NFPA Eyes Next Version of Animal Housing Fire Code

This fall, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Animal Housing held a “First Draft Meeting” to launch the next revision cycle for NFPA 150, Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code—a model code that provides fire protection standards for a wide range of animal housing facilities, including commercial animal agriculture buildings.

At the meeting, the committee members reviewed over 50 “public inputs” that proposed changes to the code. Of particular concern were seven proposals to alter or strike a provision that requires sprinkler systems in larger livestock facilities. This important provision was approved by the committee during the previous revision cycle and took effect in the 2025 edition of NFPA 150. (See AWI Quarterly, fall 2024.) Most public inputs related to the sprinkler requirement were submitted by representatives of major livestock groups that have long opposed efforts to encourage life-saving sprinkler systems on farms.

During the next stage of the standards development process, committee members will vote on all public inputs that advanced from the meeting. A report containing results from the First Draft Meeting and subsequent ballot will then be posted online and open for public comment.

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