Below are issues from 2018-present.
To search issues 1991-2017, visit the NFPA Research Library and Archives.

 

2021

  • Fall 2021

    Fire protection for flying taxis and energy storage systems, fire safety in the United States since 1980, what the Florida condo collapse means for similar buildings across the country, and much more.

  • Summer 2021

    In this issue of NFPA Journal, a look back—and forward—as NFPA celebrates its 125th anniversary; notable changes to the 2022 editions of NFPA codes and standards as well as a project to consolidate documents; and a new edition of NFPA 241 and resources aimed at stemming the surge in massive, costly construction fires. Plus, conversations with experts about community risk reduction and reopening buildings after the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Winter 2021

    Fire safety in an increasingly urbanized world, putting a stop to human human trafficking, Beirut a year after its catastrophic port blast, flood risk in the United States, and much more.

  • Spring 2021

    This issue of NFPA Journal marks our shift to a quarterly publication schedule, part of an exciting new identity that adds a robust web presence to the award-winning print magazine. Our Spring 2021 issue includes updates on cybersecurity, cutting-edge sprinkler technology, and how the pandemic has produced a raft of innovations in NFPA’s codes and standards development process. The issue also includes an in-depth look at a groundbreaking new effort designed to reduce the destruction caused by wildfires.

2020

  • November/December 2020

    In this issue, NFPA Journal examines the worsening global wildfire crisis as a historically massive and destructive wildfire season comes to a close in the western United States. Also, we look at a new gas detection standard from NFPA, and the battle to prevent fires in refugee camps. PLUS: the 2019 Firefighter Injuries and Large-Loss Fires reports, a new study on volunteer firefighter retention, and much more.

  • September/October 2020

    In this issue, NFPA Journal examines the challenges of responding to large-scale disasters during a pandemic, the introduction of NFPA LiNK, and how the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem can help explain the devastating Beirut, Lebanon, explosion. PLUS: the 2019 Fire Loss and Catastrophic-Multiple Death Fires reports, how to prevent losses from fire in historic buildings, and much more.

  • July/August 2020

    In this issue, NFPA Journal details the return of crowds in a post–COVID-19 world, the push toward remote video inspections, and the latest in crowd management research. PLUS: A look at how a cannabis-related explosion in Los Angeles could set the industry back, an interview with a wildfire preparedness coordinator, the 2019 US Firefighter Fatalities report, and much more.

  • May/June 2020

    In this issue, NFPA Journal examines the far-reaching impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the Grenfell Tower fire three years later, significant code changes for 2021, and home fire sprinkler incentives. PLUS: How COVID-19 could make preparing for and responding to natural disasters harder, a new global set of building fire safety principles, and more.

  • March/April 2020

    In this issue, NFPA Journal examines the growing world of 3D-printed buildings, a new and controversial proposal to haul large amounts of liquefied natural gas on trains in the United States, and how one massive fire 40 years ago affected a tiny town in Canada. PLUS: A conversation about recovery in Australia in the wake of its devastating wildfire season, #StrongAugusta, and more.

  • January/February 2020

    In this issue, NFPA Journal examines electric vehicle safety, the emerging community health care model, fires in international hospitals, how the famed Getty Museum in Los Angeles stays safe during wildfires, durable medical equipment, and more.

2019

  • November/December 2019

    In this issue, NFPA Journal examines the lasting legacy of the Worcester cold storage warehouse fire 20 years after the deadly incident, the fire problem in Brazil and how it relates to the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem, and the future of emergency exit signage. PLUS: The 2018 NFPA Large-Loss Fires and Firefighter Injuries reports.

  • September/October 2019

    In this issue, NFPA Journal details the challenges of responding to fires on large marine vessels and the threats such incidents can pose to nearby communities; how designers in Washington, DC, transformed a historic cold storage facility into a state-of-the-art museum; and fire and life safety in schools in the age of active shooters. PLUS: The 2018 NFPA Catastrophic Multiple Death Fires and Fire Loss reports.

  • July/August 2019

    In this issue, NFPA Journal details the successful response to a series of massive gas explosions and fires in three Massachusetts towns in 2018; the growing escape room industry and how it's kept safe; and how armies of volunteers are using social media to radically alter the response to disasters. PLUS: A look at the worldwide risks that persist two years after the Grenfell Tower fire, the 2018 US Firefighter Fatalities report, and much more.

  • May June 2019 NFPA Journal Cover
    May/June 2019 2019 NFPA Conference & Expo

    In this issue, NFPA Journal details how the San Antonio, Texas, Fire Department became one of the most innovative departments in the country; how smart technology is poised to revolutionize fire and life safety building systems; and how motion picture and television sets can remain safe from fire. PLUS: A comprehensive look at some of the highlights of the 2019 NFPA Conference & Expo in San Antonio, Texas.

  • March April 2019 NFPA Journal Cover
    March/April 2019 Industrial & Storage Occupancies

    In this issue, NFPA Journal looks at the fire problem in parking garages, the growing modular construction industry, how the longest government shutdown in US history could affect the 2019 wildfire season, and more. Plus, an exclusive, in-depth interview with new Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen.

  • January February Journal Cover
    January/February 2019 Health Care Occupancies

    In this issue, NFPA Journal looks at trends affecting the health care industry, including microhospitals and door gaps; violence against emergency medical services personnel and other first responders; the catastrophic Camp Fire; and much more.

2018

  • NFPA Journal Cover November December 2018
    November/December 2018 Protection Systems

    In this issue, NFPA Journal looks at the new-and-improved NFPA 150, Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code, referred to by some as the "Critter Life Safety Code"; a successful project to install smoke alarms in a shantytown in South Africa; and expert reactions to the catastrophic Brazil museum fire. PLUS the 2017 Firefighter Injuries and Large-Loss Fires and Explosions reports; and more.

  • September October 2018 Cover
    September/October 2018 Cultural, educational, and governmental occupancies

    In this issue, NFPA Journal explores new threats facing college campuses, the debate on using inmates to fight wildfires in California, integrating modern fire and life safety features into historic architecture, and much more. Plus, the 2017 Fire Loss and Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires in the United States reports.

  • July/August 2018 Assembly Occupancies

    In this issue, NFPA Journal details fire and life safety challenges of Macau's massive entertainment complexes; what the emergence of the booming legal cannabis industry means for regulators and fire officials; how the short-term rental industry presents oversight conundrums for building officials; volcanic eruptions in Hawaii; the 2017 U.S. Firefighter Fatality Report, and much more.

  • NFPA Journal May/June 2018 cover
    May/June 2018 2018 NFPA Conference & Expo/Emerging Issues

    In this issue, NFPA Journal details the creation and potential impact of NFPA 3000, a groundbreaking new provisional standard addressing active shooter/hostile event preparation, response, and recovery. PLUS: A comprehensive look at some of the highlights of the 2018 NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, including a host of emerging issues such as energy storage systems and tall wooden buildings; changes to the 2019 editions of NFPA 72 and NFPA 13; a firefighter's first-person account of his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder; and much more.

  • March April 2018 Journal Cover
    March/April 2018 Industrial & Storage Occupancies

    In this issue, NFPA Journal looks at the rapidly emerging commercial space industry and the growing need for more spaceports across the U.S. As more privately built spaceports to launch rockets are proposed, some experts worry about a lack of safety guidance. PLUS: fire safety in craft distilleries, UL's new smoke alarm standards and what they mean for the public, and much more.

  • January February 2018 Cover Image
    January/February 2018 Health Care Occupancies

    This issue of NFPA Journal looks at the complexities of wildfire policy. Why, even as our scientific knowledge of home ignition increases, are wildfires more destructive than ever? Politics, economics, psychology, and many other factors make challenging the status quo difficult. PLUS: A slew of health care focused stories including a look at dangerous gases used in dental offices; designing healthier fire houses; ride sharing apps versus ambulances, evidence-based hospital design, and much more.