4

Building and Fire Codes

4

Objectives (1 of 2)

• Explain the history and basis for building codes

• Explain the differences between fire and building codes

4

Objectives (2 of 2)

• Identify other construction codes and standards that have an impact on the fire service

• Identify important fire protection features of building codes

4

History of Building Codes

• Based on local experience until the late 1800s

• National Association of Fire Engineers

• Eight fire protection concerns

• Insurance industry

• National Building Code in 1906

4

Model Codes

• Complete regulatory documents

• Early model codes developed regionally

• National Building Code

• Uniform Building Code

• Standard Building Code

• International Code Council’s (ICC’s) International Building Code

4

Legacy Codes

• Older regionally adopted codes

• No longer produced

4

Fire Codes and Standards (1 of 3)

• Building Codes

• Regulate the construction of a building

• Not applied retroactively

• Usually updated every three years

• Rely on standards

4

Fire Codes and Standards (2 of 3)

• Fire Codes

• Regulate the use of the building after it is built

• Applies to structures and conditions within structures

• Usually updated every three years

4

Fire Codes and Standards (3 of 3)

• Test standards

• American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) E-119; “Standard Test Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials”

• ASTM E-84; “Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials”

4

Types of Construction

• International Building Code

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 5000

• Hybrid buildings

4

Occupancy Classifications

• Building codes

• More restrictive on institutional and hazardous material uses

• Occupancy classification

• Relates hazards to specific regulations

4

International Building Code Occupancy Types

• A-1 through A-4

• B and E

• F-1 and F-2

• H-1 through H-5

4

NFPA 5000 Occupancy Types (1 of 2)

• Assembly Occupancy

• Business Occupancy

• Board and Care Occupancy

• Day-Care Occupancy

• Detention and Correctional Occupancy

• Educational Occupancy

4

NFPA 5000 Occupancy Types (2 of 2)

• Health Care Occupancy

• High Hazard Contents

• Industrial Occupancy

• Mercantile Occupancy

• Residential Occupancy

• Storage Occupancy

4

Area and Height (1 of 3)

• Size and height determined by building codes

• Regulation based on construction classification and occupancy type

4

Area and Height (2 of 3)

• Changes can be made to the values in Table 4-2

• Automatic sprinkler systems lessen other requirements

4

Area and Height (3 of 3)

• Fire fighter perceptions and concerns

• Increased size and height values without fire service input

• Original intent of the area and height limitations

4

Special Hazards

• Atria structures

• Large open space within a structure connecting two or more floors

• High-rise structures

4

Egress (1 of 2)

• Requirements set by building codes

• Components

• The exit access

• The exit

• The exit discharge

• Occupant load

4

Egress (2 of 2)

• Number of exit paths/doors

• Safe path of travel

• Door hardware

• Sleeping rooms in “R” occupancies

4

Fire Protection Systems

• Regulated by building codes

• Covered in detail in Chapter 5 of the book

4

Disabled Occupants

• Model building codes

• Area of refuge

4

Interior Finish

• Contribute to fire spread

• Steiner Tunnel Test

• Ratings

4

Elevators (1 of 3)

• Electric cable

• Power controls on the top floor

• Hydraulic piston

• Power controls on the first floor

4

Elevators (2 of 3)

• Phase I operation

• Elevators are recalled

• Phase II operation

• Fire fighter selects one elevators to access the upper floors

4

Elevators (3 of 3)

• Elevator door restrictors

• Know how to open each type of restrictor found in your area

• Metal bars

• Elevator keys

4

Code Implications

• Participate in code development

• For your safety

• The safety of others

4

Summary

• The ICC and NFPA

• Building codes

• Fire codes

• Code development process