1. Introduction

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regularly updates its codes to continuously improve safety standards and address evolving challenges and advancements in building technology and practices. Following the recent publication of NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, 2024 Edition, AESG has set out to explore the modifications made between the previous 2021 Edition and the latest release. 

Two notable alterations in the NFPA 101-2024 pertain to the allowance for internal exit discharge, which has risen from 50% to 75% in sprinklered buildings, and the exception to not provide a smokeproof enclosure to exit stairs where the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system. Another noteworthy requirement is the mandate for all new parking structures to be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. This is particularly important given that electric vehicles and EV charging stations are gaining popularity. 

It is important to note that the newly added adjustments are specific to NFPA 101, and they have yet to be integrated into other Codes such as the UAE Fire Code and the Saudi Building Codes. Nevertheless, this presents an opportunity to engage with local authorities regarding and potentially seek exemptions, where it is deemed safe to do so. Until these requirements are assimilated into other fire codes, local regulations will prevail unless otherwise agreed with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

In addition to the changes and additions presented herein, other small revisions have been made to NFPA 101, 2024 Edition. All of the changes can be found on the NFPA website.

2. Key Code Changes

This section will examine and analyse the comparison between the existing requirements from NFPA 101-2021 and the newly introduced/revised items in NFPA 101-2024. AESG will provide a comprehensive overview, delving into the specifics of each set of requirements to highlight the changes and improvements made.

2.1 Emergency Action Plan

Additions have been made to Chapter 4 Section 4.8.2 “Plan Requirements”.

Three new requirements have been added for action plans in addition to the existing ones present in NFPA 101-2021. The changes are listed below (they are items 7, 8 and 9 in NFPA 2024).

4.8.2.1 Emergency action plans shall include the following:

In summary, the additions are intended to improve the emergency action plan, adding more requirements to ensure the building and management of the building are prepared for a fire scenario. 

2.2 Fire Barriers

An exception has been added to Section 7.2.4.3.3 in relation to horizontal exits, highlighted in bold below.

7.2.4.3.3 Where a fire barrier provides a horizontal exit in any story of a building, such fire barrier shall not be required on other stories, provided that all of the following criteria are met:

The purpose of horizontal exits is to egress occupants from one area to a protected compartment separated by a 2-hour fire rated barrier. Prior to this update, all required exits had to egress directly to the outside, meaning all final exits had to discharge directly to the external (100% external discharge). Now as per NFPA 101-2024 where the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system it is not required that all exits discharge externally. However, the exits will still need to comply with the exit discharge requirements, now permitted to be 75% internal discharge (please refer to Section 2.3). 

2.3 Exit Discharge Through the Interior of the Building

Section 7.7.2 “Exit Discharge Through the Interior of the Building” has been revised, increasing the number of exits that can discharge internally. 

The revision means that if a building is provided with 4 exit stairs, as an example, a maximum of 3 stairs can egress internally through vestibules or foyers, where previously the requirements would only allow a maximum of 2 stairs to discharge internally. 

If 75% internal discharge is proposed the requirements of 7.7.2 (3)(b) (see below), need to be met.

2.4 Two-Way Radio Communication Enhancement Systems

Additions have been added to Section 9.15, and the Section has been renamed from “Two-way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems” to “In-building Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems”. 

In summary, Section 9.15 has now been updated to meet the requirements of NFPA 1225 – Standard for Emergency Services Communications, whereas the 2021 Edition made reference to NFPA-1221 – Standard for the installation, maintenance, and use of emergency services communications systems. 

As part of the Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan (consolidation plan) as approved by the NFPA Standards Council, this Standard has been combined into new consolidated Standard NFPA 1225. As a result of this action, the “current edition” of NFPA 1221 shown on this page is the last published edition of the standard’s content as a stand-alone standard. For further information and text of the current consolidated Standard, go to NFPA 1225.

2.5 Inflatable Amusement Devices

A new section (Section 10.6) has been added covering the requirements for inflatable amusement devices installed in the interior or exterior of buildings or structures other than one or two-family dwellings. 

2.6 Modular Rooms and Sleep Pods

A new section (Section 10.7) has been added covering the requirements for newly installed modular rooms and sleep pods provided in indoor locations.

2.7 Vertical Exit Enclosures for High-rise Buildings

An update has been made to Chapter 11 Section 11.8.2.3 “Special structures and High-rise buildings” in relation to the smokeproofing of vertical exit enclosures. 

Now as per the NFPA 101-2024 code, if the high-rise building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout, the vertical enclosures are not required to be smokeproof enclosures. 

The below is an extract from NFPA Committee Statement stating the reasoning for the new requirement:

2.8 Alcohol-Based Hand-Rub Dispensers

Five new sections have been added to Section 8.7.3.3 – ‘Alcohol-Based Hand Rub’: 

Most of the occupancy chapters refer back to this section in addressing hand rub dispensers. The main changes are related to the capacity of the dispensers, as shown below:

2.9 Occupant Notification in Existing Educational Occupancies

A new requirement for Occupant Notification has now been added to Section 15.3.4.3.1.2 to align with the new building requirements for the same occupancy type.

2.10 Doors in New Health Care Occupancies

A new exception has been added to door locking arrangements, specifically re-entry stair doors.

2.11 New Carbon Monoxide Detection Requirements

New Carbon Monoxide requirements have been added to the following sections:

Each section now lists the requirements and exceptions for carbon monoxide detection.

2.12 New Residential Board and Care Occupancies Extinguishment Requirements

A new requirement, highlighted in bold, has been added to Section 32.2.3.5.3.2 in regards to sprinkler requirements in balconies in new small residential board and care occupancies. 

An automatic sprinkler system with a 30-minute water supply and complying with all the following requirements and with 9.7.1.1 (2) shall be permitted:

As stated above, this requirement is only applicable small residential board and care facilities, where an NFPA 13D system is used. Items 1 to 3 add further criteria for the NFPA 13D system.

2.13 New Apartment Building Valet Trash Collection Services

A new section, 30.7.5 Valet Trash Collection Services, has been added addressing the requirements for combustible trash/recycling materials.

Valet trash collection systems are systems where occupants place their trash in the hallway, and it is collected by a service. This adds combustibles to the egress path, so new criteria have been added to prescribe how it can be done.

2.14 New Parking Structures

Section 42.8.3.5 “Extinguishing Requirements” has been added in the 2024 Edition, addressing the fire suppression requirements of new parking structures.

This section did not previously require sprinklers. Because of the changes in the materials used to manufacture cars, and based on several serious garage fires in the past few years, it was determined that sprinklers should be required. Similar changes were made to NFPA 88A and NFPA 5000.

How AESG can help

AESG is an International Consultancy, Engineering and Advisory firm committed to driving sustainability in the built environment and beyond. With the highest calibre leadership team in our field, we pair technical knowledge with practical experience to provide hands-on, bespoke strategic solutions to our clients.

We have one of the largest dedicated teams with decades of cumulative experience in sustainable design, sustainable engineering, fire and life safety, façade engineering, commissioning, digital delivery, waste management, environmental consultancy, security consultancy, strategy and advisory, cost management and acoustics. Our prestigious portfolio demonstrates our extensive capabilities and our ability to consistently deliver best in class solutions to some of the industry’s most complex technical challenges.

Abdullah Faza

Director of Fire & Life Safety – ME, AESG

Abdullah, the Director for Fire & Life Safety at AESG Middle East, leads a team of over 25 professionals. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Fire Safety Engineering from the University of Central Lancashire, UK, and is a member of IFE and IOSH.

With over a decade of experience in the Fire and Safety industry, Abdullah is a skilled engineer proficient in design, construction, and operation stages. His expertise includes working in the construction and Oil and Gas industries. He has delivered landmark projects such as Al Wasl Tower, Dubai Frame, and NEOM Projects.

Abdullah also conducts fire safety courses for diverse groups and is a recognised speaker at regional conferences and seminars.

 

James Kelland

Senior Associate Consultant of Fire & Life Safety, AESG

James is the Senior Associate FLS Consultant at AESG, Dubai. He holds a Masters Degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Leeds (UK) and has 8 years of experience working in the Fire Protection and Fire and Life Safety industry.

James specialises in the development of fire and life safety strategies using both prescriptive and performance- based approaches. Moreover, he is experienced in the design of fire protection systems and in application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Chanchal Kashyap

Fire and Life Safety Consultant, AESG

Chanchal is a skilled Fire life safety Specialist with 6 years in Building design. She has comprehensive background in multiple building types such as residential, commercial, and Industrial design & aviation maintenance structures for civil purposes. Chanchal is associated with different levels of projects and working for international projects.

She is conversant in UAE Fire & Life Safety Code of Practice as well as NFPA 101 & Saudi Building Code, etc. She is also skilled in AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, Bluebeam, Indesign, Google sketch-up, Sound Design & Microsoft Office.

 

Ryan McDermott

Fire and Life Safety Consultant, AESG

Ryan is a dedicated and industrious Fire Engineer, Ryan, possesses nearly 5 years of valuable experience handling projects in the UK, Ireland, and MENA regions. As an individual driven by determination, Ryan excels as a motivated team player, always eager to embrace new challenges and adept at solving problems encountered during the design phases.

His diverse international experience has honed his skills in problem-solving, teamwork, code proficiency, multitasking, and effective communication. Since 2019, Ryan has been serving as a Fire Safety Engineer, currently contributing his expertise as a vital member of Cundall’s Fire Engineering team.

For further information relating to specialist consultancy engineering services, feel free to contact us