John,
As for the "consensus standard" issue, I think that particular canard was put to rest by the Veeck case. Once a standard is adopted as law, law it is ... no matter how it was written. On the "down" side, you get to obey it. On the "plus" side, the "author" can kiss his copyright priveledges good-bye.
That case is only "law" in the three states of the 5th District, however it can be cited in any case. I think that the fact that all NFPA documents can be read online for free was a response to that case and if and when the isssue is revisted by another District, I would expect that the online availability of the NFPA documents would have some bearing o the outcome of the case.
Don
