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NFPA 76, Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities

2020 NFPA 76 Standard - Current Edition
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  • Description

    Stay up-to-date and compliant with the latest requirements for better protecting telecommunications facilities from fires and related hazards.

    In an increasingly digitally connected world, the public has never been more reliant on the continuity, safety, and security of telecommunications networks. NFPA 76, Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities, 2020 edition, offers comprehensive criteria for helping safeguard locations where telephone, video, data, wireless, and Internet transmissions are provided to the public.

    The standard includes performance-based fire protection requirements and prescriptive options for various facility types, including:

    • Telecommunications equipment spaces
    • Primary distribution frames
    • Power areas and battery areas
    • Cable entrance facilities
    • Technical support centers
    • Standby engine spaces
    • Administrative areas
    • Building services and support areas within large and small facilities

    The 2021 edition features significant changes you may need to know for your work.

    The updated NFPA 76 provides information and provisions accounting for the rapidly evolving practices, technologies, and challenges of the telecommunications industry. The latest version includes a variety of revisions, including:

    • Clarification of battery terminology
    • Update of the term flooded lead-acid and flooded NiCd batteries to vented lead-acid and vented NiCd batteries
    • Change of the term lithium to lithium-ion throughout the document to specify a type of lithium battery
    • Deletion of spill control requirements for sodium nickel batteries (these batteries do not need spill control because of the battery chemistry)
    • Replacement of the term smoke detectors by spot-type smoke detectors to refer to a type of smoke detector discussed in the requirements and does not apply to other types of smoke detectors

    This vital safety standard is a must-have for designers, architects, facility owners, AHJs, and anyone concerned with protecting telecommunication facilities.

    Be sure you are referencing the most relevant requirements to help ensure public and facility safety and dependable access to traditional and advanced telecommunications systems. Order your copy of NFPA 76, Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities, 2020 edition, today.

  • Table of Contents (2020 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 76 Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities, 2020 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Application.
    1.4 Retroactivity.
    1.5 Design Options.
    1.6 Equivalency.
    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.
    3.4 Area Definitions.
    3.5 Detection Systems Definitions.
    3.6 Equipment Definitions.
    3.7 Performance-Based Approach Definitions.
    3.8 Aisle Containment Definitions.
    Chapter 4 Risk Considerations
    4.1 Risk Factors.
    4.2 Service Continuity Risks.
    Chapter 5 Performance-Based Approaches
    5.1 General.
    5.2 Performance Objectives.
    5.3 Performance Criteria.
    5.4 Design Assumptions.
    5.5 Fire Scenarios.
    5.6 Methods of Assessing Performance.
    5.7 Documentation.
    5.8 Acceptance.
    Chapter 6 Prescriptive-Based Approaches
    6.1 General.
    6.2 Construction.
    6.3 Protection from Exposures.
    6.4 Means of Egress.
    6.5 Means for Selective Depowering.
    6.6 Building Services Equipment.
    6.7 Emergency Lighting.
    6.8 Signal-Processing Equipment Area.
    6.9 Cable Entrance Facility Area.
    6.10 Power Areas.
    6.11 Main Distribution Frame Areas.
    6.12 Standby Engine Areas.
    6.13 Technical Support Areas.
    6.14 Administrative Areas.
    6.15 Building Service and Support Areas.
    Chapter 7 Redundant or Replacement-Based Approaches
    7.1 Redundancy or Replacement Approach.
    7.2 Construction.
    7.3 Protection from Exposures.
    7.4 Means of Egress.
    7.5 Means for Depowering.
    7.6 Telecommunications Equipment Areas.
    7.7 Building Services Equipment.
    7.8 Emergency Lighting.
    Chapter 8 Fire Protection Elements
    8.1 General.
    8.2 Construction.
    8.3 Compartmentation.
    8.4 Alarm Processing.
    8.5 Fire Detection.
    8.6 Fire-Extinguishing Systems.
    8.7 Smoke Management Systems.
    8.8 Telecommunications Equipment Ignition and Fire Performance.
    Chapter 9 Fire Prevention
    9.1 Housekeeping.
    9.2 Telecommunications Electrical Equipment and Wiring.
    9.3 Nontelecommunications Electrical Equipment and Wiring.
    9.4 Construction, Alterations, and Equipment Installations.
    9.5 Employee Awareness.
    9.6 Means of Egress.
    9.7 Displays and Decorations.
    9.8 Cable Management.
    Chapter 10 Pre-Fire Planning, Damage Control, and Emergency Recovery
    10.1 General
    10.2 Life Safety of Occupants of the Facility.
    10.3 Fire Safety of Fire Fighters.
    10.4 Selective Depowering
    Chapter 11 Small Unoccupied Structures
    11.1 Scope.
    11.2 General.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Performance Test Procedures for Very Early Warning and Early Warning Fire Detection Systems
    Annex C Hazard Areas and Other Issues of Concern
    Annex D Smoke Management
    Annex E Pre-Fire Planning
    Annex F Assumptions Related to Specific Hazard Areas
    Annex G Informational References
  • Prior Editions

    2016 Edition

    Public safety and security demand a reliable telecommunications network -- including telephone, data, wireless, Internet, and video services. Make sure your fire protection plan complies with NFPA 76.

    Society and the economy are more dependent than ever on the telecommunications network for emergency communications, security, and transfer of electronic data, so protecting the public network from threats is essential. NFPA 76, Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities addresses the fire protection of facilities providing telephone, data, wireless, Internet, and video services to the public -- as well as life safety for the occupants plus protection of equipment and service continuity.

    Comprehensive coverage gives designers, architects, facility owners, and AHJs both performance-based and prescriptive options for telecommunication facilities, including:

    • Telecommunications equipment spaces
    • Cable entrance facilities
    • Power areas and battery spaces
    • Main distribution frames
    • Standby engine areas
    • Technical support areas
    • Administrative areas
    • Building services and support areas within large and small facilities

    Important changes in the 2016 edition of NFPA 76 reflect the intent of the Standard as it applies to existing and altered facilities in a retroactive manner.

    Know if your facility is fine "as is" or requires any additional upgrading to increase the level of safety. In addition, a new chapter identifies the application of NFPA 76 to small, unoccupied structures and the level of protection that must be provided. Meet society's needs for continuous and reliable telecommunications services by working with the 2016 edition of NFPA 76. (Print, 66 pp., 2016) 

    Interested in other editions of NFPA 76? Use the drop down menu above to select the edition year you need.

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