The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made the 2009 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s Life Safety Code ®, mandatory in all state homes that receive a per diem for providing nursing care to eligible veterans. This decision will ensure that these facilities are   up-to-date with current life safety and fire safety standards. Veterans Affairs is one of many government agencies that recognize and utilize the Life Safety Code.

“It is reassuring to see that Veterans Affairs is emphasizing the importance of fire safety by requiring their facilities to meet requirements in the most current edition of the Life Safety Code as they provide care for the men and women who have bravely served in the United States military,” said Gregory Cade, NFPA’s division director of government affairs.

The transition to the 2009 edition, which is the current edition, will officially take place on April 1. Prior to adopting the current code, state home facilities had been required to follow the 2006 edition of NFPA 101. The next edition of the code will be available in 2012.

The Life Safety Code is the industry benchmark for safety in all types of structures. It is one of the few documents which apply to both existing and new structures, covering a wide variety of topics to ensure that dangers to life from fire and other hazards are minimized.