Section 320

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING (3D PRINTING)

Additive manufacturing equipment and operations shall comply with Section 320.

320.1.1 Scope. Additive manufacturing shall comply with one of the following:

1. Nonindustrial additive manufacturing shall comply with Section 320.2.
2. Industrial additive manufacturing shall comply with Section 320.3.

320.1.2 Installation, operation and maintenance. 3D printers and associated additive manufacturing equipment shall be installed, operated and maintained in accordance with this code, the listing and the manufacturer’s instructions.

320.1.3 Production materials. Only the production materials listed for use with the equipment and included in the manufacturer’s instructions shall be used.

Nonindustrial additive manufacturing equipment and operations shall comply with Sections 320.2.1 and 320.2.2. Additive manufacturing equipment and operations that do not comply with Section 320.2 shall comply with Section 320.3.

320.2.1 Listing. 3D printers used in nonindustrial additive manufacturing shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2011, UL 60950-1 or UL 62368-1. The listing shall also verify:

1. The 3D printers are self-contained and utilize maximum 30-liter prepackaged production materials.
2. The operation of the 3D printers shall not create a hazardous (classified) electrical area or zone outside the unit.
3. If any hazardous (classified) electrical area or zone exists inside the unit’s outer enclosure, the area shall be protected by intrinsically safe electrical construction or other acceptable protection methods.
4. The 3D printers shall not utilize inert gas or an external combustible dust collection system.

320.2.2 Occupancies. Nonindustrial additive manufacturing shall be permitted in all occupancy groups.

Industrial additive manufacturing equipment and operations shall comply with Sections 320.3.1 through 320.3.12.

320.3.1 Permits required. Permits shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 105.5 prior to engaging in industrial additive manufacturing operations.

320.3.2 Listing. 3D printers used in industrial additive manufacturing shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2011 or approved for the application based on a field evaluation conducted by an approved agency.

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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

320.3.3 Combustible dusts and metals. Industrial additive manufacturing operations that store, use or produce combustible dust, combustible particulate solids or combustible metals shall comply with Chapter 22 and this section.

320.3.4 Powder evaluation. Printing powders used in industrial additive manufacturing operations shall be tested for combustibility in accordance with NFPA 484 or NFPA 652 as applicable. A copy of test reports shall be provided to the fire code official upon request.

320.3.5 Combustible (nonmetallic) dusts. Industrial additive manufacturing operations that store, use or produce combustible (nonmetallic) dusts shall comply with NFPA 654.

320.3.6 Combustible metals. Industrial additive manufacturing operations that store or use combustible metals shall comply with NFPA 484.

320.3.7 Ancillary equipment. Ancillary equipment provided for recycling, sieving, vacuuming or handling combustible powders shall be designed and approved for such use.

320.3.8 Hazardous materials. Industrial additive manufacturing operations that store or use hazardous materials exceeding the maximum allowable quantity limits shall comply with Chapter 50.

320.3.9 Inert gas. Additive manufacturing processes that utilize inert gases shall comply with Chapter 53. Ventilation or gas detection shall be provided in accordance with Section 5307.

320.3.10 Technical assistance. Where required by the fire code official, a report evaluating the acceptability of technologies, processes, products, facilities, materials and uses associated with the operation shall be provided in accordance with Section 104.8.2 and approved.

320.3.11 Performance-based design alternative. Where approved by the fire code official, buildings and facilities where industrial additive manufacturing is performed shall be permitted to comply with the performance-based design options in Section 5001.3 as an alternative to compliance with the other requirements set forth in this section.

320.3.12 Occupancies. Industrial additive manufacturing shall be conducted only in the occupancy groups associated with manufacturing operation and permitted by the Chapter 50 maximum allowable quantity tables. Where approved, the requirements in Section 320.3.6 shall be permitted to provide the technical basis for determining compliance with Table 5003.1.1(1), Note q.