IBC / IFC Report - 2009

2009 International Fire Code: The new requirements in the 2009 International Fire Code (IFC) provide added protection to building occupants and emergency responders.

►Two safety features result from the lessons learned from the 9/11 tragedy:

 Emergency Responder Radio Coverage: This one will help ensure the seamless coverage of emergency radios inside and outside buildings. (See F87 07/08 / IFC Section 511)

• This new section will require an approved Emergency Responder Radio Coverage system in all new buildings.
• Existing buildings will also need to have this system within 18 months of receiving notice from Fire code official.
• Appendix I was added which gives the specific details of these systems.

 Special markings for emergency exits and stairwells. (See F89 06/07 / Section 903.2.9)

• All new high-rise buildings require luminous exit pathway markings inside of building stair shafts.

►Group S-2 now requires a fire sprinkler system when the fire area of enclosed parking garage exceeds 12,000 square feet. (See F89 06/07 / Section 903.2.9)

►Group E reduced the threshold for requiring a fire sprinkler system in E occupancies from 20,000 square feet down to 12,000 square feet. (See F133 07/08 / Section 903.2.2)

►Group M added a requirement for fire sprinkler systems in Group M occupancies which are used primarily for the display and sale of upholstered furniture. This does not have any size threshold. (See F135 07/08 / Section 903.2.6)

►All non-fire sprinklered hospitals, nursing homes and other Group I-2 occupancies, including existing buildings, require automatic fire sprinkler protection. This is only located within the IFC and not the IBC. (See F154 07/08 / Section 903.6.2)

►New requirements address the use of liquid oxygen in home health care settings.

►New requirements address fire protection of marinas.

►Requirements for fire alarm and detection systems have been extensively revised and correlated to NFPA 72.

►All requirements for existing buildings have been compiled into a new chapter.


2009 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code: The new requirements in the
2009 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code contains provisions addressing:
►Fire spread
►Accessibility
►Defensible space
►Water supply
►New requirements for buildings constructed near wildland areas.

2009 International Building Code: The new safety features of the 2009 IBC include:
►An additional stairway for high rises more than 420 feet tall unless the building
includes special elevators that can be used for emergency evacuation.

►Exit Path Markings was added which now requires exit path markings for high rise
buildings and refers to a new section 1027 for details.

 See E84 06/07 / Section 403.16
 E145,146, 147, 148 07/08 all modified the new IBC Section 1027.

►Fire service access elevators permitted in high rises more than 120 feet tall.

 Fire Service Access Elevator was added which now requires a fire service access elevator for all buildings with an occupied floor more than 120 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
 There is also a new IBC Section 3007 - Fire Service Access Elevator, which gives the specific requirements of this elevator.
 This does not specifically require any additional elevators just that at least one elevator meet the specific requirements of new section 3007.
 See G63 06/07 / Section 403.10

►An option to allow emergency evacuation elevators for building occupants.

►Requirements for more robust fire proofing for buildings greater than 75 feet tall.

►A new “Ambulatory Health Care” occupancy category to enhance occupant safety at day surgery centers.

►A new type of B occupancy entitled "Ambulatory Health Care Facilities” added.

 See the new IBC section 421 for specific requirements for these ambulatory health care facilities.
 See G23 07/08 / Section 304.1

►Adult Care Facility changed the exception from A-3 to R-3. This exception allows a facility where occupants are capable of responding to emergencies without assistance to be an R-3. The original code change that put this exception had a typo when it was approved. (See G46 06/07 / Section 308.5.1)

►Residential Group R was changed to allow an occupant load of 10 in a transient living facility to be classified as an R-3. This could include bed and breakfasts or ski rental condos. (See G47 06/07 / Section 310.1)

►New guidelines for the design and construction storm shelters, based upon the new International Code Council/National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, ICC 500-2008.


2009 International Residential Code: The new provisions in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC)include:

►Residential Fire Sprinklers.

 Fire sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family dwellings takes effect in 2011.
 Requirements for fire sprinkler systems in town homes takes effect upon the adoption of the 2009 IRC.

►Carbon monoxide alarms required in:

• New construction dwelling units with fuel-fired appliances.
• Existing homes where interior alterations include fuel-fired appliance replacements or attached garages.


Conclusion: You can go up on the ICC website and get more specific information about all previous code changes. There are copies of original code changes and final action results. www.iccsafe.org and then go to the Codes and Standards link on the top tool bar.

 

Compiled By:
Scott W. Adams - Code Committee Chairman
Fire Marshals Association of Utah (FMAU)


Acknowledgment:
Colorado ICC Chapter - December 2008 Meeting
2009 IBC and IFC Code Change Highlights