The state of West Virginia has adopted the 2008 edition of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 70®, National Electrical Code® , and the 2009 editions of both NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® and NFPA 1, Fire Code, as well as many other updated reference documents. These code adoptions became effective as of July 1, 2010.
“It’s vital to set statewide minimum requirements for fire and life safety to keep our residents safe, “ said Sterling Lewis, Jr., West Virginia state fire marshal. “Firefighters, building officials, and others will now have the most up-to-date resources available as they perform duties to promote the safety and well-being of the people of West Virginia.”
The NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® (NFPA 101) addresses minimum building design, building construction, operation, and maintenance requirements necessary to protect building occupants from dangers caused by fire, smoke, and toxic fumes. It is currently used in all U.S. states, and adopted statewide in 43 states. The Life Safety Code can be used in conjunction with a building code or alone in jurisdictions that do not have a building code in place.
The NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) has been developed and published by the NFPA since 1911, with the 51st edition released in 2008. The NEC continues to be the most widely used code in the world, covering the standard for safe electrical installations. The code has been adopted in almost every state in the U.S., in many territories, and in several countries.
NFPA 1 addresses basic fire prevention to protect against risks associated with fires and explosions. It outlines inspection requirements for buildings, processes, equipment, and other significant aspects that affect fire and life safety situations. The code provides guidelines on construction, specifications, and maintenance of fire protection systems. NFPA 1 primarily focuses on basic methods of ensuring fire prevention, and references or extracts key fire prevention and protection components of many of the other NFPA codes and standards.
West Virginia has completed training on NFPA 1 and NFPA 101. The state is scheduled for future instruction through programs developed by NFPA, which are offered free of cost to states that have adopted major NFPA codes and standards. These trainings, provided by NFPA technical experts, cover the codes’ requirements and the numerous ways they can be utilized and enforced.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org
West Virginia Adopts Updated Editions of NFPA Standards
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