Introduction 

Fire safety entails more than just alarms and extinguishers — it is itself a systematic framework focused on prevention, data, training, and compliance. In the U.S., the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as the “national fire prevention act”) created a standardized national framework to lessen fire-related deaths, injuries, and property loss. In addition to structural fires, the Act also applies to hazardous materials, workplaces, and education. This is where Safety Data Sheets (SDS) — required through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) — intersect with the Act. SDS provides relevant hazard, storage, and firefighting information based upon the mandates of the Act, with a focus on prevention and preparedness. 

What is the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974? 

The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is a law. This law has several elements. It is enacted on November 29, 1974. The purpose of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is to prevent the loss of life and property due to fire by developing improved codes, research, and training. 

 Some agencies created by the law are the: 

• U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
• National Fire Academy (NFA) 
• Nations Fire Data Center 

Today these agencies continue to drive fire safety in the U.S. through data collection, firefighter education, and public campaigns. 

Key Provisions of Act 

The Importance of Safety Data Sheets in Fire Prevention  

The Act has no limitations, but hazardous materials are a serious risk for fire safety, which is where SDS can provide significant frontline assistance: 

 1. Identifying Fire Risks 

 All sections of the SDS inform whether the substance is flammable, combustible, or explosive- all important considerations for prevention and emergency planning.  

2. Emergency Response Information

 Specific information is included in the SDS that outlines whether to extinguish any fire by using “foam or dry chemical, not water”. This information correlates directly to the Act’s requirements for training and preparedness. 

3. First Responder Safety 

Firefighters will use the SDS for determining whether there are any toxic fumes in the air, shock hazards, corrosives, or reactivity risks presenting themselves during a fire. This assists the Act with reducing firefighter deaths and injuries. 

4. Compliance and Codes 

 Facilities with flammable materials should always have access to SDS, which helps states and local agencies enforce fire codes aligned with the Act. 

Effect of the Act – with SDS as a Focus 

 Since the law was enacted:  

• USFA & NFA  

USFA & NFA trained thousands of responders, using SDS case studies in hazmat training more and more frequently. 

• Public awareness campaigns  

Public awareness campaigns have encouraged safe handling of household chemicals, a message emphasized by the SDS. 

• Data-driven prevention  

With a push for data-driven prevention solutions, communities now track chemical fires and link incident reports to SDS hazard data for further analysis.  

• Improved codes 

Many local fire marshals now require the use of SDS libraries as part of facility inspections, which places a connection back to compliance with national standards. 

Ongoing Challenges 

Despite the Act and widespread use of SDS, there are still gaps: 

• Compliance gaps:

Some small businesses do not keep SDS updated or accessible, putting responders at greater risk.  

• Training gaps:

Not all firefighters have an SDS with advanced hazmat training, even though SDS describes critical hazards in fires. 

• Evolving risks:

Lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicle storage, and newer chemicals pose hazards, not necessarily described in the SDS — and have implications for training programs and the Act.  

• Public disregard:

Many people do not look for or read household SDS (cleaners, paints, fuels), creating preventable increased risks for fire. 

Looking Forward: Fire Safety in 2025 and Beyond 

In this digital era, digital SDS platforms like CloudSDS aid compliance and fire prevention in several ways. It includes: 

• Instant access to hazard information at the time of an emergency. 

•  Tying SDSs with LMS-based training to engage in fire prevention drills. 

•  Real-time data updates so that first responders and safety managers will have the current hazard-safety information available at the time of the emergency. 

•  Compliance with OSHA, EPA, and NFPA requirements, all of which are based on goal-based enforcement (1974 Act). As climate change increases wildfire incidents and urban development increases chemical storage, the synergies between national fire law and SDS compliance will continue to proliferate. 

Conclusion 

The above-mentioned discussion has showed that the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is still seen as the basis of U.S. fire safety policy. It created a structure for training, research, codes, and education, changing how the country tackles fire prevention. Today, Safety Data Sheets play a key role in supporting that mission. These sheets contain detailed specific hazards. The Act unites firefighters, facility managers, and employees who use or handle chemicals daily.