Apr 2003

Overview of of Codes, Standards and Regulations in CA, CT, MA, NJ, NY, NC and PA

In November 2002, Sprinkler Age magazine featured it’s 15th 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, the District of Columbia and the provinces of Canada. We have listed below the responses and findings for California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

State Licensing & Certification Requirements
StateRequires Certification of:Requires Licensing for:Requires for Sprinkler Drawings:
Plan ReviewersInspectorsContractorsFittersDesignersPE / Architect SealNICET Level IINICET Level IV
CaliforniaNNYYNNN
ConnecticutYYYYYYYN
MassachusettsNNYYNYNN
New JerseyYYYYN
New YorkNYNNNYNN
North CarolinaYYNYN
PennsylvaniaNNNNNNNN
StateState Code AdoptionAdditional NFPA StandardsNFPA 13 Edition AdoptedIntend to AdoptAdopted NFPA 25
IBCNFPA 5000StatewideLocally
California1997 UBC, 1997 UFCNFPA 13, 13D, 13r-1996, 14-1993, 24-1995 1996UNKNoNo
ConnecticutBOCA 1996 amended; NFPA 101 1997 amendedNFPA 13, 13D, 13R1999Yes
MassachusettsBOCA 1993 amended, portions of NFPAYes, MGL 148 Sections 26G, H, I1999YesYes
New JerseyBOCA 1996 amendedNo1994YesYes
New York2003 ICC w/NY enhancementsNYS enhancements – sprinklers required in all new buildings classified as an R occupancy1999YesNoAs a reference standard
North Carolina2000 IBC amendedNo1999YesNoYes
PennsylvaniaBOCA 1999 amendedN/AN/ANoNo

Other survey findings included the following for the above states:

Regarding pending sprinkler legislation:

Legislation is pending in North Carolina that is less restrictive for public assemblies.

Regarding sprinkler retrofit requirements:

New Jersey has retrofit requirements for high-rise hotels, health care facilities, high-rise R-1 facilities, nursing homes and institutional facilities.

If you would like any information regarding additional states, please contact us.