Design Criteria and Compliance

Provides guidance for managing the risk from explosions, fires and toxic material releases to personnel located in new and existing permanent buildings intended for occupancy.

For more information, refer to the API 2024 Publications Catalog, specifically pages 124, 130 and 217.

Provides guidance for managing the risk from explosions, fires and toxic material releases to personnel located in new and existing portable buildings intended for occupancy.

For more information, refer to the API 2024 Publications Catalog, specifically pages 125, 130 and 217.

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) – Defines design and assessment requirements for buildings subjected to blast loads, ensuring structural integrity for blast-resistant buildings.

Sets performance criteria for tornado and hurricane-resistant structures to protect occupants during extreme weather. Compliance follows established guidelines for storm shelter design and construction.

Reference Standards:

FEMA P-361, Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes, Fourth Edition

FEMA P-320, Taking Shelter from the Storm – Building or Installing a Safe Room for Your Home

Certifies structures to withstand EF5 and F5 tornadoes, providing maximum protection for occupants. Ratings are based on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, which classifies tornado intensity from EF0 to EF5 based on estimated wind speeds and resulting damage.

For more information, refer to FEMA P-361, Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes, Fourth Edition.

Certifies structures for resistance to extreme wind conditions, including hurricane-force events. Ratings are based on the Beaufort Wind Scale and the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which categorize wind speeds and their associated impacts on structures and environments.

For more information, visit:

Beaufort Wind Scale

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale | NOAA

The COMET Program / MetEd – YouTube Channel

Defines ballistic resistance levels for armor and protective structures used in military and security applications. Establishes the V50 ballistic test procedure to determine the velocity at which there is a 50% probability of a projectile penetrating the armor.

For more information, refer to the U.S. Department of Defense’s published standards or consult with accredited testing laboratories familiar with MIL-STD-662F.

Defines safety and performance requirements for battery energy storage systems (BESS) used in critical infrastructure. These standards address testing, construction and operational criteria to ensure safe integration and performance of energy storage technologies.

For more information, visit:

Smart PV Inverter Overview: IEEE 1547-2018 and UL 1741 Explained | Solar Builder

UL 1741 | UL Standards & Engagement

Whitepaper: Energy Storage Systems – UL 1973 Certification | TÜV SÜD

NFPA 855 and UL 9540 Presentation | IEEE PES ESSB

UL 9540A Test Method | UL Solutions

Sets fire protection standards for battery energy storage systems (BESS) to mitigate fire risks in industrial and commercial applications. NFPA 855 outlines requirements for the installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of energy storage systems to enhance safety.

For more information, refer to the NFPA 855 and UL 9540 Presentation | IEEE PES ESSB.

Regulates explosion-resistant structures and electrical installations in hazardous environments. This standard addresses requirements for equipment and wiring in locations with flammable vapors, liquids, gases, combustible dusts or fibers, ensuring compliance with workplace safety standards in classified hazardous locations.

For more information, visit OSHA 1910.307 – Hazardous (Classified) Locations.

Military standard for designing structures to withstand explosive threats in defense applications. Charge weight classifications are used to determine standoff distances and protective measures based on the size and type of explosive threat.

For more information, refer to DoD 6055.09-STD, February 29, 2008.

Specifies military-grade ballistic protection standards for armor and protective structures requiring advanced defense capabilities. This standard establishes criteria for the ballistic resistance of materials used in military applications.

For more information, refer to authorized government or defense resources, such as the U.S. Department of Defense or Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), where access may be restricted to qualified individuals or organizations.

Establishes protection levels for ballistic-resistant structures to ensure security against firearm threats. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Standard 0123.00 outlines ballistic protection levels and associated test threats for a wide range of applications in security and defense.

For more information:

NIJ Standard 0123.00 – NIJ Ballistic Protection Levels and Test Threats

International Ballistic and Blast Specifications and Standards – ScienceDirect

Establishes protective measures against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in high-risk environments. These measures are designed to mitigate the risks posed by both personal-carried and vehicle-borne explosive threats.

For more information, refer to eCFR :: 29 CFR 1910.109 – Explosives and Blasting Agents.