The International Code Council (ICC) is launching a new effort aimed at bringing clarity and consistency to the rapidly expanding data center sector, where uneven code interpretation and design approaches are creating challenges for project teams.
Through development of its G12 – Data Center Guideline, ICC is convening stakeholders across the industry — including regulators, designers, builders and operators — to address building safety considerations and align existing standards. The guideline is intended as near-term guidance that synthesizes current best practices while outlining practical pathways for more predictable design, permitting and construction.
As data center construction accelerates, project teams are increasingly encountering inconsistent classification and code application, which can lead to delays and uncertainty. ICC officials say the G12 effort aims to reduce those issues by offering clearer direction during early project planning and execution.
The guideline development process is now underway, with ICC encouraging broad participation from across the data center ecosystem, including engineering and construction professionals, government officials, suppliers, energy managers and risk and safety experts. Both U.S. and international stakeholders are invited to contribute.
Participants can apply to join the G12 committee or register as interested parties to follow progress, attend meetings and provide input. ICC plans to open future public comment periods as the guideline evolves, with updates available throughout the development process.
The 2024 IBC defines “data center” in Section 202 but does not explicitly assign data centers to a specific occupancy group in Chapter 3. As a result, according to the IBC, code officials must classify these facilities based on use, hazards and risk. When a proposed use is not specifically listed, it must be classified as the occupancy it most nearly resembles. Data centers have commonly been classified under several different occupancy groups: Group B (Business), Group F-1 (Moderate-Hazard Factory Industrial) and Group S-1 (Moderate-Hazard Storage).
Each of these classifications carries different implications for allowable area and height, means of egress, fire protection systems and other life safety features.
Group B – Business Occupancy
Group B is often applied to data centers that resemble office-like environments. Electronic data entry is listed as a Group B occupancy and has been used as a basis for assigning data centers to this use group. These spaces typically include energized electrical equipment such as servers, batteries, fans and chillers, along with workstations for staff. Group B occupancies are often occupied during predictable hours and have comparatively low fuel loads.
Group F-1 – Moderate-Hazard Factory Industrial
Factory and industrial occupancies are classified based on hazard level rather than specific function. In these facilities, fire risk is closely tied to fuel load, equipment and processing activities. Some data centers share characteristics with industrial uses: limited occupancy, extensive use of machinery and continuous operation of equipment with significant electrical and thermal output. Although it should be noted that facilities containing operational energy storage systems (ESS) and equipment containing lithium-ion batteries are identified as being classified as a Group F-1 occupancy.
Group S-1 – Moderate-Hazard Storage
Group S-1 occupancies are intended for moderate-hazard storage, including combustible materials and certain battery technologies. Data centers with dense, static racks of equipment, minimal staff presence and limited interaction with the space may resemble storage occupancies more than offices or factories.
How Occupancy Affects Code Requirements
Occupancy classification dictates allowable building area and height, distance to egress points, sprinkler thresholds, smoke control, fire command centers and fire-resistance ratings. The following comparison of Group B, F-1, and S-1 occupancies under the 2024 IBC (assuming Type III-B construction) illustrates how the code treats these classifications. Differences reflect varying assumptions about fire load, occupant risk and operational hazards. For data centers, these differences can significantly influence design decisions, construction cost and overall safety outcomes.
Data centers have become an active topic of discussion within the code development process. During the 2025 code development cycles for the IBC and IFC, several proposals sought to provide clearer direction for this building type. For instance, proposal G38-25, which is pending future action at the Public Comment Hearings, would assign data centers to a Group F-1 occupancy.
Key issues that merit continued attention for this construction type include:
- Means of egress
- Lighting
- Fire protection
- Structural and electrical design
- Water usage
- HVAC requirements
- Onsite power generation
- Energy storage
- Waste heat management
- Sound attenuation
To find out more about the latest industry updates and innovations in data center construction, meet with solution providers and hear talks from expert speakers, attend the 4th Constructing Next-Gen Data Centers MENAT: Revolutionizing Planning, Design, and Engineering, taking place October 6-7, 2026, in Dubai, UAE.
For more information, click here or email us at info@innovatrix.eu for the event agenda. Visit our LinkedIn to stay up to date on our latest speaker announcements and event news.
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