In a recent training class, the issue of the International Fire Code (IFC) was raised by several students. Apparently their jurisdiction has adopted the IFC, and the students believed that this adoption of the IFC supersedes the use of the IBC and NFPA 72.
It is important for fire alarm professionals to understand the purpose of the IFC. The IFC is a document designed to be adopted by jurisdictions. When a jurisdiction adopts the IFC, they are adopting the entire code package referenced throughout the book. For fire alarm system professionals, this includes the IBC and NFPA 72. The IFC specifically references NFPA 72 as the code to use for fire alarm system installation requirements. The IFC specifically references the IBC as the code to use for building code requirements.
NFPA 101 is the life safety code. Some jurisdictions adopt the use of NFPA 101 instead of the IBC, for fire alarm system purposes. Either way, NFPA 72 is universally adopted. The use of NFPA 72 does not conflict with the adoption of the IFC. The use of NFPA 72 conforms with the adoption of the IFC.
The IFC is a document which is produced by the International Code Council (ICC). They are a competing code writing organization to NFPA. NFPA produces the National Fire Code (NFPA 1, NFC). Jurisdictions which adopt the NFC, also adopt NFPA 72, and NFPA 101, the life safety code.
All jurisdictions across the US use NFPA 72, The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. All jurisdictions across the US use the National Electrical Code. Many jurisdictions use the IBC. Some jurisdictions use NFPA 101.
The references allowed for NICET testing represent these primary codes used in our industry. Depending on the level of NICET testing, permitted references may include NFPA 72, NFPA 70, IBC or NFPA 101. The breakdown for allowed references represents the codes which govern our industry.
NICET Level I permitted references
- NFPA 72
- NEC (NFPA 70)
NICET Level II permitted references
- NFPA 72
- NEC (NFPA 70)
- IBC
NICET Level III permitted references
- NFPA 72
- NEC (NFPA 70)
- IBC
- NFPA 101
NICET Level IV permitted references
- NFPA 72
- IBC
- NFPA 101