Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 6 of 7 areas verified on primary sources. Federal OSHA state.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | No statewide fire prevention/maintenance code for existing buildings; the 2021 IFC is part of the UCC by reference only (where the IBC/IEBC point to it), effective Jan 1, 2026The UCC governs construction, alteration and change of occupancy, not ongoing fire-safety maintenance. Existing-building fire rules come from local ordinances (e.g., municipal IFC adoption); Philadelphia enforces its own Fire Code (Title 4, Subcode F). SourceReported, in verification | Local fire marshals/code officials under municipal ordinances; PSP Fire Marshal (State Fire Marshal) offered as an investigative service; Office of State Fire Commissioner handles fire-service training, not code enforcement | Comments due Oct 4, 2026In force; the IFC reference moves only with the next UCC cycle (2024 I-Code comments due Oct 4, 2026; no adoption date set) |
| Building | Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Ch. 401-405): 2021 I-Codes as amended by the RAC (IBC, IEBC, IRC, IECC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, ISPSC, IWUIC), effective Jan 1, 2026Reg. #12-125 (final-omitted; IRRC approved Oct 16, 2025; published Nov 8, 2025) adopted nearly all 2021 ICC provisions; IEBC omits storm-shelter Section 1106. 2021 accessibility updates remain enjoined (Commonwealth Court, Oct 26, 2022). SourceVerified on the source | Municipalities that opted in enforce through certified code officials or third-party agencies; L&I enforces where a municipality opted out; the Review and Advisory Council (RAC) reviews ICC editions and L&I adopts by regulation | Comments due Oct 4, 20262024 I-Code review at the RAC: public comments on any 2024 section due Oct 4, 2026; no adoption or effective date set |
| Elevators | 34 Pa. Code Ch. 405 (UCC): ASME A17.1-2000 incl. A17.1a-2002 addenda; ASME A18.1-1999 incl. A18.1a-2001; no ASME A17.3 adoption foundExisting equipment gets periodic inspections every 6 or 12 months by equipment type. Reg. #12-123, effective Dec 20, 2026, adopts ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16 and A18.1-2017 and makes Category 1 testing annual for all equipment, including existing. SourceVerified on the source | L&I Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety has sole jurisdiction to approve construction and use of elevators and lifting devices; L&I certifies third-party elevator inspection agencies | New ASME editions Dec 20, 2026Dec 20, 2026: Reg. #12-123 takes effect (A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017, B20.1-2018, A90.1-2015, B77.1-2022, A17.8-2016; annual Category 1 tests, previously every 3 years) |
| Boilers | Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law (as amended by Act 104 of 2013) + 34 Pa. Code Ch. 3a Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel RegulationsPower and process boilers: internal/external every 12 months (extendable if water-treatment conditions met). Low-pressure steam: 24 months. Steel hot-water heating: external 24, internal 48. Hot-water supply: external 24. Unfired pressure vessels: 36 months. SourceVerified on the source | L&I Boiler Division (Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety); inspections by Division staff or commissioned insurance inspectors; Division issues Certificates of Operation, posted in the boiler room | In forceIn force; no pending rulemaking found |
| Pools | Public Bathing Law + 28 Pa. Code Ch. 18 Public Swimming and Bathing Places: operating permit for public pools, spas, hot tubs and beaches; construction under UCC (2021 ISPSC with PA modifications since Jan 1, 2026)A copy of Chapter 18 must be posted at each swimming facility. Seven county and four municipal health departments handle bathing-place sanitation locally; Allegheny County permits and inspects hotel/motel pools annually. No recent Chapter 18 amendment found. SourceVerified on the source | Pa. Department of Health (Bureau of Community Health Systems) issues permits; county/municipal health departments where established (Act 315); local UCC code officials or L&I for pool construction | In forceIn force; no pending Chapter 18 rulemaking found |
| Lodging | No statewide hotel license or inspection program found; Act 31 of 2026 (HB 1286) human-trafficking awareness training for public lodging establishments, effective Jul 20, 2027Lodging establishments, short-term rental operators and listing platforms must train certain staff within 90 days of hire (existing staff within 90 days of Jul 20, 2027), retrain every two years, and keep compliance records. SourceVerified on the source | Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) approves trainings; records go to law enforcement or licensing authorities on request; hotel food service licensed by Pa. Dept. of Agriculture or the seven county health departments | Act 31 effective Jul 20, 2027Jul 20, 2027: Act 31 takes effect; existing staff must be trained by Oct 18, 2027 (computed, 90 days) |
| Workplace | Federal OSHA; Pennsylvania has no OSHA-approved State PlanFederal OSHA covers most private-sector employers statewide. Pennsylvania is not on OSHA's State Plan list, so state and local government workers are outside federal OSHA coverage. SourceVerified on the source | U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration | In force |
No statewide fire prevention/maintenance code for existing buildings; the 2021 IFC is part of the UCC by reference only (where the IBC/IEBC point to it), effective Jan 1, 2026. The UCC governs construction, alteration and change of occupancy, not ongoing fire-safety maintenance. Existing-building fire rules come from local ordinances (e.g., municipal IFC adoption); Philadelphia enforces its own Fire Code (Title 4, Subcode F). Enforced by: Local fire marshals/code officials under municipal ordinances; PSP Fire Marshal (State Fire Marshal) offered as an investigative service; Office of State Fire Commissioner handles fire-service training, not code enforcement.
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Ch. 401-405): 2021 I-Codes as amended by the RAC (IBC, IEBC, IRC, IECC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, ISPSC, IWUIC), effective Jan 1, 2026. Reg. #12-125 (final-omitted; IRRC approved Oct 16, 2025; published Nov 8, 2025) adopted nearly all 2021 ICC provisions; IEBC omits storm-shelter Section 1106. 2021 accessibility updates remain enjoined (Commonwealth Court, Oct 26, 2022). Enforced by: Municipalities that opted in enforce through certified code officials or third-party agencies; L&I enforces where a municipality opted out; the Review and Advisory Council (RAC) reviews ICC editions and L&I adopts by regulation.
Elevators: L&I Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety has sole jurisdiction to approve construction and use of elevators and lifting devices; L&I certifies third-party elevator inspection agencies (34 Pa. Code Ch. 405 (UCC): ASME A17.1-2000 incl. A17.1a-2002 addenda; ASME A18.1-1999 incl. A18.1a-2001; no ASME A17.3 adoption found). Boilers: L&I Boiler Division (Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety); inspections by Division staff or commissioned insurance inspectors; Division issues Certificates of Operation, posted in the boiler room (Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law (as amended by Act 104 of 2013) + 34 Pa. Code Ch. 3a Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Regulations).
Pennsylvania is a federal-OSHA state: the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforces workplace safety rules directly.
Fire: Comments due Oct 4, 2026 (In force; the IFC reference moves only with the next UCC cycle (2024 I-Code comments due Oct 4, 2026; no adoption date set)); Building: Comments due Oct 4, 2026 (2024 I-Code review at the RAC: public comments on any 2024 section due Oct 4, 2026; no adoption or effective date set); Elevators: New ASME editions Dec 20, 2026 (Dec 20, 2026: Reg. #12-123 takes effect (A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017, B20.1-2018, A90.1-2015, B77.1-2022, A17.8-2016; annual Category 1 tests, previously); Oct 4, 2026: Deadline for public comments on any section of the 2024 I-Codes in the RAC's review for the next UCC update (no adoption date set); Dec 20, 2026: Elevator Reg. #12-123 (34 Pa. Code Ch. 401 and 405) takes effect: ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017 and other updated standards; annual Category 1 testing for all equipment, including existing.
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