CODES AND STANDARDS UPDATES

The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) actively participates in and monitors various codes and standards bodies, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

NFPA 211 & 54

In August 2024, the NFPA 211 (Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances) Committee met virtually for two days to review the public proposals to the next (2027) edition of NFPA 211. The current edition of 211 is the 2024 edition, which was released at the end of 2023. The committee reviewed approximately 25 proposed changes which were submitted prior to the June proposal deadline. Many of the changes were editorial in nature to update edition years of referenced standards and other minor corrections. There were also several substantial changes proposed which were discussed at length by the committee. It would not be appropriate to discuss those outcomes until the committee is balloted and the results are available.

In September 2024, the NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) met in Charlotte for three days to review more than 100 public proposals to the 2027 edition. The current edition of 54 is the 2024 edition, which was released at the end of 2023. As noted above for 211, it would be inappropriate to discuss individual proposals until they are balloted by the committee.

The proposed changes to both 211 and 54 will be balloted and made available to the public by March 25, 2025, so after that time we can discuss the changes here or possibly in a convention seminar. Once the changes are published in March, anyone can comment on them until June 3, 2025, after which the committee will meet again to discuss the comments. Those comments and the discussions about them can lead to changes in the outcome of proposals. In other words, the committee reviews the comments and how they relate to the original proposal and can either reject a proposal that was previously approved or approve one that was previously rejected. The committee also has the option to modify a proposal. So as you can see, there is a long path from the time a proposal is initially received until the next edition is printed. The next edition of both 211 and 54 will be available late in 2026 or early in 2027.

If you haven’t seen the new 2024 edition of NFPA 211, you should pick up a copy. It contains numerous changes of interest to chimney technicians including changes to the chimney inspection requirements.

NFPA 31

Some of the revisions being made in NFPA 31 (Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment) are as follows:

6.5.22

If two or more openings are provided into one chimney flue the following shall apply: they shall be at different levels the smaller connector shall enter at the highest level consistent with available head room or clearance to combustible material.

6.5.28

Gas appliances and appliances burning liquid fuel shall be permitted to be connected to one chimney flue through separate openings or to be connected through a single opening, provided they are joined by a suitable fitting as close as practical to the chimney and provided both of the following apply.

1. Sufficient draft is available for the safe combustion of each appliance and for the removal of all products of combustion.

2. The appliances so connected are equipped with primary safety controls and all appliances are located in the same room.

UL 1391

UL 1391 (Standard for Solid-Fuel Fireplace Inserts and HearthMounted Stoves for Installation into Factory-Built Fireplaces) is on hold pending a lab or a manufacturer agreeing to do the required testing necessary to validate the parameters and limitations that are built into the proposed standard. A quote has been tentatively accepted and it is undergoing an engineering review by UL. Once approved by engineering, the proposal will be reviewed by the task group for UL1391. If approved they will proceed with testing. There are funds available to support this process. There is currently not an anticipated date for when this standard will be published as validation is still underway.

ICC Codes

Commenting for the 2024 –Group A Codes (including the IBC – E, IBC – FS, IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IPSDC, IRC – M-Chapters 12-23, IRC – P-Chapters 25-33, ISPSC, IWUIC) closed January 8, 2024.

No comments were submitted by me or on behalf of the NCSG as I had not yet been appointed.

Commenting for the 2025 –Group B Codes (including the Admin, IBC – G, IBC – S, IEBC, IgCC (Ch. 1 & App M), IPMC, IRC – B-Chapters 1-10, IZC) opened October 15, 2024 and closes January 10, 2025.

In 2026 comments from prior years for both Group A & B Codes will be heard and voted on by the appropriate committee. Public comment hearings will take place as necessary.

Ul 1390

UL 1390 (Standard for Solid-Fuel Fireplace Inserts and Hearth Mounted Stoves for Installation into Masonry Fireplaces) just finished a comment resolution meeting on October 3, 2024 regarding the most recent revisions. One comment related to clarifying the masonry thickness of the firebox in which inserts will be tested which was intended to be 8” of standard masonry. Somehow in the commenting process solid masonry units were left out and only the two versions of refractory concrete were left in. A comment will be submitted to update this in conjunction with publication and a note was added into the current edition going forward to publication. The standard will proceed with publication though some updates still need to be made. They will be submitted following publication. Manufacturers will be able to begin testing inserts to this standard once it has been published and it sounds like manufacturers are already starting to build their testing structures. Keep an eye out for classes next year regarding inspection requirements in conjunction with insert installations. ■