The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a U.S.-based nonprofit, founded in 1896, that develops and publishes consensus codes and standards for fire prevention, fire protection, electrical safety and life safety.
NFPA documents are adopted by many jurisdictions directly or referenced by the International Building Code and International Fire Code. For parking facilities, they govern sprinklers, alarms, electrical work, standpipes and, increasingly, the risks of electric vehicles and batteries.
NFPA documents relevant to parking
- NFPA 88A, Standard for Parking Structures.
- NFPA 13, sprinkler system installation, including design density for garages. See sprinkler design density.
- NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, including EV charging equipment.
- NFPA 72, fire alarm and signaling.
- NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code.
- NFPA 855, stationary energy storage systems. See NFPA 855.
The Parkonomics view
Fire codes for garages are changing faster than they have in decades, driven by larger vehicles and EV fires. Confirm which editions the jurisdiction has adopted early, because the answer can change sprinklers, ventilation and where chargers can go.
Related terms: International Fire Code, I-Codes, Sprinkler Design Density, NFPA 855, Thermal Runaway