Wichita, KS Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)

Sec. 8 as adopted in the City's 2024 IFC package (Ord. No. 52-878, effective January 13, 2026). 3 throughout the building. Two exceptions apply. First, a one- or two-family dwelling unit is exempt entirely, so single-family houses and duplexes never trigger the sprinkler mandate under this section. Second, dwelling units within a three- or four-family building can avoid sprinklers only if each unit is separated from the others by wall and floor assemblies rated at not less than 2 hours; those fire-resistance-rated assemblies must extend tight to the exterior wall and from the foundation up through the roof sheathing, the roof itself must carry at least a Class C covering, and the roof decking within 4 feet of each separating wall must be non-combustible or fire-retardant-treated wood with no penetrations through that strip of deck.

If units in a triplex or fourplex are stacked above or below one another rather than side by side, the exception does not apply and sprinklers are required throughout all units regardless of the fire-rated separations. Permits for installing or modifying any fire-protection system, including sprinklers, must first be obtained from the fire code official under Sec. 1 as amended), with fees set by the fire code official and approved by the City Manager under Sec. 050. Installation work itself must be performed by a person holding at minimum a NICET II certification (or approved equivalent) under Sec.

250, and a City of Wichita-licensed fire sprinkler contractor must have a qualified person with at least NICET III certification in water-based fire protection systems layout.