NFPA 850-2020 PDF

Full title and description

NFPA 850-2020 — Recommended Practice for Fire Protection for Electric Generating Plants and High Voltage Direct Current Converter Stations. This document provides recommended practices for the prevention, mitigation and protection of fire and explosion hazards at electric generating plants (including combustion turbine units and plants using coal, oil, gas and alternative fuels) and at high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations. It addresses design, operation, inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection systems and the preparation of a fire protection design basis for facilities.

Abstract

NFPA 850-2020 gives guidance for establishing a comprehensive fire protection program for generation and conversion facilities. The recommended practice emphasizes the development of a Fire Protection Design Basis Document (FPDBD) and fire risk control programs, and covers plant layout, life-safety considerations, fire detection and alarm systems, water supplies and suppression systems, special hazards (fuel handling, transformers, switchgear, battery rooms), construction and commissioning, and requirements for both new and existing facilities. Specific technologies and generation types (for example wind, solar, flywheel and compressed-air energy storage) are addressed where relevant. Nuclear plants and certain reactor types are excluded and handled by other NFPA documents.

General information

• Status: Superseded (replaced by NFPA 850:2026).
• Publication date: January 1, 2020 (2020 edition; errata published in 2020).
• Publisher: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
• ICS / categories: 13.220 — Protection against fire (fire safety standards and guidance).
• Edition / version: 2020 edition (noted as the 2020 recommended practice; later revised to a 2026 edition/standard).
• Number of pages: 91 pages (approximate, publisher formatting may vary).

Scope

Applies to fire prevention and fire protection at electric generating plants and HVDC converter stations, including site-wide fire protection planning and systems for generation units and associated support facilities. The scope excludes advanced light-water reactor electric generating plants, nuclear power reactor plants and stationary fuel cell power systems (these are addressed in NFPA 804, NFPA 805 and NFPA 853 respectively). NFPA 850 covers both new construction and existing facilities and is intended to support the safety of personnel, the physical integrity of plant components and continuity of plant operations.

Key topics and requirements

• Fire Protection Design Basis Document (FPDBD): development, contents and use as the analytical foundation for protection decisions.
• Fire risk assessment and a fire risk control program including management policy, hazard identification and mitigation strategies.
• Plant arrangement and life-safety provisions (egress, lighting, ventilation, compartmentation and smoke control).
• Water supplies, distribution, hydrants, yard mains, valve supervision and fire pumps for sprinkler and standpipe systems.
• Fire detection, alarm and communications systems tailored for power plant environments.
• Fixed and portable fire suppression systems (sprinklers, foam, clean agents, CO2, etc.), special hazard protection and commissioning/maintenance requirements.
• Protection for electrical equipment, switchgear, transformers, batteries, fuel handling and storage, and dust/combustible particulate hazards.
• Guidance for construction-site fire protection and for plant modernization projects.
• Coverage for specific generation technologies and installations, including HVDC converter stations, wind, solar, flywheel and compressed-air energy storage where applicable.
• Recommendations for documentation, training, inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection systems.

Typical use and users

Used by power plant owners and operators, fire protection and safety engineers, consulting engineers, facility designers, fire system installers, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), insurance underwriters and asset managers. Typical applications include preparing design basis documents, specifying fire protection systems for new plants or major upgrades, developing inspection/testing regimes and supporting compliance and risk-management activities for generating facilities and converter stations.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside NFPA and other standards such as NFPA 13 (Installation of Sprinkler Systems), NFPA 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code), NFPA 72 (Fire Alarm and Signaling), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), NFPA 85 (Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code), NFPA 805 / 804 / 853 (nuclear/reactor/fuel cell guidance), and applicable local building and fire codes. The 2020 recommended practice was revised and replaced by NFPA 850:2026.

Keywords

fire protection, electric generating plants, HVDC converter stations, fire protection design basis, FPDBD, fire risk assessment, sprinkler systems, fire pumps, detection and alarm, switchgear protection, transformers, life safety, NFPA 850, recommended practice.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: NFPA 850-2020 is the 2020 edition of the NFPA recommended practice that provides guidance for fire protection at electric generating plants and high-voltage direct current converter stations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the fire protection design process, risk assessment, plant layout and life-safety, water supplies, fire suppression and detection systems, protection of electrical equipment and fuel systems, commissioning, inspection and maintenance, plus guidance for specific generation technologies and HVDC converter stations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Power plant owners and operators, fire protection engineers, consulting/design engineers, AHJs, system specifiers and installers, and insurers use the document for design, procurement, operations and compliance purposes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2020 edition has been superseded. It was published as the 2020 edition and subsequently revised by a 2026 edition (NFPA 850:2026). Users implementing or referencing NFPA 850 should confirm whether the 2026 edition (or any amendments) applies to their project or jurisdiction.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: NFPA 850 is part of the NFPA family of fire protection codes and standards. It is designed to be used with other NFPA standards (for example NFPA 13, NFPA 30, NFPA 72, NFPA 101) and with related industry guidance; specific nuclear and fuel-cell generation topics are addressed by other NFPA documents (NFPA 804, NFPA 805, NFPA 853).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: fire protection, electric generating plants, HVDC, FPDBD (Fire Protection Design Basis Document), risk assessment, sprinkler, fire pump, detection and alarm, switchgear, transformer protection, life safety.