Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/919038
3 INTRODUCTION NWPCA Fire Code Compliance Manual for Outdoor Storage of Wood Pallets | Version 1.0 (December 2017) The changes that were adopted as the result of the NWPCA code development activity are published in the 2018 Editions of the International Fire Code (IFC) and NFPA 1. It is unlikely that you will hear anyone reference the 2018 Edition until 2019 or later. However, that should not deter you from implementing the policies and procedures at this time for three reasons: A new set of code changes for each document are processed every three years. Many of the changes are based upon historical fire experience. If wood pallet facilities sustain significant fire losses, even if the current edition of the Code does not apply, the current code requirements could be impacted with the addition of more stringent provisions. Good stewardship of fire safety helps the entire industry. Both the IFC and NFPA 1 contain language that allows the regulatory official to accept an alternative approach (referred to as an equivalency in NFPA 1). As such, you could request that the fire marshal permit you to use the more current edition as an alternative to what might currently be your local/state code. If you are in a jurisdiction that applies NFPA 1 the requirements of that fire code are very restrictive outside that currently apply to your operations and are likely to impact you operations. Standard of care. Though jurisdictions may not have adopted the latest editions of a code, they are recognized as the current level of safety based upon model codes and standards and can be introduced in administrative and/or court actions as the current standard of care industry is, or should be aware of. Being proactive and establishing a positive relationship with your local/state fire marshal will, in most cases, result in a cooperative exchange of ideas and information. Most fire marshal's want to work with building owners especially those that show a desire to operate their business in a fire safe manner.