The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.[2][3] As of 2018, the NFPA claims to have 50,000 members and 9,000 volunteers working with the organization through its 250 technical committees.[4][5]
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Abbreviation | NFPA |
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Founded | November 6, 1896[1] |
Headquarters | Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Method | Industry standards, publications, conferences |
Members | 50,000 |
President and CEO | Jim Pauley[2] |
Volunteers | 9,000 |
Website | nfpa.org |
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 of fire sprinkler systems. At the time, there were nine such standards in effect within 100 miles (160 km) of Boston, Massachusetts, and such diversity was causing great difficulties for plumbers working in the New England region.[6]
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, which is now the most widely used fire sprinkler standard.[6]
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.[6]
The association publishes more than 300 consensus codes and standards that are 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 8,000 volunteers.[7]
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