Hunt County fire official outlines 2024 and 2026 NFPA changes, requests $8,521 for inspection software and devices

David Jones presented a detailed update on the county’s fire‑code adoption and implementation needs during the June 9 meeting, telling commissioners that the State Fire Marshal’s Office will move from the 2021 to the 2024 code editions on Sept. 1, 2026 and that the 2026 NFPA cycle will introduce more stringent testing and hazard‑mitigation requirements for large energy‑storage systems.

Jones explained that NFPA 855 (energy storage) and associated NFPA chapters now include larger, aggregate testing protocols, expanded hazard‑mitigation analyses, and revised emergency‑response planning requirements that call for development of plans in coordination with the authority having jurisdiction. He said those changes are particularly relevant for data centers, battery‑storage installations and large scale energy projects.

To support inspections and recordkeeping, Jones recommended acquiring inspection‑management software (EPR Systems) and iPads, with a quoted one‑time cost around $8,521 and similar annual maintenance estimated to be roughly the same. He said the county evaluated other vendors (including a recently acquired Tyler Technologies product), but the EPR product offered better interoperability for the county’s workflows and the ability to export records into existing systems.

Commissioners asked whether the county can adopt the 2026 code before the state; the presenter said counties may adopt ahead of the state but that adoption triggers coordination needs. The court asked staff for an executive summary of costs and an implementation plan; Jones said he had already emailed an executive summary to commissioners that morning.