Mar 2021

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

In their November/December 2020 issue, 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 in all 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 (-) indicates no response.

Legislative Review 2020

StateCode AdoptionNFPA 13 Edition AdoptedAdopted by NFPA 25 StatewideAdopted by NFPA 25 LocallyRequires PE to do Sprinkler Design Concepts
California2016 IBC & IFC, both amended2016Yes 2011Yes or licensed sprinkler contractor
Colorado2015 IBC & IFC; 2015 IRC; 2012 NFPA 1012013Yes 2014No
Connecticut2012 IBC, IFC & NFPA 101 2012 NFPA 1 – amended2010Yes 2011No
Florida2015 IBC, NFPA 1 & NFPA 1012013Yes 2014Yes
Georgia2012 IBC, IFC, NFPA 101 – all amended2013Yes 2011NoNo
IllinoisEach local juris. can adopt its own codes.   OSFM adopted 2015 ed. of NFPA 101 for state fac. And state-licensed fac.2013NoYes, varies by juris.Yes
KentuckyNFPA 1 and 101 and IBC (amended)2000YesYesNo
Massachusetts2009 IBC amended; IFC partial amended, 2012 NFPA 1 – amended (1/1/15)2010Yes 2011No
Michigan2012 NFPA 101 & 2006 NFPA 1 – both amended2010Yes 2011NoNo
Missouri1999 – currentNoNo
New Jersey2015 NJ IBC New Construction; 2006 IFB NJ as maintenance code both amended2013 as ref. by 2015 IBCNoNoYes
New York2018 IBC & IFC, both amended2016Yes 2017Yes
North Carolina2015 IBC & 2012 IFC, both amended2013YesNo
Ohio2009 IBC & IFC, both amended2010Yes 2008Ohio Fire CodeYes
Pennsylvania2009 IBC & IFC2007NoNoNo
Texas2012 NFPA 101 amended2013YesNo
Virginia2015 IBC & IFC – both amended2010Yes 2014No
StateRequires Certification of:
Plan Reviewers
Requires Certification of:
Inspectors
Requires for Sprinkler Drawings:
PE/ Architect Seal
Requires for Sprinkler Drawings:
NICET Level III
Requires for Sprinkler Drawings:
Level IV
CaliforniaNYNN
ColoradoYYY
ConnecticutYYY
Florida*YYY
GeorgiaNYNNY
IllinoisNNYYY
KentuckyYYYYY
MassachusettsNNDependsDependsDepends
MichiganNYNNN
MissouriNNY
New JerseyYYOnlyNICET II
New YorkNYYNN
North CarolinaYYYYN
OhioYYNNY & cert des.
PennsylvaniaYYNNN
TexasYYYY
VirginiaYYY
*In Florida, a contractor can design systems with less than 49 sprinkler heads.

Inspection, Testing and Maintenance and Seismic Protection Requirements

StateRequired for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems:
NICET Level II
Required for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems:
NICET Level III
Required for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems:
Other (CSA, Local)
Seismic protection required on fire sprinkler systems:
CaliforniaNYY
ColoradoYAs required
ConnecticutNNN
FloridaYYN
Georgiavia waiverYNN
IllinoisYYYN
KentuckyNNY
MassachusettsStateLicenseY in some areas
MichiganNNY
MissouriNo req.No req.No req.N
New JerseyYNYes, some
New YorkNo req.No req.No req.Based on IBC req.
North Carolina
OhioNNY, state certY
PennsylvaniaY
TexasYN
VirginiaYBy specification on job
Sprinkler Age Magazine

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.