National Fire Protection Association

National Fire Protection Association
AbbreviationNFPA
FoundedNovember 6, 1896; 128 years ago (November 6, 1896)[1]
TypeNonprofit
FocusIndustry standards, publications, conferences
HeadquartersQuincy, Massachusetts, U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
Members (2023)
50,000
President and CEO
Jim Pauley[2]
Volunteers (2023)
9,000
Websitenfpa.org

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a U.S.-based international nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards.[2][3] As of 2023, the NFPA claims to have 50,000 members and 9,000 volunteers working with the organization through its 250 technical committees.[4][5]

History

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In 1895, a Committee on Automatic Sprinkler Protection was formed in Massachusetts by men affiliated with several fire insurance companies and a pipe manufacturer to develop a uniform standard for the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems. At the time, there were nine such standards in effect within 100 miles (160 km) of Boston, Massachusetts, and such diversity was causing great difficulties for plumbers working in the New England region.[6]

The next year, the committee published its initial report on a uniform standard, and went on to form the NFPA in late 1896. The committee's initial report evolved into NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, the most widely used fire sprinkler standard.[6]

Around 1904, the NFPA began to expand its membership from affiliates of fire insurance companies to many other organizations and individuals, and also expanded its mission beyond promulgating fire sprinkler standards.[6]

In 2024, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's final Phase 2 report noted that the NFPA's prescriptive approach to drafting its standards "reflects a conservative approach to fire safety which is embedded in North American culture" and the NFPA standards "allow little scope for independent design choices".[7] The Inquiry found that it would be inappropriate to transpose the NFPA approach to fire safety into the British context where the functional approach has been prevalent for many decades, but also found that the UK could learn something from the American tradition that those persons "involved in the design, construction and inspection of buildings" must have a license or certification to establish a minimum level of competence in their field.[7]

Codes and standards

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The association publishes more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. The codes and standards are administered by more than 250 technical committees consisting of approximately 9,000 volunteers.[8]

Mascot

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Sparky the Fire Dog

Sparky the Fire Dog is the official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association. Created in 1951 to promote fire safety education for children,[9][10] he is a Dalmatian dressed in firefighting gear.

A children's book about Sparky by Don Hoffman was published in 2011. He serves as the spokesdog for Fire Prevention Week each October in the United States and Canada.

References

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  1. ^ Freitag, Joseph Kendall (1921). Fire Prevention and Fire Protection as Applied to Building Construction: A Handbook of Theory and Practice (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. p. 52.
  2. ^ a b "NFPA Leadership". National Fire Protection Association. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  3. ^ "National Fire Protection Association - NFPA". Healthfinder.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  4. ^ "NFPA overview". National Fire Protection Association. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "About NFPA". National Fire Protection Association. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Jones, A. Maurice Jr. (2021). Fire Protection Systems (3rd ed.). Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 22. ISBN 9781284180138. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Moore-Bick, Martin; Akbor, Ali; Istephan, Thouria (September 2024). Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report of the Public Inquiry into the Fire at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017, Vol. 7 (PDF). London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office. p. 220.
  8. ^ "List of NFPA Codes and Standards". National Fire Protection Association. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "Sparky". Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  10. ^ "History of Fire Safety Mascots in America". Fire & Life Safety America. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
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