U.S. Legislative Review: Overview of Codes, Standards and Regulations in CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MA, MI, MS, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, and WI
In their November/December 2023 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...
In their November/December 2023 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, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. A dash (-) indicates no response.
| State | Code Adoption | NFPA 13 Edition Adopted | Adopted NFPA 25 | Requires PE to do Sprinkler Design Concepts | |
| Statewide | Locally | ||||
| California | 2021 IBC & IFC, both amended | 2022 | Yes, 2011 | - | No |
| Colorado | 2021 IBC & IFC; NFPA 101 | 2018 | Yes, 2020 | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | 2012 IBC, IFC & NFPA 101 2012 NFPA 1 - amended | 2010 | Yes, 2011 | - | No |
| Florida | 2015 IBC, NFPA 1 & NFPA 101 – all amended | 2016 | Yes, 2017 | - | Yes |
| Georgia | 2012 IBC, IFC, NFPA 101 – all amended | 2013 | Yes, 2011 | No | No |
| Illinois | IBC, IFC, NFPA 1 & 5000 – local option; 2015 NFPA 1 | Current | Yes, Current | Yes, varies by juris. | Yes |
| Kansas | 2006 IBC & IFC, 2018 NFPA 1, 2018 NFPA 101 | 2016 | Yes, 2017 | - | Yes |
| Kentucky | NFPA 1 and 101 and IBC - amended | 2000 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Massachusetts | 2015 IBC amended; 2015 NFPA 1 – amended | 2010 | Yes, 2014 | - | Yes |
| Michigan | 2012 NFPA 101 & 2006 NFPA 1 – both amended | 2010 | Yes, 2011 | No | No |
| Missouri | - | 1999 | Yes | No | - |
| New Jersey | DFS: 2015 IFC – amended DCS: 2021 IBC – amended, 2021 IFC, NFPA 101 Ch 35/IBC | DFS: 2013 | 2014 | No | Yes |
| New York | 2018 IBC & IFC, both amended | 2016 | Yes, 2017 | - | Yes |
| North Carolina | 2015 IBC & 2012 IFC, both amended | 2013 | Yes | - | No |
| Ohio | 2009 IBC & IFC, both amended | 2010 | Yes, 2008 | Ohio Fire Code | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | 2009 IBC & IFC | 2007 | No | No | No |
| South Carolina | 2015 IBC & IFC, both amended | 2013 | Yes, 2014 | - | Yes |
| Texas | 2012 NFPA 101 amended | 2013 | Yes | - | No |
| Virginia | 2015 IBC & IFC, NFPA 101 – all amended | 2010 | Yes, 2014 | - | Yes |
| Washington | 2015 IBC, IFC, NFPA 101, NFPA 5000 – all amended | 2013 | Yes, 2014 | - | No |
| Wisconsin | 2009 IBC & NFPA 1, both amended | 2007 | Yes, 2008 | - | No |
| 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 I | NICET Level II | NICET Level III | Other (CSA, Local) | |||
| California | N | N | N | N | - | |
| Colorado | - | - | - | Y | N | |
| Connecticut | - | N | N | - | N | |
| Florida | - | Y | - | - | N | |
| Georgia | N | via waiver | Y | N | N | |
| Illinois | - | Y | - | Y | N | |
| Kansas | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Kentucky | - | N | N | - | Y | |
| Massachusetts | N | N | N | N | Per NFPA 13, IBC | |
| Michigan | - | N | N | - | Y | |
| Missouri | N | N | N | N | N | |
| New Jersey | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
| New York | N | N | N | N | Based on IBC req. | |
| North Carolina | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Ohio | - | N | N | Y, state cert | Y | |
| Pennsylvania | - | - | - | - | Y | |
| South Carolina | - | - | - | - | Y | |
| Texas | - | Y | - | - | N | |
| Virginia | - | Y | - | - | By specification on job | |
| Washington | - | Y | - | - | Y | |
| Wisconsin | - | - | Y | - | Y, in some areas | |
Data for Canada and states not listed above can be found in the aforementioned Sprinkler Age article (Sprinkler Age Nov/Dec 2023 by SprinklerAge).
Risk Logic Inc. performs technical plan reviews and on-site property loss prevention surveys. We can help to ensure that the above codes, as well as other applicable NFPA and FM Global standards, are being followed at your facility to lessen the chances of a major property loss.
