In force in Arkansas

Fire, building, elevator, boiler and pool codes in force in Arkansas now.

Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 8 of 8 areas verified on primary sources. Federal OSHA state.

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In force in Arkansas now

Statewide · county and city rules sit on top
AreaIn forceAuthorityNext
Fire2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (AFPC Vol. I), based on the 2021 International Fire Code w/ state amendments, 015.01.22 Ark. Code R. 005Covers fire/life-safety in existing buildings statewide; effective Jan 1, 2023 under Act 841 of 2023 (A.C.A. 20-22-1010); supersedes the 2012 AFPC edition. SourceVerified on the sourceArkansas State Fire Marshal (Division of Arkansas State Police), statewide jurisdiction; local fire departments may co-enforce by local ordinance adoptionIn forceIn force; no newer edition found (an Oct 2024 DPS document only redlines the existing 2021 edition, and a May 21, 2025 legislative rules-subcommittee agenda had no DPS fire-code item)
Building2021 Arkansas Building Code (AFPC Vol. II), based on the 2021 International Building Code w/ state amendmentsBundled into the same Arkansas Fire Prevention Code package as Fire (same Jan 1, 2023 effective date). Applies statewide, including rural/unincorporated areas, replacing the 2012-IBC-based edition. SourceVerified on the sourceArkansas State Fire Marshal (Division of Arkansas State Police) - state agency, not municipal building departmentsIn forceIn force; no newer edition adoption found
ElevatorsASME A17.1-2019 for new elevators/escalators/dumbwaiters; ASME A17.3-2005 baseline for existing units (20 CAR Part 881)Arkansas Elevator Safety Board rule. Passenger and freight elevators, escalators, and dumbwaiters get annual certificate inspections, 30 days before expiration; traction/hydraulic units also get periodic 5-yr/3-yr load tests. SourceVerified on the sourceArkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Elevator Safety Board / Elevator Inspection DivisionIn forceIn force (annual inspection cycle); see Retrofit area for an existing-elevator fire-service retrofit provision with an unconfirmed deadline
BoilersASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (2004 ed.) and National Board Inspection Code (2004 ed.); no later editions incorporated, per rule textHigh-pressure steam boilers: internal/external inspection annually. Low-pressure heating boilers: external annually, internal every 3 years. Rules effective June 30, 2022. SourceVerified on the sourceArkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Boiler Inspection Division (A.C.A. Title 20, Ch. 23, Boiler Safety)In forceIn force; no pending amendment found
PoolsADH Rules Pertaining to Swimming Pools and Other Related Facilities, adopted by the State Board of Health under A.C.A. 20-7-109 / 20-30-103Governs public/commercial pools and spas statewide; effective Aug 1, 2012. No amendment confirmed since, per the rules portal's Jan 1, 2025 codification snapshot. SourceVerified on the sourceArkansas Department of HealthIn forceIn force; no amendment found
LodgingNo standalone state hotel license; hotels are a Group R occupancy under the AFPC; a separate Multiple-Occupancy Facilities statute (A.C.A. 20-22-501 et seq., read via a Justia mirror, REPORTED) covers hotels/motelsADH's public-health-safety program list has no hotel/lodging category; a Food Protection permit applies only if a hotel serves food. The multiple-occupancy statute has required fire escapes, alarms, and emergency lighting in hotels/motels since 1971/72. SourceVerified on the sourceArkansas State Fire Marshal (fire/life-safety under the AFPC); Arkansas Dept. of Health only for on-site food serviceIn force
WorkplaceFederal OSHA jurisdiction - Arkansas has no OSHA-approved State PlanPrivate-sector workplace safety is enforced directly by federal OSHA under the OSH Act; no state occupational-safety agency exists. SourceVerified on the sourceFederal OSHA (U.S. Dept. of Labor)In force
Retrofit20 CAR 881-113(a)(2): existing elevators lacking Phase I/II fire (recall/firefighters') service must add it within 5 years of this rule part's effective date, or at next alteration, whichever is firstApplies statewide to existing elevators without fire service. The rule part's own effective date (which starts the 5-year clock) was not confirmed this run, so whether the deadline has passed is unknown. SourceVerified on the sourceArkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Elevator Safety BoardUnconfirmedUnconfirmed - 5-yr Phase I/II fire-service deadline depends on this rule part's effective date, not established this run

Dated items in Arkansas

Next 24 months

No dated statewide items in the next 24 months beyond the federal layer.

Questions about Arkansas

Which fire code is in force in Arkansas?

2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (AFPC Vol. I), based on the 2021 International Fire Code w/ state amendments, 015.01.22 Ark. Code R. 005. Covers fire/life-safety in existing buildings statewide; effective Jan 1, 2023 under Act 841 of 2023 (A.C.A. 20-22-1010); supersedes the 2012 AFPC edition. Enforced by: Arkansas State Fire Marshal (Division of Arkansas State Police), statewide jurisdiction; local fire departments may co-enforce by local ordinance adoption.

Which building code applies in Arkansas?

2021 Arkansas Building Code (AFPC Vol. II), based on the 2021 International Building Code w/ state amendments. Bundled into the same Arkansas Fire Prevention Code package as Fire (same Jan 1, 2023 effective date). Applies statewide, including rural/unincorporated areas, replacing the 2012-IBC-based edition. Enforced by: Arkansas State Fire Marshal (Division of Arkansas State Police) - state agency, not municipal building departments.

Who inspects elevators and boilers in Arkansas?

Elevators: Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Elevator Safety Board / Elevator Inspection Division (ASME A17.1-2019 for new elevators/escalators/dumbwaiters; ASME A17.3-2005 baseline for existing units (20 CAR Part 881)). Boilers: Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Boiler Inspection Division (A.C.A. Title 20, Ch. 23, Boiler Safety) (ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (2004 ed.) and National Board Inspection Code (2004 ed.); no later editions incorporated, per rule text).

Is Arkansas a federal OSHA state or a state-plan state?

Arkansas is a federal-OSHA state: the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforces workplace safety rules directly.

What changes next in Arkansas?

Retrofit/Recertification: Unconfirmed (Unconfirmed - 5-yr Phase I/II fire-service deadline depends on this rule part's effective date, not established this run).

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