At the time, there were nine such standards in effect within 100 miles (160 km) of Boston, Massachusetts, and such diversity was causing great difficulties for plumbers working in the New England region.

[6] In 2024, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's final Phase 2 report noted that the NFPA's prescriptive approach to drafting its standards "reflects a conservative approach to fire safety which is embedded in North American culture" and the NFPA standards "allow little scope for independent design choices".

[7] The Inquiry found that it would be inappropriate to transpose the NFPA approach to fire safety into the British context where the functional approach has been prevalent for many decades, but also found that the UK could learn something from the American tradition that those persons "involved in the design, construction and inspection of buildings" must have a license or certification to establish a minimum level of competence in their field.

[7] The association publishes more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.

Created in 1951 to promote fire safety education for children,[9][10] he is a Dalmatian dressed in firefighting gear.