Final Approvals Pending of BHMA Proposals for 2027 IBC & IFC

Update from the BHMA Codes, Government, and Industry Affairs (CGIA) Committee

Following the second round of committee hearings in ICC’s code development process, BHMA is pleased to share that all 15 of its proposals are now set to be approved for inclusion in the 2027 International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC). These proposals are not subject to further debate and will receive final action during the April 2026 Public Comment Hearings via the Consent Agenda. 

The Consent Agenda is used when there are no outstanding objections or proposed revisions of the committee’s approved provisions. In BHMA’s case, there were no public comments submitted recommending an action different than the results of the 1st and 2nd committee hearings, so no additional debate or action is possible for these proposals, and the committee’s actions will be sustained via consent agenda. 

All BHMA Proposals Approved for 2027 IBC and IFC 

Among the proposals approved are several that will directly improve safety, usability, and clarity across key areas of door hardware and egress systems. These include: 

• E45-24: Opposite swinging doors in the means of egress, and size of doors, and editorial improvements 

• E50-24: Clarify locks permitted in places designed for occupant detention, restraint, or containment  

• E52-24: Hardware height requirements for doors in swimming pool fences and barriers 

• E53-24: Stairway doors, and re-entry 

• E54-24: Dormitory suites, permit deadbolt on individual bedroom doors 

• E55-24: 2nd releasing motion required to be non-simultaneous for dwellings 

• E56-24: Inactive leaf of pair of doors 

• E57-24: Educational occupancies, K-12 & colleges / universities 

• E58-24: Stadium gates, panic hardware not required exception 

• E59-24: Electrical room doors required to have panic hardware, align requirements with NFPA 70 NEC 

• E60-24: Delayed egress locking systems – resetting countdown timer 

• E61-24: Control vestibules, BHMA, BCAC, AHC proposal 

• E62-24: Required door beside revolving doors 

• E63-24: Airport exit lane breach control systems, new provisions 

• FS63-24: Stairway doors – louvers prohibited 

What This Means for BHMA Members 

The finalization of these proposals highlights BHMA’s role as a leader in code advocacy. This outcome reflects months of collaboration and technical input by BHMA members, especially through the Codes, Government, and Industry Affairs (CGIA) Committee. Thanks to active engagement throughout the ICC’s development cycle, BHMA not only authored strong proposals but also worked with industry partners and code officials to ensure the proposals aligned with fire and life safety, and security objectives. 

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