bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Several states in the southern region of the country have adopted or are in the process of adopting updated editions of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other electrical and life safety standards related to the installation of electrical products. This includes Part VIII of the International Residential Code (IRC), the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and several electrical and life safety standards published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Virginia was the first state in the south to update its state building code in 2014. The 2012 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) went into effect on July 14, 2014. The USBC includes the 2011 NEC, the 2012 IRC, the 2012 IECC, and the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC). The 2010 National Fire Alarm and Signal Code (NFPA 72), the 2010 Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99), the 2005 Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment (NFPA 720), and NEMA Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (NEMA 250-2008) are directly referenced by the USBC.
The next state to enact a statewide building code was Mississippi. Effective August 1, 2014, every county and municipal jurisdiction in the state is required to adopt one of the last three editions of the NEC (2011, 2008, 2005) as referenced by the adopted International Building Code &/or IRC. All commercial buildings are required to comply with the Energy Standard for Buildings Except for Low-Rise Residential Buildings (ASHRAE 90.1-2010). The Mississippi State Fire Prevention Code is based on the 2012 IFC.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has adopted the 2014 NEC. The 2014 edition goes into effect on September 1, 2014. The Georgia State Codes Advisory Committee has recommended the Department of Community Affairs adopt the 2014 NEC. If approved, the 2014 edition will go into effect on January 1, 2015.
The states of North Carolina and Oklahoma are currently reviewing the 2014 NEC. Both states are expected to adopt the 2014 edition in mid-2015. The state of Florida is expected to adopt the 2011 NEC in mid-2015. The 5th edition of the Florida Building Code will also include the 2012 IRC and IECC. The 5th edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code goes into effect on January 1, 2015. This document is based on the 2012 National Fire Code (NFPA 1) and National Life safety Code (NFPA 101).
There is currently no code adoption activity in the states of Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana.
NEMA Field Representatives and other members of the Coalition for Current Safety Codes are working hard with the stakeholders and other interested parties in these states to get the most current edition of the codes and standards adopted and enforced. NEMA Field Representatives serve NEMA members by promoting the use and adoption of the electrical, life safety, and energy conservation standards and by monitoring regional developments of importance to the electroindustry. Activities include giving public comment at code adoption hearings, providing technical documentation to regulatory agencies, and by supporting local associations and organizations impacted by delayed code adoption.
For more up-to-date code adoption information in all 50-states, please subscribe to the NEMA Code Alerts email service at www.nema.org/Technical/Code-Alerts. You can also view the most current NEC and Energy Code adoption maps along with informational spreadsheets at www.nema.org/Technical/FieldReps.
Virginia was the first state in the south to update its state building code in 2014. The 2012 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) went into effect on July 14, 2014. The USBC includes the 2011 NEC, the 2012 IRC, the 2012 IECC, and the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC). The 2010 National Fire Alarm and Signal Code (NFPA 72), the 2010 Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99), the 2005 Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment (NFPA 720), and NEMA Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (NEMA 250-2008) are directly referenced by the USBC.
The next state to enact a statewide building code was Mississippi. Effective August 1, 2014, every county and municipal jurisdiction in the state is required to adopt one of the last three editions of the NEC (2011, 2008, 2005) as referenced by the adopted International Building Code &/or IRC. All commercial buildings are required to comply with the Energy Standard for Buildings Except for Low-Rise Residential Buildings (ASHRAE 90.1-2010). The Mississippi State Fire Prevention Code is based on the 2012 IFC.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has adopted the 2014 NEC. The 2014 edition goes into effect on September 1, 2014. The Georgia State Codes Advisory Committee has recommended the Department of Community Affairs adopt the 2014 NEC. If approved, the 2014 edition will go into effect on January 1, 2015.
The states of North Carolina and Oklahoma are currently reviewing the 2014 NEC. Both states are expected to adopt the 2014 edition in mid-2015. The state of Florida is expected to adopt the 2011 NEC in mid-2015. The 5th edition of the Florida Building Code will also include the 2012 IRC and IECC. The 5th edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code goes into effect on January 1, 2015. This document is based on the 2012 National Fire Code (NFPA 1) and National Life safety Code (NFPA 101).
There is currently no code adoption activity in the states of Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana.
NEMA Field Representatives and other members of the Coalition for Current Safety Codes are working hard with the stakeholders and other interested parties in these states to get the most current edition of the codes and standards adopted and enforced. NEMA Field Representatives serve NEMA members by promoting the use and adoption of the electrical, life safety, and energy conservation standards and by monitoring regional developments of importance to the electroindustry. Activities include giving public comment at code adoption hearings, providing technical documentation to regulatory agencies, and by supporting local associations and organizations impacted by delayed code adoption.
For more up-to-date code adoption information in all 50-states, please subscribe to the NEMA Code Alerts email service at www.nema.org/Technical/Code-Alerts. You can also view the most current NEC and Energy Code adoption maps along with informational spreadsheets at www.nema.org/Technical/FieldReps.