What changes next for commercial and utility energy storage systems in Pennsylvania?

The 2024 IFC is in development. The 2024 IBC is in development. The 2023 NFPA 855 is in development.

Which Pennsylvania laws name commercial and utility energy storage systems?

Uniform Construction Code update and Solar for Schools grants are in force or enacted.

What applies to my job?

Pick the state and the product you build, install, or inspect. The card below answers from each state’s own record.

State

Commercial and utility energy storage systems in Pennsylvania

Which codes apply? In Pennsylvania, commercial and utility energy storage systems fall under the 2020 NEC, the 2021 IFC, the 2021 IBC, and the 2020 NFPA 855 through the fire code.

Cabinets and containers at a business, a campus, or a substation. State record read Oct 24, 2026. Data as of Oct 26, 2026.

Codes that reach commercial and utility energy storage systems

The edition Pennsylvania enforces for each code that governs the product, and the part of the code that does.

NECNational Electrical Code

2020 NECPartial

in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Statewide, with exceptions

Where it reaches the product. Article 706, with 705 for the interconnection.

NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) as referenced by the Pennsylvania UCC’s 2021 IBC · 34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.21 (adopts the 2021 IBC, which references NFPA 70), Regulation #12-125

The Pennsylvania NEC record
IFCInternational Fire Code

2021 IFCVerified

in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Statewide, with exceptions

Where it reaches the product. Chapter 12, section 1207, and the operational permit.

2021 International Fire Code, adopted by reference within the Pennsylvania UCC · 34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.21 as amended by Regulation #12-125 (55 Pa.B., Nov. 8, 2025); Construction Code Act, 35 P.S. 7210.304

The 2024 IFC is in development.

The Pennsylvania IFC record
IBCInternational Building Code

2021 IBCVerified

in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Statewide, with exceptions

Where it reaches the product. Occupancy, construction type, and separation for the building that holds the system.

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC), 2021 International Building Code as adopted · 34 Pa. Code Sec. 403.21 as amended by Regulation #12-125 (55 Pa.B., Nov. 8, 2025); Construction Code Act, 35 P.S. 7210.304

The 2024 IBC is in development.

The Pennsylvania IBC record
NFPA 855NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems

2020 NFPA 855Verified

in force since Jan 1, 2026 · Through the IFC, chapter 12 · Edition derived from the fire code the state adopts

Where it reaches the product. The whole standard: siting, size and separation, fire control, explosion control, and commissioning.

UCC triennial update adopting 2021 ICC codes · Reg. 12-125; 34 Pa. Code 403.21

The 2023 NFPA 855 is in development.

The Pennsylvania NFPA 855 record

Coming next

IFC
The 2024 IFC is in development.
The Council’s page shows the 2024 code under review with comments open to Feb 2, 2027; no adoption or effective date was found.
Partial
IBC
The 2024 IBC is in development.
The Council’s page shows the 2024 code under review with comments open to Feb 2, 2027; no adoption or effective date was found.
Partial
NFPA 855
The 2023 NFPA 855 is in development.
Follows the state’s move to the 2024 IFC, which references this edition.
Follows the fire code

State or local

NECPennsylvania applies the NEC statewide, with exceptions the record lists.
NECPhiladelphia lists 2020 NFPA 70 as a referenced standard under its own Title 4 code.
IFCPennsylvania applies the IFC statewide, with exceptions the record lists.
IFCApplies only to the extent other adopted ICC codes reference it; the UCC does not adopt the IFC as a stand-alone fire prevention code.
IBCPennsylvania applies the IBC statewide, with exceptions the record lists.
IBCAccessibility provisions (IBC Chapter 11, Appendix E, Section 1009) remain on the 2018 IBC because the Commonwealth Court enjoined the 2021 accessibility updates.

Cities and counties can amend a statewide code, so confirm the edition in force with the local official.

Go deeper

Pennsylvania laws that name commercial and utility energy storage systems

On the site: five laws, rules, orders, and bills, newest first.

Law or rule	Kind	Stage	Date	What it does
HB 2380 grid battery storageNews release, Oct 5, 2026	Bill	PartialPending	Oct 5, 2026	As passed by the House, would require the state's largest electric utilities to install 3,500 megawatts of battery storage by 2035. The Public Utility Commission would set each utility's share from its load and peak demand. Source (opens in a new tab)
Distributed resources in wholesale marketsDocket L-2023-3044115	Rule	VerifiedPending	Apr 11, 2026	Proposes rules on how utilities coordinate with distributed energy resources that take part in wholesale electricity markets. Source (opens in a new tab)
Uniform Construction Code updateRegulation #12-125	Code amendment	PartialIn force	Jan 1, 2026	Updates the Uniform Construction Code to nearly all provisions of the 2021 International Codes. Source (opens in a new tab)
Interconnection rules reviewNews release, Dec 18, 2025	Rule	VerifiedPending	Dec 18, 2025	Starts work on a proposed rule to update how new electric load and distributed energy resources connect to utility distribution systems. Source (opens in a new tab)
Solar for Schools grantsSolar for Schools Grant Program page	Program rule	PartialIn force	–	Funds grants to schools and colleges for solar energy systems, covering equipment, installation, permit fees, energy storage, and utility interconnection. Source (opens in a new tab)

Every Pennsylvania law on commercial and utility energy storage systems, with filters

For information only. Your local building or fire official decides which code applies. We check state records often but can miss a recent change, so confirm with your official before you design, permit, or install. Terms of use