All Roll Calls
Yes: 198 • No: 4
UtahH.B. 452026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Fire Code Amendments
Sponsored By: Thomas W. Peterson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
BusinessConstructionConstruction and Fire CodesReal Property
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 14 mixed.
Safer school alarms and evacuations
Beginning July 1, 2026, state and college buildings with 300 or more people must have approved fire alarms. K–12 school buildings with 50 or more people must too. With approval, special education classrooms may shelter in place or delay evacuation up to 60 seconds if there is no visible smoke or flame, the building is fully sprinklered and alarmed, and the room has a direct exit or safe zone. Fire code officials can adjust alarm rules in areas used only for special education. Colleges, fraternities, and sororities must keep approved fire safety and evacuation plans.
Home fire-code scope, attic and solar
For homes built under the Residential Code, the fire code only covers address signs, fire‑truck access, hydrants and water supplies, certain permits, and admin/maintenance rules. Attics do not need sprinklers if the building has no other sprinkler requirement. For Group R‑3 and IRC homes, the fire code official may approve smaller solar roof pathways or clearances when a rational plan is shown. These rules apply July 1, 2026.
Sprinklers required for indoor pyrotechnics
Starting July 1, 2026, any Group A-2 venue that uses indoor pyrotechnics must have a full automatic sprinkler system throughout. Owners pay for installation or retrofit to use pyrotechnic effects.
New rules for healthcare and assisted living
The law defines ambulatory surgical centers and adds clear assisted living types and sizes. It reassigns assisted living into updated occupancy groups and expands I-2 to cover 24-hour care for people who cannot self-evacuate. Sprinkler rules for ambulatory care now apply to the entire building, not just the floor. These changes take effect July 1, 2026.
Stronger sprinkler flow alarms and controls
If a full fire alarm system is not required, buildings must add approved interior and exterior waterflow alarms by July 1, 2026. NFPA 13D and 13R systems must also provide exterior waterflow alarms and interior notification. Piping serving more than 5,000 square feet needs floor or zone control valves. With local approval, audible alarms may be silenced during investigation to prevent unsafe reentry.
Better firefighter access, pump rooms, standpipes
From July 1, 2026, pump and sprinkler riser rooms must meet size, access, labeling, lighting, and heat rules (keep at least 40°F). Open parking garages need Class I standpipes if firefighters cannot reach all areas within 150 feet, unless fully sprinklered. Construction and demolition sites must provide vehicle access for firefighters to within 100 feet of FDCs and make temporary roads usable before building above the foundation. If completion assurance is posted, cities cannot require permanent roads before final approval.
Clearer rules for child care facilities
Care for four or more children for pay is a child care facility. Day care with four or more children age 2 or older is Group E; with four or fewer, it may follow residential rules or be part of the main use. The code lists how hourly care, out-of-school, and commercial preschool programs are classified. Rules take effect July 1, 2026.
More school drills and responder radios
Secondary schools hold evacuation drills at least every two months during a nine‑month year. The first drill is within 10 school days after classes start. The third drill is within 10 school days after the new year, weather permitting. Local officials may approve some substitutions for other Group E schools. Existing school buildings must provide emergency responder radio coverage when the fire code official requires it, and the official shall require it for public and private schools. These rules apply beginning July 1, 2026.
Stronger fire and CO systems in schools
Schools must have a manual fire alarm that alerts by voice or approved sounds and lights. Detectors are spaced about 30 feet apart and no more than 15 feet from walls, and circuits are Class A. CO detectors are required in kitchens, boiler rooms, labs, shops, gas appliance areas, and near gas rooftop units. CO alarms must auto-send signals to an onsite staffed spot unless the building serves 30 people or fewer. If CO stays above 70 ppm for one hour, equipment that makes CO must shut down, blue strobes must flash, and people must evacuate. Systems need backup power, spot testing with a State Fire Marshal deputy present, and a yearly inspection tag by a Master Fire Alarm Technician. In special education rooms, a solid red light may replace audible/visible alarms if the fire code official approves. These rules apply beginning July 1, 2026.
Wildfire closures and vegetation safety standards
Starting July 1, 2026, cities and the state forester can ban ignition sources like fireworks, lighters, sky lanterns, and smoking in hazardous areas. Closures must be mapped and posted; long-term closures need a two-of-five-years hazard finding and annual maps. The code also points to the state’s minimum county wildland fire vegetation standards.
Safer stairs and egress rules for homes
In many homes and accessory spaces, stairs with four or more risers must have a handrail on at least one side. Stair sizes are set: risers up to 8 inches; treads at least 9 inches; winder treads at least 10 inches at the walk line and 6 inches minimum; and a nosing of at least 0.75 inch where required. In Type V buildings, secure areas that use delayed or special egress locks must be at the level of exit discharge. The security‑device rule now clearly applies to building security as well as fire. These rules apply beginning July 1, 2026.
Tighter fire system upkeep with seasonal break
Sprinklers that use antifreeze must have a tag showing test date, antifreeze type and concentration, and the tester’s licensed contractor info, plus a yearly‑test warning. If false alarms rise, owners must do sensitivity testing and, if problems continue, replace the alarm system as ordered by the fire authority. Seasonal places used less than six straight months can switch to annual service, but only right before use and with fire official approval. These rules apply beginning July 1, 2026.
Higher credentials for alarm and sprinkler work
By July 1, 2026, fire alarm designers must hold NICET level III or IV in Fire Alarm Systems. Sprinkler and alarm layout submittals must be prepared by a NICET III/IV in the right specialty. People who inspect, test, and maintain fire alarm systems must meet Utah Fire Prevention Board certification.
State adopts 2024 fire code updates
Utah adopts the 2024 International Fire Code and NFPA 1 Ch. 38, NFPA 54 (2024), and NFPA 58 (2024). Water‑supply rules follow the State Construction Code amendments. Fire areas in Groups F-1, M, and S-1 are treated as above grade when more than three stories above the lowest fire‑truck access. A prior state fireworks amendments section is repealed. All changes take effect July 1, 2026 unless noted.
Carbon monoxide detectors for schools and housing
Starting July 1, 2026, existing Group E, I-1, I-2, I-4, and R buildings must have carbon monoxide detectors per Section 915. Owners install and maintain them. This gives occupants better warning of CO hazards.
Notices for idle tanks and fewer placards
If an underground tank is idle for more than a year, the state sends a Temporary Closure Notice to the owner and local authority. For abandoned buildings, officials may post placards but are not required to. Both changes start July 1, 2026.
Easier fire code appeals and approvals
When a fire code order is issued, officials must tell you about your right to appeal and give written notice if you ask. For land-use projects, fire code interpretations can go through the local advisory opinion and appeal authority. Independent Utah-licensed engineers or architects can provide approvals that count as “approved” when submitted to the fire code official. Fire code officials may issue limited emergency orders when there is an immediate and serious danger. These rules apply July 1, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Thomas W. Peterson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Evan J. Vickers
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/9/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 68 • No: 1
House vote • 2/6/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
House vote • 1/26/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 1/26/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 1/21/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 70 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/13/2026House/ to Governor
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/2/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/2/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/12/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/12/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/10/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/10/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/10/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/9/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
2/9/2026HouseHouse/ uncircled
2/9/2026HouseHouse/ circled
2/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
2/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
1/27/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ substituted
1/27/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/2/2026
Substitute #1
1/22/2026
Introduced
12/18/2025
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