NFPA FIRE & LIFE SAFETY ECOSYSTEM™
When it comes to fire prevention and protection, safety is not something we can take for granted.
The NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™ is a framework that identifies the components that must work
together to minimize risk and help prevent loss, injuries, and death from fire, electrical, and other hazards.
There are eight key components in the Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem. These components are interdependent.
When they work together, the Ecosystem protects everyone. If any component is missing or broken,
the Ecosystem can collapse, often resulting in tragedy. Almost always we can trace the cause of injurious
life safety incidents and tragedies back to the breakdown of one or more components.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY
All levels of government have a responsibility to keep their com-
munities safe from fire, electrical, and other hazards. They must
create a policy and regulatory environment where laws, policies,
and spending priorities are dictated by public safety needs and
not by special interests. It’s what citizens expect of them.
DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF CURRENT CODES
Using the latest codes and standards developed by experts from
around the world establishes minimum levels of safety to protect
people and property. As technology changes, safety advocates con-
stantly assess the risks as well as the behaviors and actions that
can create new hazards. Codes and standards are updated (typi-
cally on a three- to five-year cycle) to reflect our changing world.
REFERENCED STANDARDS
Referenced standards are a fundamental part of the primary
fire, life safety, building and electrical codes and standards, and
provide critical guidance to designers, installers, facility operators,
and enforcers. Developed through the consensus process, these
standards include references to installation and product stan-
dards that are developed by a wide range of organizations.
INVESTMENT IN SAFETY
Investing in safety should be everyone’s priority. We all must take
a vested interest in the safety of the public and work together to
allocate resources to reduce losses from fire and related hazards.
If decisions are based solely on financial gains, tragedies can occur.
SKILLED WORKFORCE
CONNECT It takes a skilled workforce to ensure the most current codes are
WITH US
applied correctly to reduce the risk of injuries, loss, and death
for workers and the public. We all must support ongoing training
Visit NFPA at [Link]. and professional development in our workforces and encourage
others to work in the fire and life safety fields.
[Link]/ecosystem: Access free articles, blogs, videos, and
�
other resources to learn more about the NFPA Fire & Life CODE COMPLIANCE
Safety Ecosystem™. Supporting effective code enforcement. Whether a house or a
[Link]/ecosystemwatch: Explore recent real-life examples
� new office building, the places people live and work are only as
from the NFPA Journal® of successes and failures in the safe as the construction and code compliance in place.
context of the Ecosystem.
PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
[Link]/LiNK: Sign up for a free trial of NFPA LiNK™ to access
� When they put their lives on the line, first responders should feel
the new information delivery platform for NFPA codes and they are prepared to protect their communities, and their com-
standards. munities are working to help prevent and prepare for emergency
[Link]/Xchange: Connect in our online community NFPA
� situations. Prioritizing and investing money in effective prepared-
Xchange™ with your peers and subject matter experts from ness and response capabilities and resources for before, during,
around the world. and after an emergency, helps first responders meet the varied
needs of their communities.
INFORMED PUBLIC
When given education and resources to help address hazards, the
public can make better, more informed decisions and take action
to protect their home and personal safety. Without accurate infor-
mation and concrete action steps, they may do things that place
themselves and others at greater risk. People do take extra safety
measures when they understand the risks and the consequenc-
es associated with fire and related hazards and are given viable
solutions.
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury,
property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The Association delivers information and
knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach,
and advocacy, and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more
information, visit [Link]. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at [Link]/freeaccess.
Virtually every building, process, service, design and installation is affected by NFPA’s codes and standards. NFPA
technical committees and panels serve as the consensus bodies responsible for developing and updating all NFPA
codes and standards. These volunteers represent your voice and are able to respond to evolving technologies,
research and development, and practical experience.
WHO WE ARE
NFPA
LOCATIONS
Canada
Quincy, MA (HQ)
Denver China
Washington, DC
Latin America Middle East/
North Africa
Brazil
MORE THAN MORE THAN
43,000
GLOBAL MEMBERS
5,000
VOLUNTEERS
70
COUNTRIES
300+
CODES AND
STANDARDS
WHAT WE DO
We Research We Train We Educate We Advocate
NFPA produces reports on the NFPA offers online learning, live NFPA develops easy-to- NFPA is the world’s leading
US fire problem, firefighter virtual training, on-site seminars, use educational programs, advocate for fire prevention,
fatalities and injuries, major and certification programs, in tools, and resources to meet working to advance safety by
fire causes, fire protection sys- addition to training for fire and the needs of all ages and focusing on the top causes,
tems and many other topics. electrical code officials in all 50 audiences, including lesson emerging issues and under-
We also work with organiza- states. Spanish language training plans, safety tip sheets, served areas. Some key advo-
tions around the globe to re- is also available. The annual NFPA videos, and apps – in a cacy efforts include our Fire
search new technologies and Conference & Expo™ is regarded variety of languages. We have Sprinkler Initiative®, Firewise
how fire and building-related as the world’s premier fire and life sponsored Fire Prevention USA® Recognition Program,
products impact the perfor- safety event. Week™ since 1922 to help Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safe-
mance of buildings. We col- communities stay safe. Our ty Training Program, and En-
laborate with others to collect official spokesdog, Sparky ergy Storage Systems Safety
and analyze various sources the Fire Dog®, helps children Training Program. We impact
of data, providing new insights and their caretakers learn the fire problem through
into today’s challenges. about fire safety in fun and media and public outreach,
interactive ways. strategic partnerships, and
educational efforts.