NFPA seeks input on a potential standard focused on fires at cannabis facilities

Quincy, MA — The National Fire Protection Association is asking for stakeholder input as it considers the creation of an ANSI-accredited standard on addressing fire risks at cannabis growing and processing facilities.

In a Feb. 17 message posted on the association’s website, NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley notes that 34 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use, which has led to the proliferation of cannabis facilities. “This, in turn, has generated mounting concerns among multiple stakeholder groups about how to minimize the fire risks associated with them.”

The potential new standard, Pauley adds, would provide fire protection requirements for cannabis facilities, expanding on existing provisions in Chapter 38 of NFPA 1, Fire Code.

“We know the most robust solutions come collectively from our stakeholders,” he writes. “At NFPA, our role in addressing emerging issues like cannabis facilities is far from singular. We rely on input and feedback from our stakeholders to identify where our efforts should be focused and the most appropriate ways to tackle the challenges.”

A proposed standard would likely focus on growing, processing and extracting facilities, as well as:

• Cannabis testing labs
• General skills, knowledge and experience to maintain fire and related hazard safety by facility operators and facility managers
• General skills, knowledge and experience to inspect, test and maintain cannabis growing, processing, extraction or testing facilities from fire and related hazards

NFPA seeks feedback to gauge whether support exists for the development of a standard. In particular, the association is requesting responses to the following questions and statement:

• Are you, or your organization, in favor of the development of an NFPA standard pertaining to the fire protection of cannabis growing and processing facilities?
• Please state your reason(s) for supporting or opposing such standards development.
• Are you or your organization interested in applying for membership on the Technical Committee if the Standards Council initiates development activities on the proposed project?

The deadline to comment is March 31.