During recent regional meetings, State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm shared the office’s intent to transition Kansas from its current mix of 2006 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and International Code Council (IFC) codes to the 2024 IFC.
This change would not impact facilities certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) such as nursing homes, but it would apply to state-licensed settings, including assisted living, residential health care facilities, and home plus residences.
A key advantage highlighted by the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office is greater consistency across jurisdictions, as both state and local authorities would enforce the same code framework. However, the shift also represents a philosophical change by moving from NFPA’s life safety focused standards to IFC’s stronger emphasis on building and fire code structure requirements.
Operationally, providers may also see changes such as reduced fire drill frequency (from every other month to twice annually), paired with ongoing staff training expectations.
The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office plans to submit proposed state-specific amendments to the IFC to the International Code Council by June 1. LeadingAge Kansas is working with Jensen Hughes to identify potential concerns and will continue providing feedback ahead of that deadline.
