ICC FCS cheat sheet

Scope rule: the code governs new construction and, for existing buildings, only the provisions expressly stated to apply to existing conditions; where a conflict arises, the more restrictive requirement controls.

Permit duty: the owner or contractor must obtain permits before installing, altering, or repairing regulated fire protection systems, storage of hazardous materials, or operations listed in the permit schedule.

Plan review sequence: submit construction documents, obtain approval, then build; work begun without approved plans is subject to stop-work orders and reinspection fees.

Inspections and tests: the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) may inspect at any reasonable time; concealed work needs approval before covering, and acceptance tests require witnessing or documented notice.

Board of appeals: an aggrieved party files a written appeal within the period stated in local ordinance; filing an appeal does not stay an enforcement order unless the board grants a stay.

Certificate of occupancy: issued only after final inspection confirms compliance; a change of use or occupancy classification requires a new evaluation even without construction.

Definitions control outcomes: 'shall' is mandatory, 'should' is advisory, 'approved' means accepted by the AHJ, and 'listed' means included in a published certification by an approved agency.

Owner responsibilities: maintain systems in operating condition, keep records of inspections and tests available, and correct hazards on notice; tenants share duties for areas under their control.

Occupancy separation: fire barriers are rated by hours (1, 2, 3, 4) and are classified by the structural elements they protect; opening protectives must match the required rating.

Means of egress components: exit access, exit, and exit discharge; the travel path must be continuous and unobstructed, and each component has its own capacity and width rules.

Egress width: capacity is calculated from occupant load multiplied by the per-person width factor for the component; the required width is the larger of that calculation and the minimum clear width.

Occupant load: computed by dividing floor area by the occupant load factor for the use; fixed seating counts seats, and concentrated business or assembly uses use the densest factor.

Exit remoteness: two required exits must be separated by a distance not less than one-half the diagonal of the area served, or by a specified minimum, whichever is greater.

Dead-end corridors and common path of travel are limited by occupancy group; exceeding the limit requires an additional exit or a smoke-protected arrangement.

Fire drills and emergency plans: required in educational, assembly, and certain residential occupancies at the stated frequency, with records kept and posted evacuation procedures.

Open flame and hot work: a permit is required, a fire watch is maintained during and after operations, and combustibles are cleared or protected within the specified radius.

HVAC shutdown: air-handling systems serving more than one story or exceeding the listed capacity must have smoke detectors arranged to shut down the unit upon alarm.

Duct protection: fire dampers are required where ducts penetrate rated assemblies unless the penetration is protected by an approved alternative; access panels must be provided for inspection.

Plenum use: combustible materials in air plenums are restricted; wiring in plenums must be listed for plenum use (plenum-rated cable) or installed in raceways.

Elevator recall: Phase I recall returns cars to the designated level on alarm; Phase II allows firefighter control with a key switch in the car.

Standby and emergency power: required for fire pumps, smoke control, elevators, and exit illumination; the system must be tested under load and maintained per the adopted standard.

Fuel-fired appliances: clearance to combustibles, venting, and combustion air are governed by the mechanical and fuel gas codes; appliance rooms need the required fire separation.

Emergency lighting and exit signs: illumination duration and intensity are specified; exit signs must be continuously illuminated or internally illuminated and visible from any point in the path.

Smoke control systems: designed for the specific building geometry, tested at acceptance, and re-tested periodically; documentation of design intent must be maintained on site.

Sprinkler design: hazard classification sets density and design area; light hazard uses lower density, ordinary hazard higher, and storage occupancies follow the storage chapters.

Water supply: the design must account for the available supply, duration, and hose stream allowance; a fire pump is added when residual pressure is insufficient at the required flow.

Standpipe classes: Class I for fire department use with 2.5-inch outlets, Class II for occupant use with 1.5-inch hose, Class III for both; each has its own pressure and flow criteria.

Alarm initiation and notification: manual pull stations, automatic detection, and notification appliances are arranged so the alarm is audible and visible throughout the protected area.

Inspection, testing, and maintenance: weekly and monthly checks for gauges and valves, annual flow tests, and a 5-year internal inspection of sprinkler piping are typical requirements.

Impairment procedure: when a system is out of service, notify the AHJ and occupants, post fire watch if required, and restore and test before returning to service.

Portable extinguishers: selection by hazard class (A, B, C, D, K), travel distance limits, mounting height, and monthly visual inspection with annual maintenance.

Fire hydrants and access: spacing and access roads must permit apparatus positioning; the required fire flow is determined by construction type, area, and occupancy.

Classification: hazardous materials are grouped by hazard class and quantity; the maximum allowable quantity (MAQ) per control area determines whether permits, cabinets, or sprinklers are required.

Control areas: the number and fire-resistance rating of control areas depend on floor level; quantities above the MAQ require an approved storage arrangement or a hazardous materials permit.

Flammable liquid storage: cabinet and room limits are set by container size and class; dispensing areas require ventilation, bonding and grounding, and no ignition sources.

Cylinder storage: compressed gas cylinders are secured upright, separated by hazard, and stored away from exits and heat; oxidizers are separated from flammables.

Hazard identification: NFPA 704 placards and HMIS labels communicate health, flammability, instability, and special hazards; the placard must be posted where emergency responders can see it.

Spill and release response: reportable quantities trigger notification, and cleanup must follow an approved plan; contaminated absorbents are handled as hazardous waste.

Hot work and confined space: permits, atmospheric testing, ventilation, and a standby attendant are required before entry or ignition-source operations in these areas.

Explosion prevention: dust and vapor hazards require bonding, grounding, and classified electrical equipment; the area classification governs the wiring method installed.

Permit types typically include sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, hood suppression, flammable liquid storage, hot work, and tent or temporary structure permits.

A permit is not transferable and remains valid only while the work is performed by the named contractor within the stated time period.

Records of inspections, tests, and maintenance must be retained and made available to the AHJ on request; missing records are treated as unverified compliance.

A stop-work order may be issued for work without a permit or work that deviates from approved plans; the order remains until the AHJ confirms correction.

Fees and reinspection charges are set locally; a failed acceptance test generally requires a new test and a new fee before approval.

Assembly occupancies have crowd manager and aisle-width rules; chairs must be secured or arranged to maintain clear aisles.

High-rise buildings require fire command centers, elevator recall, and, where installed, voice communication for evacuation instructions.

Ignition source control includes no-smoking areas, clearance around heating appliances, and restrictions on open burning.

Fire department access roads need the specified width, turning radius, and load capacity, and must remain unobstructed at all times.

Vacant buildings must be secured against entry and may require fire watch or system maintenance while unoccupied.

Smoke dampers and fire dampers are distinct: smoke dampers limit smoke spread and are controlled by detection, while fire dampers are heat-actuated.

Elevator lobby smoke detectors initiate recall; a detector in the machine room or hoistway may also trigger recall depending on the design.

Fire alarm control units must monitor supervisory and trouble conditions, not only alarm conditions, and annunciate them at a constantly attended location.

Generator and fire pump rooms require the fire separation and ventilation specified for the equipment, and their fuel storage follows the flammable liquid rules.

Kitchen hood suppression systems interlock with fuel shutoff and must be serviced semiannually or at the interval specified in the listing.

Sprinkler spacing and coverage are limited by ceiling height, construction, and sprinkler type; extended-coverage and residential sprinklers have their own limits.

Hydraulic calculations must show that the required flow is delivered at the required pressure, including friction loss and elevation.

Standpipe systems require the residual pressure at the topmost outlet to meet the standard for the class and building height.

Acceptance testing includes hydrostatic tests, main drain flow tests, alarm and supervisory signal tests, and verification of waterflow switch operation.

Fire pump testing records churn, 100 percent, and 150 percent flow points; the results are compared with the manufacturer's curve.

Hazardous materials quantity limits apply per control area, and the number of control areas decreases on upper floors and in basements.

Cabinets and rooms used for flammable liquids must be labeled, self-closing, and rated as specified for the quantity stored.

Bonding and grounding are required when dispensing flammable liquids to prevent static ignition; containers must be metal or approved conductive material.

Oxidizers are separated from flammable and combustible materials because they can intensify fire without an external ignition source.

The emergency plan must identify the hazardous materials present, their locations, and the notification and evacuation procedures.

The AHJ may require a written report of a test or inspection, signed by the responsible party, before accepting the installation.

Reinspection after a violation may be charged; repeated noncompliance can lead to permit revocation.

A variance or alternative method may be granted only where equivalent protection is demonstrated to the AHJ in writing.

Code editions are adopted by reference; the edition in force on the permit application date generally governs the project.

Notices of violation must state the code section, the corrective action, and the time allowed for compliance.

Combustible waste must be removed from the premises at the stated frequency, and containers must be noncombustible or approved.

Fire lanes and hydrant access must remain clear; parking in a fire lane is a violation subject to enforcement.

Cooking operations require hood cleaning at intervals based on volume and fuel type, with records kept on site.

Open burning, fireworks, and pyrotechnics require permits with site plans, crowd separation, and fire watch.

Smoking is prohibited in areas where flammable vapors or dusts may be present, and signage must mark the boundaries.

Emergency power systems must be tested monthly under load and annually for the full duration specified by the adopted standard.

Exit illumination must be provided at the required intensity along the entire path, including stairs and discharge areas.

Battery-powered emergency lighting units require monthly function tests and annual duration tests.

Smoke control and stair pressurization systems need periodic testing to verify pressure differentials and door-opening forces.

Electrical equipment in classified locations must be listed for the class, division, and group of the hazard present.

Sprinkler control valves must be supervised open or locked; a closed valve is a critical impairment requiring immediate notice.

Gauges must show normal supply and system pressure; a drop in pressure indicates a leak, a closed valve, or a supply problem.

Detection devices have listed sensitivity ranges and require periodic calibration or replacement per the manufacturer's instructions.

Extinguisher hydrostatic testing intervals depend on the extinguisher type and are marked on the shell or label.

Pre-engineered suppression systems require the listed agent quantity and nozzle placement; modifications without listing approval void the acceptance.

Confined space entry requires a permit, atmospheric testing for oxygen, flammables, and toxics, and a rescue plan before entry.

Hot work permits specify the area, the fire watch duration, and the required clearance of combustibles.

Tank and piping work requires isolation, lockout, and verification that the vessel is empty and purged.

Dust collection systems must be designed to prevent deflagration propagation and bonded to prevent static discharge.

Emergency responders need access to current inventories and safety data sheets at the site.

The owner must keep the premises and systems in compliance and may not disable a required system without notifying the AHJ.

Contractors must be licensed where required and must perform work per approved plans and listed installation standards.

A change in occupancy or use requires evaluation even when no construction occurs.

The AHJ may order correction of an imminent hazard immediately, with the order effective before appeal.

Written records of maintenance and testing belong to the owner and must be produced on request.

Exit doors must swing in the direction of travel where the occupant load is high and must be openable without a key or special knowledge.

Exit signs must be illuminated and visible; where the path is not direct, directional indicators are required.

Stairwells and corridors must be kept clear of storage; a single obstruction can reduce the effective egress width.

Panic hardware is required on certain assembly exit doors and must release with a single motion.

Exit discharge must lead to a public way or an approved area of refuge.

Smoke barriers and smoke partitions have different leakage and rating criteria; the design intent determines which is required.

Atrium smoke control relies on exhaust at the top and makeup air at the bottom; the design must be verified by testing.

Stair pressurization must maintain the required pressure difference while limiting door-opening force.

HVAC systems can spread smoke; the shutdown and damper arrangement must be coordinated with the alarm design.

Duct smoke detectors require periodic testing and cleaning to maintain sensitivity.

The available water supply curve is compared with the system demand curve; the point where they meet determines the residual pressure.

Fire pump sizing must avoid overpressurizing the system at churn; a relief valve may be required.

Standpipe and sprinkler demands may be combined; the larger combined demand governs the supply.

Backflow prevention is required where the fire protection connection could contaminate the potable supply.

Underground mains require flushing and flow testing before acceptance.

The NFPA 704 diamond uses blue for health, red for flammability, yellow for instability, and white for special hazards such as water reactivity.

The HMIS label adds a personal protective equipment section and is used for workplace labeling.

Transportation placards use a different system and are not a substitute for the facility hazard identification.

Flammable liquid classes are defined by flash point and boiling point; the class determines storage and handling limits.

Compressed gases are grouped as flammable, oxidizing, corrosive, toxic, or inert, and each group has separation rules.

Acceptance tests must be witnessed or documented as required, and the results must be submitted to the AHJ.

Concealed work must be inspected before it is covered; failure to do so may require removal for inspection.

Periodic inspections of systems are required at intervals set by the adopted standard, not only at installation.

Deficiencies found during inspection must be corrected and documented; critical deficiencies require immediate action.

The AHJ may require a fire watch when a required system is impaired.

Occupant load is the basis for egress capacity, plumbing fixture counts, and some fire protection requirements.

Egress capacity is the number of occupants that a component can serve, computed from width and the per-person factor.

The width of corridors, stairs, and doors must be at least the calculated capacity width and the minimum clear width.

Fixed seating reduces the occupant load calculation to the number of seats, but aisles still need capacity width.

A change in occupant load can trigger a requirement for additional exits.

Elevator hoistways must be enclosed with the required fire-resistance rating, and openings must be protected.

Elevator recall is initiated by lobby smoke detectors and by the fire alarm system; the designated level is normally the street floor.

The firefighter service key must be available to the fire department and kept in an approved location.

Vertical openings such as shafts and stairways require enclosure to limit smoke and fire spread between floors.

Elevator machine rooms require separation and, where required, detection and suppression.

Detector spacing and location depend on the detector type, ceiling height, and airflow; dead air spaces near walls and corners are avoided.

Notification appliances must provide the required sound pressure level above ambient and visible signals where required.

Waterflow switches and valve tamper switches must report to the fire alarm control unit.

Alarm and supervisory signals must be distinct so responders can distinguish a fire from a system fault.

The fire alarm system must be tested after any modification and documented.

Maximum allowable quantities are reduced when storage is above or below the grade plane.

Liquid storage rooms require spill control, drainage, and ventilation as specified for the class and quantity.

Container and portable tank limits depend on the liquid class and the storage arrangement.

Dispensing operations require an approved pump or self-closing valve and bonding of the container to the receiving vessel.

Hazardous waste accumulation areas are subject to separate time and quantity limits.

Extinguisher travel distance is measured along the path of travel, not straight-line distance.

Extinguishers must be mounted so the top is within the specified height and the label is visible.

Class K extinguishers are required for cooking media and are installed near the cooking equipment.

Standpipe hose stations must be accessible and their valves operable without obstruction.

Hose and nozzle condition must be inspected periodically and replaced when damaged.

Design documents must be prepared by a qualified person and bear the required seal where the jurisdiction requires it.

As-built records of fire protection systems must be maintained and updated after modifications.

The AHJ may require a third-party review for complex or unusual designs.

False statements on a permit application or test report are grounds for revocation and possible penalties.

The owner remains responsible for compliance even when a contractor performs the work.

Residential occupancies require smoke alarms in sleeping areas and, where specified, carbon monoxide alarms.

Educational occupancies require fire drills at the stated frequency and posted evacuation plans.

Health care occupancies require defend-in-place planning, compartmentation, and staff training.

Mercantile and business occupancies have limits on combustible display and storage in means of egress.

Tents and temporary structures require permits and flame-resistant materials.

Fire alarm interfaces with HVAC, elevators, and suppression systems must be tested as a system, not component by component.

Damper and detector maintenance must be documented; a failed device can defeat the intended smoke control sequence.

Emergency power transfer must be tested so that the fire pump and alarm system remain powered during an outage.

Battery systems require load testing and replacement per the manufacturer's schedule.

Changes to building layout can invalidate the smoke control design and require re-evaluation.

The design basis document records the hazard classification, density, design area, and water supply used for the calculation.

Any change in occupancy or storage height requires re-evaluation of the sprinkler design.

Acceptance test records and hydraulic calculations must be kept for the life of the system.

Impairment records document the duration and the fire watch provided during an outage.

The AHJ may require a new acceptance test after a significant modification.

The emergency plan must address spills, releases, fire, and medical emergencies involving hazardous materials.

Personnel must be trained on the hazards, the plan, and the use of protective equipment.

Notification procedures must identify the AHJ, the owner, and the response agency to be contacted.

Evacuation routes must account for the location of the hazardous materials and the wind direction.

Drills and plan reviews must be documented and updated when the inventory changes.