Fire Codes for Laboratories

The storage and handling of flammable, combustible, and toxic materials in laboratories may be subject to two standards: the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) NFPA 45 Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, and the International Building Code (IBC) and its companion International Fire Code (IFC). Unfortunately, the two codes are not integrated and can lead the designer in diverging directions. Questions often arise as which code should be followed when new labs are to be constructed or older labs renovated or expanded. This article reviews the two codes and compares their chemical quantity limits and design requirements.