Title 15 — Commerce and Trade
Chapter 49 — Fire Prevention and Control
§ 2203. Definitions
Statutory text
As used in this chapter, the term—
“Academy” means the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control;
“Administration” means the United States Fire Administration established pursuant to section 2204 of this title;
“Administrator” means, except as otherwise provided, the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
“Administrator of FEMA” means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
“fire service” means any organization in any State consisting of personnel, apparatus, and equipment which has as its purpose protecting property and maintaining the safety and welfare of the public from the dangers of fire, including a private firefighting brigade. The personnel of any such organization may be paid employees or unpaid volunteers or any combination thereof. The location of any such organization and its responsibility for extinguishment and suppression of fires may include, but need not be limited to, a Federal installation, a State, city, town, borough, parish, county, Indian tribe, fire district, fire protection district, rural fire district, or other special district. The terms “fire prevention”, “firefighting”, and “fire control” relate to activities conducted by a fire service;
“Indian tribe” has the meaning given that term in section 5304 of title 25 and “tribal” means of or pertaining to an Indian tribe;
“local” means of or pertaining to any city, town, county, special purpose district, unincorporated territory, or other political subdivision of a State;
“place of public accommodation affecting commerce” means any inn, hotel, or other establishment not owned by the Federal Government that provides lodging to transient guests, except that such term does not include an establishment treated as an apartment building for purposes of any State or local law or regulation or an establishment located within a building that contains not more than 5 rooms for rent or hire and that is actually occupied as a residence by the proprietor of such establishment;
“Secretary” means, except as otherwise provided, the Secretary of Homeland Security;
“State” has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 6.1
“wildland-urban interface” has the meaning given such term in section 6511 of title 16.
Footnotes
- 1 So in original. The period probably should be “; and”.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974
Pub. L. 93–498 § 4 · 88 Stat. 1535
Enacted · 15 U.S.C. § 2203
Pub. L. 93–498, § 4, Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1536
Source evidence
Code source credit
Pub. L. 93–498, § 4, Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1536Enacted provision · exact public law section
Sec. 4. definitions As used in this Act, the term— (1) “Academy” means the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control; (2) “Administration” means the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration established pursuant to section 5 of this Act; (3) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration; (4) “fire service” means any organization in any State consisting of personnel, apparatus, and equipment which has as its purpose protecting property and maintaining the safety and welfare of the public from the dangers of fire, including a private firefighting brigade. The personnel of any such organization may be paid employees or unpaid volunteers or any combination thereof. The location of any such organization and its responsibility for extinguishment and suppression of fires may include, but need not be limited to, a Federal installation, a State, city, town, borough, parish, county, fire district, fire protection district, rural fire district, or other special district. The terms “fire prevention”, “firefighting”, and “firecontrol” relate to activities conducted by a fire service; (5) “local” means of or pertaining to any city, town, county, special purpose district, unincorporated territory, or other political subdivision of a State; (6) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce; and (7) “State” means any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, Guam, American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and any other territory or possession of the United States.Pub. L. 95–422 § 2(a)(1) · 92 Stat. 932
Substituted · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(2); 15 U.S.C. § 2203(3)
Pub. L. 95–422 substituted “United States Fire Administration” for “National Fire Prevention and Control Administration”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pars. (2), (3). Pub. L. 95–422 substituted “United States Fire Administration” for “National Fire Prevention and Control Administration”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Sections National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, name change. 3, 4, and 5 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2202–2204) are amended by striking out “National Fire Prevention and Control Administration” each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof “United States Fire Administration”.Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990
Pub. L. 101–391 § 3(b) · 104 Stat. 747
Added · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(4)(9)
Pub. L. 101–391 added pars. (4) and (7)
Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(4)(9)
Pub. L. 101–391 redesignated former pars. (4), (5), (6), and (7) as (5), (6), (8), and (9), respectively
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pars. (4) to (9). Pub. L. 101–391 added pars. (4) and (7) and redesignated former pars. (4), (5), (6), and (7) as (5), (6), (8), and (9), respectively.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(b) Definitions.— (1) Section 4 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2203) is amended by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively, by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (8) and (9), respectively, and by inserting immediately after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph: “(4) ‘Director’ means the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;”. (2) Section 4 of such Act (as amended by paragraph (1)) is further amended by inserting immediately after paragraph (6), as so redesignated, the following new paragraph: “(7) ‘place of public accommodation affecting commerce’ means any inn, hotel, or other establishment not owned by the Federal Government that provides lodging to transient guests, except that such term does not include an establishment treated as an apartment building for purposes of any State or local law or regulation or an establishment located within a building that contains not more than 5 rooms for rent or hire and that is actually occupied as a residence by the proprietor of such establishment;”.Pub. L. 106–503 title I § 110(a)(2)(A) · 114 Stat. 2298
Inserted · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(7)(9)
Pub. L. 106–503 inserted “and” after semicolon in par. (7)
Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(7)(9)
Pub. L. 106–503 redesignated par. (9) as (8)
Struck · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(7)(9)
Pub. L. 106–503 struck out former par. (8) which read as follows: “ ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Commerce; and”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pars. (7) to (9). Pub. L. 106–503 inserted “and” after semicolon in par. (7), redesignated par. (9) as (8), and struck out former par. (8) which read as follows: “ ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Commerce; and”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(A) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 2203)— (i) by inserting “and” after the semicolon in paragraph (7); (ii) by striking paragraph (8); and (iii) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (8);United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008
Pub. L. 110–376 § 10(1) · 122 Stat. 4056
Substituted · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(3)
Pub. L. 110–376, § 10(1), substituted “Administration, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency” for “Administration”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (3). Pub. L. 110–376, § 10(1), substituted “Administration, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency” for “Administration”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking “Administration” and inserting “Administration, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency”;United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008
Pub. L. 110–376 § 10(2) · 122 Stat. 4056
Added · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(9)
Pub. L. 110–376, § 10(2)–(4), added par. (9)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (9). Pub. L. 110–376, § 10(2)–(4), added par. (9).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the “and” after the semicolon;Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(1) · 126 Stat. 1632
Inserted · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(3)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(1), inserted “, except as otherwise provided,” after “means”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (3). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(1), inserted “, except as otherwise provided,” after “means”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) in paragraph (3), by inserting “, except as otherwise provided,” after “means”;Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(2) · 126 Stat. 1632
Substituted · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(4)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(2), substituted “ ‘Administrator of FEMA’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;” for “ ‘Director’ means the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (4). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(2), substituted “ ‘Administrator of FEMA’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;” for “ ‘Director’ means the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking “ ‘Director’ means” and all that follows through “Agency;” and inserting “ ‘Administrator of FEMA’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;”;Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(3) · 126 Stat. 1632
Inserted · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(5)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(3), inserted “Indian tribe,” after “county,”
Substituted · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(5)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(3), substituted “and ‘fire control’ ” for “and ‘firecontrol’ ”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (5). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(3), inserted “Indian tribe,” after “county,” and substituted “and ‘fire control’ ” for “and ‘firecontrol’ ”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(3) in paragraph (5)— (A) by inserting “Indian tribe,” after “county,”; and (B) by striking “and ‘firecontrol’ ” and inserting “and ‘fire control’ ”;Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(4) · 126 Stat. 1632
Added · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(6)(8)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), (5), added par. (6)
Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(6)(8)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), (5), redesignated former pars. (6) and (7) as (7) and (8), respectively. Former par. (8) redesignated (9)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pars. (6) to (8). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), (5), added par. (6) and redesignated former pars. (6) and (7) as (7) and (8), respectively. Former par. (8) redesignated (9).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively;Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(6) · 126 Stat. 1632
Added · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(9)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), (7), added par. (9)
Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(9)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), (7), redesignated former par. (9) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (11)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (9). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), (7), added par. (9) and redesignated former par. (9) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (11).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(6) by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10), as redesignated by paragraph (4), as paragraphs (10) and (11);Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(4) · 126 Stat. 1632
Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(9)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), redesignated par. (8) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (10)
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), redesignated par. (8) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (10).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively;Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(8) · 126 Stat. 1632
Amended · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(10)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(8), amended par. (10) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (10) defined the term “State”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (10). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(8), amended par. (10) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (10) defined the term “State”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(8) by amending paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (6), to read as follows: “(10) ‘State’ has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101).” .Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(6) · 126 Stat. 1632
Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(10)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), redesignated par. (9) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (11)
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), redesignated par. (9) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (11).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(6) by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10), as redesignated by paragraph (4), as paragraphs (10) and (11);Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(4) · 126 Stat. 1632
Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(10)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), redesignated par. (9) as (10)
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), redesignated par. (9) as (10).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively;Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1802(a)(6) · 126 Stat. 1632
Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 2203(11)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), redesignated par. (10) as (11)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (11). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), redesignated par. (10) as (11).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(6) by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10), as redesignated by paragraph (4), as paragraphs (10) and (11);
22 of 22 references resolved to an enrolled provision
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 93–498, , 88 Stat. 1535, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2201 of this title and Tables.
Amendments1978–2013 · 5 rounds
2013
Par. (3). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(1), inserted “, except as otherwise provided,” after “means”.
Par. (4). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(2), substituted “ ‘Administrator of FEMA’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;” for “ ‘Director’ means the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;”.
Par. (5). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(3), inserted “Indian tribe,” after “county,” and substituted “and ‘fire control’ ” for “and ‘firecontrol’ ”.
Pars. (6) to (8). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), (5), added par. (6) and redesignated former pars. (6) and (7) as (7) and (8), respectively. Former par. (8) redesignated (9).
Par. (9). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), (7), added par. (9) and redesignated former par. (9) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (11).
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), redesignated par. (8) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (10).
Par. (10). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(8), amended par. (10) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (10) defined the term “State”.
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), redesignated par. (9) as (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (11).
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(4), redesignated par. (9) as (10).
Par. (11). Pub. L. 112–239, § 1802(a)(6), redesignated par. (10) as (11).
2008
Par. (3). Pub. L. 110–376, § 10(1), substituted “Administration, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency” for “Administration”.
Par. (9). Pub. L. 110–376, § 10(2)–(4), added par. (9).
2000
Pars. (7) to (9). Pub. L. 106–503 inserted “and” after semicolon in par. (7), redesignated par. (9) as (8), and struck out former par. (8) which read as follows: “ ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Commerce; and”.
1990
Pars. (4) to (9). Pub. L. 101–391 added pars. (4) and (7) and redesignated former pars. (4), (5), (6), and (7) as (5), (6), (8), and (9), respectively.
1978
Pars. (2), (3). Pub. L. 95–422 substituted “United States Fire Administration” for “National Fire Prevention and Control Administration”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
Functions of National Fire Prevention and Control Administration [now United States Fire Administration] and National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control generally transferred to Federal Emergency Management Agency. For further details see Transfer of Functions note set out under section 2202 of this title.
Credits
1974–2013 · 6 acts
- 1974Pub. L. 93–498, § 4, , 88 Stat. 1536
- 1978Pub. L. 95–422, § 2(a)(1), , 92 Stat. 932
- 1990Pub. L. 101–391, § 3(b), , 104 Stat. 749
- 2000Pub. L. 106–503, title I, § 110(a)(2)(A), , 114 Stat. 2302
- 2008Pub. L. 110–376, § 10, , 122 Stat. 4061
- 2013Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title XVIII, § 1802(a), , 126 Stat. 2099.
Show as published
(Pub. L. 93–498, § 4, , 88 Stat. 1536; Pub. L. 95–422, § 2(a)(1), , 92 Stat. 932; Pub. L. 101–391, § 3(b), , 104 Stat. 749; Pub. L. 106–503, title I, § 110(a)(2)(A), , 114 Stat. 2302; Pub. L. 110–376, § 10, , 122 Stat. 4061; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title XVIII, § 1802(a), , 126 Stat. 2099.)