Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 6 of 9 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. Federal OSHA state.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (AFPC Vol. I), based on the 2021 International Fire Code w/ state amendments, 015.01.22 Ark. Code R. 005DPS order adopting the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 edition, effective Jan 1, 2023; the 2021 International Fire, Building and Residential Codes with Arkansas changes make up the code and replace the 2012 edition. Confirm local amendments with the AHJ. SourceReported, in verification | Arkansas State Fire Marshal (Division of Arkansas State Police), statewide jurisdiction; local fire departments may co-enforce by local ordinance adoption | In forceIn force; DPS AFPC rules (clean copy, Oct 2024 foreword) re-read Oct 25, 2026: 2021 IFC, IBC and IRC, superseding the 2012 edition; the Jan 1, 2023 effective date comes from the earlier DPS order and facility-reviews page; no newer edition found |
| Building | 2021 Arkansas Building Code (AFPC Vol. II), based on the 2021 International Building Code w/ state amendmentsLabor and Licensing page describes the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code volumes (fire, building, residential) built on the International codes, applied statewide including unincorporated areas. The 2021 edition took effect Jan 1, 2023 per the DPS order. A separate state energy code applies. SourceReported, in verification | Arkansas State Fire Marshal (Division of Arkansas State Police) - state agency, not municipal building departments | In forceIn force; AFPC Vol. II (2021 IBC/IRC) per the DPS rules (clean copy) re-read Oct 25, 2026; Jan 1, 2023 effective date from the earlier DPS order; no newer edition adoption found |
| Elevators | 20 CAR Part 881 (Elevator Safety Board): ASME A17.1-2019 and A18.1-2020 for new work (881-111), A17.3-2005 or the code at installation, whichever is more stringent, for existing (881-113), A17.2-2023 for inspections (881-114); 881-101, -111, -112 and -114 carry Ark. R. 2026-106 effective Sept 3, 2026Passenger elevators and escalators are inspected yearly, no later than 30 days before certificate expiration. Load tests: traction every 5 years, hydraulic every 3 years, escalators and walks yearly. Inspection fee $350. Tests need a licensed mechanic with a state inspector present. Confirm applicability with the Elevator Safety Section. SourceChecked on the source | Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Elevator Safety Board / Elevator Inspection Division | In forceIn force; 881-114 re-read Oct 19, 2026 (A17.2-2023; Ark. R. 2026-106, eff. Sept 3, 2026); the Part 881 landing page still shows only older codification notes |
| Boilers | 20 CAR Part 880 (Boiler Inspection Section Rules), Ark. R. 2026-73 effective June 29, 2026: 2025 ASME BPVC (Sections I-XII, B31.1), CSD-1-2024 and NBIC 2025 Parts RB/RC under 880-701; later editions not includedRules effective June 29, 2026 replace the 2022 rules that adopted 2004 editions. Boilers must be built to the ASME code and registered with the National Board; gas trains and controls follow CSD-1; steam boilers need an audible alarm unless constantly attended (880-801). Confirm inspection intervals and permits with the Boiler Inspection Section. SourceChecked on the source | Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Boiler Inspection Division (A.C.A. Title 20, Ch. 23, Boiler Safety) | In forceIn force since June 29, 2026 (880-801 and 880-704 history notes, re-read Oct 19, 2026); 880-701 editions read on the Department of Labor and Licensing 'Final Boiler Rules' PDF |
| Pools | ADH Rules Pertaining to Swimming Pools and Other Related Facilities, adopted by the State Board of Health under A.C.A. 20-7-109 / 20-30-103ADH rules (effective Aug 1, 2012) require a written permit from the State Health Officer to operate a public pool, with a department inspection before the permit issues. Permits expire Dec 31; annual fee $25. Rules call for a trained operator on staff or on call and lifeguards at Class A and public-access pools. Confirm with ADH. SourceChecked on the source | Arkansas Department of Health | In forceIn force; ADH rule PDF text read Oct 19, 2026 (effective Aug 1, 2012); no amendment found |
| Lodging | No standalone state hotel license found on ADH pages; hotels fall under the fire prevention code; a multiple-occupancy facilities statute (A.C.A. 20-22-501 et seq.) was not read on a state hostADH's Public Health Safety page (re-read Oct 19, 2026) lists 23 programs, none for lodging or hotels; its General Sanitation page does not mention them either. Fire and life-safety for hotels come through the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. The multiple-occupancy statute was not found on a state host; confirm with the State Fire Marshal and ADH. SourceReported, in verification | Arkansas State Fire Marshal (fire/life-safety under the AFPC); Arkansas Dept. of Health only for on-site food service | Rulemaking pendingNo state lodging license found. 3 CAR 4-304 (Code of Arkansas Rules, read Oct 20, 2026; authority A.C.A. 3-2-205/206) requires all areas of a permitted hotel, motel or restaurant to meet Health Department or local health, safety and sanitary standards. The Sept 2025 draft General Sanitation rule (20 CAR Part 131) does not name lodging |
| Workplace | Federal OSHA jurisdiction - Arkansas has no OSHA-approved State PlanOSHA's state-plan page lists Arkansas as not an OSHA-approved State Plan; federal OSHA has jurisdiction over most private employers. SourceChecked on the source | Federal OSHA (U.S. Dept. of Labor) | In forceIn force (osha.gov/stateplans re-read Oct 19, 2026) |
| Retrofit | 20 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 firstRule 881-113 gives existing elevators without Phase I/II fire service five years from the part's effective date, or until alteration, to add it; same clock for flat-bottom hydraulic jacks (A17.3 Part 4.3.3). The part page says rules apply on and after July 31, 2022; other sections cite a Sept 3, 2026 amendment. Deadline date unconfirmed. SourceChecked on the source | Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Elevator Safety Board | Rulemaking pendingDeadline date unconfirmed; the Aug 14, 2025 Part 881 draft (re-read Oct 19, 2026) keeps the five-years-from-effective-date wording; ask the Elevator Safety Section |
| Environmental | Arkansas DEQ layer on top of federal EPA rules: Regulated Storage Tanks program (Rule 12; UST and aboveground petroleum tanks, notices via SEEK), air Rule 18 insignificant-activities list (Appendix A), asbestos Notice of Intent via SEEK, and 24-hour sewer-overflow reporting; federal SPCC, Tier II and HFC rules also applyRule 18 Appendix A item 12 lists emergency generators, boilers or fuel burners as insignificant if no larger than the primary unit, not used with it, and run 90 days a year or less. Demolitions need an asbestos NOI. Sewer overflows: report to DEQ within 24 hours, written follow-up within 5 days. Lift-station, backflow, grease: none found. SourceChecked on the source | Arkansas Dept. of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ); U.S. EPA; local utilities | In forceHFC leak-repair rule in force since Jan 1, 2026; automatic leak detection for existing 1,500 lb+ commercial refrigeration by Jan 1, 2027; next Tier II filing March 1, 2027. Have a licensed contractor and ADEQ confirm air-permit applicability; Rule 18 text read is the Feb 26, 2016 version |
What our record said before and after each change, with the date and the official source. A change to the record is not by itself a change in the law: an edition, a date or a source may have been corrected or made more precise. Confirm the current text with the authority.
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. DPS order adopting the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 edition, effective Jan 1, 2023; the 2021 International Fire, Building and Residential Codes with Arkansas changes make up the code and replace the 2012 edition. Confirm local amendments with the AHJ. Enforced by: Arkansas State Fire Marshal (Division of Arkansas State Police), statewide jurisdiction; local fire departments may co-enforce by local ordinance adoption.
2021 Arkansas Building Code (AFPC Vol. II), based on the 2021 International Building Code w/ state amendments. Labor and Licensing page describes the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code volumes (fire, building, residential) built on the International codes, applied statewide including unincorporated areas. The 2021 edition took effect Jan 1, 2023 per the DPS order. A separate state energy code applies. Enforced by: Arkansas State Fire Marshal (Division of Arkansas State Police) - state agency, not municipal building departments.
Elevators: Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Elevator Safety Board / Elevator Inspection Division (20 CAR Part 881 (Elevator Safety Board): ASME A17.1-2019 and A18.1-2020 for new work (881-111), A17.3-2005 or the code at installation, whichever is more stringent, for existing (881-113), A17.2-2023 for inspections (881-114); 881-101, -111, -112 and -114 carry Ark. R. 2026-106 effective Sept 3, 2026). Boilers: Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing, Boiler Inspection Division (A.C.A. Title 20, Ch. 23, Boiler Safety) (20 CAR Part 880 (Boiler Inspection Section Rules), Ark. R. 2026-73 effective June 29, 2026: 2025 ASME BPVC (Sections I-XII, B31.1), CSD-1-2024 and NBIC 2025 Parts RB/RC under 880-701; later editions not included).
Arkansas is a federal-OSHA state: the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforces workplace safety rules directly.
Lodging: Rulemaking pending (No state lodging license found. 3 CAR 4-304 (Code of Arkansas Rules, read Oct 20, 2026; authority A.C.A. 3-2-205/206) requires all areas of a permitted hotel, m); Retrofit/Recertification: Rulemaking pending (Deadline date unconfirmed; the Aug 14, 2025 Part 881 draft (re-read Oct 19, 2026) keeps the five-years-from-effective-date wording; ask the Elevator Safety Sect); Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection on 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial or industrial process refrigeration installed Jan 1, 2017 to Dec 31, 2025; Mar 1, 2027: EPCRA Tier II chemical inventory filing.
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