NFPA and Building Code
By Michael Beard, BOAT President, City of Harker Heights
Building codes and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards work together to create safe, functional, and resilient structures. While the building codes establish the minimum requirements for construction and occupancy, NFPA standards provide detailed fire protection guidelines that enhance safety measures across various industries.
Many people may not realize that the NFPA is referenced more than 300 times in the International Building Code (IBC). This extensive cross-referencing highlights the deep connection between the two, demonstrating how NFPA standards shape building safety regulations and reinforce the importance of fire protection within the IBC. Their interdependence underscores the significant role each plays in safeguarding lives and property.
As new technology emerges, such as smart fire suppression systems and advanced construction materials, the NFPA and the building codes continue to evolve. Future updates will likely address concerns that many of us have not considered and as such will continue to intertwine the two code references.
While conducting research to compose this article, I found where NFPA partnered with other organizations and people, to include the one and only Dick Van Dyke back in the 70’s. The story was from a soon-to-be-published book named Fuji Fire: Sifting Ashes of a Forgotten U.S. Marine Corps Tragedy; Potomac Books written by retired Marine Captain Chas Henry. In his book, Henry described a typhoon-related fire that struck Camp Fuji, a Marine base in Japan, in 1979, killing 13 Marines and injuring scores more. The note included an NFPA angle on the event: according to Henry, two young U.S. Marines survived the event thanks to an NFPA-produced public service announcement (PSA) featuring the legendary actor, Dick Van Dyke. In the PSA, Van Dyke instructed viewers to escape a building fire by staying low to avoid the suffocating smoke. The story Henry shared with us poignantly reinforced the role of public education in reducing loss now and into the future.
It’s truly remarkable how much of an impact a single person can have on life safety. Now, imagine the collective power of a group of experts, working together, sharing knowledge, and driving innovation. Their combined efforts have the potential to revolutionize safety measures and save countless lives.