In ten weeks, the I-Codes became part of Colombia's debate.
The ICC was formally invited by the Colombian Senate, its Regional Director took part in person in events of the engineering community, its codes were cited as a reference in public policy documents, and its technical expertise became part of national standardization discussions.
Every condition for a regional reference case, at the same time.
The IFC is on its way to becoming a Colombian Technical Standard
In April 2026, ICONTEC's Technical Committee 623, "Fire Protection Code", approved a work plan to ratify nine parts of the code before year-end. The committee has more than 500 registered professionals and regularly brings together over 100 participants per session.
What it meansThe first country in the region with a national fire code based on the IFC, with a technical community already formed around it.
A national standard based on an I-Code already exists
NTC 1500:2023 on plumbing and sanitary installations is a modified adoption of the 2021 International Plumbing Code, using ICC copyrighted content with its authorization.
What it meansProof that the country knows how to adopt the I-Codes with the support of their developer.
The seismic code update is looking to the IBC
Available information indicates that the new version of the Colombian Seismic-Resistant Building Code (NSR) would use the International Building Code as its reference and, for fire protection, the IFC.
What it meansAn opportunity for the country to adopt the I-Code family in a coordinated way.
A legislative window is open
Senate Bill 192 of 2026 amends Law 400 of 1997 to require regular updates of the NSR. The report for the first debate is being prepared.
What it meansThe ICC has already been invited as a technical stakeholder by the Senate's Seventh Committee.
There is public urgency
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake of August 10, 2026 made building safety a national priority.
What it meansSociety and the Government are looking for proven references to build back better.
A willing institutional network is in place
The Colombian Society of Engineers (SCI), ICONTEC, fire departments, building permit offices, academia and Congress itself are already at the table.
What it meansA ready entry platform for membership, training and certification.
What happened, with whom, and what it achieved.
Our founding team acts as a facilitator: opening doors, preparing content and coordinating agendas, without ever speaking on the ICC's behalf.
Fire statistics study delivered to the ICC
"Statistical Analysis of Structural Fires in Colombia 2025" (Anraci Research), shared for the ICC's free use.
OutcomeLocal data to support the ICC's work: more than 17 structural fires a day in Colombia.
White Paper on Fire Protection presented to the ICC
Structural elements of public policy for Colombia, previously presented to the National Planning Department.
OutcomeA public policy vision shared with the ICC, with an invitation to contribute to it.
Input to the 2026 to 2030 National Development Plan
A contribution to the engineering community's recommendations to the National Government, with the IBC and IFC as references.
OutcomeThe I-Codes become part of the Colombian engineering community's official position.
Magnitude 7.4 earthquake
Western and central Colombia.
OutcomeThe reconstruction and code update agenda opens.
ICC "When Disaster Strikes" training secured
Six-hour training requested from the ICC and formally offered to the engineering community's technical commission for emergency response and reconstruction.
OutcomeThe ICC offers its program at no cost and commits to Spanish-language guides for Latin America.
Intersectoral Technical Committee on the earthquake
The Colombian Society of Engineers invites the fire protection industry association, ANRACI, to join the committee.
OutcomeA seat on the engineering community's technical body for reconstruction.
International Seminar "IFC Concepts and Interpretation"
Delivered by the ICC Regional Director to fire departments, the national accreditation body, building permit offices, the environmental sector and industry.
OutcomeDirect IFC training for authorities having jurisdiction, fire departments and accreditation bodies.
Defense of the IFC-based Fire Code's consistency
A proposal to update the sprinkler and hose connection standards on a different reference framework risked fragmenting the code. The ICC's technical opinion was brought into the discussion.
OutcomeThe national standards body opens a traceability review to align both processes.
Official Senate invitation to the ICC
The Senate's Seventh Committee invites the ICC to the technical roundtable on Bill 192 of 2026, alongside the Ministry of Housing, the Colombian Geological Survey and the leading industry bodies.
OutcomeCongress recognizes the ICC as a technical stakeholder in the process.
Joint technical position with the ICC
The ICC confirms its participation and presents its official position through its Regional Director.
OutcomeA coordinated position before Congress.
Technical roundtable on Bill 192 of 2026
Presentations by two of our founders and by the ICC Regional Director. Two supporting documents formally submitted.
OutcomeThe White Paper on Safe Construction in Colombia enters the record as input for the bill's report.
ICC keynote at the engineering community's regional meeting
"Building back better: the role of updated building codes in resilient recovery and disaster preparedness", delivered in person.
OutcomeThe Colombian Society of Engineers formally thanks the ICC for its participation.
2027 IFC battery provisions proposed for Colombia
Formal request to include the 2027 IFC provisions on lithium-ion battery safety in the Colombian Fire Code, based on the ICC's Spanish early-release guide.
OutcomeA first step for Colombia to incorporate 2027 IFC content.
Working session with the sponsoring senator's team
A two-hour meeting with the legislative advisory team, with an extensive Q&A session.
OutcomeThe ICC explains the I-Code model directly to the legislative team.
The most advanced I-Code adoption for fire protection in the region.
To our knowledge, the Colombian Fire Code being developed by the national standards body, ICONTEC, on the basis of the International Fire Code is the most advanced process of its kind in Latin America, championed by the industry and supported by the ICC from the start.
- 2021
Webinar "The Importance of Having a National Fire Code" with ICC, NFPA, UL and SCI.
- 2023 to 2024
Industry and ICONTEC agree on an IFC-based Colombian Fire Code as a national standard, with an open call.
- Aug 2024
16-hour course "Fire Code based on the IFC".
- Oct 2024
Launch of Committee CTN T-623, "Fire Protection Code".
- 2025
Committee sessions in May, July and August, around 30% progress, IFC and IBC seminars with the ICC.
- Apr 2026
2026 to 2027 work plan approved: ratify nine parts before year-end.
- Sep 2026
Defense of code consistency, 2027 IFC battery proposal and IFC seminar.
- 2026 to 2027
Targeted and public consultations, adoption as a national standard and reference in the NSR.
Why the IFC
- A coordinated family. Its requirements for fire-resistant construction, protection systems and means of egress are directly correlated with the IBC.
- Always current. It is updated every three years through an open process.
- Available in Spanish.
Why this process matters
- A replicable first. The first national fire code in the region based on the IFC, already presented as a pilot experience by the Latin American Fire Protection Network.
- Sustained demand for training, certification and official editions of the IFC among designers, plan reviewers, inspectors and fire departments.
- A proven model. It follows NTC 1500:2023, an adoption of the IPC using ICC content under its authorization.
- Four adoption principles. Complete, without mixing standards, technically faithful, and updated at the same pace as the ICC.
August 10, 2026 made building safety a national priority.
Impact of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in western and central Colombia, as reported by the national disaster risk agency (UNGRD) on September 7.
"When Disaster Strikes"
Two days after the earthquake, we worked with the ICC to offer, at no cost, its six-hour training on preparedness, damage assessment, safety of affected buildings and recovery to the engineering community's emergency technical commission.
A seat at the reconstruction table
Active participation in the Colombian Society of Engineers' Intersectoral Technical Committee for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
ICC keynote on building back better
The ICC Regional Director spoke in person at the engineering community's regional meeting on the role of updated building codes in resilient recovery and disaster preparedness.
Knowledge that makes the case for the I-Codes.
White Paper on Safe Construction in Colombia
48 pages on the building safety chain: code, design, permit, construction, handover and use. Submitted to the Senate's technical roundtable on Bill 192 of 2026, with a chapter on the International Code Council as a partner to adopt well.
White Paper on Fire Protection: Structural Elements of Public Policy for Colombia
Diagnosis, institutional and regulatory gaps, international references and a roadmap: national statistics, inspection, professionalization and certification, and a regulatory framework update.
Input to the engineering community's position for the 2026 to 2030 Government
Proposals on resilience, risk management, regulatory modernization and talent, with the IBC and IFC as references.
Statistical Analysis of Structural Fires in Colombia 2025
Data from fire departments and local governments: more than 17 structural fires a day in the country.
Five years of training that supported adoption.
Programs led by our founders through Colombia's fire protection industry association, with the ICC.
| Year | Program | With |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Webinar "The Importance of Having a National Fire Code", with the code director of the City of Austin, Texas | ICC, NFPA, UL, SCI |
| 2024 | 16-hour course "Fire Code based on the ICC IFC", priced to reach a broad audience | ICC, SCI |
| 2024 to 2025 | Outreach on the 2024 IFC updates and the ICC training "Fire Safety Essentials" based on the IBC | ICC |
| 2025 | Free seminars on the IBC and on risk management under the IFC, in Medellín | ICC, SCI, SAI, National Fire Department Confederation |
| 2025 | 2nd Summit of the Latin American Fire Protection Network, with an ICC keynote and an IFC mini-course | ICC, associations from the region |
| 2026 | International Seminar "IFC Concepts and Interpretation" | ICC |