NFPA Seeks Comments on Proposed Weapons Detection Amendment to Life Safety Code

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is requesting feedback on a proposed tentative interim amendment (TIA) impacting several sections of the 2012, 2024 and proposed 2027 editions of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®.  

The proposed TIA 1869 offers clarity on how weapons detection systems can be integrated into required egress routes in health care occupancies without compromising life safety. The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) supports this proposed amendment and its intent to eliminate any perceived conflict between the implementation of these systems and life safety concerns.  

ASHE is encouraging members to endorse TIA 1869 to ensure that the proposed guidance adequately supports the operational need for weapons detection systems in their facilities. Professionals in the fields of health care engineering, fire protection, facilities management and related areas are encouraged to submit comments. Please review the proposed TIA and share feedback by March 5.    

TIA 1869 clarifies that weapons detection systems placed at the entrances to health care facilities, whether permanently installed or mobile, do not constitute obstructions to paths of egress, and should be treated in the same manner as turnstiles, vestibules and exit doors.  

This TIA is particularly timely as California and other states have advanced legislation requiring the installation of weapons detection systems in health care facilities. ASHE's Regulatory Affairs team has been working with members of the NFPA 101 Technical Committee to develop language for this proposed TIA that accounts for emerging requirements and resolves enforceable conflicts with NFPA 101.

Ratifying TIA 1869 would ensure that hospitals and ambulatory care occupancies can proceed with implementing these security measures, enabling potentially life-saving interventions against growing threats of workplace violence in hospitals and satisfying legal requirements without jeopardizing compliance with the Life Safety Code or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)’ Conditions of Participation.  

To read the full proposed amendment and submit a comment, visit the NFPA 101 webpage and scroll down to the Tentative Interim Amendment notice. Members are reminded to clearly state whether they SUPPORT or OPPOSE the TIA and provide a brief rationale as appropriate in the comments to NFPA. Comments can be submitted via email with the subject line “Comment on Proposed TIA 1869 on NFPA 101” to TIAs_Errata_FIs@nfpa.org.

The comment period will be open until March 5, 2026.