Boulder County adopts 2024 International Fire Code updates for Nederland and Berthoud districts

Ron Flax, Boulder County’s chief building official and secretary for the Fire Code Review Committee, presented two dockets seeking adoption of the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) as proposed by the Nederland and Berthoud fire protection districts for the portions of those districts that lie in unincorporated Boulder County. Flax told the board the Fire Code Review Committee had held hearings and recommended approval of both adoptions.

For the Nederland Fire Protection District docket, participation at the local hearing was minimal; Andrew Jocelyn, the Nederland fire marshal, spoke in support, saying the district sought to align local standards with national safety norms and recognized mountain‑specific differences. "We want to be held accountable for the same national standards for safety that we see in other places," Jocelyn said.

For the Berthoud Fire Protection District docket, Carrie Diane (identified in the record as Berthoud’s fire marshal) explained that single‑family homes and duplexes fall under the International Residential Code (IRC), which since 2009 has included requirements for residential fire sprinkler protection; some jurisdictions have amended that requirement, but Boulder County enforces the more stringent standard where applicable. Diane said sprinkler costs vary widely depending on system type—"anywhere from a dollar fifty to $3 possibly $3 a square foot"—and noted narrow circumstances where sprinklers can enable permit approval for properties that otherwise lack adequate vehicle access or water supply.

Commissioner Levy moved approval of the Nederland code adoption and later moved approval of the Berthoud code adoption; both motions were seconded and approved by voice vote. Flax and district marshals thanked the board and Fire Code Review Committee for their work to coordinate district‑wide code updates.