Free Online NFPA, IBC, and ADA Codes and Standards 2023
Finding applicable codes for security work can be a costly task, with printed books and pdf downloads costing hundreds or thousands. However, a number of widely referenced codes are available free online if you know the right places to search.
This post provides links to a number of free code resources common to security including:
- NFPA 70
- NFPA 72
- NFPA 80
- NFPA 101
- International Building Codes (IBC)
- ADA
NFPA Online Free
The NFPA provides the standards used as model code basis for multiple aspects of security integration, including the National Electrical Code, authoritative Life-Safety guidelines for access control, and multiple related standards for Fire Alarms, Firewalls, and Fire Doors.
The NFPA provides free online reference access to all the latest versions of all standards after a free registration is completed. The most relevant NFPA standards used in security include:
NFPA 70: NEC, The National Electrical Code
In most of North America, the most comprehensive guide is NFPA 70, most commonly called the 'NEC' or National Electrical Code. While the scope of the codes mainly applies to high-voltage electrical work of more than 100 Volts, security work and devices like PoE or small gauge cabled hardware using less voltage are given prime attention. We examine NEC in detail in our Low Voltage Codes and Video Surveillance note, but the source code can be accessed here:
- NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (registration required)
NFPA 101: Life Safety
One of the most important guidelines of electronic access is NFPA 101, the foundation behind how to install access and still preserve safe egress. We examine those elements closely in our Codes Behind Access Control post, but free access is available here:
- NFPA 101: Life Safety Code (registration required)
NFPA 80: Fire Door Modifications
Because fire doors have important functions to prevent the spread of fire and to withstand direct flames for some time, modifying them for electronic access use is limited. In most cases, NFPA 80 describes the extent and size of cutouts or holes allowed in a fire door or the acceptable behavior of that hardware given the location of the door. The link below offers direct access to the section:
- NFPA 80: Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives (registration required)
International Building Code
Taking central importance in legal building design, and retrofit systems like access, IBC is often cited by local jurisdictions as the authority on how to construct systems safely. As we cover in Building Occupancy Codes and Access Control Tutorial and our Codes Behind Access Control notes, the actual version that is adopted can vary by year, with verbiage and citations change between them. Below are the most common versions cited today:
Accessibility Codes
Finally, codes that govern how to implement access controls, intercoms, and even workstation design can be found in the Americans with Disabilities Act, that we cover in Disability Laws, ADA, and Access Control note. The most recent versions of those guidelines and mandates can be accessed here:
Fair Use Copyright Applies
In general, free online code resources are read-only and users are not able to download, notate, or print copies for offline circulation. If users want this, then standards and codes are available for purchase, often at prices ranging from ~$100 for a single standard to upwards of $5,000 for a full set of comprehensive codes. For example, NFPA explains:
"These online documents are "read-only" - they cannot be downloaded or printed, because NFPA relies on the revenues from individuals who purchase copies of these documents to fund our mission. But these "read only" documents are available to anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with a code or check a requirement."
Under terms of 'Fair Use', citation and republishing of excerpts for public commentary or criticism is allowed (as is often done in IPVM posts), but wholesale republishing of the codes or standards can only be done under conditions given by the authoring agency.
[Note: This guide was originally written in 2016, but substantially updated in 2023.]