NFPA (Fire) 150 Historical

NFPA 150 addresses every aspect of fire and life safety for animals in any type of animal housing facility. 

NFPA 150: Standard on Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities is the industry benchmark for evaluating the physical setting of both human and animal occupants and their level of protection in case of a fire event. Because current building, fire, and life safety codes do not address the life safety needs of animals, using NFPA 150 is critical for protecting animals wherever they are kept for any purpose. 

This Standard presents fire protection and fire safety mitigation measures that can be used in a variety of settings and environments, including barns, stables, kennels, animal shelters, veterinary facilities, zoos, laboratories, and racetracks. NFPA 150 addresses dependencies through a combination of requirements for active protection systems such as automatic sprinkler systems and fire alarms, control of building construction and interior finish types, and emergency plans to assist with relocation or evacuation of the animals if needed. 

Significant changes help users avoid oversights. The 2016 edition includes:

• Clarification that NFPA 150 applies to extensive modifications to any existing building that is within the Standard's scope
• Clarification that NFPA 150 applies to any existing building when the AHJ determines there is an imminent fire safety threat to the human or animal occupants
• Clarification that agricultural animals are under the Category B scheme for fire protection requirements
• Added requirement for automatic sprinkler systems and smoke control systems in facilities that board or house horses

Architects, designers, engineers, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), as well as facility owners or operators will advance the protection of animals on premises with this important updated edition of NFPA 150.