PROPOSED CODE CHANGES FOR REVIEW BY THE FIRE CODE ACTION COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 PROPOSED CODE CHANGES FOR REVIEW BY THE FIRE CODE ACTION COMMITTEE Developed by the Southern Regional Work Group October 15, 2011 CONTENTS ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM ITEM Page 1 of 16

2 ITEM 3 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Control area limits for consumer fireworks IBC Ch 3; IFC Ch 56 Control area quantities for I.4G consumer fireworks Quantity limits set for construction purposes height and area, type of construction, sprinklers, egress and storage limits in M and other occupancies before classifying as H-3. Virginia has permissible fireworks of 0.25 grain or less exempted from consumer fireworks for sale and use unless specifically banned by local fire prevention ordinances. Should these permissible fireworks have a separate category line in these tables and have a higher storage limit for sale in M and other occupancies more in line with NFPA 1124? Strongly advise against making changes to quantity limits. Increased quantities of 1.4G consumer fireworks could exceed the sprinkler design in mercantile occupancies. technical justification for increasing quantities of 1.4G materials just because the packaging is different. This proposal would make the IFC inconsistent with NFPA Page 2 of 16

3 ITEM 5 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Occupancy Classification for storage of consumer fireworks IBC T307.1(1); IFC Table , T , 5609 change recommended to current code. Increased quantities of 1.4G consumer fireworks could exceed the sprinkler design in mercantile occupancies. technical justification for increasing quantities of 1.4G materials just because the packaging is different. This proposal would make the IFC inconsistent with NFPA Page 3 of 16

4 ITEM 7 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Sale of consumer fireworks IBC Ch 3; IFC Ch 56 change to current code. Increased quantities of 1.4G consumer fireworks could exceed the sprinkler design in mercantile occupancies. technical justification for increasing quantities of 1.4G materials just because the packaging is different. This proposal would make the IFC inconsistent with NFPA Page 4 of 16

5 ITEM 16 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Smoke detection v fire detection Determine that the term of fire detection and smoke detection is used in the proper context throughout the codes. This is an issue with all I-Codes, not just IFC. The scope of this question was too broad. Is there a specific instance in the code where these terms are creating a problem? The comments coming from the CAC are too broad for this work group to tackle in the short meeting time frame. The work group committee could not identify any specific issue which needed to be revised. Page 5 of 16

6 ITEM 27 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Tenant separation IBC The potential need for tenant separation due to the changes to table which have significantly reduced some of the occupancy separation requirements or changes to table itself. Do we need to have a fire rated separation between tenants within a multi-tenant building? Particularly in unsprinklered buildings. Bruce will dig up old code changes for the Southern RWG. Compare old requirements to current requirements. The work group identified several instances where the separation requirements have been increased in the 2012 IBC. The work group could not identify any decreases in the separation requirements listed in the 2009 Table On the subject of requiring fire rated separation; yes, if there is technical justification that identifies the problem associated with fire extending past the tenant space of origin. See above. Page 6 of 16

7 ITEM 41 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Temporary structures, Tents and Membrane structures IBC Ch 31 IFC Ch 31 correlation of requirements between codes; structural integrity in temporary structures Why is there a difference between IBC and IFC with regard to the manner/format in which permanent are dealt with vs temporary installations. Check IFC Referred to Southern CAC and Western CAC to develop code changes. RWGs need to coordinate activity. The IBC clearly states that if the tent or membrane structure is erected for a time less than 180 days use the requirements in the IFC if structure is to be erected for more than 180 days use the requirements in the IBC. With the new exception below the work group sees no coordination problem. (see new exception under ) If the question is why have different requirements for permanent and temporary, the work group is of the opinion that a permanent tent or membrane structure must be able to withstand the structural loads placed upon it year around such as snow loading, seismic and soil conditions etc IBC General. The provisions of Sections through shall apply to structures erected for a period of less than 180 days. Tents and other membrane structures erected for a period of less than 180 days shall comply with the International Fire Code. Those erected for a longer period of time shall comply with applicable sections of this code Permit required. Temporary structures that cover an area greater than 120 square feet (11.16 m2), including connecting areas or spaces with a common means of egress or entrance which are used or intended to be used for the gathering together of 10 or more persons, shall not be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose without obtaining a permit from the building official. Exception: Temporary tents and membrane structures less than 400 sq. ft. erected accordance with the IFC. Page 7 of 16

8 2012 IFC Approval required. Tents and membrane structures having an area in excess of 400 square feet (37 m2) shall not be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose without first obtaining a permit and approval from the fire code official. Exceptions: 1. Tents used exclusively for recreational camping purposes. 2. Tents open on all sides which comply with all of the following: 2.1. Individual tents having a maximum size of 700 square feet (65 m2) The aggregate area of multiple tents placed side by side without a fire break clearance of 12 feet (3658 mm), not exceeding 700 square feet (65 m2) total A minimum clearance of 12 feet (3658 mm) to all structures and other tents. The new exception coordinates the IBC to the IFC. Page 8 of 16

9 ITEM 50 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Fire hydrant spacing IFC Clarify hydrant spacing requirements Refer to Southern RWG to develop code change and coordinate with Apfelbeck. change required. Work group was unaware of any reasons to change requirements until such time as ISO changes their requirements. Page 9 of 16

10 ITEM 51 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Fire Apparatus Access Roads IFC Appendix D; Chapter 5 See Traffic Calming article Review Council for New Urbanism Guide on street development Compare their recommendations to the requirements in the IFC Work group is of the opinion that the following code provision ( ) is adequate. IFC Traffic calming devices. Traffic calming devices shall be prohibited unless approved by the fire code official. change required. Page 10 of 16

11 ITEM 58 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Fire protection in vacant buildings IFC and It would be useful to have a cross-reference/pointer in IFC indicating that vacant building fire protection systems must comply with Section Check for additional needs at vacant/abandoned buildings Refer to Southern RWG and rtheast RWG to evaluate and develop code change IFC General. Temporarily unoccupied buildings, structures, premises or portions thereof, including tenant spaces, shall be safeguarded and maintained in accordance with Sections through IFC Systems out of service. Where a required fire protection system is out of service, the fire department and the fire code official shall be notified immediately and, where required by the fire code official, the building shall either be evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire protection system has been returned to service. Where utilized, fire watches shall be provided with at least one approved means for notification of the fire department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the protected premises and keep watch for fires. Where fire watches are not utilized, temporarily unoccupied buildings, structures, premises or portions thereof, including tenant spaces, shall be safeguarded and maintained in accordance with Sections through Clarification Page 11 of 16

12 ITEM 76 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Existing building ratings IEBC Table Greater recognition for fire sprinkler protection in Table when determining the performance value of the building Point score for sprinklers may need to be revised and given a higher value relative to other mitigation measures The work group is not familiar with the current values and therefore has no basis for developing enhanced values; however the group does feel that sprinklers should be given credit where credit is due. See above. Page 12 of 16

13 ITEM 78 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Outdoor Sky-Lanterns CAC Comments: Burn injuries; source of ignition Virginia Technical Review Board just issued a ruling that these gel-lanterns are covered under recreational fires. Some code language might be added to this section for clarity. Refer to Southern RWG to review and determine if there is a need for a code change It is the opinion of the work group; the described outdoor sky-lanterns are classified as recreational fires that cannot be constantly attended as required by section Therefore the sky-lantern is adequately addressed in the IFC. See above. Page 13 of 16

14 ITEM 108 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL SRWG Proposal: IFC Prohibited explosives. Permits shall not be issued or renewed for possession, manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use of the following materials and such materials currently in storage or use shall be disposed of in an approved manner. 8. Explosive materials condemned by DOTn. (Items1 through 7, 9 and 10 remain unchanged ) While it does prohibit transporting certain materials on the public highways, the Federal Department of Transportation (DOTn) does not condemn explosives. Example: Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) Page 14 of 16

15 ITEM 109 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: IBC Section Enclosures under exterior stairs. This provision is under the section addressing interior stairs. Should this provision be moved to Section 1026 Exterior Exit Stairways and Ramps? Enclosures under exterior stairways. There shall be no enclosed usable space under exterior exit stairways unless the space is completely enclosed in 1- hour fire-resistance-rated construction. The open space under exterior stairways shall not be used for any purpose. Relocated section from the interior stair section to the section on exterior stairs. Page 15 of 16

16 ITEM 110 CODE CHANGE PROPOSAL ISSUE: Roof top assemblies SRWG Comments: IFC Group A-2. Currently the code states that if you have a fire area containing an A-2 Assembly on a floor other than the floor of exit discharge the building must be sprinkled. What happens when someone puts an open air roof-top bar or lounge, or similar A-2 occupancy on the roof of a building? The roof of the building does not meet the definition of a fire area. Our work group may want to submit a code change proposal to either change the definition of fire area or to change the code to state that when an assembly (remove the words fire area ) is located on a floor other than the level of exit discharge the building must be sprinkled. New section of the IBC: 425 Roof Top Occupancies. When roof tops are occupied, the applicable provisions of the IBC that regulate the occupancy shall be applied as if the roof top is a floor All floors below the roof top occupancy shall be equipped with automatic fire sprinklers when the occupancy type requires automatic fire sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13. Introduction of new occupancies to roof tops of buildings. (Example: Open bar on the roof of building as impacted by IBC ). Page 16 of 16