'Safety doesn't happen by chance': NFPA warns of threats to code system
The National Fire Protection Association has launched a sweeping public information campaign to raise awareness of how safety codes and standards are developed and to rally support for legislation protecting the independent code development process.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched a sweeping public information campaign to raise awareness about how safety codes and standards work and to call on policymakers to protect a system that has safeguarded lives for more than a century. NFPA officials said the campaign is one of the most significant in the organization's 125-year history, aiming to close the gap in public understanding and build momentum for legislation that would protect the standards-setting process from legal and financial threats. Framing the message around the idea that "safety doesn't happen by chance," NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley said: "We must do more to help people understand how this essential system works, and why it must be protected." NFPA said internal research found most Americans are unaware of how safety codes are created, with many believing standards are developed by government agencies rather than independent, consensus-driven groups. NFPA warned that some for-profit entities have begun using standards developed by organizations like NFPA without compensation, jeopardizing its ability to maintain the rigorous, expert-driven development process.