Section 901.1/Fire Protection Systems Scope
IFC 901 establishes scope of fire protection system requirements for new and existing buildings.
Fire protection systems (sprinklers, fire alarms, standpipes, fire extinguishers, kitchen hood suppression) must be installed, inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the IFC and the applicable referenced standards (NFPA 13, NFPA 25, NFPA 72). Systems must be maintained in an operative condition at all times. Impairments to fire protection systems must be reported and managed per Section 901.7. The fire code official has authority to require additional fire protection in existing buildings where hazards warrant it.
Why this section exists
The IBC governs fire protection requirements at the time of construction, but the IFC governs the ongoing maintenance and operational requirements for the life of the building. A sprinkler system that was code-compliant when installed becomes non-compliant if valves are shut, sprinklers are painted, or the building use changes without updating the fire protection. Section 901 establishes the baseline that all fire protection systems must remain operative.
What plan reviewers look for
For new construction, plan reviewers verify that the fire protection systems required by the IBC are shown on the drawings. For tenant improvement and change-of-use projects, they check whether existing fire protection systems are adequate for the new use or whether upgrades are required. They also verify that the fire alarm monitoring and sprinkler system connections are shown.
Common violations
Related IFC requirements
IBC Section 903.2 establishes when sprinkler systems are required for new construction. Section 907 covers fire alarm system requirements. NFPA 25 covers inspection, testing, and maintenance of sprinkler systems. NFPA 72 Chapter 14 covers fire alarm inspection and testing.