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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 13. Housing
Agency 5. Department of Housing And Community Development
Chapter 52. Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code
11/21/2024

13VAC5-52-10. Chapter 1 Administration; Section 101 Scope.

A. 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), hereinafter referred to as "this code" or "SFPC." The term "chapter" means a chapter in the SFPC. The SFPC was cooperatively developed by the Virginia Fire Services Board and the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development.

B. 101.2 Scope. The SFPC prescribes regulations affecting or relating to maintenance of structures, processes, and premises and safeguards to be complied with for the protection of life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion and for the handling, storage, and use of fireworks, explosives, or blasting agents and provides for the administration and enforcement of such regulations. The SFPC also establishes regulations for obtaining permits for the manufacturing, storage, handling, use, or sales of explosives. Inspections under the SFPC are a governmental responsibility.

101.2.1 Provisions of this code shall not require modifications or installation of construction elements or systems required or regulated by the applicable building code. This shall be understood to not require installation if no system, appliance, device, etc. was previously installed under the applicable building code.

101.2.2 Where this code requires maintenance or a system, structure, appliance, etc. to be maintained it shall not be construed to be a requirement for installation through this code.

C. 101.3 Purpose. The purposes of the SFPC are to provide for statewide standards to safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from the improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection materials, devices, systems, and structures and from the unsafe storage, handling, and use of substances, materials, and devices, including explosives and blasting agents, wherever located.

D. 101.4 Validity. To the extent that any provisions of the SFPC or the referenced codes or standards are not within the scope of this chapter, those provisions are considered to be invalid. When any provision of the SFPC is found to be in conflict with the USBC, OSHA, or statute, that provision of the SFPC shall become invalid.

E. 101.5 Local regulations. Any local governing body may adopt fire prevention regulations that are more restrictive or more extensive in scope than the SFPC, provided such regulations do not affect the manner of construction or materials to be used in the erection, alteration, repair, or use of a building or structure as provided in the USBC, including the voluntary installation of smoke alarms and regulation and inspections thereof in commercial buildings where such smoke alarms are not required under the provisions of the SFPC.

F. 101.6 Nonresidential farm structures. Farm structures not used for residential purposes are exempt from the SFPC except when the inspection and enforcement provisions of the code are exercised by a warrant issued under the authority of §§ 27-98.2 through 27-98.5 of the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§ 27-97 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 9, eff. January 18, 2024.

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