• The 2021 International Fire Code contains regulations to safeguard life and property from fires and explosion hazards. Topics include general precautions, emergency planning and preparedness, fire department access and water supplies, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, special hazards, and the storage and use of hazardous materials. Key changes to the IFC include: Requirements for Additive Manufacturing (3-D Printing) equipment and operations for both non-industrial and industrial applications are now provided. Flame propagation performance of permanently installed artificial combustible vegetation is required to be verified when exceeding certain heights located on roofs or in close proximity to buildings. Provisions for emergency responder communication were revised to reflect the expansion of such systems beyond radios and the need for increased performance of such systems. Sprinkler requirements for the storage, manufacture and sale of upholstered furniture and mattresses were updated and clarified. Part of this update is a new exception for single-story self-storage facilities accessed directly from the exterior. An automatic sprinkler system is now required for open parking garages exceeding a certain fire area threshold. The requirements for energy storage systems (ESS) were further refined to reflect the variety of new technologies and applications (in building and standalone) and the need for proper commissioning and decommissioning of such systems. A new chapter was added that provides clarification and specific requirements for the storage of distilled spirits and wines in barrels and casks. The provisions for construction fire safety were reorganized and expanded with an emphasis on the owner’s responsibilities. The new language requires a site safety plan and designation of a site safety director.

The 2021 edition introduces several significant changes:

• Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing): Establishes requirements for equipment and operations related to additive manufacturing in both non-industrial and industrial settings.
• Artificial Combustible Vegetation: Requires verification of flame propagation performance for permanently installed artificial combustible vegetation exceeding certain heights near buildings.
• Emergency Responder Communication: Revises provisions to reflect the expansion of communication systems beyond radios, emphasizing the need for enhanced performance.
• Sprinkler Requirements for Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses: Updates and clarifies sprinkler requirements for the storage, manufacture, and sale of upholstered furniture and mattresses.
• Open Parking Garages: Mandates automatic sprinkler systems for open parking garages exceeding a specified fire area threshold.
• Energy Storage Systems (ESS): Refines requirements for ESS to accommodate new technologies and applications, including proper commissioning and decommissioning procedures.
• Storage of Distilled Spirits and Wines: Introduces a new chapter detailing specific requirements for the storage of distilled spirits and wines in barrels and casks.
• Construction Fire Safety: Reorganizes and expands provisions with an emphasis on the owner’s responsibilities, including the requirement for a site safety plan and designation of a site safety director.