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NFPA 1620:
RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR PRE-INCIDENT PLANNING
2003 EDITION
by National Fire Protection Association

“NFPA 1620 is a recommended practice which addresses the protection, construction, and
operational features of specific occupancies to develop pre-incident plans for use by
responders to manage fires and other emergencies using available resources. Pre-incident
planning involves evaluating the protection systems, building construction, contents, and
operating procedures that can impact emergency operations. The 2003 edition is up-to-date
with NFPA’s Manual of Style.”

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“This document is a recommended practice for evaluating the protection,
construction,
and operational features of specific occupancies to develop a pre-incident plan for
responding to fires and other emergencies. The pre-incident plan should be used by
responding personnel to manage fires and other emergencies in these facilities using the
available resources.

“The primary purpose of a pre-incident plan is to help responding personnel
effectively
manage emergencies with available resources. A pre-incident plan should not be confused
with fire inspections, which monitor code compliance. Pre-incident planning involves
evaluating the protection systems, building construction, contents, and operating procedures
that can impact emergency operations.

“Unlike fire prevention or fire safety inspections, pre-incident planning assumes
that an
incident will occur.

“Chapters 1 through 8 of this documen t provide general information,
philosophies, and
principles that might or might not be applicable to all occupancies. The authority having
jurisdiction should determine the level of planning appropriate for the jurisdiction and the
property being pre-planned. Chapters 9 through 18 provide information addressing special
or unique characteristics of specific occupancy classifications.

“A pre-incident plan is one of the most valuable tools available for aiding
responding
personnel in effectively controlling an emergency. Although there are many types of incidents
that require emergency response, fires generally represent the most frequent challenge to
emergency responders. Many of the recommendations in this document that relate to fires
and fire protection features can be equally applicable to other types of incidents.

“Pre-incident planning is a total concept based upon the following: awareness of
the
problem, management commitment, education, prevention, protection, and emergency
organization. A thorough pre-incident plan involves information gathering, analysis, and
dissemination; applying the "what-if-approach"; and planning reviewing, training, and
evaluating. Pre-plans within a jurisdiction should be similar in style, procedures, and content
to maximize effectiveness and to reduce the time required to familiarize responding forces
with the plan.

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CONTENTS

1 ADMINISTRATION
Scope
General
Definitions

2 PRE-INCIDENT PLANNING PROCESS
Preparing to Plan
Before the Incident
During the Incident
After the Incident

3 PHYSICAL ELEMENTS AND SITE CONSIDERATIONS
General
Construction
Building Services
Site Conditions

4 OCCUPANT CONSIDERATIONS
General
Life Safety Considerations
On-Site Emergency Organization

5 PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND WATER SUPPLIES
General
Water Supplies
Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Standpipe System
Protective Signaling Systems
Special Protection Systems
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Smoke Management

6 SPECIAL HAZARD CONSIDERATIONS
General
Transient Conditions
Inventory
Special Hazards

7 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
General
Incident Notification
Incident Operations
Accountability System

8 PLAN TESTING AND MAINTENANCE
General
Plan Evaluation
Plan Maintenance

9 ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Testing and Maintenance

10 EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Testing and Maintenance

11 HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Test and Maintenance

12 DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Testing and Maintenance

13 RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Testing and Maintenance

14 RESIDENTIAL BOARD AND CARE OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Testing and Maintenance

15 MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Consideration
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Testing and Maintenance

16 BUSINESS OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Testing and Maintenance

17 INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operation
Plan Testing and Maintenance

18 WAREHOUSES AND STORAGE OCCUPANCIES
Administration
Pre-Incident Planning Process
Physical Elements and Site Considerations
Occupant Considerations
Protection Systems and Water Supply
Special Hazards
Emergency Operations
Plan Testing and Maintenance

19 REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS

APPENDIX A EXPLANATORY MATERIAL
APPENDIX B CASE HISTORIES OF WAREHOUSE FIRES
APPENDIX C DATA COLLECTION
APPENDIX D DATA REDUCTION AND PRE-INCIDENT PLAN PRESENTATION
APPENDIX E SAMPLE PRE-INCIDENT PLANS AND DATA COLLECTION
FORMS
APPENDIX F REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS
INDEX

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2003, 56 pages Order #DR374.
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