National Fire Protection Association - Publisher of the
National Electrical Code®, the Life Safety Code®, the Fire Prevention Code™,
the National Fuel Gas Code®, and the National Fire Alarm Code®. NFPA is
currently developing the first consensus-based building code. The mission of
NFPA, which was organized in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and
other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating
scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training, and
education.
The NFPA has on its site a list of the current Fire Prevention Code™, among
other things that relate to the safety of your RV. These are the guides
that the federal government uses when mandating the codes for the setup of your
RV and the safety of your RV. You should be aware they exist.
Current applicable fire codes that we deal with daily and probably don't realize it:
NFPA 10: Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, 1998 Edition
NFPA 1192: Standard on Recreational Vehicles, 1999 Edition
RECENT CHANGES IN THE CODE
NFPA 10 1998 Changes:
In 1998 standard number 10 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
was revised to address changes in the world of fire protection. The following
section describes the most significant changes to the NFPA #10 standard.
New Definition: Class K Fires
Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media
(vegetable or animal oils and fats).
2-2 Selection By Hazard
'New fire extinguishers provided for the protection of cooking appliances
that use combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) shall
be listed and labeled for Class K fires. Exception: Extinguishers installed
specifically for these hazards prior to June 30, 1998.'
4-4.4.2 Verification of Service
'Each extinguisher that has undergone maintenance that includes internal
examination or that has been recharged shall have a "Verification of
Service" collar located around the neck of the container...
Exception #1:Fire extinguishers undergoing maintenance before January 1,
1999.
Exception #2: Cartridge/cylinder operated fire extinguishers do not require a
"Verification of Service".'
4-5.5 Recharge Record Keeping
'Each extinguisher shall have a tag or label securely attached that indicates
the month and year recharging was performed and that identifies the person
performing the service. A "Verification of Service" (maintenance or
recharging) collar in accordance with 4-4.4.2 shall also be attached to the
extinguisher.
Exception #1:Liquefied gas, halogenated agent, and carbon dioxide
extinguishers that have been recharged without valve removal do not require a
"Verification of Service".
Exception #2. Cartridge/cylinder-operated extinguishers do not require a
"Verification of Service" collar ...'