NFPA took shape in 1896 when insurance executives needed help with the ways sprinklers were being installed. Nine different standards for sprinklers were being used within a 100-mile radius of Boston. Organizations gathered, resulting in NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems - the first NFPA standard. The electrical community had a similar issue surrounding the safe use of electrical equipment and developed the "National Electrical Code of 1897." These pivotal moments positioned NFPA as the fire protection and electrical authority, and served as the springboard for the association becoming a global leader in building, fire, electrical, and life safety.
This code on sprinkler regulations, which would eventually become NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, was NFPA's first code. It was created in 1896, NFPA's inaugural year, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Uberto C. Crosby was the second President of NFPA, serving in the role from 1897-1899. Crosby's penchant for bringing different groups of people together to agree upon general principles in the interest of safety is still the way NFPA Technical Committees operate today.
The first NFPA offices were in downtown Boston, MA - initially at 87 Milk Street (1909), then 40 Central Street (1923), then at 60 Batterymarch Street from 1929-1981. In 1981, NFPA moved its headquarters 10 miles south to a newly purchased and developed property in Quincy, MA (Batterymarch Park).
Originally appointed in 1900, the Committee on Devices and Materials analyzed and tested equipment such as sprinklers and extinguishers to find potential improvements to be adopted into codes and standards by NFPA.
In 1907, the first edition of NFPA Quarterly was published with Henry Fiske as editor. Previously, it was published as the "Quarterly Bulletin" of the NFPA Committee on Special Hazards, beginning in 1903.
First published in 1897, NFPA assumed the responsibility of facilitating development and publication of the National Electrical Code® (NEC) in 1911. Adopted in all 50 states, the NEC, coded as NFPA 70®, is the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards.
One of the deadliest fires in US history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire occurred in Greenwich Village, NY and caused the death of 146 workers, many of whom were between the ages of 14-23. The tragedy led to the Buildings Exit Code, which became the life safety code.
Originally, fire wagons were transported via horse. Fire horses were an integral part of early fire departments, and they were categorized into three weight classes to transport equipment such as hoses and ladders.
Wentworth was CEO and managing director of NFPA for 30 years. Among his many accomplishments was a campaign to clean up major fire hazards in cities across America.
The first annual meeting of the National Fire Protection Association was held in New York in May of 1897. During this meeting the Articles of Association that had been initially adopted on November 6, 1986 were amended and approved by the members.
The first sprinkler system was created in 1912, but the technology harkens back to the 1870s, with new notable improvements made in the 1890s. Initially used in commercial buildings, automatic sprinkler systems are now present in nearly every type of building.
Everett U. Crosby was the first secretary of NFPA. The son of Uberto C. Crosby (the second NFPA president), Everett also worked as chair of the Board of Directors from 1903-1906. He was the first person to champion data collection related to fire and loss.
Fire alarms are a crucial piece of fire and life safety, as their swift usage can help evacuate a building, alert the local department, and save lives. NFPA 72® National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code® outlines safety provisions for fire alarms and signaling.
"Field Practice" was the original title of the NFPA inspection manual. The manual was issued by NFPA to provide guidance to fire departments, property owners, and inspectors.
The eighth edition of the Crosby-Fiske-Forster Handbook of Fire Protection was published in 1935. The Handbook aims to provide "the essential information on fire prevention and fire protection that time has crystallized into good practice".
The Building Exits Code, now known as NFPA 101® Life Safety Code®, helped to make workers safer in the early days of the twentieth century.
Technical Committee Meetings have always been a key component of the NFPA codes and standards process. Amendments to codes and standards are proposed and discussed during NFPA Technical Committee Meetings.
Percy Bugbee was General Manager and CEO of NFPA from 1939-1969. During his tenure, NFPA increased the number of technical committees, their scope, and the number of standards created by them. He also oversaw initiatives to grow NFPA membership by 400%.
Percy Bugbee was General Manager and CEO of NFPA from 1939-1969. During his tenure, NFPA increased the number of technical committees, their scope, and the number of standards created by them. He also oversaw initiatives to grow NFPA membership by 400%.
The Cocoanut Grove Fire was one of the most iconic building fires in time and remains the deadliest nightclub fire in the US. Aside from underscoring building and life safety challenges and fire protection voids, the fire led to improvements in burn survivor care. One such innovation included the use of penicillin to prevent further infection of the burn spots.
NFPA sprinkler requirements are currently covered under NFPA 13, which covers all automatic sprinkler systems; NFPA 13D, which covers sprinklers in one- and two-family homes; NFPA 13E, which covers recommended sprinkler practice for fire departments; and NFPA 13R, which covers sprinklers in low-rise residential buildings.
There are plenty of ways to decrease fire risk during spring cleaning, including checking smoke alarms, organizing electrical cords, cleaning out grills and outside fire pits, and, as the ad says, taking out your trash.
NFPA has observed Fire Prevention Week since 1922, and in 1925 it was adopted by President Calvin Coolidge to be a national observance. It is the longest running public awareness observance.
Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve in the President's Cabinet, working as Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945. She championed labor rights, and became a Life Safety advocate after witnessing the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Perkins was also one of first female NFPA members.
President Harry S. Truman established the President's Conference on Fire Prevention in 1947 to address losses from fire in the US. It emphasized focusing on the three Es to prevent fire loss: engineering, enforcement, and education.
President Harry S. Truman called the President's Conference on Fire Prevention in 1947 to address losses from fire in the US. The program emphasized three Es to prevent fire loss: engineering, enforcement, and education.
The Hartford Circus Fire occurred on July 6, 1944, and is one of the deadliest fires in US history. Much of the damage was due to paraffin wax waterproofing on the tent, which is highly flammable, and to exits being blocked by animal cages.
Paul Lamb spent a total of 35 years with NFPA, serving as President for a short time. He was incredibly focused on fire safety. The Paul C. Lamb award is named after him, and it is the highest award NFPA bestows.
The Our Lady of the Angels Fire occurred at a Chicago school on December 1, 1958 and killed 92 children and three nuns. The tragic incident was a turning point in school safety.
One of Sparky's biggest tasks as the NFPA mascot is to keep children engaged and actively learning about fire safety. Sparky's coloring books are a terrific hands-on way to teach young children about fire safety through words and pictures.
Charles Morgan was the first CEO in NFPA history to serve as president too (1969-1979). Morgan stressed the importance of viewing fire as an "ever-present threat". He is known for advising audiences to take precautions at all times, messaging that has remained constant with NFPA.
The 69th NFPA annual meeting, held in Washington, DC, featured a record number of attendees, an aviation seminar, and a presentation from the Fire Marshals Association of North America.
The legendary Dick Van Dyke assisted NFPA with public education efforts by filming some TV spots for "Learn Not to Burn". The messaging was released as part of Fire Prevention Week in 1987.
Co-published by NFPA and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills delivers broad-based fundamental knowledge and instruction modernized to address the realities of fighting fires that grow faster, have increased flashover potential, and burn hotter than before.
Sparky takes to the screen to educate kids on fire safety using a fun song to help them remember what to do when the smoke alarm starts going off.
NFPA 1500™, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program, specifies the minimum requirements for organizations that provide rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials mitigation, special operations, and other emergency services.
The Jan/Feb 2011 edition of NFPA Journal highlighted safety training for electric vehicles, changes to NFPA 101, kids and safety messaging, and a preview of the 2011 NFPA Conference & Expo.
Fire Power shows the patterns of smoke and flames as they spread through a residence...quickly making escape virtually impossible. It then demonstrates the enormous effect automatic sprinklers have on the speed of fire suppression and the extent of property damage.
Fire Power shows the patterns of smoke and flames as they spread through a residence...quickly making escape virtually impossible. It then demonstrates the enormous effect automatic sprinklers have on the speed of fire suppression and the toll of property damage.
America Burning is a 1973 report from the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control that concluded that fire prevention and safety education are critical for reducing fire loss. NFPA played a vital role in this work.
George D. Miller was president of NFPA from 1992-2002, and was the first outsider hired to the position. Miller focused on staff morale and increased membership by over 14,500, including adding many international members.
This publication's mission was to provide the resources and information that fire service leaders of the 1980s needed to respond effectively to the challenges of a changing society. Fire Service Today also reflected the numerous changes that were occurring at NFPA, including new leadership and programs – all designed to enhance the association's ability to address contemporary fire safety issues.
NFPA 70E® Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® helps companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast.
Ground-fault circuit-interrupters, or GFCIs, are devices designed to prevent fires and electric shock, and are required by the National Electrical Code (NEC). Since their implementation in 1971, there has been an 83% drop in electrocutions, and a 95% drop in electrocutions caused specifically by consumer products.
In general, three-prong plugs are safer than two-prong plugs because the bottom prong is grounded. This helps reduce risk of short-circuits, and thus the risk of electrical fires or injuries.
In general, three-prong plugs are safer than two-prong plugs because the bottom prong is grounded. This helps reduce risk of short-circuits, and thus the risk of electrical fires or injuries.
The 100th anniversary of NFPA was in 1996, and was covered in the May/June issue of NFPA Journal. Not only did the issue look back on the NFPA roadmap and how the organization was looking forward, it also reported on the differences in fire safety knowledge in the United States and globally.
Sparky celebrated his 50th birthday on March 18, 2001. As NFPA turns 125, Sparky turns 70. He has been the NFPA mascot since 1951.
Ground-fault circuit-interrupters, or GFCIs, are devices designed to prevent fires and electric shock, and are required by the National Electrical Code (NEC). Since their implementation in 1971, there has been an 83% drop in electrocutions, and a 95% drop in electrocutions caused specifically by consumer products.
Every fire department has fire trucks, as their extinguishing strength and ability to hold crew and equipment is vital. NFPA 1901 Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus outlines NFPA guidelines for fire trucks to help fire departments operate them as safely as possible.
NEC Digest was a magazine highlighting issues surrounding the National Electrical Code (NEC). Publication ceased in 2007.
Fire Command was a publication produced by NFPA. It featured advisements and guidance on codes and regulations, as well as guest editorials from fire department representatives.
Sprinklers are crucial to preventing the spread of fires. Sprinklers save lives and property by acting fast to slow the spread of flames.
The Jan/Feb 1991 edition of NFPA Journal highlighted the relationship between fire protection and environmental protection, as well as NFPA 820 Standard for Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities.
E.D.I.T.H. stands for Exit Drills In The Home. It serves to remind families to practice exit routes and to be prepared for fire emergencies.
Fire hydrant requirements are listed under NFPA 1 Fire Code. Requirements include minimum amounts needed for fire flow and clearance space around hydrants.
The 2004 Fire Prevention Week theme was "Test Your Smoke Alarms". The thrust of the campaign was home fires and educating people on steps they can take to reduce risk.
NFPA 1600® Standard on Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management, was recommended to the 9/11 Commission to be used as the national preparedness standard.
Smoke alarms are vitally important to protecting lives in the event of a fire. It is crucial to test all smoke alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working properly.
Corinne Broderick was the first female Chair of the NFPA Board of Directors. She served in the role from 2002-2004. Broderick received the Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association.
The 2001 Nov/Dec issue of NFPA Journal focused on the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, as well as looking back at the eight NFPA members who died on September 11.
In 2004, NFPA signed a translation agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to begin translating codes and standards into Chinese. This was done to help the city of Beijing prepare to keep everyone safe at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Remembering When™ is an NFPA public education initiative designed to help older adults with fire and fall prevention. It is centered around 16 key safety messages developed by experts from national and local safety organizations, as well as through focus-group testing in high-fire-risk states.
NFPA created the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes in 2006 to save lives and prevent injuries and damage that result from cigarette-ignited fires. Since then, all 50 US States have passed fire-safe cigarette laws.
NFPA Journal looked at crisis response planning during the construction of the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai (now known as the Burj Khalifa).
Former NFPA President Jim Shannon, staff, and board members visit Former Board Chair and New Orleans Fire Chief Warren McDaniels at one of his stations following Hurricane Katrina.
Dedicated to all those who, throughout our rich and productive history, have worked for and joined with NFPA to reduce loss from fire, electrical, and other hazards. Our combined efforts and passion for safety have made the world a safer place. As we have in the past, we forge ahead to meet the challenges of the times in unrelenting pursuit of our vision.
The NFPA Learn Not to Burn® program teaches children educational strategies that are positive and practical. The program is designed for preschoolers through Grade 2.
In 2008, NFPA announced a $6 million endowment to the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF). Established in 1982, the Foundation has facilitated major research efforts to address industry challenges in areas including detection and signaling, hazardous materials, electrical safety, fire suppression, storage of commodities, and firefighter protective clothing and equipment.
Learn Something New is an educational video series, found on the NFPA YouTube channel, that explores topics related to fire, electrical, and life safety hazards.
NFPA hosts a yearly Conference & Exposition on fire and life safety. In 2021, a 125th Anniversary Conference Series was introduced to ensure that NFPA stakeholders stayed up to speed on safety topics, while the coronavirus still played out.
Shannon, a former member of the US House of Representatives and a former Massachusetts Attorney General, was president of NFPA from 2002-2014. Shannon concluded his 12-year tenure in 2014 with an exceptional record of advocacy to reduce fire loss. The Shannon Advocacy Medal was named after him and recognizes an individual who has shown extraordinary passion and persistence in their fire safety efforts.
In Sparky's 60th birthday year, he was chosen to take part in an online contest for the most popular icons and slogans. It is a testament to Sparky's impact on educating the general public on fire prevention that he was chosen to take part.
NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Civil Defence officials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Sparky is immortalized here in his iconic fire service outfit. Sparky has educated the general public on fire prevention since his creation in 1951.
In the final issue of 2020, NFPA Journal examined the worsening global wildfire crisis and reported on the historically massive and destructive wildfire season in the western part of the United States.
NFPA Journal explored smart firefighting and wrote about New York City harnessing big data to predict where a fire might strike next.
The NFPA Responder Forum brings together fire service leaders, up-and-coming first responders, and subject matter experts to tackle emerging issues faced by the fire service.
The Great Escape was a three-year public education plan to help families prepare and practice home fire escape plans. By the end of the 2000 campaign, more than 5 million families had created home fire escape plans.
NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley accepts white papers on new emerging response threats. The guidance was developed by members of the fire service as part of their NFPA Responder Forum responsibilities.
The Grenfell Tower Fire was one of the deadliest fires in UK history, killing 72 and injuring just as many residents of the building. It became an example of a failure that would lead to the development of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem.
NFPA Badging allows professionals and practitioners to authenticate knowledge and capabilities via social media and email signatures. The Silver Badge (Knowledge) confirms that a learning event has been successfully completed, an assessment has been passed, and knowledge, facts, rules, and techniques have been acquired.
This 2020 Fire Protection Research Foundation report on combustible gas found that better performance was observed when detectors were placed closer to the leak source, when there was an unobstructed path between the detector and the leak source, and when the detector alarm threshold was lower.
NFPA members can join different sections to tailor NFPA benefits to their professions, such as the Fire Service Section. This section is open to current and former fire service members, and aims to unite members for mutual professional benefit.
This issue of NFPA Journal looked at the rapid increase in liquefied natural gas supply and demand, the massive build out of infrastructure, the growing diversity of uses, and what it all means for designers, enforcers, and first responders.
NFPA 1700 Guide for Structural Fire Fighting was released in November 2020. It is the first NFPA document connecting fire dynamics research to response strategy, tactics, and best practices for firefighters controlling fires within a structure. The association also offers training on this science-based standard.
The NFPA Needs Assessment survey is generated every five years to summarize major needs of the U.S. fire service. The information allows departments to assess what they have and how their status stacks up against consensus standards, government regulations, and other nationally recognized guidance that identifies what fire departments need to be safe and effective.
Co-published by NFPA and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills delivers fundamental knowledge and current day guidance on the realities of fighting fires that grow faster, have increased flashover potential, and burn hotter than before. The Instructor's Toolkit is available to help spread current knowledge to members of the fire service.
The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating wide audiences on the value of home fire sprinklers. It was created by NFPA, NFSA, and AFSA in 1996.
When a new standard is being created, NFPA follows this specific process each time. It includes four steps: the Public Input Stage, the Public Comment Stage, the NFPA Technical Meeting, and the Council Appeals and Issuance of Standard. Input from the public and stakeholders is crucial to the development process.
Each year, NFPA Journal takes a look at the previous year's Fire Loss report. In 2014, the 1,298,000 fires reported by fire departments resulted in an estimated 3,275 civilian deaths, 1.1 percent more than occurred in 2013 and the highest the number has been since 2008.
NFPA was an early adopter of social media to engage audiences and share safety information and knowledge. It continues to provide greater and faster reach across the globe.
Ten years after the 9/11 attacks, NFPA Journal looked at how the incident influenced NFPA codes and standards.
In 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NFPA released guidelines and tip sheets including this sheet in Arabic, co-produced by the Saudi Patient Safety Center.
NFPA celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006 by reflecting back on fire protection challenges and advancements, and emphasizing ongoing public education efforts.
NFPA 72® National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code® provides the latest safety provisions to meet society's changing fire detection, signaling, and emergency communications demands. In addition to the core focus on fire alarm systems, the Code includes requirements for mass notification systems used for weather emergencies; terrorist events; biological, chemical, and nuclear emergencies; and other threats.
International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week occurs annually, and is geared toward injury prevention. EMS outlets are encouraged to analyze their operations and determine if personnel has the educational insights and equipment to perform their jobs safely.
While the 2017 edition of the NEC was in production, The NFPA Policy Institute launched and quickly conducted research to determine if electrical codes were being followed by state jurisdictions. Findings showed that nearly one-third of U.S. states have skipped one or more updates in the past 10 years and many have amended the code to remove safety regulations.
In 2016, the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that health care facilities had to meet the requirements of the 2012 editions of NFPA 99 Health Facilities Code and NFPA 101® Life Safety Code®.
Launched in 2021, Outthink Wildfire is a comprehensive strategy to address America’s wildfire crisis. The initiative lays out five policy changes that must occur at all levels of government to end the destruction of communities from wildfire in the U.S. in the next 30 years.
Sprinkler requirements are currently covered under NFPA 13, which covers all automatic sprinkler systems; NFPA 13D, which covers sprinklers in one- and two-family homes; NFPA 13E, which covers recommended sprinkler practice for fire departments; and NFPA 13R, which covers sprinklers in low-rise residential buildings.
The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition was established in 1996 by NFPA, NFSA and AFSA to provide home fire sprinkler information. The Coalition solely focuses on education about the value of home fire sprinklers.
NFPA 2400 Standard for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Used for Public Safety Operations provides guidance on small unmanned aircraft systems for all public safety departments that operate sUAS. The standard provides much-needed guidance to response organizations, as drone usage continues to rise.
The life-saving advantage that sets this home apart is the presence of residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers in the home reduce the spread of home fires, and can save both lives and property.
NFPA research shows that home fires cause serious injuries, property damage, and civilian death. Most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes: cooking, heating, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.
Electrical safety is a significant health and safety concern in the workplace. Employers and employees follow NFPA 70E® Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® to prevent electrical incidents, and ultimately save lives and reduce injuries.
All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed for free online via NFPA Free Access.
NFPA offers certification exams, such as the Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) exam, to industry professionals looking to advance their careers. NFPA offers a variety of Learning Paths to those preparing for these exams, as well.
Launched in 2020, NFPA LiNK™ is transforming the way NFPA information and knowledge is delivered and used globally. NFPA LiNK provides digital access to NFPA® codes and standards, and allows users to utilize dynamic search functionality, bookmarking, and better collaborate with others.
Introduced in 2021, CRAIG 1300 is the NFPA Community Risk Assessment Insight Generator. It is a user-friendly dashboard with customized maps, graphs, and charts to help identify and illustrate local needs and utilize best practices from NFPA 1300 to support CRR initiatives.
Sprinkler requirements are currently covered under NFPA 13, which covers all automatic sprinkler systems; NFPA 13D, which covers sprinklers in one- and two-family homes; NFPA 13E, which covers recommended sprinkler practice for fire departments; and NFPA 13R, which covers sprinklers in low-rise residential buildings.
In 2021, Amy Acton assumed her role as Chair of the NFPA Board of Directors. She is the second woman to serve in this role. A burn survivor herself, Acton serves as the CEO of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.
This healthcare-themed issue of NFPA Journal includes features on barrier separations in hospitals and other health care occupancies. The issue examined the usefulness—and the potential pitfalls—of social media during large-scale emergencies.
NFPA offers practice and training assistance for those studying for certification exams, with practice exams, sample lessons, and exam preparation all available for purchase to assist with studying.
NFPA released NFPA 855 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, the first comprehensive collection of criteria for the fire protection of Energy Storage System (ESS) installations, in 2019. Current editions of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code® and NFPA 1 Fire Code also contain extensive requirements for ESS fire safety.
Introduced in 2018, the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem is a framework that identifies the components that must work together to minimize risk and help prevent loss, injuries, and death from fire, electrical, and other hazards. There are eight interdependent components to the Ecosystem.
NFPA CodeFinder helps users find where NFPA codes and standards have been adopted into law across the US and around the world. It also shows what versions of each code have been adopted by location.
The 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme was "Serve up Fire Safety in the Kitchen". Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the US.
Both NFPA 704 Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response and OSHA's HazCom 2012 are vital for working with hazardous chemicals since they both address different areas. HazCom addresses how workers can safely work with these chemicals, while NFPA 704 gives guidance to emergency personnel responding to a fire or spill.
The NFPA Firewise USA® recognition program is a public education initiative aimed at helping people learn about wildfire and how to protect their homes and communities. The initiative has reached over 1.5 million residents.
NFPA offers classroom and online training. Courses are designed to educate professionals and practitioners on updates to codes and standards, and proper practices to stay in alignment with NFPA guidelines.
Jim Pauley is leading the charge as president and CEO of the global fire safety organization. Pauley assumed the role in 2014 after a 30-year career in the electrical and energy industry. He has been involved with NFPA since 1993, serving on NEC panels and committees, as well as the Standards Council for 14 years.
NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley worked with NFPA senior staff to introduce a new NFPA mission statement. In explaining the mission, Pauley stated, "we're not done until everybody comes home—first responders, electrical workers, the public—and until everybody has a home to come back to."
NFPA applauds all women working in STEM fields, and is especially proud to have so many female engineers and researchers on staff.
The total number of fires in the US has decreased drastically since the 1970s, largely due to the widespread use of smoke alarms, code enforcement, and increased public awareness. Though that number is down, there is still more work to be done. On average, a home fire death occurs every three hours and 10 minutes, and a home fire injury occurs every 43 minutes.
Jim Pauley, NFPA's President and CEO, delivered his keynote speech at the 2017 Conference & Expo. The program featured sessions tailored specifically to professions, as well as more hands-on experiences and learning opportunities for attendees.
A key part of the NFPA codes and standards process is Technical Committee Meetings which take place immediately after Conference & Expo each year. These meetings are where the text of codes and standards are amended and updated to reflect new guidance and needs.
Faces of Fire is an awareness campaign that features personal stories of those impacted by fire including burn survivors whose lives have been forever altered. The campaign is critical in raising awareness about the importance of fire and electrical safety.
The NFPA Headquarters in Quincy, MA took on a different look for a week in 2020. The building was ablaze in red to honor fallen firefighters, an awareness strategy started by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced NFPA, like many other organizations, to transition to fully remote operations. NFPA embraced its role as a global building, fire, electrical, and life safety leader during the coronavirus. Throughout the pandemic, NFPA helped authorities to close buildings, mobilize healthcare operations, protect responders, reopen facilities, and address temporary life safety challenges.
Current president and CEO of NFPA, Jim Pauley, has held the role since 2014. Pauley spent 30 years in the electrical and energy industry prior to taking the reigns of NFPA. He has been involved with NFPA since 1993, serving on NEC panels, committees, and on the Standards Council for 14 years. He was chair of the Standards Council for six years.
NFPA 1 is the Fire Code. It advances fire and life safety for the public and first responders as well as property protection by providing a comprehensive, integrated approach to fire code regulation and hazard management. It addresses all the bases with extracts from and references to more than 130 NFPA codes and standards.
We help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, and passion.
As NFPA celebrates its 125th, the association produces more than 325 consensus codes and standards covering thousands of scenarios and industries and influencing every building, process, design, service, and installation around the world.
More than 250 technical committees, made up of over 9,000 volunteers from more than 40 countries represent a wide range of interests.
Virtually every building, process, service, design, and installation is affected by more than 325 NFPA codes and standards, which are all viewable for free online. These documents reflect changing industry needs and evolving technologies, supported by research and development, and practical experience.
NFPA studies fire data to provide insights about the overall fire problem, firefighter fatalities and injuries, major fire causes, fire protection systems, and many other topics. Through the Fire Protection Research Foundation we work with organizations around the world to investigate emerging fire safety hazards and solutions.
Public Education is a pillar of NFPA. The association develops the messages and programs used extensively by public educators to teach others how to take action to reduce harm to property and people.
NFPA takes an aggressive approach to advocating for changes that will result in reducing loss from fire and other hazards. NFPA joins with other organizations to promote relevant topics and safety initiatives.