Building to fire code is crucial because it minimizes the risk of fire-related injuries and property damage by ensuring a structure is designed and constructed with safety features that allow for quick evacuation and emergency services response in case of a fire. These features can be proper exit pathways, fire-resistant materials, functioning sprinkler systems, non-combustible materials and defensible space mitigation and ultimately are protecting lives and property within a building; non-compliance can lead to legal consequences and increased insurance costs.
The following standards and codes are already adopted in many states and will continue to evolve and expand to additional states and regions. Please click on each code or standard for additional information including certification requirements, scope, applicable products, related standards, testing procedures, FAQs and more.
ALWAYS Check with your local Building Official to review what codes and standards have been set in place for your specific build.
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions that include product evaluation, accreditation, technology, training, and certification. The Code Council's codes, standards, and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: They are basically the nationwide guidebook for making sure buildings meet modern safety, fire, and structural standards. Sets of rules that tell builders, architects, and inspectors how to design and construct safe, strong, and accessible buildings.
2024 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (IFC)
The IFC is a set of rules for preventing and responding to fires in buildings and around properties. While the IBC focuses on how to build safely, the IFC focuses on how to use and maintain buildings safely—covering things like fire alarms, sprinklers, hazardous materials storage, fire department access, and emergency planning.
2024 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (IWUIC)
The IWUIC is similar to the IFC in that it sets rules for building and maintaining properties, but it is applicable to where homes and other structures are close to forests, grasslands, or other wildfire-prone areas. The IWUIC covers things like fire-resistant building materials, safe spacing between structures and vegetation, and ways to reduce the chance that a wildfire can spread to buildings.
The State Fire Marshal (SFM) 12-7A-4 is required in any and all jurisdictions that reference the Wildland Urban-Interface (WUI) Code as well as the California Referenced Standards Code. These are typically referenced in areas identified as high-risk areas for wildland fires near residential/commercial areas. With the increasing occurrences and scale of wildland fires, it is paramount for manufacturers to research where their products are being placed and the applicable codes of where their products are being applied/installed.
Chapter 7A of the California Building Code is a special section that sets fire-resistant construction requirements for buildings located in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas—places where homes and structures are close to forests, grasslands, or other wildfire-prone vegetation.
This chapter focuses on reducing the risk of wildfire damage by requiring:
Use of fire-resistant building materials for roofs, exterior walls, windows, and decks
Specific construction details that help prevent ignition from embers and flames
Requirements for defensible space and vegetation management around buildings
Basically, Chapter 7A is California’s detailed rulebook for making homes and buildings safer in wildfire zones to protect lives, property, and communities.
The State Fire Marshal's Building Materials Listing Program (BML) was initially established to mandate approval and listing of fire alarm systems and devices before their sale or marketing in the state. Over time, it expanded to include various materials, such as roof coverings, wall assemblies, hardware, and more. Product approval involves rigorous testing, and companies must utilize SFM accredited laboratories for testing to list products in California. The SFM listing service provides essential information to building authorities, architects, engineers, contractors, and the fire service.
The BML often influences other states’ building material approvals.
Here’s why:
The BML evaluates and lists building products that meet fire safety standards for use within CA.
Because many states have similar fire safety concerns and codes, they often look to BML’s listings as trusted proof that a product is safe and compliant.
This can speed up approvals elsewhere—manufacturers use a BML listing to help get their products accepted in other states without repeating all the testing.
Some states even officially recognize or adopt BML listings as part of their own approval process.
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: BML listings act like a trusted “stamp of approval” that can carry weight beyond the state that issued them.
ASTM International is a globally recognized organization that develops and publishes voluntary technical standards for a huge range of materials, products, systems, and services—including building materials.
What ASTM does:
Brings together experts from industry, government, and academia to create clear, consensus-based standards.
These standards define how to test materials, what qualities products should have, and how to measure performance.
Building codes like the IBC often reference ASTM standards to specify how tests should be done or what minimum performance is required.
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: ASTM International is like the rulebook maker that defines how to test and judge building materials and other products so everyone uses the same yardstick.
A great and useful example of an ASTM standard is ASTM E84, a standard test method created by ASTM International that measures how quickly flame spreads and how much smoke a building material produces when exposed to fire.
Because ASTM develops this test, manufacturers and labs use the exact same procedure worldwide to see if materials like wall panels, ceiling tiles, or insulation are fire-safe.
Building codes, like the International Building Code (IBC), reference ASTM E84 to require certain flame spread ratings for materials used inside buildings.
So, ASTM International:
Creates the detailed test method (like E84)
Makes sure everyone tests materials the same way
Provides the foundation for product evaluations and code compliance
IN LAYMEN’S TERMS: ASTM E84 shows how ASTM’s standards provide the common language and methods everyone follows to judge product safety and performance when fire is introduced.
ASTM E2768 is a standard test method developed by ASTM International that measures how well wildland fire exposure-rated building materials resist ignition and burning when exposed to embers and flames, simulating real wildfire conditions.
This test is important because materials used in wildfire-prone areas need to withstand exposure to sparks and embers that can easily ignite less resistant products.
ASTM develops the detailed procedure for this test so labs and manufacturers everywhere use the same consistent method to evaluate whether building materials meet specific wildfire resistance requirements.
Building codes and wildfire mitigation programs reference ASTM E2768 to help decide which products are suitable for use in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas.
ASTM E2886 is a standard test method developed by ASTM that measures how well wildfire protective vents resist the intrusion of embers and flames during a wildfire.
Wildfire vents are installed in buildings in wildfire-prone areas to allow air flow but prevent burning embers from entering attics or crawl spaces, which could start a fire inside the home.
ASTM created this test method to ensure every lab tests these vents using the same consistent procedure, simulating real ember exposure and flame contact.
Building codes and wildfire safety programs often reference ASTM E2886 to approve or require vents that meet these fire-resistance standards.
ASTM E119 is a standard test method developed by ASTM that measures the fire resistance of building materials and assemblies—like walls, floors, doors, and ceilings—by exposing them to high heat and flames for a set period.
This test shows how long a material or assembly can withstand fire without failing structurally or letting flames or heat pass through.
ASTM creates the exact procedures for this test so every lab uses the same consistent method to evaluate fire resistance, ensuring reliable and comparable results.
Building codes like the International Building Code (IBC) reference ASTM E119 to set fire-resistance ratings that materials and assemblies must meet for safe building construction.
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is a global safety science company that tests, inspects, certifies, and sets standards for products to ensure they’re safe and reliable.
What UL does:
Tests products for safety risks like fire, electrical hazards, and mechanical failure.
Inspects manufacturing processes to make sure products are consistently made to safety standards.
Certifies products and issues safety marks (like the famous “UL Mark”) that show the product has met rigorous safety requirements.
Develops standards for industries, helping guide product design and regulatory compliance.
In the building industry, UL plays a big role in testing materials and systems for fire resistance, structural safety, and more. Their certifications are widely recognized by building codes, inspectors, and consumers as proof a product is safe to use.
IN LEYMEN’S TERMS: UL is a trusted third-party that helps keep buildings and people safe by making sure products meet high safety standards.
This method of test for surface burning characteristics of building materials is applicable to any type of building material that, by its own structural quality or the manner in which it is applied, is capable of supporting itself in position or being supported in the test furnace to a thickness comparable to its intended use.
The UL 723 method of test is a 10-minute fire-test response method. The following standards address testing of materials in accordance with methods of test that are applications or variations of the test method or apparatus described herein.
Known as the trusted source of safety knowledge, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been helping to solve some of the planet’s toughest safety problems for more than 125 years. To remain relevant for over a century as a knowledge and information organization, we’ve continually evolved our scope of expertise—from fire prevention, wildfire preparedness, and electrical safety to hazardous materials, community risk reduction, and public safety.
For products, NFPA develops detailed fire safety standards—like how fire alarms, sprinklers, or building materials should perform. When a product is NFPA-certified, it means it has been tested and verified to meet those fire safety standards.
For professionals, NFPA offers certifications (like Fire Inspector or Fire Protection Engineer) that show they’ve demonstrated knowledge and skills in fire safety practices.
In short: NFPA certification means a product or person meets recognized fire safety requirements, helping keep buildings and people safe from fire hazards.
The Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) credential highlights understanding of concepts qualified professionals need to perform their job at a high level. This expert-created, industry-recognized certification provides evidence of knowledge of hazard mitigation, planning and preparedness, public education, and fire science concepts associated with the wildland/urban interface.
Validates knowledge of wildfire mitigation concepts
Differentiates those seeking to become a wildfire hazard mitigation specialist and stand out from the competition
Promotes professional development through ongoing learning and recognition of high-level competency