The first of two public hearings to consider 2027 updates to the recently released three model digital I-Codes, [1] the International Fire Code (IFC), [2] the International Building Code (IBC) and [3] the International Residential Code were just held in Orlando. The results of these hearings will be available for review by May 16, 2024. A second public hearing to consider results of the “Report of the Committee action Hearing #1” will be held in Long Beach, CA October 23-31, 2024.
42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam follow IFC requirements or major portions of it, and all 50 US states follow the IBC/IRC. However, the situation is made complex for several reasons: most states do not follow the IFC or IBC/IRC codes verbatim, i.e. they adopt portions or sections while integrating with local exceptions or variations. And while codes are updated every three years, not all states, regional authorities, or AHJ’s follow the most current editions. There are a number of other reasons that make the codes making processes complex but we’ll address those in future news bulletins.
Of special note is that Chapter 608 deals with stationary batteries, primarily lead-acid and nickel-cadmium issues; Chapter 1207 is specific to ESS; Section 404 now includes a safety plan for Li-ion batteries as well as requirements for storage of Li-ion and Li Metal batteries. The FCAC (Fire Code Action Committee), the working group that sends proposed recommendations to the actual IFC Committee is recommending for the 2027 edition that Chapter 1207 mirror Chapter 52’s configuration style of the NFPA 1 Fire Code and provide extract pointers to all relevant sections of NFPA 855.