This edition of TechNotes was written by John Swanson, Codes and Standards Specialist for the NFSA.

Every 3 years, the International Code Council (ICC) updates their codes and standards, so they reflect the most up-to-date procedures, practices, and techniques, with the overall goal of improving safety in the built environment. On one hand, it is important the codes and standards utilized throughout the built environment are updated to ensure they address modern construction techniques and practices. On the other hand, we all know how quickly technology can change. A lot can (and does) change in 3 years.

This Technotes will review some of the significant changes to the model codes proposed for the 2027 edition of the of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) that impact the fire sprinkler industry.

Updates to the 2027 IBC and IFC

Ducts Conveying Hazardous Exhaust

Since the 2000 codes, the IBC and IFC have required ducts conveying hazardous exhaust to be protected with fire sprinklers. A clarification was made to Section 903.2.11.4 in the IBC and IFC clarifying when automatic sprinklers are required to be installed in ducts conveying hazardous exhaust. The exception to this section has exempted sprinklers when the largest cross-sectional diameter of the duct is less than 10 inches. The word “diameter” refers to circular ducts. However, we know ducts come in varying dimensions, not just circular. Therefore, diameter was changed to “dimension” to include square and rectangular ducts. Without this change, a literal application of the code would exempt sprinklers in all square and rectangular ducts conveying hazardous exhaust.

Fire Department Connection Mounting Height

Section 912 in the IBC and IFC addresses fire department connections (FDC.) However, there was no language in the code regulating mounting height for the FDC. Therefore, language from NFPA 13 and NFPA 14 was brought into the IBC and IFC. The IBC and IFC now require fire department connections to be located not less than 18 inches and not more than 4 feet above the level of the adjacent grade of access level. This addition to the code was approved unanimously by the IFC committee.

Definition of High-Piled Combustible Storage

The IFC defines high-piled combustible storage as Class I-IV combustible materials on pallets, in racks, or on shelves where the top of the storage is greater than 12 feet. The code goes on to clarify that, where required by the fire code official, high-piled combustible storage also includes certain high hazard commodities stored greater than 6 feet in height. The wording, “where required by the fire code official” was subjective and could have technically exempted certain occupancies from the high-piled storage requirements for Group A plastics or other high hazard commodities when approved by the fire code official. However, high hazard commodities are considered high hazard because of the burning characteristics and heat release rate for the product. NFSA proposed removing “where required by the code official” because determining the fire protection requirements for an occupancy should not be subjective and based on the opinion of the fire code official.

Open Parking Garages and Sprinklers

The 2021 IBC and IFC added a requirement for sprinkler protection in open parking garages exceeding 48,000 square feet. NFSA submitted a proposal to clean up the sprinkler requirements in the 2027 codes since a literal interpretation of Section 406 in the IBC would exempt sprinklers in open parking garages of Type I or Type II construction. The intent, based on Section 903.2.10, however, is to require sprinklers in open parking garages exceeding 48,000 square feet in size.

Storage Sprinklers and Smoke and Heat Vents

Another clarification made to Section 910 in the IBC and IFC has to do with smoke and heat vents in storage occupancies. In Exception #1 of Section 910.2, “frozen” was changed to “refrigerated” since there are many different types of cold storage, not just freezers. Exception #2 to the same section added CMSA sprinklers with a response time index (RTI) of 50 ½ or less that are listed to control a fire in a stored commodities with 12 or fewer sprinklers. This exception is the same as in Footnote H of Table 3206.2.

Sprinkler System Supervision and Alarms

The term “electronic” was changed to “electrical” in Section 903.4.1. While these two terms are often used interchangeably, these devices are listed as electrical versus electronic. Changing the term to match the listing ensures compatibility between the codes and referenced standards and listing criteria.

Standpipes in Storage Occupancies

An editorial change was made to include a requirement in Section 905 for when standpipes are required in storage occupancies. Chapter 32 (High-Piled Combustible Storage) requires standpipes when exit passageways are provided in high-piled storage warehouses. However, there was no clear reference to this requirement in Section 905 of the IBC and IFC. Therefore, NFPA proposed a new section in 905 to require standpipes when required by IFC Section 3206.9, which was approved by the IFC committee.

Pressure Restricting Devices

A new section was added to Section 905.12 that allows pressure regulating devices on Class I or Class III standpipes with a static pressure not exceeding 175 psi to be replaced with standard hose valves when approved by the fire code official. This change was made to correlate with the 2024 edition of NFPA 14.

Post-Fire Reconstruction and Sprinklers

Many communities are experiencing a trend where several fires have occurred in the same residential building but were permitted to be repaired or reconstructed without sprinkler protection. The International Existing Building Code (IEBC) addresses repairs and alterations to existing buildings. Some have interpreted construction or alterations made after a fire to be a repair under the IEBC. The IEBC states in Section 403 that repairs shall be done in a manner that maintains the fire protection provided in the building. In other words, if no sprinklers were present before, then sprinkler protection is not required during the repair from the fire.

A proposal was made and approved for the 2027 IFC that states, when a non-sprinklered Group I, Group R-1, Group R-2 and Group R-4 is repaired or reconstructed following a fire incident that caused more than 25% of a fire area to remain unoccupiable for a period of 60 days or more, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the fire area(s) as part of the repair or reconstruction.

Pet Boarding and Fire Sprinklers

After several prominent fires around the United States involving pet boarding facilities, a proposal was made and approved to regulate and establish a minimum level of fire protection for certain pet boarding facilities in the IFC. The new requirements approved for the 2027 IFC do include a requirement for fire sprinklers in areas where pet boarding occurs where a cumulative total of 10 or more dogs or cats for more than 12 hours per day.

Short Term Rental Housing

This proposal includes a new Appendix P, which establishes a Short-Term Residential Rental Safety Program with fire safety and occupancy guidelines for short-term rental properties. A significant fire safety requirement is the maintenance, and inspection of automatic sprinkler systems, where provided, with control valves verified open, sprinklers checked for damage, and water sources maintained. The appendix mandates a permit for each property and a clear, posted safety plan outlining emergency procedures, escape paths, and safety equipment locations. Key provisions also include smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers on each floor and near outdoor cooking appliances, emergency escape ladders for sleeping areas above ground level, and regular inspections by responsible parties and officials to ensure compliance.

Conclusion

The goal of this article is to provide you with some of the significant changes to the IBC and IFC that directly impact fire sprinkler designers, contractors and authorities having jurisdiction. Some of these changes will not directly impact fire sprinkler designers or contractors, but nearly all the changes mentioned here will impact authorities having jurisdiction that are responsible for applying, interpreting, and enforcing the requirements of the code. NFSA staff work closely in the codes and standards development process through NFPA and the International Code Council touting the benefits of fire sprinklers in the built environment. Our team of experts stay on the forefront of fire protection issues. For more information on NFSA’s mission to protect lives and property through the widespread acceptance of the fire sprinkler concept, to learn more about the benefits of NFSA membership, or to join our association, please visit our membership page to learn more.

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