Significant changes to the 2018 International Fire Code

The 2018 Significant Changes guides are available for the International Building, Residential, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes. This valuable series can help any code user save time by zeroing in on the most critical changes in the 2018 International Codes. The Code Council’s technical experts provide summaries, analysis and graphics for these changes making them clear and easy to understand.

2018 International Fire Code

An addition to Sections 901.4.6.1, 901.4.6.2, 901.4.6.3 and 901.4.6.4 (Fire Pump and Fire Sprinkler Riser Rooms) adds additional criteria to fire pump rooms and fire sprinkler riser rooms.

This code change adds additional criteria to fire pump rooms and fire sprinkler riser rooms. The code does not require such rooms to be provided, but where they are provided, the rooms must meet the requirements in Section 901.4.6 of the IFC and Section 902.1 of the International Building Code.

Fire pump and fire sprinkler riser rooms must be readily accessible at all times but can be locked if a key is available. This could be accomplished using a key box as provided in Section 506.1.

The temperature in the room must be maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to ensure the piping and components do not freeze. This same temperature threshold is required in NFPA 20, “Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection.” NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems” also specifies the same temperature threshold when determining the need for a dry-pipe sprinkler system.

Permanent lighting is required in fire pump rooms and fire sprinkler riser rooms.

Click here to read the full significant change.