On August 17, 2012, the National Fire Protection Association announced its decision regarding an appeal heard during the August 7-9, 2012 NFPA Standards Council meeting concerning possible changes to NFPA 150, Animal Housing Facilities. NFPA 150 currently requires sprinkler protection for Category A animals, comprised of mostly dangerous animals, such as zoo animals and reptiles. A group of 14 animal rights organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States, United Poultry Concerns and PETA, appealed the June 2012 decision by the NFPA 150 Technical Committee to reject a proposal which would have expanded the scope of NFPA 150 to include all animal housing. The Standards Council rejected the animal rights groups’ appeal, which would have required automatic fire sprinkler and smoke control systems in all new animal housing facilities, including chicken and layer houses and turkey barns.
A coalition of 17 animal agriculture groups, including the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Pork Producers Council, United Egg Producers, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation, represented the interest of animal agriculture during this process. Appearing on behalf of animal agriculture at the Standards Council meeting were Paul Pressley of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Michael Formica of the National Pork Producers Council and Tom Hebert, representing United Egg Producers.
A copy of the Standards Council decision can be viewed by clicking here.