Significant changes to the 2018 International Fire Code

The 2018 Significant Changes guides are available for the International Building, Residential, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes. This valuable series can help any code user save time by zeroing in on the most critical changes in the 2018 International Codes. The Code Council’s technical experts provide summaries, analysis and graphics for these changes making them clear and easy to understand.

2018 International Fire Code

A modification to Section 1031.10 (Inspection and Testing of Emergency Egress Lighting) states that inspection and testing requirements for emergency egress lighting are relocated into Chapter 10 (Means of Egress) and revised to allow self-diagnostics.

This change moves requirements for emergency lighting equipment inspection and testing from the general emergency and standby power requirements of Chapter 6 to the means of egress requirements in Chapter 10 where it more logically is found. Additional changes recognize modern technology found in many emergency lighting units, including self-testing and self-diagnostics to replace manual testing. Conditions for the annual requirement of a 90-minute duration test have been clarified so the test can occur without having to disconnect normal premises power. Finally, by referring users to International Fire Code Section 108 (Maintenance), record-keeping requirements are made consistent with the remainder of the fire code.

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