards and seismic standards
    • Reference added to NFPA 855 in Chapter 55 relating to energy storage systems
    • Inclusion of criteria for mass notification risk assessments
    • Updated provisions in Chapter 18 specifying all daycare occupancies be sprinklered
    • New requirements for low-frequency alarm signals in sleeping rooms of hotels, dormitories, and apartment buildings per NFPA 72®

    Get current with cutting-edge criteria for the construction, protection, and occupancy features of buildings to help mitigate dangers to life and property. Place your order for the 2021 edition today.

     

    Interested in other editions of the NFPA 5000? Use the drop down menu above to select the edition year you need.

  • Table of Contents (2021 Current Edition)

    NFPA 5000® Building Construction and Safety Code, 2021 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Application.
    1.4 Retroactivity. (Reserved)
    1.5 Equivalency.
    1.6 Units.
    1.7 Enforcement.
    Chapter 2 Referenced Publications
    2.1 General.
    2.2 NFPA Publications.
    2.3 Other Publications.
    2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.
    Chapter 3 Definitions
    3.1 General.
    3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
    3.3 General Definitions.
    Chapter 4 General
    4.1 Goals and Objectives.
    4.2 Assumptions.
    4.3 Building Design and Life Safety Compliance Options.
    4.4 Fundamental Fire and Life Safety Requirements.
    4.5 General Requirements.
    4.6 Roof Access.
    Chapter 5 Performance-Based Option
    5.1 General Requirements.
    5.2 Performance Criteria.
    5.3 Retained Prescriptive Requirements.
    5.4 Performance-Based Design Characteristics and Assumptions.
    5.5 Design Scenarios.
    5.6 Evaluation of Proposed Designs.
    5.7 Safety Factors.
    5.8 Documentation Requirements.
    Chapter 6 Classification of Occupancy, Classification of Hazard of Contents, and Special Operations
    6.1 Classification of Occupancy.
    6.2 Multiple Occupancies.
    6.3 Hazard of Contents.
    6.4 Special Operations.
    Chapter 7 Construction Types and Height and Area Requirements
    7.1 General.
    7.2 Construction Types.
    7.3 Exterior Walls.
    7.4 Height and Area Requirements.
    7.5 Height Increases Permitted.
    7.6 Area Increases Permitted.
    Chapter 8 Features of Fire Protection
    8.1 General.
    8.2 Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction.
    8.3 High Challenge Fire Walls and Fire Walls.
    8.4 Fire Barrier Walls.
    8.5 Exterior Walls — General.
    8.6 Horizontal Assemblies.
    8.7 Opening Protectives.
    8.8 Penetrations.
    8.9 Joints.
    8.10 Smoke Partitions.
    8.11 Smoke Barriers.
    8.12 Vertical Openings.
    8.13 Mezzanine.
    8.14 Concealed Spaces.
    8.15 Special Hazard Protection.
    8.16 Insulating Materials.
    8.17 Waste Chutes and Linen Chutes.
    Chapter 9 Reserved
    Chapter 10 Interior Finish
    10.1 General.
    10.2 Interior Finish.
    Chapter 11 Means of Egress
    11.1 General.
    11.2 Means of Egress Components.
    11.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
    11.4 Number of Means of Egress.
    11.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
    11.6 Measurement of Travel Distance to Exits.
    11.7 Discharge from Exits.
    11.8 Illumination of Means of Egress.
    11.9 Emergency Lighting.
    11.10 Marking of Means of Egress.
    11.11 Special Provisions for Occupancies with High-Hazard Contents.
    11.12 Mechanical Equipment Rooms, Boiler Rooms, and Furnace Rooms.
    11.13 Normally Unoccupied Building Service Equipment Support Areas.
    11.14 Occupant Evacuation Elevators.
    11.15 Emergency Stair Travel Devices.
    Chapter 12 Accessibility
    12.1 Application. 2010 ADA STANDARDS (DOJ)
    12.2 Existing Buildings and Facilities.
    12.3 General Exceptions.
    12.4 Protruding Objects.
    12.5 Operable Parts.
    12.6 Accessible Routes.
    12.7 Accessible Means of Egress.
    12.8 Parking Spaces.
    12.9 Passenger Loading Zones and Bus Stops.
    12.10 Stairways.
    12.11 Drinking Fountains.
    12.12 Kitchens and Kitchenettes.
    12.13 Toilet Facilities and Bathing Facilities.
    12.14 Washing Machines and Clothes Dryers.
    12.15 Fire Alarm Systems.
    12.16 Signs.
    12.17 Telephones.
    12.18 Transportation Facilities.
    12.19 Assistive Listening Systems.
    12.20 Automatic Teller Machines and Fare Machines.
    12.21 Assembly Areas.
    12.22 Dressing, Fitting, and Locker Rooms.
    12.23 Health Care Occupancies and Residential Board and Care Occupancies.
    12.24 Hotel and Motel and Lodging and Rooming House Guest Rooms.
    12.25 Storage.
    12.26 Dining Surfaces and Work Surfaces.
    12.27 Sales and Service.
    12.28 Depositories, Vending Machines, Change Machines, Mail Boxes, and Fuel Dispensers.
    12.29 Windows.
    12.30 Two-Way Communication Systems.
    12.31 Judicial Facilities.
    12.32 Detention Facilities and Correctional Facilities.
    12.33 Residential Facilities.
    12.34 Amusement Rides.
    12.35 Recreational Boating Facilities.
    12.36 Exercise Machines and Equipment.
    12.37 Fishing Piers and Platforms.
    12.38 Golf Facilities.
    12.39 Miniature Golf Facilities.
    12.40 Play Areas.
    12.41 Saunas and Steam Rooms.
    12.42 Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas.
    12.43 Shooting Facilities with Firing Positions.
    12.44 Technical Requirements.
    12.45 Additional Technical Requirements.
    Chapter 13 Encroachments into the Public Right-of-Way
    13.1 General.
    13.2 Projection into Alleys.
    13.3 Space Below Sidewalk.
    13.4 Balconies and Appendages.
    13.5 Doors.
    13.6 Roof Drainage.
    13.7 Air-Right Structures.
    13.8 Skywalk Bridges.
    Chapter 14 Safeguards During Construction
    14.1 Purpose.
    14.2 Application.
    14.3 Protection of Utilities.
    14.4 Temporary Light and Power.
    14.5 Use of Explosives.
    Chapter 15 Building Rehabilitation
    15.1 Administration.
    15.2 Definitions and Chapter Organization.
    15.3 Repair.
    15.4 Renovation.
    15.5 Modification.
    15.6 Reconstruction.
    15.7 Change of Use and Change of Occupancy Classification.
    15.8 Addition.
    15.9 Damaged or Unsafe Buildings.
    15.10 Historic Buildings and Structures.
    Chapter 16 Assembly Occupancies
    16.1 General Requirements.
    16.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    16.3 Protection.
    16.4 Special Provisions.
    16.5 Building Services.
    Chapter 17 Educational Occupancies
    17.1 General Requirements.
    17.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    17.3 Protection.
    17.4 Special Provisions.
    17.5 Building Services.
    17.6 Security Systems and Features.
    Chapter 18 Day Care Occupancies
    18.1 General Requirements.
    18.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    18.3 Protection.
    18.4 Special Provisions.
    18.5 Building Services.
    18.6 Security Systems and Features.
    18.7 Day Care Homes.
    Chapter 19 Health Care Occupancies
    19.1 General Requirements.
    19.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    19.3 Protection.
    19.4 Special Provisions.
    19.5 Building Services.
    Chapter 20 Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies
    20.1 General Requirements.
    20.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    20.3 Protection.
    20.4 Special Provisions.
    20.5 Building Services.
    Chapter 21 Detention and Correctional Occupancies
    21.1 General Requirements.
    21.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    21.3 Protection.
    21.4 Special Provisions.
    21.5 Building Services.
    Chapter 22 One- and Two-Family Dwellings
    22.1 General Requirements.
    22.2 Means of Escape Requirements.
    22.3 Protection.
    22.4 Separation Within Two-Family Dwellings.
    22.5 Separation Between Townhouse Units.
    22.6 Building Services.
    Chapter 23 Lodging or Rooming House Occupancies
    23.1 General Requirements.
    23.2 Means of Escape Requirements.
    23.3 Protection.
    23.4 Special Structures.
    23.5 Building Services.
    23.6 Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems.
    Chapter 24 Hotels and Dormitory Occupancies
    24.1 General Requirements.
    24.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    24.3 Protection.
    24.4 Special Provisions.
    24.5 Building Services.
    Chapter 25 Apartment Buildings
    25.1 General Requirements.
    25.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    25.3 Protection.
    25.4 Special Provisions.
    25.5 Building Services.
    Chapter 26 Residential Board and Care Occupancies
    26.1 General Requirements.
    26.2 Small Facilities.
    26.3 Large Facilities.
    Chapter 27 Mercantile
    27.1 General Requirements.
    27.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    27.3 Protection.
    27.4 Special Provisions.
    27.5 Building Services.
    27.6 Reserved.
    Chapter 28 Business Occupancies
    28.1 General Requirements.
    28.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    28.3 Protection.
    28.4 Special Provisions.
    28.5 Building Services.
    Chapter 29 Industrial Occupancies
    29.1 General Requirements.
    29.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    29.3 Protection.
    29.4 Special Provisions.
    29.5 Building Services.
    29.6 Special Provisions for Aircraft-Servicing Hangars.
    Chapter 30 Storage Occupancies
    30.1 General Requirements.
    30.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    30.3 Protection.
    30.4 Special Provisions.
    30.5 Building Services.
    30.6 Special Provisions for Aircraft Storage Hangars.
    30.7 Special Provisions for Grain or Other Bulk Storage Elevators.
    30.8 Special Provisions for Parking Structures.
    Chapter 31 Occupancies in Special Structures
    31.1 General.
    31.2 Underground Structures.
    31.3 Limited-Access Structures.
    31.4 Vehicles and Vessels (Mobile Units).
    31.5 Open Structures (Outdoor Processing Facilities).
    31.6 Towers.
    31.7 Water-Surrounded Structures.
    31.8 Piers.
    31.9 Helistops.
    Chapter 32 Special Construction
    32.1 General.
    32.2 Membrane Structures.
    32.3 Tents.
    32.4 Awnings and Canopies.
    32.5 Marquees.
    32.6 Outdoor Signs.
    32.7 Grandstands and Bleachers.
    32.8 Swimming Pools and Spas.
    32.9 Cooling Towers.
    32.10 Temporary Structures.
    32.11 Masonry and Concrete, Chimneys, and Fireplaces.
    32.12 Masonry Heaters.
    32.13 Roof Structures.
    32.14 Towers and Spires.
    32.15 Rooftop Heliports.
    Chapter 33 High-Rise Buildings
    33.1 General Requirements.
    33.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
    33.3 Protection.
    Chapter 34 High-Hazard Contents
    34.1 General Requirements.
    34.2 Requirements for All Occupancies Containing High-Hazard Contents.
    34.3 Requirements for Occupancies Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) per Control Area for High-Hazard Contents.
    Chapter 35 Structural Design
    35.1 General.
    35.2 Special Definitions.
    35.3 Building Classification.
    35.4 Construction Documents.
    35.5 Dead Loads.
    35.6 Live Loads.
    35.7 Roof Loads.
    35.8 Snow Loads.
    35.9 Wind Loads.
    35.10 Earthquake Loads.
    35.11 Lateral Soil Loads.
    35.12 Flood Loads.
    35.13 Ice Loads — Atmospheric Icing Loads.
    35.14 Other Minimum Loads.
    35.15 Load Combinations.
    35.16 Building Rehabilitation.
    35.17 Structural Hardening of Exterior Walls of Building Exits. (Reserved)
    Chapter 36 Soils, Foundations, and Retaining Walls
    36.1 Scope.
    36.2 Excavations.
    36.3 Investigation and Bearing Capacity of Soil.
    36.4 Soil-Bearing Footings.
    36.5 Pile Foundations.
    36.6 Foundation Walls.
    36.7 Wood Foundation Systems.
    36.8 Waterproofing and Dampproofing.
    36.9 Retaining Walls.
    Chapter 37 Exterior Wall Construction
    37.1 General.
    37.2 Projections.
    37.3 Weather Resistance.
    37.4 Metal Composite Material (MCM).
    37.5 Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS).
    37.6 Storm Shelters. (Reserved)
    Chapter 38 Roof Assemblies and Roof Structures
    38.1 Scope.
    38.2 Exterior Fire Exposure.
    38.3 Interior Fire Exposure.
    38.4 Wind Resistance.
    38.5 Hail Resistance.
    38.6 Roof Drainage.
    38.7 Roof Flashing Requirements.
    38.8 Ventilation of Attic Space.
    38.9 Roof Materials and Assemblies.
    38.10 Re-Roofing.
    38.11 Light-Transmitting Plastic Roof Panels, Sloped Glazing, and Skylights.
    38.12 Roof-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels.
    Chapter 39 Flood-Resistant Design and Construction
    39.1 General.
    39.2 Special Definitions.
    39.3 Design Flood.
    39.4 Flood Hazard Area.
    39.5 Performance During the Design Flood.
    39.6 Design and Construction Requirements.
    39.7 Lowest Floor Elevation.
    39.8 Foundations.
    39.9 Materials.
    39.10 Systems.
    39.11 Enclosures Below the Design Flood Elevation.
    39.12 Documentation.
    39.13 Existing Structures.
    39.14 Manufactured Housing.
    39.15 Temporary Structures.
    Chapter 40 Quality Assurance During Construction
    40.1 General.
    40.2 Extent of Quality Assurance.
    40.3 Quality Assurance for Structural and Geotechnical Components and Assemblies.
    40.4 Quality Assurance for Wall Finish Systems.
    40.5 Quality Assurance for Sprayed Fire-Resistive Materials.
    40.6 Quality Assurance for Smoke Control Systems.
    40.7 Quality Assurance for Stairs and Railings.
    40.8 Quality Assurance for Nonstructural Components and Systems.
    40.9 Quality Assurance for Penetrations and Joints.
    Chapter 41 Concrete
    41.1 Scope.
    41.2 General.
    41.3 Construction Documents.
    41.4 Quality Assurance.
    41.5 Seismic Requirements.
    41.6 Slabs-on-Ground.
    41.7 Shotcrete.
    Chapter 42 Aluminum
    42.1 General.
    Chapter 43 Masonry
    43.1 Scope.
    43.2 General.
    43.3 Design.
    43.4 Construction Documents.
    43.5 Quality Assurance.
    43.6 Masonry Construction Materials.
    43.7 Masonry Construction.
    43.8 Seismic Requirements.
    43.9 Masonry and Concrete Fireplaces and Chimneys.
    Chapter 44 Steel
    44.1 General.
    44.2 Structural Steel Construction.
    44.3 Composite Structural Steel and Concrete Construction.
    44.4 Open Web Steel Joists and Joist Girders.
    44.5 Steel Cable Structures.
    44.6 Steel Storage Racks.
    44.7 Cold-Formed Steel.
    44.8 Cold-Formed Steel Light Frame Construction.
    Chapter 45 Wood
    45.1 Scope.
    45.2 Special Definitions.
    45.3 General.
    45.4 Design Requirements.
    45.5 Criteria.
    45.6 General Construction Requirements.
    Chapter 46 Glass and Glazing
    46.1 General.
    46.2 Special Definitions.
    46.3 Labeling.
    46.4 Louvered Windows or Jalousies.
    46.5 Human Impact Loads.
    46.6 Glass in Handrails and Guards.
    46.7 Glazing in Athletic Facilities.
    46.8 Sloped Glazing and Skylights.
    46.9 Glass Supports.
    46.10 Wind, Snow, and Dead Loads on Glass.
    46.11 Fire Protection Glazing.
    Chapter 47 Gypsum Board, Lath, and Plaster
    47.1 General Requirements.
    47.2 Gypsum Board and Gypsum Veneer Plaster.
    47.3 Gypsum Lath and Gypsum Plaster.
    47.4 Lath and Plaster.
    47.5 Reinforced Gypsum Concrete.
    Chapter 48 Plastics
    48.1 Scope.
    48.2 Special Definitions.
    48.3 General Criteria — Foam Plastic Insulation.
    48.4 Specific Application Requirements — Foam Plastic Insulation.
    48.5 Specific Requirements — Interior Finish and Trim.
    48.6 Specific Requirements — Plastic Veneers.
    48.7 Specific Requirements — Light-Transmitting Plastics.
    48.8 Specific Requirements — Plastic Interior Signs.
    48.9 Specific Requirements — Light-Transmitting Plastics Used in Greenhouses.
    48.10 Specific Requirements — Plastic Composite Exterior Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Handrails, and Guards.
    Chapter 49 Interior Environment
    49.1 General.
    49.2 Ventilation.
    49.3 Lighting.
    49.4 Sound Transmission.
    49.5 Interior Space Dimensions.
    49.6 Access to Attics.
    49.7 Design Conditions.
    49.8 Special Requirements for Occupancies.
    49.9 Vermin Proofing. (Reserved)
    Chapter 50 Mechanical Systems
    50.1 General.
    50.2 Flood Resistance.
    50.3 Refrigeration Machinery Room.
    Chapter 51 Energy Efficiency
    51.1 General.
    51.2 Commercial.
    51.3 Residential.
    51.4 Manufactured Homes.
    51.5 Day Care.
    51.6 Residential Board and Care.
    Chapter 52 Electrical Systems
    52.1 General.
    52.2 Flood Resistance.
    52.3 Stationary Storage Battery Systems.
    Chapter 53 Plumbing Systems
    53.1 General.
    53.2 Flood Resistance.
    Chapter 54 Elevators and Conveying Systems
    54.1 General.
    54.2 Installation.
    54.3 Ambulance Stretcher Accommodation.
    54.4 Openings to Exit Enclosures.
    54.5 Elevator Machine/Control Rooms and Machinery/Control Spaces.
    54.6 Number of Cars in a Hoistway.
    54.7 Hoistway Enclosure.
    54.8 Flood Resistance.
    54.9 Vents Required.
    54.10 Conveying Systems.
    54.11 Wheelchair Lifts.
    54.12 Fire Service Access Elevators.
    Chapter 55 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems and Equipment
    55.1 General.
    55.2 Fire Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
    55.3 Automatic Sprinklers.
    55.4 Standpipe Systems.
    55.5 Other Automatic Extinguishing Equipment.
    55.6 Portable Fire Extinguishers.
    55.7 Smoke Control.
    55.8 Fire Hydrants.
    55.9 Private Fire Service Mains.
    55.10 Protection of Cooking Operations.
    55.11 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment.
    55.12 Special Inspections and Tests.
    55.13 Risk Analysis for Mass Notification Systems.
    55.14 Energy Storage Systems.
    55.15 Two-Way Radio Communication Enhancement Systems.
    Chapter 56 Security Systems and Features
    56.1 General.
    56.2 Where Required.
    56.3 Approved Measures.
    56.4 Existing Systems.
    56.5 Integrated Testing.
    56.6 Documentation.
    56.7 Security Vulnerability Assessment.
    56.8 Passive Security.
    56.9 Active Security.
    56.10 Hybrid Security.
    56.11 Electronic Premises Security.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Vermin Proofing
    Annex C Flood-Resistant Construction
    Annex D Construction Types and Enhanced Fire Compartment Requirements
    Annex E Supplemental Evacuation Equipment
    Annex F Green Construction
    Annex G Informational References
  • 2018 Edition Description

    Address today's hazards with today's Code. The 2018 edition of NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code® works to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare.

    Applicable to every occupancy type and building use, NFPA 5000 presents the latest requirements for construction, protection, and occupancy features needed to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare and to minimize injuries. The 2018 edition provides design provisions used to regulate and control the permitting, design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy and location of all buildings and structures and certain equipment. NFPA 5000 also addresses a broad range of natural and manmade hazards including fire, earthquake, wind, flood, and similar natural hazard and environmental events.

    The 2018 edition of NFPA 5000 expands upon emerging hazards and issues.

    Expanded topics include integration of new provisions dealing with building and occupant security. For example, Chapter 4 requires an assurance that any imposed security features will not interfere with the other compliance requirements. Other new provisions deal with normal building use; to minimize trips and falls in a building -- and potentially prevent a measurable number of injuries -- new requirements for grab bars in showers and bath tubs are included for certain occupancies with the base provisions being contained in Chapter 22.

    Other significant changes include:

    • An added reference that requires compliance with NFPA 4, Standard for Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing, to address the complex arrangements between different types of fire protection systems
    • An increased maximum size of the smoke compartment in a hospital and ambulatory health care occupancy, from 22,500 ft.² to 40,000 ft.²
    • New requirements added to determine the need for, and type of, mass notification system (MNS) for certain occupancies
    • Additional provisions for attic protection in the chapters dealing with apartments and hotels that utilize NFPA 13R sprinkler systems
    • New mandates for CO detection in assembly occupancies and residential board and care occupancies
    • Newly introduced terms and definitions for mall buildings
    • Expanded requirements dealing with flame propagation on exterior non-bearing walls in buildings to address composite designs that include water-resistant barriers
    • A new section included in the chapter on roof assemblies that addresses both the fire and structural design parameters that must be included for roof-mounted PV panels
    • Two new annex sections addressing structural hardening of an exterior wall that comprise a building exit and a provision recommending basic design criteria for storm shelters
    • Updated extracts from NFPA 221 in Chapter 8
    • Updated extracts from NFPA 30 and NFPA 400 in Chapter 34

    Keep construction up-to-code in a new era for building safety.

    The 2018 edition of NFPA 5000 benefits everyone responsible for safety in the built environment, including AHJs, architects, engineers, contractors, building owners and developers, and multi-national corporations. (Print, Approx. 653 pp., 2018) 

    Interested in other editions of the NFPA 5000? Use the drop down menu above to select the edition year you need.

  • 2015 and Prior Editions

    2015 Edition

    Use the 2015 NFPA 5000®, Building Construction and Safety Code® to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare.

    Applicable to every occupancy type and building use, NFPA 5000 presents the latest requirements for construction, protection, and occupancy features needed to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare and to minimize injuries. The 2015 edition provides minimum design provisions used to regulate and control the permitting, design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy and location of all buildings and structures and certain equipment.

    NFPA 5000 also addresses a broad range of natural and manmade hazards including fire, earthquake, wind, flood, and similar natural hazard and environmental events.

    Major changes in the 2015 edition of NFPA 5000 recognize emerging technologies and trends and improve safety.

    • Updates on accessibility issues align NFPA 5000 with Department of Justice ABA/ADA provisions for accessibility.
    • Added provision recognizes the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as an option for heavy timber construction of walls, floors and roof decks -- reflecting growing use of CLT as an alternative to dimensional or sawn heavy timber construction.
    • New explicit rules govern security access turnstiles. The 2015 NFPA 5000 allows the use of such devices in places like office buildings that can restrict access into the space but allow free access when exiting.
    • New mandate for installation of carbon monoxide detectors and alarms in educational and day care settings -- expanding the occupancies where CO detection is required.

    Other changes improve quality of life in the health care setting.

    As begun in 2012, the 2015 NFPA 5000 continues to make strides in permitting the health care setting, including long-term care and nursing home care, to be made more homelike. Changes make the Code consistent with Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) criteria as well as federal programs and issues that are promulgated at the national level.

    • Health care occupancy provisions allow nursing home minimum corridor width to be reduced within small smoke compartments.
    • Provisions added to permit doors to be disguised with murals for settings like memory care and dementia units.

    Use the 2015 NFPA 5000 to keep construction up-to-code in a new era for building safety.

    The 2015 edition of NFPA 5000 benefits everyone responsible for safety in the built environment, including AHJs, architects, engineers, contractors, building owners and developers, and multi-national corporations. (Softbound, Approx. 653 pp., 2015) 

    Interested in other editions of the NFPA 5000? Use the drop down menu above to select the edition year you need.

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