NFPA Codes Used to Protect Prince Edward Islanders

Canada’s Province of Prince Edward Island has formally adopted the latest editions of two key National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) safety codes. The 2003 edition of NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™ (UFC) and the 2003 edition NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® have been adopted by an Executive Council Order effective November 2, 2004.

The codes, which are already used across the United States and Canada, protect Prince Edward Island residents and their property in new and existing buildings. NFPA’s Life Safety Code mandates building design construction, operation, and maintenance requirements to protect building occupants from the dangers caused by fire, smoke, and toxic fumes. NFPA 1, UFC integrates two of the world’s most widely adopted fire codes, NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code and the Uniform Fire Code. The latest edition of NFPA 1 provides requirements necessary to establish a reasonable level of fire safety and property protection from hazards created by fire and explosion.

“Both of these well-respected codes have been widely used in our province for more than 20 years,” said David Blacquiere, Prince Edward Island fire marshal. “This adoption will mean that the codes will be used in even more situations. These will continue to ensure a higher level of safety for Prince Edward Island.”

Prince Edward Island has participated in a training program developed by NFPA and offered to jurisdictions that have adopted NFPA 1, NFPA 101 and other key NFPA codes and standards. Taught by NFPA technical experts, the training covered all of the codes’ requirements and the numerous ways the codes may be utilized and enforced.

NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 are all part of a full set of codes for the built environment developed by NFPA and its partners. The Comprehensive Consensus Codes (C3) set reportedly represents an important step in the development of a full set of construction codes created through true consensus, with full input from all interested parties.

The 300 NFPA technical committees responsible for developing and updating codes and standards include 6,000 volunteers, representing enforcing authorities, installation and maintenance, labor, research and testing, insurance, special experts, consumers, and other users.