National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association, known as NFPA, is a self-funded nonprofit working to eliminate death, injury, property and economic loss from fire, electrical and related hazards. Headquartered in Quincy, it develops and publishes more than 300 consensus codes and standards used around the world, including the National Electrical Code and the Life Safety Code, which shape how buildings are designed, wired, inspected and protected.

Founded in 1896, the association draws on a large membership of fire service professionals, engineers, electricians, building officials and safety advocates. Beyond codes, it offers training and certification programs, research, data on fire trends and public education materials. It is the longtime sponsor of Fire Prevention Week each October, and its mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog, is a familiar figure in school safety lessons across the country.

What to Know

• NFPA describes itself as the world’s leading resource on fire, electrical and related hazards.
• Its codes are developed through an open, consensus-based process involving volunteer technical committees.
• Many of its standards are adopted into law by state and local governments.