When the clock strikes midnight and the calendar turns to Jan. 1, 2025, Buckeye will also ring in the new Building and Life Safety Codes. The update brings important implications for construction, unanimously approved by City Council at the Oct. 15 regular meeting.
Life Safety Codes are set by the National Fire Protection Association and International Codes, called I-codes, are set by the International Code Council. The standards were last updated in 2019. The current update will move the city's standards to the new 2023 codes, with the 2023 national electrical codes included.
"We are also very cognizant that some of these changes may increase costs for customers," said Development Services Director Brian Craig.
The biggest amendments are for fire sprinklers, he said with the three following changes:
- Builders will no longer be required to install local zero-square-foot fire sprinklers, returning to the base IFC code.
- Fire sprinkler requirements will be determined by the size of use of the space in which they are being installed in addition to the available fire suppression pressure and flow.
- A fire sprinkler exemption is being instated for accessory structures, such as covering parking which is seeing an un-sprinklered area increase.
Buckeye will be the first to make the update out of all Phoenix area cities. A question often asked, said Craig, is whether this puts the city at a disadvantage with builders in the city being uncomfortable with the timeline. The feedback has been largely positive, he said, with some commercial builders expressing "excitement" about the sprinkler amendments.
Residential developments already underway with the 2018 codes will be given a one-year grace period through 2025 to finish out the subdivisions. The remaining in-fill residential lots which are nearly built-out may also continue under the 2018 codes on a case-by-case basis.
James Ashley, director of municipal affairs for the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, spoke during public comment at the Oct. 15 meeting saying that he believes the city's approach to rolling out the codes is indicative of its communication efforts with stakeholders. The grace period, he said, is especially important for Buckeye given the volume of residential builds currently active.
"I know our members appreciate that as well," he said. "We brought several amendments to the city's attention and we really appreciate the deliberation and thoughtful consideration and incorporation of several of those suggestions."
Read the full code update from the city HERE.
