New Mexico fire code
New Mexico's statewide fire code is the 2021 International Fire Code, though cities such as Albuquerque may layer on their own requirements. If you own or manage a building, your two big jobs are figuring out which rules cover you and confirming your fire contractor holds the right certification. Call today to reach a fire protection contractor who works in New Mexico, so you're not left guessing about the rules.
Code in force: 2021 IFC with state amendments. Enforced by: State Fire Marshal Code Enforcement Bureau. Your local fire marshal can add rules, so check with that office too.
- statewide fire code edition 2021 International Fire Code
- effective date of state rule 10.25.5 November 1, 2022
- code enforcement bureau for statewide rules State Fire Marshal's Office
- required state credential for system contractors Certificate of Fitness
Asking about a house? For a house or duplex, smoke alarm and sprinkler rules usually come from the residential building code (the IRC) instead, so ask your local building department.
Which rules apply to your building?
To keep the rules consistent across New Mexico, the State Fire Marshal's Office put the 2021 International Fire Code in place. The state's adoption carries New Mexico-specific changes along with Appendices D and I. You'll find it as 10.25.5 NMAC on the state rules site.
Buildings that already exist only need to follow the requirements in place at the time they were built. Upgrading to today's code isn't required unless the building's use changes.
Local authorities can set tougher requirements, provided they don't clash with the state rule. Not sure which version covers your property? Reach out and we'll figure it out together.
Certificate of fitness in New Mexico
This certificate is the state's way of confirming that a company or technician may legally work on fire protection equipment. Under rule 10.25.2, it's required for anyone installing, inspecting, maintaining, servicing, tagging, or repairing that equipment.
Companies need a separate certificate for every system type they handle. Each one is good for as long as two years and runs out on December 31 of the second year. Certificates belong to the holder and can't be handed to anyone else. A copy has to stay in service vehicles and offices, and any change in the holder's information must be reported within 10 days.
Requirements differ by the kind of work:
| System type | What the company needs |
|---|---|
| Fire sprinklers and fire pumps | An MS-12 or MM-98 license from the Construction Industries Division |
| Chemical fire suppression | An MS-14 or MM-98 license from the Construction Industries Division |
| Fire alarm and detection | An ES-3 or EE-98 license from the Construction Industries Division |
| Mechanical fire and smoke dampers | An NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist credential, or another accredited fire and life safety certification |
| Portable fire extinguishers | A notarized affidavit on company letterhead, signed to confirm the company services extinguishers to NFPA 10 |
Whoever is listed as the qualified party needs to actually hold the license and be a payroll employee, never a subcontractor. Applications go in by email with the supporting paperwork, and anything missing, including license verification, triggers an automatic rejection. Applying also means agreeing to fire marshal inspections. The application form has the details.
Before hiring, ask the company to show you the certificate copy kept in their service vehicle. You can also check the Certificate of Fitness list published by the State Fire Marshal's Office. In Santa Fe, any fire protection company working in the city needs a current state certificate.
Albuquerque fire code
Under Ordinance 0-2017-020, Albuquerque runs its own fire code. It's built on the 2015 edition of the International Fire Code, adjusted with local changes, and it also brings in the 2015 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. Enforcement falls to the Albuquerque Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office, per the city's page.
Albuquerque's Fire Marshal's Office inspects commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings within the city. Businesses already holding fire permits or running fire protection systems receive one fire inspection each year. You can schedule yours with the Fire Marshal's Office.
Plans for new construction are submitted to the Planning Department plus the Fire Marshal's Plans Review Section. The Plan Review Division handles new construction inspections and fire system acceptance tests.
If you run a home daycare in Albuquerque, routine city fire inspections end July 1, 2026, under state law SB 96.
Plans, drawings, and sprinkler calculations
A licensed professional engineer must sign and seal all fire protection system drawings. Reviewing these plans costs nothing at the State Fire Marshal.
Sprinkler pressure calculations include an extra 10 psi safety margin when your local fire authority requires it. Give us a call and we'll match you with the right contractor ahead of your inspection.
Who handles fire safety in the state?
Life safety in buildings and fire prevention sit with the State Fire Marshal's Office and its Code Enforcement Bureau. The bureau also oversees fireworks distribution and sales, and it trains local jurisdictions to handle that work too. The code enforcement page has more information.
Not sure which rules apply or whether a contractor has the right certificate? Call us before work begins, and we'll help you find a fire protection contractor serving New Mexico.