ICC Announces Official Recognition of the NFPA’s National Electrical Code® as the Electrical Code for Use with the ICC Family of Codes

The International Code Council has designated NFPA 70®, the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) as the electrical code for use with the ICC’s International Family of Codes or “I-Codes.” The set of 15 I-Codes are model building codes used in every state and most jurisdictions. Similarly the NEC, which is developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is the model code used as the basis for electrical regulations throughout the country, and it has been referenced for over 10 years in the I-Codes as an integral part of the building safety framework.

“This is another example of premier membership associations working together to benefit public health and safety,” said ICC Board President Bill Dupler. “Formally recognizing the NEC demonstrates the ICC’s commitment to lessening the burden on jurisdictions by providing them consensus-based model codes and standards.”

Jim Shannon, president and CEO of the NFPA, said, “The NEC is the nation’s electrical code, and we are excited about the ICC’s formal recognition of the NEC as the official electrical code for use with I-Codes developed by the International Code Council.”

Formal designation will ensure that the latest version of the NEC will be referenced within the ICC set of codes.

The International Code Council is a member-focused association dedicated to helping the building safety community and construction industry provide safe and sustainable construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

The International Codes, or I-Codes, published by the International Code Council, provide minimum safeguards for people at home, at school and in the workplace. The I-Codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety, fire prevention and energy-efficient codes. Building codes benefit public safety and support the construction industry’s need for one set of codes without regional limitations.

NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training and education. Visit NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org for more information.

NFPA has been the developer and publisher of the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) since 1911. The NEC sets the standard for the safe use of electricity and electrical installations. It is the most widely used code for the built-environment in the world. The 2011 NEC is the 52nd Edition of the code and 2011 marked 100 years of NFPA sponsorship.