On July 23, 2026, the International Code Council (ICC) published Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in the Built Environment - Early Release of the Chapter 43 Battery Provisions of the Forthcoming 2027 International Fire Code (IFC). This guide was developed as a resource for code officials and local code adoption authorities and will help jurisdictions keep pace with evolving technologies.
“Building, fire, and life safety professionals continue to see the rapidly expanding application and use of lithium-ion batteries in the built environment,” said Karl Fippinger, vice president of fire and disaster mitigation, ICC. “By releasing these provisions in advance of the complete code, we are providing code officials with the tools and resources they need to effectively and safely manage the manufacturing, storage, and use of lithium-ion batteries in their communities.”
Key insights from Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in the Built Environment - Early Release of the Chapter 43 Battery Provisions of the Forthcoming 2027 International Fire Code include the following:
- Advanced viewing of the 2027 IFC new Chapter 43 non-energy storage systems battery provisions;
- Explanation of jurisdictional authority for adoption and use of the Chapter 43 provisions; and
- Preview of adoption and compliance pathway options for local code authorities to apply these provisions within their currently adopted code editions.
