600: Standard on Facility Fire Brigades

Reference the latest requirements for the safer and more effective operation of fire brigades serving a facility.

A primary concern of the facility fire protection industry is safeguarding people and property in the workplace from fire-related occupational dangers. NFPA^? 600, Standard on Facility Fire Brigades, helps ensure facility fire brigades responsible for preventing and responding to hazards and conditions existing within a particular facility are organized and prepared to deal with protection challenges in all types of environments.

The standard offers comprehensive criteria for organizing, operating, training, and equipping fire brigades in both industrial and non-industrial settings. NFPA 600 also specifies provisions for the health and safety of brigade members and any other dedicated groups of personnel responsible for responding to fires within a facility.

Content covers performing incipient stage and advanced exterior and interior structural fire fighting as well as fire brigade fundamentals such as:

• Standard operating procedures
• Drills and education
• Risk management policies
• Incident management systems
• Organization-wide responsibilities
• Brigade equipment and apparatus
• Medical and physical job requirements
• Personal protective equipment

NFPA 600, Standard on Facility Fire Brigades, is significantly revised for increased usability and relevance.

The 2020 edition features several modifications to increase the scope of the standard and provide stakeholders with more concise language.

Notable changes include:

• New material in Chapter 1 for facility fire brigades that respond to offsite fire emergencies in conjunction with local fire departments
• Update that individual(s) designated by senior management are responsible for the organization, management, and non-emergency response functions of the facility fire brigade
• Expanded definitions in Chapter 3 to include specific details about potential time intervals and adding timing flexibility
• Modified language in several areas of Chapter 4 providing clarification on responsibilities to indicate who is in charge of an incident when an incipient fire occurs and to provide direction for designated representatives within an organizational statement
• Edited definition of the role of the facility fire brigade leader to avoid potential confusion about responsibilities during a fire emergency
• Mandatory language added regarding the requirement to develop a site-specific risk management policy for employees who serve as facility fire brigade members to clarify the potential risks that are involved with responding to a fire emergency
• Amended Section 4.11 to reflect proper inventory management, so the items needed for a response are readily available
• New provision In Chapter 6 to better ensure protective thermal clothing and protective equipment is used and maintained according to NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, to help ensure the proper protection of facility fire brigade members during a fire emergency
• Revised Annex A to cite federal regulations accurately and to match the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.156, ‘Fire Brigades’

Help ensure facility fire brigades have the cutting-edge knowledge and training to reduce risks and minimize loss in an emergency.

Emergency brigades, emergency response teams, fire teams, and plant emergency organizations are critical first lines of defense for industrial facilities as well as college campuses, hospitals, and other non-industrial settings. Improve occupancy safety and help ensure compliance by ordering your copy of NFPA 600, Standard on Facility Fire Brigades, 2020 edition, today.