How does a code become a regulation?

A code becomes a regulation typically through the process of adoption by state or local government authorities. This process involves a review of the code, ensuring it aligns with existing laws and community needs. Once the government adopts the code, it gains the force of law, meaning that compliance is required and enforced by governmental entities.

Regulatory codes are often put in place to ensure safety, standardization, and best practices within various industries, including firefighting. This adoption process allows for localized tailoring of codes to meet specific jurisdictional needs while also maintaining compliance with broader public safety objectives.

The other answer choices reference procedures that do not directly align with how codes become regulations. Approval by Congress and presidential signing pertains more to federal legislation rather than the local or state regulatory adoption of codes, while enactment by an authorized regulatory agency generally happens after a code has already been established. Legal precedents can influence the interpretation and application of regulations but do not define the process of how a code itself becomes a regulation.