Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 42 “Fire Prevention and Protection,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of McKinney, Texas, by repealing Article II, “Fire Code,” in its entirety and adopting a new Article II, Entitled “Fire Code,” to adopt the 2024 Edition of the International Fire Code together with Appendices B through O, thereto, and certain local amendments including, but not limited to, certain amendments recommended by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, providing for enforcement, and amending Appendix A, “Schedule of Fees,” as it related to Chapter 42, “Fire Prevention and Protection”; repealing all conflicting ordinances; providing a severability clause; providing for a penalty; and providing an effective date.
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Safe and Secure Community
MEETING DATE: August 19, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Fire Department / Fire Marshal Office
CONTACT: Brian Roach, Fire Marshal
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Discuss/Consider/Act on the approval of the newest editions of the model codes, to include the 2024 International Fire Codes, together with Appendices B through O, and certain local amendments.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Every three years, the International Code Council (ICC) publishes new codes for the states and local municipalities to consider for adoption. Such codes must be adopted into ordinance to be effective.
• The North Central Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Regional Codes Coordinating Committee (RCCC) and its four Advisory Boards are comprised of local public and private code professionals (fire marshals, building officials, and inspectors; architects and engineers; construction and trades professionals; and other industry experts) who review the latest editions of the model construction codes and recommend uniform amendments for the North Central Texas region. The City of McKinney has historically adopted NCTCOG’s recommended amendments and seeks to do so again for the 2024 codes.
• On July 7, 2025, the Building and Standards Commission (BSC) held a public hearing to consider the adoption of the 2024 model codes, including the International Fire Code and at that meeting voted unanimously to make a recommendation to City Council for the adoption of the proposed model codes and amendments.
• Under consideration for recommendation to the City Council is the 2024 International Fire Code and its amendments; whereas on the same council agenda the Council is being asked to discuss, consider, and recommend the companion I-Codes; including the 2024 International Building Code.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Currently, the City is utilizing the 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code with local and NCTCOG amendments.
• In addition to the ICC Significant Changes publication and proposed amendment from the NCTCOG Fire Advisory Board, the McKinney Fire Department provides changes, modifications, or additions to facilitate the needs of the fire department operations division, to clarify code language, or to carry over previously codified practices. Notable changes for the 2024 International Fire Code include:
o New section of the model fire code on the storage of lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries, providing necessary safety mechanisms to prevent and mitigate fires and explosions that can result due to the inherent hazards associated with the advancement of this technology. Requiring an operational permit for an accumulation of more than 15 cubic feet. Establishing construction and fire protection and alarm system requirements.
o New regional section amending the model fire code on electric vehicles (EV) that establishes location and construction requirements for EV charging stations and prohibiting damage EV batteries from interior storage (i.e. in repair garages and body shops)
o Modification of the model code on Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) providing changes to signal strength based upon Delivered Audio Quality (DAQ) reducing signal interference and near-far effect; and including the FAA licenses holder in the approval process.
o Modification of the model code at the regional level changes to the section on Carbon Monoxide Detection; where the language of the 2024 edition fell short of clearly conveying requirements and requiring a level of protection for some occupancies that were excessive and for others inefficient. Regional working matches the approved changes in the 2027 IFC.
o Modification of Chapter 11 related to construction requirements for existing buildings constructed prior to the adoption of the code and intended to ensure a minimum degree of fire and life safety to person occupying existing buildings by providing for alterations to such buildings that do not comply with the minimum requirements of the International Building Code. Including the installation of carbon monoxide detection alarms/systems and performing Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FEMA) for occupancies in excess of the Lithium-ion and Lithium metal storage limits.
o Modification of the 2021 IFC local amendment reducing Firefighter Air Replenishment System (FARS) trigger requirements and reverting to model code for the location of FARS air-filling stations, Changes were implanted in January 2024 with variance approval providing approximately $1.5 Million cost savings for several developments.
o Adjustment of permit fees to be relevant to the complexity of permit review and inspections; including changing from valuation-based fees to area calculation for fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, and a progressive reinspection fee program to support compliance with fire code compliance.
o Reduction of local amendments that were legacy code requirements, absorbed by model code, duplications, or reducing local regulatory reach.
• The Building and Standards Commission considered and accepted the summary of the Significant Changes on July 7, 2025.
• The adoption of the proposed code ordinance will bring the City of McKinney to a Code update cycle of approximately three years respective of the recommendations by the International Code Council and in line with the Codes adopted by area municipalities.
• The Ordinance, along with the proposed ordinance adopting the remaining I-Codes, shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and publication beginning on October 1, 2025, in coordination with the proposed changes.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• Only July 7, 2025, The Building and Standards Commission considered the 2024 Model Code (including the IFC) adoption ordinance and amendments and voted unanimously to approve a recommendation for the City Council to adopt the presented changes, as written.