What is the NFPA?

NFPA stands for the National Fire Protection Association. It is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1896 with the goal of eliminating death, injuries, property damage, and other issues related to fire and electrical related dangers. The association is perhaps best known for the various codes and standards that they publish to help accomplish their goals. These codes begin with “NFPA” and are then followed with a number, or a number and letter combination. Each one is a standard for a specific thing related to improving safety.

Common NFPA Codes & Standards

While there are a lot of different codes and standards published by the NFPA, some of them are much more commonly used than others. Companies in all types of situations should at least be aware of the most common codes so that they can be followed. Examples of these would include:

• NFPA 10 – The Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
• NFPA 13 – Standards for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
• NFPA 70 – The National Electrical Code
• NFPA 70E – The Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
• NFPA 921 – A Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations

Promotion of Safety for All

Unlike many other industry safety associations that focus almost exclusively on workplace safety, the NFPA is dedicated to safety for everyone. Their standards are often used for residential situations, and most people will have some type of NFPA approved devices in their home, even if they don’t know it. The NFPA even has a mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog, to help promote fire safety and education to children. While the NFPA has been around for over 120 years, they still work hard to be relevant and up to date with modern situations. This is especially important because of the fact that electrical systems are advancing so quickly that the requirements for safety are always being changed.