Jan 2009

Legislative Review An Overview of Codes, Standards and Regulations in CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MS, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA and TX

In the November 2008, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry in individual states. The information was obtained from a survey mailed to the fire marshals of the 50 states. Listed below are the responses and findings for California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. A dash (-0 means there was no response.

State
Requires
Certification of:
Requires for Sprinkler Drawings:
Plan
Reviewers
Inspectors
PE /
Architect
Seal
NICET Level
III
NICET Level
IV
California
N
N
Y
N
N
Colorado
Y
Y
Y
C-16 contractor allowed
Connecticut
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Florida
Y
Y
Y
N
Georgia
N
Y
N
Y
N
Illinois
N
N
Design Layout
Massachusetts
N
N
Y – some exceptions to law
Michigan
N
Y
N
N
N
Missouri
N
N
Y
N
N
New Jersey
Cert.
Y
Y
New York
Y
N
Y
N
N
North Carolina
Y
Y
Y
Y
Ohio
Y
Y
N
Pennsylvania
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Texas
N
N
Y
N

 

Inspection, Testing & Maintenance and Seismic Protection Requirements
State
Required for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems:
Seismic protection required on fire sprinkler systems:
NICET
Level II
NICET
Level III
No
Requirement
California
N
N
Y
Colorado
N
N
N
Connecticut
N
N
N
Florida
Y
N
N
Georgia
Y
Y
Illinois
Y
Y, Per NFPA 13
Massachusetts
No req.
Y
Michigan
N
N
N
Y
Missouri
N
N
N
New Jersey
Y
N
N
Y
New York
N
N
N
North Carolina
No req.
Y
Ohio
N
N
N
Pennsylvania
No req.
Y
Texas
Y
N
N

 

State
Code Adoption
NFPA 13 Edition Adopted
Adopted NFPA 25
Requires PE to do Sprinkler Design Concepts
Statewide
Locally
California
IBC & IFC, both amended
2007 as of 9/11/08 effective 7/1/09
2006 Ed.
Yes
Colorado
2006 IBC, IFC, NFPA 1, NFPA 5000, IRC
2002
2002 Ed.
Yes
Connecticut
2003 NFPA 101, IBC & IFC – all amended
2002
Yes
Yes or NICET
Florida
2006 NFPA 1 & NFPA 101, both amended
2002
Yes
Yes
Georgia
2000 NFPA 101 amended, 2006 IBC & IFC, amended; NFPA standards published 2003
2002
2002 Ed.
No
Illinois
NFPA 101 2000 amended
1999
1998 Ed. as ref. by 2000 LSC
Yes
Massachusetts
2003 IBC & IFC (partial); State Fire Code, all amended
2002
In process
Michigan
2003 IBC & IFC, both amended; 1997 NFPA 101
1996
1995 Ed.
No
Missouri
N/A
1999
1998 Ed.
New Jersey
1996 BOCA amended maintenance, fire prevention; 2000 IBC & 2000 IFC amended – new construction
1999 for new installs
Yes
Yes or Architect
New York
2003 IBC & IFC, both amended
2002
1998 Ed.
No
Yes
North Carolina
2003 IBC & IFC, both amended
2002
1998 Ed.
No
Ohio
2006 IBC & IFC, amended
2002
2002 Ed.
No
Pennsylvania
2006 IBC & IFC; NFPA 101 used by PA Dept. of Health for health care facilities
2002
No
No
Yes
Texas
2003 IBC & IRC in cities; 2006 NFPA 101 in counties
2002
1998 Ed. For Contractors
Yes
No

Risk Logic, Inc. can be of assistance regarding fire protection Codes and Regulations. We can ensure that the above codes, as well as NFPA and FM Global standards, are being followed to avoid a major property loss.