State Adoption

State Code Adoption

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) are a fire prevention safety requirement in the current 2026 National Electrical Code® (NEC®) and have been so for more than 27 years. The NEC® requirement includes installation of AFCIs in all new home construction including bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, sunrooms, other gathering places and in kitchen and laundry areas.

Below is a link to current maps from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that indicate states that have established residential and/or electrical codes that require AFCI use in all new homebuilding

Each state varies as to its own individual electrical code requirements for new home construction and renovation. Please see click on this link to view the NFPA code adoption map https://www.nfpa.org/nec/nec-adoption-and-use/nec-adoption-maps

The necessity of states adopting strong electrical codes to protect residents building or renovating homes is as important now as it has ever been. The National Association of Home Builders and others have recently indicated the path to creating greater home affordability is to do away with regulations to reduce costs. Among those, AFCIs and GFCIs, the technology that actually proactively prevents electrical fires and electrocution from happening during the life of a home. Consider that the cost to protect a 2,000 sq. ft. 4-bedroom home with these devices averages around $392. That’s it. Meanwhile, some builders who question affordability are fine with upselling consumers on oak cabinets, granite countertops and other amenities they make money on, putting their profit above safety. Code committees, commissions, legislators and leaders need to understand the full story and the facts. The National League of Cities has indicated home builder “labor and land costs are by far the biggest construction expenses nationwide,” resulting in rapidly rising home prices. Safety should not be put on the chopping block when trying to cut costs. Here are some facts to be aware of