NFPA 1321, Standard for Fire Investigation Units, 2025 edition, addresses the minimum requirements relating to the establishment, structure, operation, and management of fire investigation units (FIUs).

This standard aims to help fire investigation units improve the quality of the work products and operations by specifying policy requirements for organizations, including management systems, resources, health and safety, and documentation and reports. Additionally, the standard specifies policy requirements for personnel education, training, and certification.  

The key aspects covered by NFPA 1321 include:

  • Organization and structure
  • Education and professional development
  • Requesting outside resources
  • Safety and health
  • Interagency collaboration
  • Quality assurance and improvement
  • Ethics and professional conduct

NFPA® 1321 Standard for Fire Investigation Units Edition 2025

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Administration

1.1 Scope.
1.2 Purpose.
1.3 Application.

Chapter 2 Referenced Publications

2.1 General.
2.2 NFPA Publications.
2.3 Other Publications.
2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.

Chapter 3 Definitions

3.1 General.
3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
3.3 General Definitions.

Chapter 4 Management System Requirements

4.1 General.
4.2 Organization Systems.
4.3 Process Systems.
4.4 Management Systems.

Chapter 5 Outside Resources, Facilities, and Equipment

5.1 Outside Resources.
5.2 Indoor/Outdoor Facilities.
5.3 Systems and Equipment.

Chapter 6 Health and Safety

6.1 General.
6.2 Health and Safety Program.
6.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
6.4 Safety in the Laboratory or Workplace Areas—Occupational Exposure, Disease, and Other Trauma-Related Injuries.
6.5 Vehicle Use.
6.6 Special Scenes.

Chapter 7 Education, Training, and Certification

7.1 Education and Training.
7.2 Certification.
7.3 Professional Development.

Chapter 8 Documentation and Reports

8.1 Introduction.
8.2 Documentation.
8.3 Reports.
8.4 Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
8.5 Audit.

Annex A Explanatory Material

Annex B Template Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines

Annex C Informational References