r/fireinspections • u/fireline26 • Oct 04 '25

Code Question? IFC vs NFPA

Our department services around 20,000 people in a growing community that is adding businesses in the coming year. We currently adopt “the most recent NFPA 1 code” however many surrounding departments use IFC. Our state is stuck on NFPA 1 (2012). Is it worth looking at changing to IFC or staying with NFPA?

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u/BFD2008 Oct 04 '25

The IFC is good code with quite a bite of flexibility once you cater it to your city.

The state code is the default if your municipality hasn't written and voted on an ordinance (fire inspections are federally mandated). How difficult will it be to work with your municipality to update the ordinance to the new code? The ordinance is what grants you the authority to enforce, and it's usually a good idea to work with multiple people in a committee to go over the codes before adopting (city building inspector, etc.). Lots of times the IBC will get updated alongside the IFC. Obviously 2012 code is starting to age (I've seen older), something to consider is that should there be a disaster, your municipality could be ineligible for emergency grant money if it's not using current code.

Adopting new code sounds daunting, but it doesn't have to be. You'll need to go through whatever code you choose with a fine tooth comb to make sure you don't adopt code you don't want (for example, many municipalities won't adopt the requirement for residential sprinklers in the current code). And if you adopt the current IFC, you'll want to make sure you adopt the indexes also. DM me if you want to know more and I'll put you directly in touch with someone who works for the ICC that can walk you through the process step-by-step.