Fire Protection Planning for High-Risk Occupancies

Fire Protection Planning for High-Risk Occupancies

Opening hook: Question
Are you confident your fire protection plan for a high-risk occupancy can withstand the unique hazards of Group H environments—where a single oversight can trigger catastrophic losses, costly downtime, and regulatory penalties? High-hazard occupancies demand a precision-focused approach to design, documentation, testing, and ongoing maintenance. This guide explores the why, what, and how of Fire Protection Planning for High-Risk Occupancies, with practical frameworks you can apply today to achieve NFPA Code Compliance High Hazard and avoid costly mistakes.

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Table of contents

• Understanding High-Risk Occupancies (Group H)
• The High-Stakes Nature of Fire Protection Planning for High Hazard Environments
• Regulatory and Standards Landscape
• Key Challenges in High-Risk Occupancies
• A Practical Framework for Fire Protection Planning
• Storage, High Ceilings, and Special Hazards: Special Considerations
• Documentation and Compliance: The Role of Plans, Certificates, and Certifications
• Maintenance, Testing, and Operations
• Budgeting, ROI, and Resource Allocation
• 48Fire Protection: Our Approach to High-Hazard Occupancies
• Implementation Roadmap: An Actionable Timeline
• Tools, Technologies, and Digital Solutions
• Case Scenarios: Illustrative Outcomes
• Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Understanding High-Risk Occupancies (Group H)
Group H Occupancies, as defined by the NFPA and applicable codes, refer to industrial and high-hazard environments where there is significant risk of fire or explosion due to processes, materials, or operations. These can include chemical plants, petrochemical facilities, large-scale manufacturing operations with combustible materials, and other facilities where hazard intensity exceeds standard industrial settings. The stakes in Group H are high: potential for rapid fire growth, complex suppression needs, and unique detection, ventilation, and standby power requirements.

NFPA-based fire protection planning for Group H requires an integrated approach that aligns design, installation, inspection, testing, and ongoing maintenance with recognized standards such as NFPA 13 (Sprinkler Systems), NFPA 25 (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), and other sector-specific requirements. It also demands rigorous documentation and owner involvement—especially in storage-heavy, high-ceiling spaces where commodity classifications and water supply data become central to system performance.

Why Group H Planning Is Different

• Hazard intensity: High-risk occupancies involve ignition sources and fuels that create rapid fire growth, complex suppression needs, and higher downstream risk to occupants, property, and business interruption.
• System complexity: You may need specialized suppression systems (deluge, foam, foam-water, dry chemical or specialized inert gas systems) in addition to conventional water-based sprinklers.
• Storage and commodity classifications: The types and configurations of stored materials drive design decisions, water supply calculations, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Documentation and certification: Regulatory and owner documentation is essential to demonstrate compliance, operation readiness, and ongoing risk management.

Key evidence that supports the urgency of targeted planning

• Nonresidential building fire activity remains a sobering context for planning. In 2023 there were about 110,000 nonresidential building fires in the U.S., underscoring the need for targeted fire protection planning in high-risk occupancies. This context drives the emphasis on reliable, code-compliant design and ongoing maintenance. [usfa.fema.gov/statistics](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics)
• The 2025 edition of NFPA 13 introduces notable changes for high-ceiling and storage scenarios, including a mandated Storage Plan and Owner’s Certificate documenting commodity classifications and water supply data. This reflects the shift toward stronger documentation and risk-based design in high-hazard settings. [Changes in the 2025 Edition of NFPA 13 Technotes](https://nfsa.org/2024/07/23/changes-in-the-2025-edition-of-nfpa-13-technotes/?utm_source=openai)
• For healthcare environments, the pressure to bring facilities up to code is real and time-bound. Existing high-rise healthcare occupancies must be fully sprinklered by July 5, 2028, with substantial progress and deadlines already in motion as of mid-2025. This legislative and accreditation context highlights the broader imperative of compliance-driven planning in high-risk occupancies. [Reminders: High-rise healthcare facilities must be fully sprinklered by 2028](https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/joint-commission-online/april-16-2025/reminder-high-rise-healthcare-facilities-must-be-fully-sprinklered-by-2028/?utm_source=openai)

The Regulatory and Standards Landscape
High-risk occupancies sit at the intersection of multiple standards and regulatory bodies, each with its own emphasis:

• NFPA 13: Standards for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. In high-hazard occupancies, traditional sprinkler layouts may need augmentation with deluge systems, specialized detection, and high-praise design criteria for odorous or volatile materials.
• NFPA 25: Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. Regular testing is essential to verify that complex suppression systems reach design performance consistently.
• NFPA 101: Life Safety Code. Group H occupancies must meet lifecycle safety requirements including occupant egress, alarm, detection, and coordination with suppression.
• Storage Plan and Owner’s Certificate (2025 NFPA 13 changes): New documentation requirements for high-ceiling and storage scenarios, including commodity classifications and water supply data, to support design validation and operational readiness. These changes are intended to improve traceability and accountability across design, procurement, and maintenance phases. [Changes in the 2025 Edition of NFPA 13 Technotes](https://nfsa.org/2024/07/23/changes-in-the-2025-edition-of-nfpa-13-technotes/?utm_source=openai)
• Healthcare-specific timelines (for high-rise facilities): Regulatory bodies emphasize timely completion of sprinkler retrofits and enhancements, with clear milestones to help facilities achieve compliance. [Reminders: High-rise healthcare facilities must be fully sprinklered by 2028](https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/joint-commission-online/april-16-2025/reminder-high-rise-healthcare-facilities-must-be-fully-sprinklered-by-2028/?utm_source=openai)

Notes for practitioners

• Always verify jurisdictional adoption of NFPA standards and any local amendments that could impose additional requirements or tighter timelines.
• Recognize that high-hazard occupancies often require cross-disciplinary coordination among mechanical, electrical, process, and safety teams to ensure an integrated protective strategy.

The High Stakes of Fire Protection Planning for High Hazard Environments
In high-hazard occupancies, the consequences of noncompliance or design missteps extend beyond non-compliance penalties. They can include:

• Increased risk to life and safety of occupants, including specialized staff and visitors in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or industrial settings.
• Higher risk of business interruption due to extended downtime from fires, testing, or failed inspections.
• Substantial financial exposure from property damage, environmental cleanup, regulatory fines, and reputational harm.
• Operational complications: complex materials handling, hazardous materials storage, and processes requiring specialized detection, ventilation, and suppression.

Critical components of a comprehensive plan

• Risk-based design: Align the system type and coverage with the actual hazard profile, occupancy patterns, and commodity classifications.
• Documentation-driven compliance: Ensure that plans, certificates, commodity lists, and water supply data are complete, current, and accessible to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) during plan review and field verification.
• Integrated prevention and protection: Combine detection, alarm, suppression, ignition control, and egress strategies to create a cohesive protection network.
• Lifecycle management: Establish robust inspection, testing, maintenance, and revalidation processes to maintain performance over time.

A Practical Framework for Fire Protection Planning
Adopt a methodical, scalable framework that guides the project from concept through operations. The following framework follows a Problem → Solution → Implementation approach, with a chronological emphasis that aligns with project phases.

Phase 1: Problem Framing and Risk Assessment

• Define hazard profiles: Identify your Group H occupancy’s primary hazards (flammable liquids, reactive materials, high-temperature processes, dust explosions, etc.).
• Map process flows: Chart material handling, storage configurations, ignition sources, and potential flash points.
• Establish performance goals: Response time objectives, access, and interface requirements with emergency responders.
• Engage stakeholders early: Involve plant operations, safety, maintenance, and the AHJ from the outset to ensure alignment.

Phase 2: Solution Design and System Selection

• Select system architectures grounded in risk profile:
• Wet, dry, deluge, or foam-water sprinkler approaches, depending on hazard type and commodity.
• Special suppression modes for hazardous zones (e.g., solvent storage, paint booths, reactive chemical suites).
• Detection strategies tailored to process environments (gas sensors, flame detectors, rate-of-rise detection, fixed-spectrum detection for nuisance alarms).
• Define water supply and hydraulics: Factor in dynamic supply conditions, fire pump requirements, and potential demand during peak operations.
• Storage plan considerations: If the facility includes significant storage, ensure a Storage Plan is incorporated with clear commodity classifications and water supply data.

Phase 3: Documentation, Certification, and Record-Keeping

• Prepare design documentation with explicit references to NFPA standards and jurisdictional requirements.
• Prepare a Storage Plan and Owner’s Certificate (per 2025 NFPA 13 changes) documenting commodity classifications, storage configurations, and water supply data.
• Create an escalation and change-control process to keep documentation current through construction and commissioning phases.
• Build a liaison channel with the AHJ for early feedback and smoother permitting.

Phase 4: Construction, Commissioning, and Acceptance

• Oversee installation to ensure adherence to design intent and code compliance.
• Commission all systems under defined acceptance tests, including static and dynamic tests for high-hazard environments.
• Verify integration with other safety systems (alarm, ventilation, process shutdown, emergency lighting) to ensure a coordinated response.
• Obtain formal AHJ acceptance and compile final documentation for operations readiness.

Phase 5: Training, Operations, and Maintenance

• Train facility personnel on system operation, alarm monitoring, and safe shutdown procedures.
• Implement a maintenance plan aligned with NFPA 25 and site-specific risk considerations.
• Schedule periodic drills and table-top exercises to test the incident response plan.

Phase 6: Continuous Improvement and Auditing

• Regularly review risk profiles as processes evolve, new materials are introduced, or storage configurations change.
• Update storage classifications and water supply data as needed.

Storage, High Ceilings, and Special Considerations
High-ceiling spaces and large storage volumes introduce unique design and maintenance requirements. The 2025 NFPA 13 changes emphasize the value of a Storage Plan and Owner’s Certificate that document commodity classifications and water supply data. In practice, this means:

• Precise commodity classification: Group H occupancies often involve complex materials—flammable liquids, oxidizers, reactive materials—whose classifications directly affect sprinkler type, density, and hydrostatic testing requirements.
• Water supply documentation: Accurate data on available water supply, standpipes, fire pump capacity, and hydrant availability helps ensure system reliability under peak demand.
• High-ceiling considerations: In very tall spaces, water distribution, hydraulic calculations, and coverage patterns require careful attention to ensure all areas receive adequate protection, especially around storage racks, mezzanines, and process lines.

To illustrate how these considerations translate into concrete actions, consider the following table:

Table: Key considerations for Storage and High-Ceiling Scenarios

Topic	What to document / design	Why it matters
Commodity classifications	Detailed inventory with NFPA 30/30A-type classifications if applicable	Determines sprinkler density, nozzle patterns, and response times
Storage configuration	Vertical racking, pallet configurations, clearances, and aisle widths	Affects hydraulic calculations and access for suppression
Water supply data	Hydrant location, pump capacity, available water volume, residual pressure	Critical for reliable suppression during peak demand
Ceiling height and reach	Ceiling geometry, obstructions, access for inspection	Impacts sprinkler head placement and inspection access
Special hazard coverage	Deluge, foam, or other suppression options for high-risk zones	Ensures adequate protection for process and storage areas
Documentation cadence	Storage Plan and Owner’s Certificate updates post-change	Maintains compliance and provides audit-ready records

Pro Tip: Align the Storage Plan with ongoing operations

• Establish a quarterly review to update commodity lists and storage configurations when processes change.
• Keep a live inventory model that ties to the design documents, enabling quick updates during AHJ reviews or insurance audits.

Documentation and Compliance: The Role of Plans, Certificates, and Certifications
Documentation is not a pointless bureaucratic exercise; it is the backbone of defensible fire protection planning. In high-hazard occupancies, the ability to prove that the design accommodates the actual hazards present, and that the water supply supports design intent, can be the difference between a successful permit and a costly delay.

Key documentation components include:

• System design drawings and hydraulic calculations that reflect current hazard analysis and commodity classifications.
• A Storage Plan (for high-ceiling and storage-heavy spaces) detailing storage configurations, commodity classifications, and control strategies.
• An Owner’s Certificate (to document commodity classifications and water supply data as required by the 2025 NFPA 13 updates).
• Maintenance and testing plans aligned with NFPA 25, including testing frequencies, acceptance criteria, and responsibilities.
• Emergency operation and response plans that outline how staff will coordinate with fire services and manage incident progression.

Citations to consider for documentation emphasis

• The latest NFPA-driven changes that emphasize documentation include the Storage Plan and Owner’s Certificate. [Changes in the 2025 Edition of NFPA 13 Technotes](https://nfsa.org/2024/07/23/changes-in-the-2025-edition-of-nfpa-13-technotes/?utm_source=openai)
• For context and broader standards, refer to the NFPA official site for standard references and updates. [NFPA Official Site](https://www.nfpa.org)
• Real-world risk context and the need for up-to-date documentation are underscored by USFA statistics on nonresidential fires. [USFA statistics](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics)
• Healthcare facility milestones highlight how documentation and compliance timelines impact complex occupancies. [Joint Commission – 2028 sprinkler deadline](https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/joint-commission-online/april-16-2025/reminder-high-rise-healthcare-facilities-must-be-fully-sprinklered-by-2028/?utm_source=openai)

Maintenance, Testing, and Operations
A robust maintenance and testing program is the ongoing lifeblood of fire protection in high-hazard occupancies. The most critical aspects include:

• Routine inspection and testing in line with NFPA 25
• Verification of water-based system performance under representative demand
• Monitoring of detection, alarm, and control systems for reliability
• Regular calibration and functional testing of special suppression systems (deluge systems, foam systems, inert gas systems where applicable)
• Documentation of all test results, deviations, and corrective actions
• Training of personnel to respond effectively to alarms and incidents

Checklist: Maintenance and Testing (sample)

• [ ] Confirm that NFPA 25-compliant testing frequencies are scheduled for each system type
• [ ] Validate water supply pressure and pump operation during demand tests
• [ ] Inspect sprinkler heads for corrosion, obstructions, and mechanical damage
• [ ] Verify alarm and detection functions with a simulated event
• [ ] Review and update maintenance records and spare parts inventory
• [ ] Conduct periodic drills with facility staff and, where appropriate, local fire services

Budgeting, ROI, and Resource Allocation
High-hazard occupancies require upfront investment for design, installation, and ongoing operations that reflect risk-based decisions. A disciplined budgeting approach should address:

• Upfront design and project management costs to achieve NFPA-compliant, performance-based protection
• Equipment costs for specialized system components (deluge/discharge, foam/water, inert gas, high-sensitivity detectors)
• Installation costs with attention to process disruption minimization and safety requirements
• Commissioning and AHJ acceptance costs
• Ongoing maintenance, testing, and spare parts
• Training and competency development for staff and operations teams

Cost considerations should be paired with risk reduction metrics:

• Potential cost of downtime or lost production due to a fire
• Potential environmental and regulatory penalties
• Insurance premium impacts and potential for favorable terms with demonstrated compliance
• The value of asset protection, including critical process equipment and stored materials

Implementation Roadmap: An Actionable Timeline
To translate theory into action, use a phased implementation roadmap. The following timeline is a model you can adapt to your facility’s scale and regulatory environment.

Phase 0: Readiness and Stakeholder Alignment (Month 0–1)

• Identify project sponsors, AHJ liaison, operations leadership
• Define scope, success metrics, and risk thresholds
• Gather baseline facility information (hazard inventories, floor plans, storage configurations)

Phase 1: Risk Assessment and Design (Month 1–3)

• Complete hazard analysis and commodity classifications
• Develop initial system architecture (sprinkler types, detection, and control strategy)
• Draft Storage Plan and Owner’s Certificate (per 2025 NFPA 13 changes) for stakeholder review
• Submit design for AHJ input

Phase 2: Documentation and Permitting (Month 3–4)

• Finalize all design calculations, drawings, and narratives
• Prepare procurement and installation schedules tied to commissioning milestones
• Obtain necessary permits and approvals

Phase 3: Construction and Installation (Month 4–9)

• Install systems with quality control checks
• Integrate with electrical, mechanical, and process controls
• Conduct factory and site acceptance testing per NFPA 25 and project requirements

Phase 4: Commissioning and Acceptance (Month 9–11)

• Execute comprehensive commissioning tests (static and dynamic)
• Validate hydraulic performance against design criteria
• Obtain AHJ acceptance and finalize as-built documentation

Phase 5: Training, Commissioning, and Handover (Month 11–12)

• Train facility staff on operation, testing, and emergency procedures
• Handover all documentation, spare parts, and maintenance protocols

Phase 6: Ongoing Operations and Audits (Ongoing)

• Establish maintenance and inspection regimes
• Schedule periodic re-assessments to account for changes in processes or storage
• Plan for periodic re-certifications, if applicable

Tools, Technologies, and Digital Solutions
A modern approach to high-hazard occupancy protection benefits from software-enabled planning and monitoring:

• BIM-enabled design and clash detection to optimize pipe routing and head placement
• Computer-aided hydraulics analysis and cloud-based project management to maintain accuracy across design, installation, and maintenance
• Digital maintenance platforms for NFPA 25-compliant record-keeping, e-testing, and asset management
• Real-time monitoring and alarm dashboards that enable quick action and reduce response times
• Documentation repositories that store all design, commissioning, and maintenance information for regulatory audits

Case Scenarios: Illustrative Outcomes
Scenario A: Chemical processing facility with significant storage

• Challenge: High-density storage of flammable liquids in tall racks, requiring a deluge system and a Storage Plan with a comprehensive commodity listing.
• Outcome: After implementing a storage-focused design, including an Owner’s Certificate and updated water supply documentation, the facility achieved AHJ acceptance within the timeline, reduced nuisance alarms, and improved incident response planning.

Scenario B: High-rise healthcare facility undergoing retrofit

• Challenge: Large-scale retrofit to meet 2028 sprinkler deadline while maintaining patient care operations.
• Outcome: A staged retrofit plan aligned with Joint Commission and NFPA requirements kept downtime minimal, ensured ongoing life safety, and delivered a fully sprinklered high-rise facility ahead of deadline.

Scenario C: Large warehouse with process-controlled manufacturing

• Challenge: Unique hazard profile combining storage with active manufacturing lines and dust control.
• Outcome: Integrated suppression (foam-water and specialized detectors) plus a robust maintenance program led to reliable protection and a measurable reduction in incident exposure and insurance risk.

The 48Fire Protection Approach: A Focus on High-Hazard Occupancies
Near the end of this article, you’ll find a dedicated section that outlines how 48Fire Protection translates policy into practice for Group H occupancies.

48Fire Protection: Services for High-Hazard Occupancies

• Fire protection planning and design for Group H occupancies: We build risk-based designs that match the hazard profile, storage configurations, and process risks of your facility. Our approach integrates NFPA standards with local AHJ expectations to accelerate permitting and acceptance.
• Storage Planning and commodity classification documentation: In light of 2025 NFPA 13 changes, we prepare detailed Storage Plans and Owner’s Certificates that document commodity classifications and water supply data, ensuring your project is audit-ready from day one.
• Custom suppression system design (deluge, foam-water, inert gas where applicable): We tailor suppression strategies to the hazard class and material characteristics, balancing performance with system complexity and maintenance burden.
• Detection, alarm, and control integration for high-hazard environments: We implement detection strategies designed to minimize false alarms while ensuring rapid notification and coordinated shutdown or process-control actions.
• Commissioning, testing, and AHJ coordination: Our commissioning process validates system performance against design intent and regulatory requirements, with hands-on support to facilitate AHJ acceptance.
• Documentation management and lifecycle records: We maintain a centralized repository of all design, installation, testing, maintenance, and change-control records for compliance and asset management.
• Training and capabilities development: We train operators, maintenance teams, and safety personnel to ensure sustained performance and safe operation.
• Ongoing maintenance, testing, and revalidation programs: Our maintenance plans align with NFPA 25 requirements and site-specific risk profiles, with proactive recommendations to maintain protection levels over time.

Checklists and quick-reference resources

• Project readiness checklist for high-hazard occupancies
• Documentation readiness checklist (Storage Plan, Owner’s Certificate, etc.)
• Maintenance and testing calendar aligned with NFPA standards

Bold callouts to highlight critical points

• Key point: Documentation is not an afterthought; it is the backbone of trust with regulators, insurers, and operations teams.
• Pro tip: Begin with a robust hazard assessment and commodity classification early to avoid costly design changes later in the project.
• Warning: In high-hazard occupancies, delays in AHJ approvals or missing Storage Plans can ripple into budget overruns and missed deadlines.

Implementation Roadmap and Best Practices

• Establish a cross-functional project team with clear roles: facilities, operations, safety, sustainability, and risk management, plus an AHJ liaison.
• Develop a risk-based design philosophy that aligns with the actual operational hazards rather than generic assumptions.
• Prioritize documentation in parallel with design and procurement to avoid last-minute bottlenecks.
• Build in a change-control mechanism to capture process or storage changes that affect protection requirements.
• Create a feedback loop with the AHJ to address potential issues early and reduce rework.

Highlighting NFPA Code Compliance High Hazard and Group H

• NFPA code compliance for high-hazard occupancies requires meticulous alignment with NFPA 13, NFPA 25, NFPA 101, and sector-specific requirements, with a strong emphasis on documentation, risk classification, and robust maintenance.
• The 2025 NFPA 13 changes bring a new layer of accountability through the Storage Plan and Owner’s Certificate, emphasizing documentation of commodity classifications and water supply data. This is a critical shift for Group H projects. [Changes in the 2025 Edition of NFPA 13 Technotes](https://nfsa.org/2024/07/23/changes-in-the-2025-edition-of-nfpa-13-technotes/?utm_source=openai)
• Healthcare high-rise timetables illustrate the broader regulatory environment where compliance timelines drive project planning. The Joint Commission’s reminder about sprinkler coverage deadlines reinforces the need for proactive planning in high-hazard occupancies that intersect with life-safety accreditation. [Reminders: High-rise healthcare facilities must be fully sprinklered by 2028](https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/joint-commission-online/april-16-2025/reminder-high-rise-healthcare-facilities-must-be-fully-sprinklered-by-2028/?utm_source=openai)
• For general context and standards references, NFPA’s official site is a key resource for ongoing updates and standard definitions. [NFPA Official Site](https://www.nfpa.org)
• The nonresidential fire statistics from USFA provide a contextual reminder of why protective planning matters in high-hazard occupancies. [USFA statistics](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics)

Future-proofing and continuous improvement

• Stay connected with NFPA updates and AHJ changes: Fire protection standards evolve, and high-hazard occupancies are particularly sensitive to updates in definitions, classifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Build resilience into design through redundancy in critical components (water supply, power, detection) and by developing clear escalation procedures for incidents.
• Invest in staff training and drills that emphasize coordination with local fire responders and internal safety teams, ensuring a rapid, effective response in the early stages of an incident.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

• If your facility operates in a high-hazard environment, you cannot rely on generic protection strategies or outdated documentation. The combination of hazard complexity, storage classifications, and evolving NFPA 13 requirements means you must adopt a structured, evidence-based approach to design, documentation, testing, and maintenance.
• A proactive, risk-based fire protection plan reduces the probability of system failures and noncompliance penalties and helps protect people, property, and operations.

[Contact 48Fire Protection](/contact-us)

Appendix: Key terms and concepts

• Group H Occupancies: High-hazard industrial occupancies with significant risk due to processes, materials, or operations requiring specialized fire protection planning.
• Storage Plan: A formal plan that documents commodity classifications, storage configurations, and related water supply data for high-ceiling or storage-intensive environments. This is a 2025 NFPA 13 change intended to improve protection and documentation.
• Owner’s Certificate: Documentation that confirms commodity classifications and water supply data. Required by the 2025 NFPA 13 changes for high-hazard storage scenarios.
• NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems; governs design, installation, and performance of sprinkler systems.
• NFPA 25: Inspections, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems; prescribes testing frequencies, procedures, and acceptance criteria.
• NFPA 101: Life Safety Code; sets life-safety requirements for occupancies, including egress, detection, and alarm integration.

If you’d like to discuss how 48Fire Protection can help you plan, implement, and maintain fire protection for your high-hazard occupancy, we can tailor a plan that aligns with your hazard profile, storage configurations, and regulatory deadlines. Our multidisciplinary team brings deep expertise in Group H Occupancy Fire Protection and NFPA Code Compliance High Hazard.

[Contact 48Fire Protection](/contact-us)

Note: Citations are included where relevant in text and as links:

• USFA statistics: [https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics)
• NFSA 2025 NFPA 13 changes: [https://nfsa.org/2024/07/23/changes-in-the-2025-edition-of-nfpa-13-technotes/?utm_source=openai](https://nfsa.org/2024/07/23/changes-in-the-2025-edition-of-nfpa-13-technotes/?utm_source=openai)
• Joint Commission 2028 sprinkler deadline: [https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/joint-commission-online/april-16-2025/reminder-high-rise-healthcare-facilities-must-be-fully-sprinklered-by-2028/?utm_source=openai](https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/joint-commission-online/april-16-2025/reminder-high-rise-healthcare-facilities-must-be-fully-sprinklered-by-2028/?utm_source=openai)
• NFPA (general standards): [https://www.nfpa.org](https://www.nfpa.org)

[Contact 48Fire Protection](/contact-us)