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| Abbreviation | NFPA |
|---|---|
| Founded | November 6, 1896; 129 years ago (November 6, 1896)[1] |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Focus | Industry standards, publications, conferences |
| Headquarters | Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Members | 50,000 (2023) |
President andCEO | James Pauley[2] |
| Volunteers | 10,000 (2025) |
| Website | nfpa.org |
TheNational Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a U.S.-based international nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property damage, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards.[2][3] As of 2025[update], the NFPA claims to have 50,000 members and 10,000 volunteers working with the organization through its 250 technical committees.[4]
In 1895, a Committee on Automatic Sprinkler Protection was formed in Massachusetts by men affiliated with several fire insurance companies and a pipe manufacturer to develop a uniform standard for the design and installation offire sprinkler systems. At the time, there were nine such standards in effect within 100 miles (160 km) ofBoston,Massachusetts, and such diversity was causing great difficulties for plumbers working in theNew England region.[5]
The next year, the committee published its initial report on a uniform standard and went on to form the NFPA in late 1896. The committee's initial report evolved into NFPA 13,Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, the most widely used fire sprinkler standard.[5]
Around 1904, the NFPA began to expand its membership from affiliates of fire insurance companies to many other organizations and individuals, and also expanded its mission beyond promulgating fire sprinkler standards.[5]
The association publishes more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. The codes and standards are administered by more than 250 technical committees consisting of approximately 9,000 volunteers.[6]
In 2024, theGrenfell Tower Inquiry's final Phase 2 report noted that the NFPA's prescriptive approach to drafting its standards "reflects a conservative approach tofire safety which is embedded in North American culture" and the NFPA standards "allow little scope for independent design choices".[7] The Inquiry found that it would be inappropriate to transpose the NFPA approach to fire safety into the British context where the functional approach has been prevalent for many decades, but also found that the UK could learn something from the American tradition that those persons "involved in the design, construction and inspection of buildings" must have a license or certification to establish a minimum level of competence in their field.[7]
Sparky the Fire Dog is the official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association. Created in 1951 to promote fire safety education for children,[8][9] he is aDalmatian dressed in firefighting gear.
A children's book about Sparky byDon Hoffman was published in 2011. He serves as the spokesdog forFire Prevention Week each October in the United States and Canada.
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