NFPA's Standards Council issued NFPA 5000,Building Construction and Safety Code, the first building code developed through an open, consensus-based process that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system.

NFPA 5000 provides for the selection and design of building construction types and structural design systems and assemblies, as well as fire protection systems and egress design requirements for life safety and protection. It is also the only building code featuring an occupancy-based format, along with integrated provisions for both performance-based design options and the rehabilitative use of existing buildings.

Upon publication, NFPA 5000 will be available for free review online by the public through NFPA's Web site, www.nfpa.org. NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code is already posted online for free review.

NFPA 5000 will be a cornerstone of the first full, integrated set of ANSI-accredited codes and standards. The Comprehensive Consensus Codes (C3) set is being developed through a partnership involving NFPA, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

When completed in 2003, the C3 set will offer coordinated and integrated safety codes for the entire building community, including:

  • NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code

  • NFPA 70, National Electrical Code

  • NFPA 101, Life Safety Code

  • NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code

  • NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code

  • NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

  • Uniform Mechanical Code

  • Uniform Plumbing Code

  • NFPA 900, Building Energy Code (ASHRAE 90.1 and 90.2)

As part of the C3 set effort, NFPA and WFCA are currently working to develop NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code, integrating NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code and the Uniform Fire Code (UFC).

NFPA and ASHRAE are developing an energy code element of the C3 set. When completed, the code will incorporate ASHRAE's energy standards, Standard 90.1 and Standard 90.2, for energy efficient new commercial and residential buildings.

Also as part of the C3 set effort, IAPMO is updating the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) through a consensus-based process that is accredited by ANSI.

In states that adopt elements of the C3 set, NFPA and IAPMO will make available free training and associated codebooks to code enforcers.

For more information about the C3 set, log onto www.C3codeset.org.