Actually, they may be traced back to Hammurabi, the founder of the Babylonian Empire, about 2000 BC and beyond, as many scholars suggest. In 1625, the first building regulations in the United States were developed, addressing fire safety and regulating roof covering materials. These early building regulations were not strict laws but rather guidelines intended to protect the public interest. The first U.S. federal building code was passed by Congress on March 4, 1867. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is today's leading authority on fire protection and survival skills. It was founded in 1901 by fire chiefs from around the country who wanted a way to share information and develop standards about fire prevention and fire service technology. They created the Handbook for Code Officials which was initially published in 1907 and has been updated regularly since then. Building codes are regulatory documents that control the construction of buildings within an area under the jurisdiction of a government body. They include requirements for the location and type of facilities needed by tenants or users of the building; the handling of emergency situations such as fires, floods, and toxic chemicals; security measures; energy conservation features; and much more. Building codes affect the design and construction of buildings by establishing minimum standards for the safety of occupants and visitors. Codes also regulate the installation of equipment in buildings, such as heating systems and air conditioners, to prevent injury due to malfunctioning devices.