What are NFPA standards considered to be?

NFPA standards are developed as guidelines that reflect the best practices in fire safety and emergency response. These guidelines are aimed at ensuring the safety and effectiveness of fire service operations, training, and equipment. They are based on research, field experience, and expert consensus, which supports their role in promoting safety and efficiency.

While NFPA standards are widely recognized and adopted by many jurisdictions and organizations, they do not have the force of law unless incorporated into local laws or regulations. This means that they serve as a valuable reference that helps fire departments and organizations to establish their own protocols and to achieve compliance with safety measures, but they are not legally binding unless specified otherwise by local authorities.

In summary, NFPA standards provide a framework for best practices and are essential for guiding fire service professionals in ensuring safety, but they operate as guidelines rather than enforced regulations, which is why the correct answer is that they are considered guidelines.