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Province adopts NFPA life safety code

June 2007 – NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – On April 1, Newfoundland and Labrador adopted the 2006 Edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. The code sets minimum building design, construction, operation, and maintenance requirements necessary to protect building occupants from dangers caused by fire, smoke, and toxic fumes. The code also provides prompt escape requirements for new and existing buildings. It is used with the National Building Code of Canada and the National Fire Code of Canada to address existing buildings and rehabilitation, areas not addressed by either of these codes.  Newfoundland and Labrador has adopted editions of the Life Safety Code to address existing building standards since 1979.

“The Life Safety Code provides important direction on minimum standards and requirements concerning building structures,” stated Fred Hollett , Fire Commissioner of Newfoundland and Labrador. “The Life Safety Code has been an important resource in assisting with training and implementation for national building and fire codes for the province and is essential to ensure that public safety interests are met.”

The Newfoundland and Labrador model that addresses existing buildings and building rehabilitation is being promoted to the other Canadian provinces to solve the gap in the codes.

“This is not a great leap for many of these jurisdictions as NFPA 101 is well used as a source of information to augment information that might not already be in the Canadian Model Codes,” said Sean Tracey, Canadian regional manager for NFPA. “There are numerous examples of code equivalencies and interpretations from the provinces using the Life Safety Code.”

Newfoundland and Labrador will be participating in a training program developed by NFPA and customized for the specific needs of the province.