Question: What are the Fire Codes?

Answer: The Fire Code that the City of Lincoln currently uses is the Life Safety Code NFPA 101

1994 edition, and the BOCA Fire Prevention Code 1996 edition. The State of Illinois currently uses the 2000 Life Safety Code which if the area of concern is more stringent then Lincoln Fire Department must follow the State Code.

The Life Safety Code that we currently use defines buildings by New or Existing occupancies such as: Assembly, Educational, Day Care, Health Care, Ambulatory Health Care, Detention, Hotels, Apartment Buildings, Lodging Rooms, 1&2 Family Dwellings, Board and Care, Mercantile, Business, Industry, Storage and High Rise. Each occupancy must meet specific requirements such as exit usage, emergency lighting, fire alarms and smoke/fire ratings of building materials and construction methods. The codes are very complex and time is needed for inspectors to review plans and work with the owners and occupants to best meet the requirements for the people we serve and the building.

The Fire Prevention code that we are using highlights precautions against fire, limits open burning, identifies fire protection system, requires means of egress performances and helps the fire department in emergency planning and preparedness. The second part of the fire prevention code specifies certain hazard areas such as Bowling Establishments, Dry Cleaning facilities, Hazards such as flammable finishes, dust control, insecticides, Tents and Junk Yards.

Fire Inspectors work closely with the Building Safety Office to ensure that new and existing occupancies meet the codes for the safety of our responders and the safety of the people that our using the building in our community.

In 2012 Lincoln Fire Department is working with the Building Safety Office to update the Fire and Life Safety Codes to more current editions.