Home  >  Codes and Standards  >  Complete List of Codes and Standards  >  NFPA 909: Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties - Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship

NFPA 909, Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties—Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship

2021 NFPA 909 Code - Current Edition
In purchasing digital access through a PDF or subscription service, you are purchasing a single-user license to access content only by the named account holder. Certain restrictions apply.

NFPA Members save an additional 10%.

Item #: NFPA_909
Price: $0.00
Edition:
Digital Access with NFPA LiNK® Plans starting at $11.99/month
Formats Available:







Quantity:
  • Description

    Apply NFPA 909 to help safeguard culturally significant properties from fire and other hazards.

    NFPA 909, Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties — Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship, describes the principles and practices of protecting cultural resource properties and their contents and collections from potential damage or loss. The code outlines a comprehensive protection program to address fire prevention; fire protection management; security; emergency preparedness; and inspection, testing, and maintenance of protection systems.

    The code also addresses ongoing operations and rehabilitation, acknowledging the need to provide continuity of operations and to preserve culturally significant and character-defining building features and sensitive, often irreplaceable, collections.

    Additions to the 2021 edition of NFPA 909 include the following:

    • References to the emergency action plan requirements of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®
    • Vulnerability assessment criteria for cyberattacks and active shooter events
    • References to ASTM E119 and UL 263 to assist with determining fire resistance rating
    • References to NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations
    • Expanded requirements for the protection of wet collections
    • Guidance on the selection of fire protection contractors
    • New loss data and illustrative fire information
    • New information on the effects of extinguishing agents on cultural resource materials

    Anyone whose work involves culturally significant properties, such as owners, operators, insurance adjusters, AHJs, and more, should consider using the 2021 edition of NFPA 909. (Print, 202 pp., 2021)

    Order the latest edition of NFPA 909, Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties — Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship, today.

  • Table of Contents (2021 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 909 Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties — Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship, 2021 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Application.
    1.4 Equivalency.
    1.5 Compliance Options.
    1.6 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 Goals and Objectives
    4.1 General.
    4.2 Goals.
    4.3 Objectives.
    Chapter 5 Protection Plan
    5.1 General.
    5.2 Responsibilities of Governing Body.
    5.3 Planning Process.
    5.4 Protection Plan Components.
    5.5 Protection Plan Evaluation.
    Chapter 6 Protection Plan — Emergency Operations
    6.1 Developing Emergency Operations Procedures.
    6.2 Contents.
    6.3 Identification of Emergency Operations Personnel.
    6.4 Continuity of Essential Building Systems.
    6.5 Occupant Management.
    6.6 Emergency Action Plan.
    6.7 Developing Procedures for Removal or Relocation of Collections.
    6.8 Damage Limitation.
    6.9 Security.
    6.10 Public Affairs.
    6.11 Operational Recovery.
    6.12 Staff Training.
    6.13 Emergency Operations.
    Chapter 7 Protection Plan — Fire Safety Management
    7.1 Vulnerability Assessment.
    7.2 Fire Safety Management.
    7.3 Fire Safety Manager.
    7.4 Documentation.
    7.5 Training.
    Chapter 8 Protection Plan — Security
    8.1 Vulnerability Assessment.
    8.2 Security Component of Protection Plan.
    8.3 Security Program.
    8.4 Construction Areas.
    8.5 Vacant Areas.
    Chapter 9 New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Renovation, and Modification Projects
    9.1 General.
    9.2 Application of Code.
    9.3 Project Team.
    9.4 Survey.
    9.5 Operations.
    9.6 Prioritization of Significant Elements, Collections, and Operations.
    9.7 Potential Threat Identification and Evaluation.
    9.8 Vulnerability Assessment and Evaluation.
    9.9 Plans and Designs.
    9.10 Options.
    9.11 Design Review.
    9.12 Prescriptive-Based Option.
    9.13 Performance-Based Option.
    9.14 Precautions During New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Renovation, and Modification Projects.
    Chapter 10 Management Operational Systems
    10.1 General.
    10.2 Responsibility/Authority.
    10.3 Reporting Incidents.
    10.4 Operational Requirements.
    10.5 Emergency Response.
    10.6 Training.
    10.7 Documentation.
    10.8 Compliance Audit.
    10.9 Enforcement.
    10.10 Modification of the Plan.
    Chapter 11 Fire Prevention
    11.1 General.
    11.2 Decorations.
    11.3 Fire Spread Control.
    11.4 Housekeeping.
    11.5 Smoking.
    11.6 Hot Work.
    11.7 Open Flames.
    11.8 Electrical Hazards.
    11.9 Penetrations.
    11.10 Structural Fire Protection.
    11.11 Lightning Protection.
    11.12 Protection from Wildland Fires.
    11.13 Water Control.
    Chapter 12 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Protection Systems
    12.1 General.
    12.2 Fire Protection Systems.
    12.3 Electronic Premises Security Systems.
    12.4 Impairments to Fire Protection Systems.
    12.5 Impairments to Electronic Premises Security Systems.
    12.6 Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Cooking Equipment.
    12.7 Chimneys.
    12.8 Electrical Systems.
    12.9 Fire Barriers.
    12.10 Fire-Retardant-Treated Materials.
    12.11 Fire Extinguishers.
    Chapter 13 Special Events
    13.1 General.
    13.2 Occupant Loading.
    13.3 Means of Egress.
    13.4 Cooking Equipment.
    13.5 Smoking.
    13.6 Fireworks.
    13.7 Combustibles.
    13.8 Electrical Equipment.
    13.9 Access Control.
    Chapter 14 Museums, Libraries, and Their Collections
    14.1 General.
    14.2 Fire Prevention.
    14.3 Security.
    14.4 Collection Storage Rooms.
    Chapter 15 Places of Worship
    15.1 General.
    15.2 Responsibility.
    15.3 Protection Plan.
    15.4 Occupant Loading.
    15.5 Training.
    15.6 Fire Prevention.
    15.7 Fire Protection Systems.
    15.8 Candles and Censers.
    15.9 Historical Records and Artifacts.
    15.10 Special Facilities.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Fire Experience in Cultural Properties
    Annex C Basics of Fire and Fire Protection Systems
    Annex D Security Systems
    Annex E Resources for Protection of Cultural Resource Property Projects
    Annex F Sample Ordinance Adopting NFPA 909
    Annex G Compact Storage Fire Tests
    Annex H Compact Storage Test Program
    Annex I Cultural Resource Property Protection Self-Inspection Checklist
    Annex J Fire System Maintenance Checklists
    Annex K Salvage of Water-Damaged Library Materials
    Annex L Factory Mutual Engineering Division Laboratory Report
    Annex M Measuring the Impact of Fire Extinguisher Agents on Cultural Resource Materials
    Annex N Informational References
  • Prior Editions

    2017 Edition

     

    Apply the 2017 edition of NFPA 909 to safeguard culturally significant properties from fire and other hazards.

    NFPA 909, Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties — Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship describes principles and practices of protection for cultural resource properties (museums, libraries, and places of worship) and their contents and collections from conditions or physical situations with the potential to cause damage or loss. The Code outlines a comprehensive protection program addressing all areas including fire prevention; fire protection management; security; emergency preparedness; and inspection, testing, and maintenance of protection systems.

    This important Code also covers ongoing operations and rehabilitation and acknowledges the need to preserve culturally significant and character-defining building features and sensitive, often irreplaceable, collections as well as to provide continuity of operations.

    Changes in the 2017 edition of NFPA 909 include:

    • Expanded provisions for outdoor collections and archaeological sites and their protection against wildfire
    • Additional clarification of sprinkler system corrosion protection criteria that builds on changes in the 2013 edition of the Code
    • Mandated integrated system testing per NFPA 4, Standard for Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing
    • The addition of numerous events to Annex B, Fire Experience in Cultural Properties

    Anyone whose work involves culturally significant properties needs this latest edition of NFPA 909, including owners and operators of cultural resource properties, loss prevention specialists (insurance), AHJs, automatic sprinkler industry, fire alarm industry, fire protection engineers, and code consultants. (Print, 200 pp., 2017)

    2013 Edition

     

    Protect culturally significant properties from fire and other hazards with the 2013 NFPA 909.

    NFPA 909, Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties — Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship describes principles and practices of protection for cultural resource properties (museums, libraries, and places of worship) and their contents and collections from conditions or physical situations with the potential to cause damage or loss through a comprehensive protection program. Areas addressed include fire prevention; fire protection management; security; emergency preparedness; and inspection, testing, and maintenance of protection systems.

    This important Code also covers ongoing operations and rehabilitation and acknowledges the need to preserve culturally significant and character-defining building features and sensitive, often irreplaceable, collections as well as to provide continuity of operations.

    Among revisions in the 2013 edition:

    • Added criteria for dry-pipe sprinkler system corrosion prevention
    • Added guidance on installation of CPVC (plastic) sprinkler pipe to prevent mechanical failure
    • Extracted provisions from NFPA 72® for protection of smoke detectors during construction
    • Updated cultural resource property fire loss data
    • New Annex N: Measuring the Impact of Fire Extinguisher Agents on Cultural Resource Materials

    Anyone whose work involves culturally significant properties needs this latest edition of NFPA 909, including owners and operators of cultural resource properties, loss prevention specialists (insurance), AHJs, automatic sprinkler industry, fire alarm industry, fire protection engineers, and code consultants. (Softbound, 177 pp., 2013)

  • NFPA PDF Products

    If you purchased a PDF, licensed PDFs can be accessed immediately. Instructions can be found in your order confirmation.

    Effective with the annual 2020 code cycle, NFPA® will no longer offer access to the PDF format as a choice for new editions of codes and standards, handbooks, or other reference titles. Existing PDFs will remain in-market and will still be accessible in our National Fire Codes® Subscription Service (NFCSS™). For more information about the different format options available to access essential code and standard content you need, click here.

  • Historical Editions

    Previous editions of NFPA® documents are available for sale. Please see applicable NFPA codes and standards product pages to confirm which editions are available for purchase. If you have any questions, contact NFPA Customer Support at 1-800-344-3555 or nfpa.org/customerservice.