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Re: Hey Jim M. - One Question
Posted by:
Hunter B. (Terry) Lacy (IP Logged)
Date: February 19, 2007 06:35PM
I am going to try to remember what I have learned through the years about NFPA 921 being a guide and not a standard. When the document was proposed in or about 1983, the Standards Council determined (possibly as part of the original proposal) that it would be a guide and not a standard, code, or recommended practice. The document was developed in that manner and has been revised four times with that in mind. ANSI puts its stamp on the document, not so much for its content, but for the document development process. I have been told by at least one NFPA staff member that there is little to no chance that the document would ever be converted to a standard. The NFPA has no direct control over what any judge, court, etc. does with or says about the document. Like any document that finds it way into more than one courtroom, it may becone recognized by the judiciary as authoritative, accepted, recognized, etc. Once that happens, the NFPA's original intent is really insignificant. NFPA 921 is not the only document or book that is recognized as authoritative, accepted, recognized, etc. The others are written by individuals (or a small group of people) and peer-reviewed by a similar number of people. None of the documents are designed to cover every aspect of every fire ever investigated, but all do a pretty good job. I am sure that Pat will let us all know if I have provided incorrect information.