IDAPA 18.08.01
This rule applies to the Idaho general public.
The purpose of this rule adopts the 2000 edition of the International Fire Code and editions by the State Fire Marshal, such as the minimum standard for the protection of life and property from fire and explosion in the state of Idaho.
This rule implements the following statute passed by the Idaho Legislature:
700 W. State Street, 3rd Floor
Boise, ID 83720-0043
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0043
Phone: 1(800) 721-3272 or (208) 334-4250
Fax: (208) 334-4398
Email: rulesreview@doi.idaho.gov
Web: https://doi.idaho.gov/
This rule chapter will be reviewed in compliance with Section 67-5292, Idaho Code, and in accordance with the 8-year rule review schedule linked here.
18.08.01 – Adoption of the International Fire Code
000. Legal Authority. ... 3
001. Scope. ... 3
002. -- 009. (Reserved) ... 3
010. Construction And Design Provisions, IFC Section 102.1. ... 3
011. Department Of Fire Prevention, IFC Section 103.2 -- Appointments. ... 3
012. General Authority And Responsibilities, IFC Section 104.1. ... 3
013. -- 015. (Reserved) ... 3
016. Permits Required, IFC Section 105.1.1. ... 3
017. Violation Penalties, IFC Section 110.4. ... 3
018. Failure To Comply, IFC Section 112.4. ... 3
019. IFC Section 202. ... 4
020. Sky Lanterns, IFC Section 308.1.6.3. ... 4
021. Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles, IFC Section 319. ... 4
022. IFC Chapter 5 Fire Service Features. ... 4
023. -- 026. (Reserved) ... 5
027. Alternative Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems, IFC Section 904.1.1. ... 5
028. Portable Fire Extinguishers, IFC Section 906.2.1. ... 5
029. Fire Alarm And Detection Systems, IFC Section 907.1. ... 5
030. Construction Requirements For Existing Buildings, IFC Section 1101.1. ... 5
031. Explosives And Fireworks, IFC Chapter 56. ... 5
032. -- 045. (Reserved) ... 6
046. Underground Tanks Out Of Service For One Year, IFC Section 5704.2.13.1.3. ... 6
047. -- 055. (Reserved) ... 6
056. References To Appendix, International Fire Code. ... 6
057. -- 999. (Reserved) ... 6
Title 41, Chapter 2, Idaho Code.
(7-1-24)
This rule specifies the minimum standards for the protection of life and property from fire and explosion in Idaho. Pursuant to the authority provided by Section 41-253, Idaho Code, the State Fire Marshal adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) as the minimum standard for the protection of life and property from fire and explosion in the state of Idaho. All such editions and appendices will be adopted in accordance with Section 67-5229, Idaho Code. Copies of the IFC are available for public inspection at the State Fire Marshal's Office, or for purchase from the International Code Council by emailing customersuccess@iccsafe.org or calling 1-800-786-4452.
(7-1-24)
Delete Item No. 3 from Section 102.1.
(7-1-24)
Delete from Section 103.2.: 'and the fire code official shall not be removed from office except for cause and after full opportunity to be heard on specific and relevant charges by and before the appointing authority.'
(7-1-24)
Add to Section 104.1, General:
(7-1-24)
The fire chief is authorized to administer and enforce this code. Under the chief's direction, the fire department is authorized to enforce all ordinances of the jurisdiction about:
(7-1-24)
Replace 'the required permit' in Section 105.1.1, with 'a permit if needed by the authority having jurisdiction.'
(7-1-24)
In Section 110.4, replace 'shall be guilty of a [SPECIFY OFFENCE], punishable by a fine of not more than [AMOUNT] dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding [NUMBER OF DAYS], or both such fine and imprisonment' with 'may be charged with a misdemeanor by prosecuting authorities if the violation is not resolved after written notice by the fire code official'. This section does not apply to the actions of a licensed fire protection sprinkler contractor when acting within the scope of that license. Any such violations are governed by the provisions of IDAPA 18.08.02.
(7-1-25)
Delete Section 112.4.
(7-1-24)
Regarding Section 202, IFC: (7-1-24)
01. Fire Code Official. Add “or as appropriate the Idaho State Fire Marshal” to FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. (7-1-24)
02. Driveway. Add “DRIVEWAY. A vehicular ingress and egress route that serves no more than five (5) single family dwellings, not including accessory structures.” (7-1-24)
03. Fire Station. Add “FIRE STATION, A building, or part of a building that provides, at a minimum, all weather protection for fire apparatus. Temperatures inside the building used for this purpose need to be maintained at above thirty-two (32) degrees Fahrenheit.” (7-1-24)
Replace Section 308.1.6.3 with: “A person cannot release or cause to be released a sky lantern, tethered or untethered without obtaining a permit, if required by the fire code or jurisdiction. When, in the opinion of the fire code official, the release of sky lanterns, tethered or untethered, constitutes a danger to persons or property, based on the current weather conditions, knowledge of topography, vegetation, or any other reasonable factor, is authorized to require additional safeguards prior to the release of sky lanterns. The fire code official may suspend, revoke, postpone, or prohibit the release of any sky lantern at any time.” (7-1-24)
01. Permit Required. Replace Section 319.2 with: “IF REQUIRED BY A LOCAL JURISDICTION, permits may be required as set forth in Section 105.6.” (7-1-24)
02. Fuel Gas Systems. To Section 319.10.3, add at beginning: “IF REQUIRED BY THE LOCAL JURISDICTION,” and at end: “OR PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF INSPECTION UPON REQUEST OF THE LOCAL JURISDICTION.” (7-1-24)
Regarding Chapter 5; (7-1-24)
01. Section 501. (7-1-24)
a. Section 501.3, after “Construction documents for proposed,” add “driveways.” (7-1-24)
b. Section 501.4, “When fire apparatus access roads,” add “driveways.” (7-1-24)
02. Section 502. Section 502, add “DRIVEWAY” and FIRE STATION.” (7-1-24)
03. Section 503. (7-1-24)
a. To Section 503 heading, add “AND DRIVEWAYS”. (7-1-24)
b. To Section 503.1.1, add “Driveways need to be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3.” (7-1-24)
c. To Section 503.6, delete “The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire code official.” (7-1-24)
d. Add “503.7 Driveways. Need be provided when any part of an exterior wall of the first story of a building is more than 150 feet (45720mm) from a fire apparatus access road. Driveways will provide a minimum unobstructed width of 12 feet (3658mm) and a minimum unobstructed height of 13 feet 6 inches (4115mm). Driveways over 150 feet (45720mm) will have turnarounds. Driveways over 200 feet (60960mm) long and less than 20 feet (6096mm) wide may need turnouts in addition to turnarounds.” (7-1-24)
e. Add “503.7.1 Limits. A driveway cannot serve more than five single family dwellings.” (7-1-24)
f. Add “503.7.2 Turnarounds. Driveway turnarounds will have at least a 30 feet (9144mm) inside turning radius and at least a 45 feet (13716mm) outside turning radius. Driveways that connect with an access road or roads at more than one point may be deemed to have a turnaround if all directional changes meet the radius requirements for driveway turnarounds.” (7-1-24)
g. Add “503.7.3 Turnouts. Where a man-made or natural feature obstructs the line of sight along a driveway, turnouts will be located as may be needed by the fire code official for safe passage of vehicles. Driveway turnouts will be of an all-weather road surface at least 10 feet (3048mm) wide and 30 feet (9144mm) long.” (7-1-24)
h. Add “503.7.4 Bridge Load Limits. Vehicle load limits will be posted at both entrances to bridges on driveways and private roads. The fire code official will set design loads for bridges.” (7-1-24)
i. Add “503.7.5 Address markers. All of a building’s driveway entrances will have a permanently posted address that is visible from both directions of travel along the road. The address will always be posted at the beginning of construction and maintained thereafter. The address need be visible and legible from the road on which the address is located. Address signs along one-way roads will be visible from both the intended direction of travel and the opposite direction. Where a single driveway has multiple addresses, they need to be mounted on a single post, with additional signs to posted at locations where driveways divide.” (7-1-24)
j. Add “503.7.6 Grade. Driveway gradients may not exceed 10% unless approved by the fire code official.” (7-1-24)
k. Add “503.7.7 Security Gates. Where security gates are installed, they will have an approved means of emergency operation. The security gates will be operational at all times.” (7-1-24)
l. Add “503.7.8 Surface. Driveways will be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of local responding fire apparatus and be surfaced to allow all weather driving.” (7-1-24)
04. Section 507. Replace Section 507.2 with: “A water supply will consist of water delivered by fire apparatus, reservoirs, pressure tanks, elevated tanks, water mains or other sources approved by the fire code official capable of providing the needed fire flow. Exception. The water supply prescribed by this code needs to apply to structures served by a municipal fire department or a fire protection district and within ten miles (16093m) of a responding fire station.” (7-1-24)
027. ALTERNATIVE AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS, IFC SECTION 904.1.1. Add to the start of Section 904.1.1.: “If prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction,” (7-1-24)
028. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, IFC SECTION 906.2.1. Add to the start of Section 906.2.1.: “If prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction,” (7-1-24)
029. FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS, IFC SECTION 907.1. Add to Section 907-1: “Notification Devices. When fire alarm systems not needed by the International Fire Code are installed, the notification devices need to meet the minimum design and installation requirements for systems that are prescribed by this code. Intent: (Non-prescribed fire alarm systems will provide the same level of occupant notification that prescribed systems provide).” (7-1-24)
030. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS, IFC SECTION 1101.1. Add to Section 1101.1.: “only, if in the opinion of the fire code official, they constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.” (7-1-24)
031. EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS, IFC CHAPTER 56. Delete Sections 5601.1.3, 5601.2.2, 5601.2.3, 5601.2.4.1, 5601.2.4.2, and Sections 5608.2, 5608.2.1, and 5608.3.
(7-1-24)
046. UNDERGROUND TANKS OUT OF SERVICE FOR ONE YEAR, IFC SECTION 5704.2.13.1.3. Add to Section 5704.2.13.1.3: 'Upon approval of the Chief underground tanks that comply with the performance standards for new or upgraded underground tanks set forth in Title 40 Section 280.20 or 280.21 of the Code of Federal Regulations may remain out of service indefinitely so long as they remain in compliance with the operation, maintenance and release detection requirements of the federal rule.' (7-1-24)
The following appendixes of the International Fire Code are hereby adopted: (7-1-24)
01. Appendix B, Fire Flow Requirements for Buildings. (7-1-24)
02. Appendix C, Fire Hydrant Location and Distribution. (7-1-24)
03. Appendix D, Fire Apparatus Access Roads. (7-1-24)
a. To Section D101.1, add 'Driveways as described in section 503.7 through 503.7.8 are not subject to the requirements of this appendix.' (7-1-24)
b. To Section D102.1, after the phrase 'by way of an approved fire apparatus access road,' add 'designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of the responding fire apparatus and will be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities,' and delete the remainder of the section. (7-1-24)
c. Replace Section D103.2 with 'The gradient of the fire apparatus access road needs to be within the limits established by the fire code official based on the capabilities of the responding fire departments apparatus.' (7-1-24)
04. Appendix E, Hazard Categories. (7-1-24)
05. Appendix F, Hazard Rankings. (7-1-24)