Building Code Glossary
Excess Flow Control: Building Code Definition
How the IFC 2009 define excess flow control, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.
On this page
Last updated September 7, 2026 · Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.
Direct answer
Excess flow control is a defined term in the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009, in Hazardous Materials-general Provisions. The code's own words are: “A fail-safe system or other approved means designed to shut off flow caused by a rupture in pressurized piping systems.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IFC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 4 chapters of this corpus, most often in Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy (IBC 2009), Hazardous Materials-general Provisions (IFC 2009), Highly Toxic and Toxic Materials (IFC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. Record the jurisdiction, the adopted edition, the application date and any local amendment that rewrites the definition before you use it on a live project, because a term redefined by amendment changes every requirement that depends on it.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.
What does this term mean?
Excess Flow Control — IFC 2009, Hazardous Materials-general Provisions:
A fail-safe system or other approved means designed to shut off flow caused by a rupture in pressurized piping systems.
What must be verified before using this guidance?
Excess Flow Control is defined once in this corpus, in the Hazardous Materials-general Provisions chapter of the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009:
A fail-safe system or other approved means designed to shut off flow caused by a rupture in pressurized piping systems.
Where excess flow control is used in the code
The term appears in 4 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.
| Chapter | Code | Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy | IBC 2009 | 16 |
| Hazardous Materials-general Provisions | IFC 2009 | 13 |
| Highly Toxic and Toxic Materials | IFC 2009 | 3 |
| Definitions | IFC 2009 | 1 |
The term in use
How the code actually writes about excess flow control, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here:
Where HPM gases or liquids are carried in pressurized piping above 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (103.4 kPa), excess flow control shall be provided.
— IBC 2009, Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy
in accordance with NFPA 704 are carried in pressurized piping above 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (103 kPa), an approved means of leak detection and emergency shutoff or excess flow control shall be provided.
— IFC 2009, Hazardous Materials-general Provisions
The terms excess flow control is built out of
The definition above leans on 4 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what excess flow control covers:
- Fail-safe — IFC 2009: A design condition incorporating a feature for automatically counteracting the effect of an anticipated possible source of failure; also, a design condition eliminating or mitigating a hazardous condition by compensating automatically for a failure or malfunction.
- Approved — IBC 2009: Acceptable to the code official or authority having jurisdiction.
- Piping — IRC 2009: Where used in this code, “piping” refers to either pipe or tubing, or both.
- System — IFC 2009: An assembly of equipment consisting of a tank, container or containers, appurtenances, pumps, compressors and connecting piping.
Excess Flow Control: what to open, and in what order
Every row is a document this term depends on. The ICC code library and the ICC adoption maps cover the middle rows.
| Check | Where | Confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Read the definition in the adopted IFC | Hazardous Materials-general Provisions | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Hazardous Materials-general Provisions (IFC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Highly Toxic and Toxic Materials (IFC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IFC 2009) | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Fail-safe | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Approved | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Piping | |
| Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list |
A research aid, not a code determination. The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply.
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all glossary guidance
- Fail-safe: Building Code Definition
- Approved: Building Code Definition
- System: Building Code Definition
- Piping: Building Code Definition
Sources and method
Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The ICC code library publishes the current model text and the ICC adoption maps show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
What is the code definition of excess flow control?
The International Fire Code (IFC) 2009 defines it in Hazardous Materials-general Provisions as: “A fail-safe system or other approved means designed to shut off flow caused by a rupture in pressurized piping systems.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally.
Which parts of the code depend on excess flow control?
In this corpus the term is used across 4 chapters, led by Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy in the IBC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own.
What is an excess flow valve?
Valve is a separate defined term. The IRC 2009 defines it as: “A device used in piping to control the gas supply to any section of a system of piping or to an appliance.” That is not the same as excess flow control, which the IFC 2009 defines as “A fail-safe system or other approved means designed to shut off flow caused by a rupture in pressurized piping systems.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.
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