Authority reference
Authority Reference System
Project workflows for code adoption, AHJ coordination, submittal readiness, inspection records, and NFPA edition basis.
AHJCode adoptionSubmittalsInspection recordsNFPA edition basis
Workflows
5
Authority record pages
Use
Before
Before final calculator reliance
Scope
US
State, local, and AHJ-driven
Page role
Use this page for a defined task before moving to the next project record.
- Audience
- Engineers, contractors, owners, and reviewers preparing project-basis records.
- Job
- Confirm jurisdiction, AHJ direction, submittal basis, inspection records, and NFPA edition context.
- Evidence
- Official source class, AHJ response, adopted code basis, submittal checklist, or inspection record.
- Output
- A project authority record that bounds calculator and worksheet use.
- Next
- Open the relevant authority workflow before relying on calculator output in project documents.
Choose the unresolved authority gate
Start with the authority condition that is blocking project reliance, then open the workflow that records the source evidence.
| Unresolved gate | Open this workflow | Source evidence | Fail action | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction basis | Code adoption | State code agency or state fire marshal: State code title, edition, effective date, and source link. | Do not finalize worksheet assumptions. | Open workflow |
| Traceable response | AHJ contact | Fire marshal or fire prevention bureau: Office, contact, date, and response summary. | Treat as informal until written confirmation exists. | Open workflow |
| Document match | Submittal checklist | Permit application requirements: Permit checklist and jurisdiction instructions. | Hold submittal package for coordination. | Open workflow |
| Record completeness | Inspection forms | Adopted NFPA 25 or NFPA 72 edition: Standard edition and adopted source. | Do not archive as a final ITM record. | Open workflow |
| Edition traceability | Edition basis | Adopted code text: Code section and referenced edition. | Hold worksheet output as preliminary. | Open workflow |
Authority workflows
Use these before treating worksheet or calculator output as project-ready.
| Workflow | Authority record | Primary evidence | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
State and Local Code Adoption Workflow fire code adoption by state AHJ workflow | A project intake workflow for documenting adopted state code, local amendments, referenced NFPA editions, and AHJ confirmation before using fire protection tools. | State code agency or state fire marshal, City or county code office, Project AHJ | Open |
AHJ Contact Checklist AHJ contact checklist fire protection | A checklist for preparing concise AHJ questions, recording responses, and keeping jurisdiction direction attached to fire protection worksheets. | Fire marshal or fire prevention bureau, Building department, Water purveyor or utility | Open |
Fire Protection Submittal Checklist fire protection submittal checklist | A submittal readiness workflow for keeping drawings, calculations, device data, water supply records, and AHJ notes organized before review. | Permit application requirements, Project specifications, AHJ comments | Open |
Inspection and Testing Forms Workflow fire protection inspection testing forms workflow | A workflow for organizing inspection, testing, maintenance, water supply, alarm circuit, and deficiency records before NFPA 25 or NFPA 72 review. | Adopted NFPA 25 or NFPA 72 edition, Facility records, AHJ or owner requirements | Open |
NFPA 13, 72, and 25 Edition Basis Worksheet NFPA edition basis worksheet | A worksheet for recording which NFPA 13, NFPA 72, and NFPA 25 editions apply by adoption, contract, listing, owner criteria, or AHJ direction. | Adopted code text, Project specifications, AHJ direction | Open |
Source boundaries
Use official source classes to verify state, local, AHJ, and project requirements before publishing or relying on adoption facts.
Source directory
Official entry points and source classes used to verify the authority record. These links do not replace state, local, or AHJ confirmation.
| Source | Class | Use | Limit | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFPA CodeFinder discontinued notice | NFPA source boundary | Documents that NFPA CodeFinder should not be treated as an active adopted-code database. | Use as a source-boundary note only; do not extract adoption facts from this page. | 2026-06-19 |
| ICC code adoption map | Model code adoption starting point | Starting point for researching I-Code adoption by state or jurisdiction. | Not a substitute for state, local, and AHJ verification; do not publish legal conclusions from this alone. | 2026-06-19 |
| NFPA 13 standard page | Official NFPA standard entry | Official NFPA entry point for the sprinkler system installation standard. | Do not copy standard text; use only as an official source link and edition-basis record. | 2026-06-19 |
| NFPA 72 standard page | Official NFPA standard entry | Official NFPA entry point for fire alarm and signaling code context. | Do not copy standard text; use only as an official source link and edition-basis record. | 2026-06-19 |
| NFPA 25 standard page | Official NFPA standard entry | Official NFPA entry point for inspection, testing, and maintenance edition-basis context. | Do not copy standard text; use only as an official source link and edition-basis record. | 2026-06-19 |
| State code agency or state fire marshal | Jurisdiction source class | Primary verification source for adopted state building or fire code edition. | Requires project state; this site must not infer the answer without a cited state source. | 2026-06-19 |
| Local AHJ, building department, or fire prevention bureau | Jurisdiction source class | Primary verification source for local amendments, permit path, and approval expectations. | Requires project address or jurisdiction; local amendments can override generic assumptions. | 2026-06-19 |
| Project specifications, owner criteria, insurer, and listings | Project source class | Captures requirements that may exceed adopted code or baseline calculator assumptions. | Project-specific; cannot be generalized across all users or states. | 2026-06-19 |