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Updated August 2026
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Show columns IFC 2015 IFC 2018 IFC 2021 IFC 2024 IFC 2027 – COMING SOON

TOPIC	IFC 2015	IFC 2018	IFC 2021	IFC 2024
Relevant Referenced Standards – IFC Ch. 80	NFPA 72-2013	NFPA 72-2016 NFPA 1221-2016	NFPA 72-2019 NFPA 1221-2019	NFPA 72-2022 NFPA 1225-2022
Approved Emergency Services Department Communications Required	Sec. 510.1, 510.2	Sec. 510.1, 510.2	Sec. 510.1, 510.2	Sec. 510.1 , 510.2 Note: Exception 4 One Story Buildings less than 12,000 Sq. Ft.
Field testing – Building Signal Coverage Assessment Required	510.6.3	510.6.4	510.6.4	510.6.4
Permit Required	Section 510.3	Section 510.3	Section 510.3	Section 510.3
Listing of Equipment	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Sec. 510.4 – Listed to UL 2524	Sec. 510.4 – Listed to UL 2524
Limitation of External References	Not specifically addressed	Not specifically addressed	Not specifically addressed	Not specifically addressed
Signal Strength and Quality & Area Coverage Required	-95 dBm Sec. 510.4.1.1 & 510.4.1.2 95% General – Sec. 510.4.1 99% Critical – Not Specifically Addressed in Sec. 510	DAQ 3.0 Sec. 510.4.1.1 95% General – Sec. 510.4.1 99% Critical – Not Specifically Addressed in Sec. 510	-95 dBm & DAQ 3.0 Sec. 510.4.1.1 95% General – Sec. 510.4.1 99% Critical – Sec. 510.4.1	DAQ 3.0 Sec. 510.4.1.1 95% General – Sec. 510.4.1 99% Critical – Sec. 510.4.1
IFC reference to NFPA 1221 or 1225 Standards	No	Sec. 510.4.2 & 510.5 Reference to NFPA 1221-2016	Sec. 510.4.2 & 510.5 Reference to NFPA 1221-2019	Sec. 510.4.2 & 510.5 Reference to NFPA 1225-2022
Backbone / Riser Cable Defined	Not Defined	Not Defined	Refers to NFPA 1221-2019	Refers to NFPA 1225-2022
Distribution / Feeder Cable Defined	Not Defined	Not Defined	Refers to NFPA 1221-2019	Refers to NFPA 1225-2022
Pathway Survivability: Fire Rating	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510. Referenced in 2013 NFPA 72 Section 24.3.6.8	Where Required in NFPA 1221-2016 Note: Also See NFPA 1221 TIA 16-2	Where Required in NFPA 1221-2019	Where Required in NFPA 1225-2022
Pathway Survivability: Mechanical Protection	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510. Referenced in 2013 NFPA 72 Section 24.3.6.8	Where Required in NFPA 1221-2016	Where Required in NFPA 1221-2019	Where Required in NFPA 1225-2022
Plenum Rated Coaxial Cable Required	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510. Referenced in 2013 NFPA 72 Section 24.3.6.8	Where Required in NFPA 1221-2016	Where Required in NFPA 1221-2019	Where Required in NFPA 1225-2022
Lightning Protection Required	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Where Required in NFPA 1221-2016	Where Required in NFPA 1221-2019	Where Required in NFPA 1225-2022
Noise Floor Requirement	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Sec. 510.4.2.9 Also see NFPA 1225-2022 Sec. 18.9.3
Technical Criteria to be Provided by AHJ(s)	510.4.2.2	510.4.2.2	510.4.2.2	510.4.2.2
Standby Power	24 Hours – Sec. 510.4.2.3	12 Hours – Sec. 510.4.2.3 or 2-Hours Battery w/ Emergency Generator	12 Hours – Sec. 510.4.2.3 or 2-Hours Battery w/ Emergency Generator	12 Hours – Sec. 510.4.2.3 or 2-Hours Battery w/ Emergency Generator
Isolation of Donor Antenna Required	Not Specifically Addressed in Sec. 510	20db – Sec. 510.4.2.4(4)	20 db Above System Gain – Sec. 510.4.2.4(4)	20 db Above System Gain – Sec. 510.4.2.4(4)
Cabinets for Equipment and Battery Backup Required	NEMA 4 – Sec. 510.4.2.4 (1) & (2)	NEMA 4/NEMA 3R – Sec. 510.4.2.4 (1) & (2)	NEMA 4/NEMA 3R – Sec. 510.4.2.4 (1) & (2)	NEMA 4/NEMA 3R – Sec. 510.4.2.4 (1) & (2)
Frequency License Holder Approval Required	Yes under FCC Part 90.219 Referenced in Sec. 510.4	Yes under FCC Part 90.219 Referenced in Sec. 510.4	Yes under FCC Part 90.219 Referenced in Sec. 510.5	Yes – Fire Code Official & Frequency License Holder Sec. 510.5.2 & 510.5.2.1 FCC Part 90.219 – Sec. 510.5.5
Oscillation Prevention	510.5.3	510.4.2.4	510.4.2.4	510.4.2.4
Monitoring By Fire Alarm Required	510.4.2.4	Yes – Sec. 510.4.2.5	Yes – Sec. 510.4.2.5	Yes – Sec. 510.4.2.5
Monitor Signal Source Malfunction Required	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Donor Antenna – Sec. 510.4.2.5	Donor Antenna – Sec. 510.4.2.5	Signal Source – Sec. 510.4.2.5
Dedicated Annunciation Required	Where approved by Fire Code Official: 510.4.2.4	Where approved by Fire Code Official: 510.4.2.5	Where approved by Fire Code Official: 510.4.2.5	Where approved by Fire Code Official: 510.4.2.5
Additional Frequencies (May Include cellular and new technologies)	Sec. 510.6.2 Additional Frequencies Made Available by FCC	Sec. 510.6.2 Additional Frequencies Made Available by FCC	Sec. 510.6.2 Additional Frequencies Made Available by FCC	Sec. 510.4.2.6 & 510.6.2 Also see NFPA 1225-2022 A.3.3.63
Design Documents	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	510.4.2.7	510.4.2.7	510.4.2.7
Communication Antenna Density/Near Far	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Sec. 510.4.2.8	Sec. 510.4.2.8	Sec. 510.4.2.8
Mounting of Donor Antenna	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	Sec. 510.5.1	Sec. 510.5.1
Approval prior to installation	510.5.1	510.5.1	510.5.2	510.5.2
Minimum qualifications of personnel	510.5.2	510.5.2	510.5.3	510.5.3
System Testing – Initial, Acceptance, Annual, 5-year	New/Acceptance, Sec. 510.5.3 Annual Sec 510.6.1	New/Acceptance, Sec. 510.5.3 Annual Sec 510.6.1	New Systems Sec. 510.5.4 Annual – Section 510.6.1	New Systems Sec. 510.5.4 Annual – Section 510.6.1
Compliance with FCC Part 90.219	Sec. 510.5.4	Sec. 510.5.4	Sec. 510.5.5	Sec. 510.5.5
Responsibility to Prevent or Correct Interference with Public Safety System	By reference: 510.5.4 FCC compliance	By reference: 510.5.4 FCC compliance	By reference: 510.5.5 FCC compliance	By reference: 510.5.5 FCC compliance
Nonpublic safety system – non-interference	Not Specifically Addressed in Section 510	510.6.3	510.6.3	510.6.3

Show columns NFPA 72-2013 NFPA 1221-2016 NFPA 1221 – 2019 NFPA 1225 – 2022 NFPA 1225 – 2027 – COMING SOON

TOPIC	NFPA 72-2013	NFPA 1221-2016	NFPA 1221 – 2019	NFPA 1225 – 2022
Relevant Referenced Publications – Ch. 2	NFPA 13-2013 NFPA 101-2012 NFPA 70-2011	NFPA 1-2015 NFPA 13-2016 NFPA 101-2015 NFPA 70-2014 NFPA 72-2016 NFPA 780-2014	NFPA 1-2018 NFPA 13-2019 NFPA 101-2018 NFPA 70-2017 NFPA 72-2019 NFPA 780-2017	NFPA 1-2021 NFPA 13-2022 NFPA 101-2021 NFPA 70-2020 NFPA 72-2022 NFPA 780-2020
Approved Emergency Services Department Communications Required	NFPA 1 Section 11.10	NFPA 1 Section 11.10	NFPA 1 Section 11.10	NFPA 1 Section 11.10
Field testing – Building Signal Coverage Assessment Required	NFPA 1 Section 11.10	NFPA 1 Section 11.10	NFPA 1 Section 11.10	NFPA 1 Section 11.10
Permit Required	Section 24.5.2.1.2	Section 9.6.6	Section 9.6.6	Section 18.7
Listing of Equipment	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	Specific Listing Requirement is TBD by the AHJ	Sec. 18.12.1.3
Limitation of External References	Not specifically addressed	Not specifically addressed	Not specifically addressed	18.1.2
Signal Strength and Quality & Area Coverage Required	-95 dBm Sec. 24.5.2.3 90% General – Sec. 24.5.2.2.2 99% Critical – Sec. 24.5.2.2.1	DAQ 3.0 Sec. 9.6.8 90% General – Sec. 9.6.7.5 99% Critical – Sec. 9.6.7.4	DAQ 3.0 9.6.8 90% General – Sec. 9.6.7.4 99% Critical – Sec. 9.6.7.3	DAQ 3.0 Sec. 18.9 95% General – Sec. 18.8.4 99% Critical – Sec. 18.8.3
IFC reference to NFPA 1221 or 1225 Standards	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Backbone / Riser Cable Defined	Not Defined	Not Defined	3.3.10	3.3.10
Distribution / Feeder Cable Defined	Not Defined	Not Defined	3.3.46	3.3.49
Pathway Survivability: Fire Rating	2 Hour for Riser Coaxial Cable – Sec. 24.3.6.8	2 Hour for Riser Coaxial Cable – Sec. 9.6.2.1.3	Backbone Cable Routed Through Enclosure Matching Bldgs. Fire Rating – Sec. 9.6.2.3	Sections 18.12.3.1, 18.12.3.3, 18.12.3.4, 18.12.3.5, & 18.12.3.6
Pathway Survivability: Mechanical Protection	Section 24.3.6.8	Levels DEFINED in Sec. 5.10 & 9.6.2 But REQUIREMENTS should be based upon NEC (NFPA 70-2014)	Backbone Cable Enclosure – Sec. 9.6.2.3 Mechanical Protection per NEC (NFPA 70-2017)	18.12.3.2 Refers to NEC (NFPA 70-2020)
Plenum Rated Coaxial Cable Required	Riser & Feeder Coaxial Cable – Sec. 24.3.6.8	Riser & Feeder Coaxial Cable – Sec. 9.6.2.1.1	Backbone & Distribution Antenna Cables Sec. 9.6.2.1	Backbone & Distribution Antenna Cables Sec. 18.12.3.1
Lightning Protection Required	Not Addressed in Section 24.5.2	Sec. 9.6.3 – Installed per NFPA 780-2014	Sec. 9.6.3 – Installed per NFPA 780-2017	Sec. 18.4 – Refers to Article 820 of NFPA 70-2020. Antenna discharge units shall be listed to UL 497C
Noise Floor Requirement	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	Sec. 18.9.3
Technical Criteria to be Provided by AHJ(s)	24.5.2.7	9.6.14	9.6.14	Sec. 18.15
Standby Power	12 Hours – Sec. 24.5.2.5.5.2	12 Hours – Sec. 9.6.12.2	12 Hours Battery or AHJ-Approved Alternative – Sec. 9.6.12.2	12 Hours Battery or Generator – Sec.18.13.2
Isolation of Donor Antenna Required	15 db Above Signal Booster Gain – Sec. 24.5.2.3.3	20db – Sec. 9.6.9	20 db Above System Gain – Sec. 9.6.9	Sec. 18.3.3.2 & 18.10
Cabinets for Equipment and Battery Backup Required	NEMA 4/NEMA 4X – Sec. 24.5.2.5.2	NEMA 4/NEMA 4X – Sec. 9.6.11.2	NEMA 4/NEMA 4X & NEMA 3R for Batteries – Sec. 9.6.11.2	NEMA 4/NEMA 4X Batteries – NEMA 3R – Sec. 18.3.1
Frequency License Holder Approval Required	Standard Requires AHJ Approval Only – Sec. 24.5.2.1.1 License Holder Consent Req. by FCC Part 90.219	Standard Requires AHJ Approval Only – Sec. 9.6.5.1 License Holder Consent Req. by FCC Part 90.219	Sec. 9.6.2, 9.6.5.1, 9.6.6.1 & 9.6.6.2	Sections 18.2.1, 18.7 & 18.12.1.1
Oscillation Prevention	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	18.3.2
Monitoring By Fire Alarm Required	Yes – Sec. 24.5.2.6	Yes – Sec. 9.6.13	Sec. 9.6.13 & Chapter 10 of NFPA 72-2019	Sec. 18.14 & Chapter 10 of NFPA 72-2022
Monitor Signal Source Malfunction Required	Donor Antenna – Sec. 24.5.2.6(2)(a)	Donor Antenna – Sec. 9.6.13.1(2)(a)	Donor Antenna – Sec. 9.6.13.2.1(5)	Sec. 18.14.1.2(2)(a)
Dedicated Annunciation Required	Occupancies that require a Fire Command Center: 24.5.2.6.2	Occupancies that require a Fire Command Center: 9.6.13.2	Occupancies that require a Fire Command Center: 9.6.13.2.1	Occupancies that require a Fire Command Center: 18.14.2.1
Additional Frequencies (May Include cellular and new technologies)	All assigned frequencies & any modulation technology Sec. 24.5.2.4	All assigned frequencies & any modulation technology Sec. 9.6.10	All assigned frequencies & any modulation technology Sec. 9.6.10	All assigned frequencies & any modulation technology Sec. 18.11
Design Documents	24.5.2.1.2	Plans Submitted for Approval – Sec. 9.6.6.1	Plans Submitted for Approval – Sec. 9.6.6.1	18.7.1
Communication Antenna Density/Near Far	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	Sec. 9.6.7.6	Sec. 18.3.4
Mounting of Donor Antenna	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	Sec. 18.3.3
Approval prior to installation	24.5.2.1.2	9.6.6.1	9.6.2	18.2, A.18.2.1
Minimum qualifications of personnel	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	Not Specifically Addressed	18.2 and 3.3.115, Annex: A.3.3.115
System Testing – Initial, Acceptance, Annual, 5-year	Sec. 24.5.2.1.2 & 14.4.10	Sec. 9.6.4, 11.3.9 & 11.3.9.1	Sec. 9.6.4, 11.3.9 & 11.3.9.1	18.5 & Section 20.3.10.1, See Annex
Compliance with FCC Part 90.219	Not Specifically Listed in the Standard, Required by Federal Law	Not Specifically Listed in the Standard, Required by Federal Law	Not Specifically Listed in the Standard, Required by Federal Law	Sec. 18.7.2 & A.18.7.2 Also Req. Under FCC Rules in the US
Responsibility to Prevent or Correct Interference with Public Safety System	24.5.2.1.1	9.6.5	9.6.5	18.6
Nonpublic safety system – non-interference	24.5.2.1.1	9.6.5	9.6.5	18.6