Arkansas Fire Code: Requirements, Standards & Compliance Guide

The Arkansas State Fire Marshal's Office has limited but important statewide functions:

Fire Investigation and Arson Enforcement: The State Fire Marshal investigates fires of suspicious origin throughout the state and works with law enforcement on arson cases.

Fireworks Regulation: The State Fire Marshal regulates the sale and use of fireworks under the Arkansas Fireworks Act.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas: Regulation of LP gas storage and handling.

Explosives: Regulation of commercial explosives storage and use.

School Fire Safety: The State Fire Marshal has authority to inspect schools for fire safety compliance, regardless of whether the local jurisdiction has adopted a fire code.

State Buildings: State-owned buildings are subject to fire safety standards enforced by the State Fire Marshal.

What the State Fire Marshal does NOT do in Arkansas:

• Does not adopt or enforce a statewide fire code for private commercial buildings
• Does not mandate occupancy limits for commercial businesses (this is a local function)
• Does not license fire protection system contractors at the state level (some local jurisdictions require licensing)

In the absence of a statewide fire code, Arkansas cities and counties are free to adopt their own fire prevention codes by ordinance. The most commonly adopted codes include:

International Fire Code (IFC): The most popular choice among Arkansas cities that adopt a fire code. Various editions (2015, 2018, 2021) are in use depending on the jurisdiction.

NFPA 1 and NFPA 101: Some jurisdictions adopt NFPA standards either as their primary fire code or as supplemental references.

Custom Local Codes: A few jurisdictions have developed their own fire prevention ordinances that may draw from multiple model codes.

Major Arkansas Cities with Fire Prevention Programs:

• Little Rock — Adopts IFC with local amendments; Little Rock Fire Department Prevention Bureau conducts inspections
• Fayetteville — Adopts IFC; Fayetteville Fire Department Prevention Division
• Fort Smith — Adopts IFC; Fort Smith Fire Department Prevention Bureau
• Springdale — Adopts IFC; inspections conducted by the fire department
• Jonesboro — Adopts IFC; fire prevention inspections program
• North Little Rock — Adopts IFC; fire prevention division
• Conway — Fire prevention program with adopted fire code
• Rogers — Adopts IFC; fire prevention inspections

Jurisdictions Without Fire Codes: Many smaller cities and rural areas in Arkansas have not adopted a formal fire code. Businesses in these areas should still comply with OSHA fire safety requirements (29 CFR 1910) and any building code requirements that may apply through the Arkansas Fire Prevention Act (ACA § 12-13-101 et seq.).

Businesses operating in multiple Arkansas locations should verify the fire code status of each jurisdiction by contacting the local fire department or city/county code enforcement office.

Occupancy requirements in Arkansas depend on the locally adopted fire code. In jurisdictions that have adopted the IFC/IBC, standard occupancy load calculations apply:

Occupancy Load Factors (per IBC Table 1004.5 where adopted):

• Assembly with tables (restaurants): 15 net sq ft per occupant
• Assembly standing (bars): 7 net sq ft per occupant
• Business: 100 gross sq ft per occupant
• Mercantile ground floor: 30 gross sq ft per occupant

In Jurisdictions Without Fire Codes: Where no fire code has been adopted, there may be no locally enforceable occupancy posting requirement. However, businesses should be aware that:

• OSHA still requires employers to maintain safe means of egress (29 CFR 1910.36-37)
• Building codes may impose occupancy calculations at the time of construction or renovation
• Insurance policies may require adherence to recognized fire safety standards regardless of local enforcement
• Liability exposure increases significantly if an incident occurs in a space exceeding reasonable occupancy limits

Regardless of local fire code status, tracking occupancy is a best practice. NOWAITN's Queue app provides occupancy tracking that demonstrates a business is exercising reasonable care for patron safety, which is valuable both for insurance and liability defense.

Fire suppression and alarm requirements in Arkansas vary by jurisdiction.

In Jurisdictions Adopting IFC:

• Sprinkler requirements follow IBC Section 903, typically requiring sprinklers in assembly occupancies with 100+ occupants or fire areas exceeding 5,000 sq ft
• Fire alarm requirements per IBC Section 907
• Commercial kitchen suppression per NFPA 96
• Portable fire extinguishers per IFC Section 906

In Jurisdictions Without Adopted Fire Codes:

• OSHA requires portable fire extinguishers in all workplaces (29 CFR 1910.157) or an emergency action plan if extinguishers are not provided
• Building code requirements at time of construction may have mandated sprinkler or alarm systems
• Insurance carriers often require fire suppression and alarm systems regardless of local code requirements

Maintenance Regardless of Jurisdiction: Even in areas without locally enforced fire codes, businesses with installed fire protection systems should maintain them to NFPA standards:

• Sprinkler system inspection per NFPA 25
• Fire alarm testing per NFPA 72
• Kitchen suppression inspection per NFPA 96
• Fire extinguisher maintenance per NFPA 10

Failure to maintain installed fire protection systems can result in insurance claim denial, increased premiums, and significant liability exposure.

Emergency egress requirements apply in Arkansas through a combination of federal (OSHA), state, and local regulations.

OSHA Requirements (Apply Statewide):

• Exit routes must be permanent, unobstructed, and clearly marked
• Minimum exit width of 28 inches
• Exit doors must open from the inside without keys or special knowledge
• Exit signs must be provided where the direction of egress is not immediately apparent
• Emergency lighting is required in exit routes

Local IFC/IBC Requirements (Where Adopted):

• Number of exits based on occupant load (2 exits for 50+ occupants)
• Maximum travel distances (200 ft unsprinklered, 250 ft sprinklered)
• Panic hardware on assembly exit doors serving 50+ occupants
• Exit sign illumination and emergency power backup

Best Practice Recommendation: Even in jurisdictions without adopted fire codes, businesses should design and maintain egress systems that meet IBC/IFC standards. This provides the strongest liability protection and ensures that the physical safety of occupants is addressed to nationally recognized standards.

Arkansas State Fire Marshal Arkansas Department of Emergency Management Building 9501, Camp Joseph T. Robinson North Little Rock, AR 72199 Phone: (501) 683-6704

Arkansas Fire Prevention Act: Arkansas Code Annotated § 12-13-101 et seq.

Key Local Fire Prevention Contacts:

• Little Rock Fire Department — Prevention Bureau: (501) 918-3700
• Fayetteville Fire Department — Prevention: (479) 587-3522
• Fort Smith Fire Department — Prevention: (479) 784-2201
• Springdale Fire Department: (479) 750-8602
• Jonesboro Fire Department: (870) 933-4614

Businesses in Arkansas should contact their local fire department or city hall to determine whether a fire code has been adopted in their jurisdiction and which code edition applies.

NOWAITN helps Arkansas businesses establish fire code compliance standards regardless of local adoption status, providing occupancy tracking (Queue app), certification management (Certifications app), and fire safety documentation (Knowledge Management app) that meet nationally recognized standards.