Fire & Building Code Compliance

At Klausbruckner & Associates we apply a dedicated team of experts to the solution of fire and building code issues. The team is comprised of licensed professional fire protection (F.P.E.) and related engineering disciplines.

Our services include

In the following we have listed some noteworthy information on the various fire codes and standards.

NFPA 13 Fire Code

NFPA 13 is the standard used worldwide for the design and installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems. The codes and standards are considered by experts as living documents, where new technology, testing, and actual fire experiences are used to make changes.

This has been true with NFPA 13, especially in the storage and warehousing sprinkler design guidelines. New sprinkler head technology, such as low pressure ESFR and Extended Coverage sprinklers have changed the way we design sprinkler systems in warehouses. With these new technology heads, a business owner can achieve a lot more for less money.

Protections and designs such as low pressure ESFR sprinklers that can be designed in most cases without an expensive fire pump, also aid fire fighter safety, by enabling more buildings to be designed with sprinkler heads that extinguish fire, rather than control it, thereby avoiding manual fire fighting operations. Extended coverage heads is specific to a variety of storage schemes and racks (such as Gondolas) with solid shelves to avoid the expense and maintenance of in-rack sprinklers in retail occupancies.

While new technology in NFPA 13 allows for more options, these designs have very specific limitations that must be adhered to. We can provide architects, business owners, sprinkler contractors, and developers with sprinkler options to help select the best sprinkler system to meet their needs. Read on ...

Find out for yourself why so many clients consider us one of the best fire protection code consultants in the industry.

NFPA 30 Fire Code

NFPA 30 is the standard used worldwide for flammable combustible liquids. It is typically adopted by reference within the codes.

For example, many states that have adopted the International Fire Code will need NFPA 30, since Chapter 34 of the International Fire Code references NFPA 30 in a variety of topics including

Chapter 34 of the International Fire Code references NFPA 30 thirty two times.

In addition to sections of NFPA 30 that are adopted by references in codes, NFPA 30 can also be used as alternative methods to specific code requirements. For example there are specific sprinkler design densities and protection systems in Chapter 34 of the International Fire Code. Applicable protection design in NFPA 30 can be used as an alternative to the requirements in the International Fire Code.

New testing using specific heads such as low pressure ESFR's have been included in NFPA 30, allowing additional options of protection in storage warehouses or big box retail stores.

Keeping abreast of alternative designs found in standards such as NFPA 30 is part of what Klausbruckner & Associates Inc.’s does to provide the best service and options possible for our clients. Read on ...

You have a NFPA 30 code issue? Please give us a call!

California Codes

The 2010 edition of the California Fire Code (CFC) and California Building Code (CBC) were adopted statewide in January 2011. These codes are based on the 2009 edition of the International Fire and Building Codes published by the International Code Council.

California adopted the first-in-the nation mandatory California Green Building Standards code (CALGreen), which took effect in January 2011. California's green building code, CALGreen, has been modeled after the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), which was published in 2010 by the ICC (International Code Council).

The 2010 edition of the California Mechanical Code is based on the 2009 edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code with state amendments. The 2009 edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code is unchanged from the 2006 edition, which was used in the previously adopted 2007 edition of the California Mechanical Code.

Up to date news and articles on CA codes can be found in our News section.