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Council adopts 2024 International Fire Code with local amendments; adds school door labeling and revised appeals process
Summary
On first reading the council repealed the 2021 International Fire Code and adopted the 2024 edition with local amendments addressing appeals, school door labeling, lithium‑ion battery guidance and nuisance alarm enforcement. The votes were unanimous, 6–0 (1 absent).
The Fort Collins City Council voted 6–0 (1 absent) on first reading to repeal the 2021 International Fire Code and adopt the 2024 International Fire Code with local amendments.
Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) representatives explained the edits at council and said most changes remove previously adopted local amendments because the 2024 code now covers many topics. "We don't no longer need to have that amendment from 2021 because now the 2024 IFC now addresses what the storage of lithium ion batteries should look like inside commercial buildings," Fire Marshal Sean McGaffin said.
Key changes explained to council: - Appeals (Appendix A): Larimer County declined to continue hearing fire‑code appeals for PFA matters; PFA rewrote the appendix so an ad hoc board of technical experts will be convened for appeals rather than creating a permanent board. PFA said appeals are rare (one known appeal in the last decade), and the revised process is intended to be proportionate and limit administrative burden. - School door labeling (Appendix D): The code now requires consistent exterior door numbering and sizing at schools so first responders can reference doors on maps; Poudre School District has voluntarily implemented the system for 52 schools, PFA said. - Lithium‑ion batteries and storage: The 2024 code addresses battery storage and PFA updated local language to clarify commercial/warehouse and residential storage expectations. - Nuisance alarm enforcement and definitions: Additional definitions and enforcement language are intended to address repeat alarms at facilities. - Valet trash: PFA removed allowance for valet trash pickup from common interior hallways, citing life‑safety and egress concerns.
Public comment and council questions: Joe Rowan spoke to process and asked that code changes affecting city residents be routed through city review bodies and made available earlier; he also raised concerns about potential square‑footage changes for sprinkler requirements and compatibility with city sign code. Council members discussed process and asked staff to consider a future work session to walk council through code changes.
PFA said the fire code review included multiple steps: internal vetting, an external fire code review committee that met biweekly from June through October (PFA reported 8 meetings), unanimous recommendations from that committee, unanimous approval by PFA boards, and legal review with city attorneys. McGaffin said the external stakeholder group included representatives from CSU, Poudre School District, building officials and developers.
The ordinance was moved and seconded and passed on first reading by roll call: Francis, Olsen, Canonico, Pinotaro, Gutowski and Arndt voted yes; one member was absent.
