Update to the 2015 NFPA 3 -- the only complete commissioning program for fire protection and life safety systems.

Developed in response to a request from the National Institute of Building Science (NIBS), landmark NFPA 3: Recommended Practice for Commissioning of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems outlines a process for the commissioning of interconnected safety systems, to help stakeholders verify that systems are designed, installed, and function as intended.

NFPA 3 now works with NFPA 4: Standard for Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing.

The second edition of NFPA 3 covers the complete commissioning process for system operation throughout the building's life cycle. Guidelines for an Integrated Testing Plan and the role of the Integrated Testing Agent (ITa), formerly located in Chapter 7, have been extracted and expanded into the all new NFPA 4: Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing.

Other changes in NFPA 3 clarify commissioning procedures, methods, and documentation for architects, designers, contractors, owners, and AHJs.

Adaptable for all types of systems -- fire protection suppression and control, fire alarm, emergency communications, smoke control, power, fire doors, commercial cooking operations, elevators, and more -- NFPA 3 spells out:

• Qualifications of commissioning team members, such as job titles
• Thirteen categories for a commissioning team appropriate to the project size and scope
• Direction for commissioning of existing buildings to verify system performance and interconnectivity
• Forms and reports that provide a baseline for documentation

Make sure integrated systems are able to function as designed.

NFPA 3 benefits everyone responsible for the building's construction and management, and for meeting the needs of the owner's project requirements. It helps stakeholders ensure commissioning is done correctly, in every building regardless of age and designated use.