International Code Council Releases Early 2027 Fire Code Battery Provisions and Lithium-Ion Safety Guide

The International Code Council (ICC) has released Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in the Built Environment – Early Release of the Chapter 43 Battery Provisions of the Forthcoming 2027 International Fire Code® (IFC). The guide was developed from recommendations by the Battery and Energy Storage Systems Ad Hoc Committee and published ahead of the standard code cycle to help jurisdictions address the growing use of lithium-ion batteries and emerging battery technologies. 

By making these provisions available now, ICC is giving code officials, designers and emergency personnel access to the most current, research-based regulatory framework for the safe manufacture, storage, use and recycling of lithium-ion batteries that may be adopted, referenced and applied today.  

Key insights from Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in the Built Environment – Early Release of the Chapter 43 Battery Provisions of the Forthcoming 2027 International Fire Code® include: 

• Advanced viewing of the 2027 IFC new Chapter 43 non-energy storage systems battery provisions;  
• Explanation of jurisdictional authority for adoption and use of the Chapter 43 provisions; and 
• Preview of adoption and compliance pathway options for local code authorities to apply these provisions within their currently adopted code editions. 

Releasing the 2027 IFC Chapter 43 battery code provisions as well as guidance tools for local jurisdictions to apply in advance of the complete code publication allows code officials an opportunity to view and consider early adoption of battery provisions for their communities. 

View Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in the Built Environment – Early Release of the Chapter 43 Battery Provisions of the Forthcoming 2027 International Fire Code® here.  

Learn more about ICC’s Fire and Disaster Mitigation resources here.