The National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code was put into practice in Wisconsin on March 1.

“Today, perhaps more than ever, it is essential to provide the latest tools and training to the firefighters and building professionals charged with protecting people from fire,” said Joe Hertel, program manager of the safety and buildings division, U.S. Department of Commerce. “This code adoption will help to ensure that the people and buildings of Wisconsin are getting the best protection possible.”

Recognized worldwide and adopted in 20 states, NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code provides requirements necessary to establish a reasonable level of fire safety and property protection from hazards created by fire and explosion. Its primary purposes are to address basic fire prevention requirements and reference or extract the fire prevention and protection aspects of many other NFPA codes and standards.

Wisconsin has participated in training and is scheduled for future trainings through programs developed by NFPA and offered to states that have adopted NFPA 1 and other key NFPA codes and standards. Instruction provided by NFPA technical experts covers the codes’ requirements and the numerous ways they can be used and enforced. This training and the associated codebooks are free to government code enforcement officials.