NFPA 551Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments (2016 Edition)

(Softbound, 27 pages)

What is NFPA 551?• This guide is intended to provide assistance, primarily to authorities

having jurisdiction (AHJs), in evaluating the appropriateness and execution of a fire risk assessment (FRA) for a given fire safety problem. While this guide primarily addresses regulatory officials, it also is intended for others who review FRAs, such as insurance company representatives and building owners. (Scope – Section 1.1)

• Revision cycle information - Revision Cycle: Fall 2018Next Edition: 2019

Origin and development of NFPA 551• In the mid-1990s, it was recognized that the application of fire risk

assessment methods in developing fire and life safety solutions continued to increase. • However, a set of rules or a framework that described the properties of an

acceptable fire risk assessment method was lacking.• Additionally, there were no guidance documents available to those

responsible for approving or evaluating fire and life safety solutions that were based on a fire risk assessment.• NFPA 551, 2004 edition, was the first document prepared by the committee

in response to the growing need for guidance documents on fire risk assessment methods.

Progression Path Revisions to NFPA 551• An expanded discussion on the role of qualitative, semi-quantitative likelihood, semi-quantitative

consequence, and quantitative methods in a fire risk assessment and cost benefit analysis was included, as was more detail on proper documentation and elements of a fire risk assessment, and the importance of using checklists that address both likelihood and consequence.

• The 2010 edition contained a reorganization of Chapter 7 to provide further guidance on documentation requirements for the fire risk assessment concept report.

• The 2013 edition is a reconfirmation of the 2010 edition. This edition includes minor updates to add explosions to the list of fire stimuli in Chapter 4 and includes the most recent edition of the referenced publications in both Chapter 2 and Annex B.

• The 2016 edition is a reconfirmation of the 2013 with minor updates. It introduces new definition for the term “Hazard” as well as updates to other definitions and reference publications.

• The 2019 edition will have – research.

What does NFPA 551 address?• In addition to discussion of selection and application of the various

types of fire risk methods and models, comprehensive coverage includes guidance on identifying stakeholders, the role of the AHJ, scope of the FRA, addressing uncertainty, cost-benefit analysis, information requirements, documentation, and review approaches and techniques. The importance of an operations and maintenance manual in conducting a fire risk assessment, and the importance of using checklists that address both likelihood and consequence are also covered.

Purpose• Correctly evaluate the appropriateness and execution of a fire risk

assessment for a fire safety problem with guidance in NFPA 551.

• Target audience for this consensus standard - Developed for AHJs, insurance professionals, building owners, and anyone who reviews or conducts fire risk assessments, NFPA 551: Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments identifies the various types of fire risk assessment methods and describes the properties these methods should possess.

Table of Contents – NFPA 551Chapter 1 Administration 1.1 Scope 1.2 Purpose 1.3 Application 1.4 Qualifications for Practitioners 1.5 Risk

Chapter 2 Referenced Publications 2.1 General 2.2 NFPA Publications 2.3 Other Publications 2.4 References for Extracts in Advisory Sections.

Chapter 3 Definitions 3.1 General 3.2 NFPA Official Definitions 3.3 General Definitions

Chapter 4 Evaluating a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) 4.1 General 4.2 Stakeholders 4.3 Role of the Authority Having Jurisdiction in the Process 4.4 Scope of FRAs 4.5 Uncertainty and Variability Analysis

Chapter 5 Selection and Evaluation: FRA Methods 5.1 General 5.2 Qualitative Methods 5.3 Semi quantitative Likelihood Methods 5.4 Semi quantitative Consequence Method 5.5 Quantitative Methods 5.6 Cost-Benefit FRA Methods

Chapter 6 Information Requirements 6.1 General 6.2 General Quality of Information 6.3 Method-Specific Issues

Chapter 7 Documentation (Deliverables) 7.1 General 7.2 Fire Risk Assessment Concept Report 7.3 Comprehensive Project Documentation 7.4 Operations and Maintenance Manual 7.5 Enforcement

Chapter 8 Review 8.1 Technical Review Approaches 8.2 FRA Review Techniques 8.3 Review Questions

Annex A Explanatory Material

Annex B Informational References

Index

How does NFPA 551 Help AHJs and others?• NFPA 551 helps AHJs and others understand the basis for fire assessments

and learn how to confidently:

• Apply risk-informed decision making for fire safety.• Select fire scenarios, identify representative challenging scenarios, and

group such scenarios into clusters for the purposes of conducting more effective consequence analysis.• Develop appropriate documentation to accompany a fire risk

assessment. • Evaluate qualifications of those conducting a fire risk assessment.

What’s New in NFPA 551 (2016)?Guidance on how to address uncertainty when conducting a fire risk assessment. Factors to consider when conducting or reviewing a fire risk assessment. Guidance on how to address the changing effectiveness of fire protection equipment, features, programs, and procedures. Discussion on the role of qualitative, semi-quantitative likelihood, semi-quantitative consequence, and quantitative methods in a fire risk assessment. Discussion on cost-benefit analysis. Details about proper documentation and elements of a fire risk assessment. Guidance on applying risk-informed decision making for various fire safety goals including the preservation of heritage resources.

Table 4.1.2 Example of Applications

Source: NFPA 551 Quincy, MA, 2016 Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Figure 4.3 Overview of Review Process

Source: NFPA 551 Quincy, MA, 2016 Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Table 5.1.2.1 Categories of FRA Methods

Source: NFPA 551 Quincy, MA, 2016 Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Figure A.5.2.5 Risk Matrix (5 x 4)

Source: NFPA 551 Quincy, MA, 2016 Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Summary• NFPA 551 also covers the purpose and importance of an operations

and maintenance manual in conducting a fire risk assessment, and the importance of using checklists that address both likelihood and consequence.

References• Yung, David (2008) Principles of Fire Risk Assessment in Buildings John Wiley &

Sons Ltd. ISBN 978-0-470-85402-0

• NFPA (2003) Fire Protection Handbook – 19th Edition Volume 1 • Watts, John M. Chapter 2 Fundamentals of Fire-Safe Building Design pages 2-37 to

2-49• Hurley, Morgan J. & Quiter, James R. Chapter 10 Simple Fire Hazard Calculations

pages 3-147 to 3-159

• NFPA (2016) 551 Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments, 2016 Edition Quincy, MA ISBN 978-145591135-6