National Fire Protection Association 610745 225724661 2008-07-15T02:34:41Z 71.242.254.239 /* The NFPA today */ {{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}} The '''National Fire Protection Association''' (NFPA) is a [[United States|U.S.]] organization (albeit with some international members) charged with creating and maintaining minimum standards and requirements for fire prevention and suppression activities, training, and equipment, as well as other life-safety codes and standards. This includes everything from [[building code]]s to the personal protective equipment utilized by [[firefighter]]s while extinguishing a blaze. == History == The NFPA was formed in [[1896]] by a group of [[insurance]] firm representatives with the stated purpose of standardizing the new and burgeoning market of [[fire sprinkler]] systems. The scope of the NFPA's influence grew from sprinklers to include building electrical systems (another new and fast-growing technology), and then all aspects of building design and construction. Its original membership consisted of, and was limited to, insurance underwriting firms. There was little representation from the industries the NFPA sought to regulate. This changed in [[1904]] to allow other industries and individuals to participate actively in the development of the standards promulgated by the NFPA. The first fire department to be represented in the NFPA was the [[New York City Fire Department]] in [[1905]]. Today, the NFPA includes representatives from many fire departments, insurance companies, manufacturing associations, [[trade union|unions]], trade organizations, even average people. == The NFPA today == Headquartered in [[Quincy, Massachusetts]], U.S.A., the NFPA oversees the development and maintenance of over 300 codes and standards. A cadre of over 6000 [[volunteer]]s representing the fire service, insurance, business, industry, government, and consumers develops these documents. Many state, local, and national governments incorporate the standards and codes developed by the Association into their own law either verbatim, or with only minor modifications. Even when not written into law, the Association's standards and codes are typically accepted as a professional standard, and are recognized by many courts as such. This widespread acceptance is a testament to the broad representation and input received on all the NFPA's projects. There is a growing controversy regarding the presence of manufacturer's on NFPA's committees. Some first responders see the profit motivation of corporate employees as a conflict of interest. [[Image:Sparky the Fire Dog.gif|thumb|right|75px|Sparky the Fire Dog]] == Sparky the Fire Dog == NFPA's official mascot since [[1951]], Sparky hosts his [http://www.sparky.org/ own Web site] to teach children about fire safety and other important safety topics. Sparky has starred in his own series of TV public service announcements. == See also == * [[National Electrical Code (US)|NFPA 70]] - National Electrical Code (NEC) * [[NFPA 70B]] - Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance * [[NFPA 70E]] - Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace * [[NFPA 72]] - National Fire Alarm Code * [[NFPA 704]] - Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response * [[NFPA 921]] - Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations * [[Life Safety Code|NFPA 101]] - Life Safety Code * [[NFPA 1123]] - Code for Outdoor Firework Displays * [[NFPA 1901]] - Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus * [[Fire apparatus]] * [[Fire extinguisher]] - The NFPA classifies extinguishers into the familiar ABCD use system == References == (Retrieved [[23 June]], [[2006]], from NFPA website.) *''[http://www.nfpa.org NFPA Web Site]''. *Grant, Casey Cavanaugh, PE. ([[1996]]). ''[http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=500&itemID=18020 The Birth of NFPA]''. *''[http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=162 How the Code Process Works]''. *''[http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=495&itemID=17991 An Overview of NFPA]''. == External links == *[http://www.nfpa.org Official website] [[Category:Firefighting]] [[Category:Firefighters associations]] [[Category:Symbols]] [[Category:Infographics]] [[Category:Occupational safety]] [[Category:firefighting]] [[Category:Safety organizations]] [[Category:Standards organizations]] [[Category:Firefighting in the United States]] [[de:National Fire Protection Association]] [[zh:美国消防协会]]