To continue our discussion on Fire Prevention Week, which ends Saturday October 12, let's look at the validity of the NFPA's standards, are they law or guideline?
From time-to-time we encounter a company who claims that they are under no obligation to follow the National Fire Protection Association’s Guidelines (NFPA) because it is an “association” and not a law-making body. Therefore NFPA-86 is not a law and does not apply to them.
OSHA makes reference to the NFPA in their Code of Federal Regulations. Ignoring it may lead to charges by OSHA of a serious and/or willful violation.
The reference is in Title 29, part 1910, section 6. This states that any standards listed therein are incorporated within CFR 29 by reference. This section has a link to the updated standards that apply. NFPA-86 is one of them:
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1910
In addition, Section (q) names NFPA as a reference and paragraph (q)(20) specifically names NFPA-86.
OSHA is Internationally recognized and works with international agencies:
https://www.osha.gov/international/
Here are a couple of recent examples for your reference of OSHA violations based on not following NFPA (i.e. improper ventilation, sources of ignitions and lack of interlocks):
http://pressrepublican.com/0100_news/x86507283/Local-company-faces-alleged-OSHA-violations
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