NFPA Seeks Public Comments On Weapons Detection Amendment

The National Fire Protection Association is currently accepting public comments on Tentative Interim Amendment 1869 to NFPA 101^®, Life Safety Code^® with hospitals. This proposed amendment seeks to clarify how weapons detection systems can be incorporated into required egress paths in health care facilities without compromising life safety.

The amendment specifies that weapons detection systems placed at facility entrances, fixed or mobile, do not constitute an obstruction to paths of egress, similarly to other permitted elements such as vestibules, turnstiles and exit doors.

If adopted as written, TIA 1869 would allow hospitals and ambulatory care centers to implement these security measures without jeopardizing compliance with the Life Safety Code or CMS Conditions of Participation.

Comments are due by Thursday, March 5, and should be submitted to NFPA by emailing TIAs_Errata_FIs@nfpa.org with the subject line: “Comment on Proposed TIA 1869 on NFPA 101.” Comments should clearly indicate whether you support or oppose the amendment and include a brief rationale.

You can review the full amendment by visiting the NFPA 101 page and locating the Tentative Interim Amendment notice or by visiting the American Society for Health Care Engineering’s website.