In the development of the 2021 edition of NFPA 921, the committee removed the Chapter on Classification of Fires. The committee gave a rationalization for the removal by saying that Classifications was not part of the scope of the document. The words used in the classification chapter were, Accidental, Natural, Incendiary, and Undetermined. These are specific word that for years have been associated with the classification of fires. Whenever these words are used that are perceived as classifications.

While 921 committee removed the chapter addressing classification, they left the words used for classifications in other sections of the document. In section 19.6.5.1 the document states the classification term Undetermined must be used under the specific circumstances outlined in this section. In section 4.3.6, the document again instructs the user to make a classification of Undetermined.

If the intent of the committee was not to have the user classify the cause of a fire, why are they still instructing the user to classify a fire.

Words have a precise meaning. Since the term Undetermined is synonymous with classification, should not the committee have changed this wording throughout the document?

Jim Mazerat
Forensic Investigations Group