I understand that many items are affected by more one Code. However, I feel it might be handy if items that the building affected were listed in the NEC. For example clearances from sprinkler head to luminaires, independant support wires for lay-ins, smoke detector distance from HVAC returns etc.

That way you would only need one reference book to be truly Code compliant.

Your thoughts?

Too many fire codes... There are several. Then a few building codes, and various ones for each trade. Not all are adopted... You would need to know which one your AHJ adopted or changed. I DO get what you're saying though.

The thing that bothers me about the fire codes is they never seem to be officially adopted but people cite them anyway.

My previous "smoke alarm in the tray" rant is a good example. Somebody goes to a seminar and suddenly some obscure NFPA document is the law of the land.