Georgia is preparing for a major code change that will take effect on January 1, 2026. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has confirmed that the state will adopt the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC), aligning its standards with new national safety and energy requirements.
For builders, contractors and inspectors, these updates mark an important shift—especially for assemblies using spray polyurethane foam (SPF) and intumescent coatings. The new codes strengthen documentation and testing requirements for thermal and ignition barriers, making verified, third-party-tested coatings essential for compliance.
What the 2026 Georgia Building Code Change Includes
Georgia’s adoption of the 2024 International Codes affects multiple disciplines, including building, residential, fire and energy conservation standards. The biggest implications for intumescent coatings concern spray foam insulation and the need to protect it against fire.
Under the updated IBC and IRC:
- SPF insulation must be protected by either a prescriptive thermal barrier (such as ½-inch gypsum board), or
- An approved alternative barrier, demonstrated through large-scale testing to standards such as NFPA 286, UL 1715, or FM 4880.
These updates don’t change the fundamental intent of previous codes but clarify how performance-based alternatives—such as intumescent coatings—must be tested, documented, and applied to meet fire protection requirements.
Why Intumescent Coatings Matter
Intumescent coatings play a crucial role as code-recognized alternatives to prescriptive materials. When exposed to heat, they expand to form a thick, insulating char that slows flame spread and limits temperature rise on the protected substrate.
For spray-foam assemblies, they offer a lighter, more flexible option than traditional gypsum board, particularly where space, design, or weight constraints make drywall impractical.
IFTI’s DC315 is one of the most widely used coatings for this purpose. It is tested to NFPA 286, ULC S145, ASTM E119, ULC S-101 and ASTM E84, and listed under ICC-ES ESR-3702, ICC-ESL 1577 and CCMC 14036-R—meeting both U.S. and Canadian performance criteria. The coating has already been used successfully under similar code frameworks in multiple states, including Georgia, which adopted the 2024 IBC ahead of schedule.
IFTI’s DC360 complements DC315 by providing Class A-rated fire resistance on wood, gypsum and other combustible substrates. Together, they help meet the varied fireproofing needs of modern hybrid construction systems.
Preparing for 2026: What Builders Should Do Now
The DCA’s one-year transition period gives contractors time to update their documentation and field practices. To ensure compliance once the new codes take effect, project teams should:
Confirm product listings and testing: Ensure coatings are tested in accordance with the applicable large-scale standards and supported by evaluation reports.
Update specifications: Revise construction documents to reference the 2024 IBC/IRC and include verified data sheets and installation instructions.
Train applicators and inspectors: Reinforce manufacturer-approved application methods and DFT (dry-film thickness) verification.
These steps will help reduce inspection delays and demonstrate compliance during both local plan reviews and final approvals.
Staying Ahead of the Code Curve
The 2026 code updates highlight a broader trend—one that prioritizes documentation, traceability, and proven performance. Building departments are increasingly requiring third-party testing not only for coatings themselves but for the entire assembly in which they’re used.
IFTI’s intumescent systems meet those expectations. Every product comes with a full documentation package, including evaluation reports, test summaries, and bilingual data sheets, allowing inspectors and design professionals to quickly confirm compliance.
As more states move toward 2024 IBC alignment, these same performance-based principles will define building safety across North America—making systems like DC315 and DC360 key components of both current and future code-compliance strategies.
IFTI’s alternative thermal barrier products help builders, inspectors and design teams stay ahead of regulatory changes. Our tested intumescent coatings provide approved thermal and ignition-barrier solutions that simplify compliance with the latest building codes.
To prepare your project documentation ahead of Georgia’s 2026 adoption, contact IFTI’s technical team for specification support and code alignment guidance.