What Is the National Fire Code?

The U.S. National Fire Code describes safety requirements for businesses and homes.

Fires cause fatalities and millions of dollars in damage each year. As a way to best combat the incidents of fire, fire and safety codes developed by countries and organizations -- national fire codes -- are used to set the minimum requirements for fire safety.

History

The National Fire Prevention Association was established in 1896 as a way to reduce the physical and emotional damage of fire by creating codes and statutes that would help states, towns and countries be best prepared for possible fires and establish safety standards. Canada has its own national fire code.

Purpose

The National Fire Code is designed to create minimum safety requirements such as codes for smoke detectors and sprinkler systems. It details fire safety protocol for building occupants and emergency personnel and storage of dangerous and combustible products and chemicals. This is true for both the NFPA and Canadian National Fire Code.

Considerations

National fire codes are constantly being updated as new technologies are developed and studies show better ways to conduct fire safety. In addition to national fire codes, states and even municipalities have the right to create their own fire codes separate from the U.S. National Fire Code.

References

• National Fire Protection Association: About
• National Fire Protection Association: Codes and Standards
• Fedpubs.com: National Fire Code of Canada
• Campus Safety Magazine: NFPA Approved 2010 Fire Code
• National Fire Protection Association: Main Page