Kansas adult care home providers should be aware of upcoming fire code changes as the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office moves toward adoption of the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) with Kansas-specific amendments.
These changes primarily affect assisted living, residential health care, and Home Plus settings. CMS-certified nursing homes will largely remain under the 2012 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code adopted by CMS and are not expected to see significant operational changes unless involved in new construction projects subject to local building codes.
Key IFC Changes Providers Should Know
Under the proposed statewide 2024 IFC adoption:
- Residential-to-board-and-care conversions with 8 or fewer residents who can evacuate within 3 minutes will not require sprinkler installation under a Kansas-specific amendment.
- Conversions with more than 8 residents will require sprinkler protection.
- Existing unsprinklered board and care occupancies will not face retroactive sprinkler requirements unless undergoing major renovations or consequential improvements.
- New board and care construction will require sprinkler protection.
Providers should also remember that local jurisdictions may adopt stricter standards. For example, Wichita may require sprinklers for conversions with more than five residents.
Understanding the Difference Between IFC and NFPA Adoption
The statewide adoption under consideration is the 2024 IFC, not a blanket statewide adoption of the 2024 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.
Kansas is a “home rule” state for building codes, meaning cities and counties independently adopt and enforce their own building and life safety codes. Because of this, newer NFPA standards may only apply in certain municipalities that choose to adopt them locally.
Providers should monitor local code adoption discussions carefully, especially when planning renovations, conversions, or new construction projects.
Additional Resources
Key Differences Between 2006 NFPA and 2024 IFC
Key Differences Between 2006 NFPA and 2024 NFPA
