NFPA protects the public’s daily health and safety (often without them even knowing it)

Our reach and impact

NFPA covers a wide range of issues that impact the daily health and safety of your constituents. Our technical codes and standards protect people at home, in virtually every building they enter, and beyond – most often without them even knowing it.

The overwhelmingly safe use of electricity; the virtual ubiquity of smoke alarms in homes; the exit signs and sprinkler systems required in public occupancies – these are just a few examples of the countless ways NFPA helps protect people from fire, electrical and related hazards each and every day.

Here are some of the issues and occupancies we cover:

• Electrical (National Electrical Code®)
• Fire service/firefighting
• EMS/first responders
• Fire and life safety technologies – Sprinkler systems, fire and smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms
• Hospitals/healthcare facilities
• Schools
• Public/entertainment venues – Theatres, nightclubs, sports arenas, shopping malls, restaurants
• Transportation – Alternative fuel vehicles, railroads, airports/aviation, boating/marina
• Chemicals and gas
• Wildfire
• Public education – Fire Prevention Week; seasonal/holiday safety; educational programs for multiple age groups and demographics
• Emerging issues – Energy storage systems/lithium ion batteries; active shooter planning; marijuana facilities

Public safety through collaboration

If you think about the health and safety issues facing your district, it’s likely that one or more of NFPA’s codes and standards plays a role in addressing them. That’s why we encourage congressional members and policy makers to contact us for input and assistance on those issues, and to see how we can support your efforts. Our subject matter experts, engineers and fire and life safety professionals are here to help.

Information and knowledge

Here’s a small sampling of the information, resources and guidance NFPA can provide in support of your congressional work:

• Statistical reports and data on the leading causes of U.S. home fires, as well as seasonal and holiday-related fire safety issues

• Data and resources to support legislation on issues that impact public safety, such as sprinkler requirements and wildland fires

• Educational programs that measurably increase fire and life safety for multiple age groups and demographics, including older adults, young children and multigenerational households

• Resources to address emerging issues within your jurisdiction, such as active shooter planning

• Statistical reports and data to justify funding for local fire departments and first responders

• Programs and resources to actively reduce wildfire’s impact on people and property.

Brochure

How our process works

This brochure explains NFPA's open, consensus-based standards development process. It means anyone can participate and expect fair and equal treatment. Because safety is everyone's business.

Download the brochure.

How we accomplish our work

NFPA develops 300 codes and standards that establish fire and life safety criteria for building, processing, design, service, and installation around the world. Through an open, consensus-based process that’s accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), our codes and standards are adopted on a federal, state, local and/or regional level, and are enforced by the authority having jurisdiction.

Our nationally recognized public education programs work to reduce multiple demographics’ risk to fire, while our public awareness campaigns and initiatives help educate the public about ways to increase their safety from fire and related hazards.