SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE

INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE®

2018 EDITION

2018_IFC.indb 1 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE  INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE®

2018 EDITION

Kevin H. Scott, Author

Additional contributions by Robert A. Neale

International Code Council

ICC Staff :

Executive Vice President and Director of BusinessDevelopment: Mark A. Johnson

Senior Vice President, Business and Product Development: Hamid Naderi

Vice President and Technical Director of Products and Services: Doug Thornburg

Senior Marketing Specialist: Dianna Hallmark

ISBN: 978-1-60983-712-9

Cover Design: Lisa Triska Project Head: Steve Van Note Publications Manager: Mary Lou Luif

COPYRIGHT © 2017

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This publication is a copyrighted work owned by the International Code Council, Inc. Without advance written permission from the copyright owner, no part of this book may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, without limitation, electronic, optical or mechanical means (by way of example, and not limitation, photocopying or recording by or in an information storage retrieval system). For information on permission to copy material exceeding fair use, please contact: Publications, 4051 Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478. Phone 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233).

The information contained in this document is believed to be accurate; however, it is being provided for informational purposes only and is intended for use only as a guide. Publication of this document by the ICC should not be construed as the ICC engaging in or rendering engineering, legal or other professional services. Use of the information contained in this book should not be considered by the user to be a substitute for the advice of a registered professional engineer, attorney or other professional. If such advice is required, it should be sought through the services of a registered professional engineer, licensed attorney or other professional.

Trademarks: “International Code Council” and the International Code Council logo are trademarks of International Code Council, Inc.

Errata on various ICC publications may be available at www.iccsafe.org/errata.

First Printing: September 2017

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

2018_IFC.indb 2 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

T021821

iii

Contents

PART 1Administration (Chapters 1 and 2) 1

PART 2General Safety Provisions (Chapters 3 and 4) 3

■ 314.4Indoor Display of Vehicles 4

■ 315.3.1Ceiling Clearance for Indoor Storage 6

■ 315.1, 315.7Outdoor Pallet Storage 8

■ 403.12.3Crowd Managers 12

■ 404.2.3Lockdown Plans 14

PART 3Building and Equipment Design Features (Chapters 5–12) 17

■ 510Emergency Responder Radio Coverage 20

■ 603.1, 603.3Fuel-fired Appliancess 22

■ 605.13, 605.16, 605.17Refrigerants with LowerFlammability Hazards 25

■ 608.3Nonmetallic Cooking Oil Storage Tanks 29

■ 807.1, 807.2, 807.5Combustible Decorative Materials 30

■ 807.4Artificial Decorative Vegetation 32

■ 901.4.6.1, 901.4.6.2, 901.4.6.3, 901.4.6.4Fire Pump and Fire Sprinkler Riser Rooms 34

■ 901.6.2Integrated Fire Protection System Testing 35

■ 901.8.2Removal of Occupant-use Hose Lines 37

■ 903.2.1Sprinklers in Group A Occupancies 38

■ 903.2.3Sprinklers in Group E Occupancies 41

■ 903.3.1.1.2Sprinklers in Bathrooms inGroup R Occupancies 43

■ 903.3.1.2.1Sprinklers Beneath Balconies 44

■ 903.3.1.2.3Protection of Attics in Group R Occupancies 46

■ 903.3.3Sprinkler Obstructions 49

■ 904.12Commercial Cooking Operations 50

2018_IFC.indb 3 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

iv CONTENTS

■ 904.13Domestic Cooking in Institutional Occupancies 52

■ 904.14 , Table 901.6.1Aerosol Fire-extinguishing Systems 54

■ 905.3.1Class III Standpipes 56

■ 905.4Class I Standpipe Hose Connections 59

■ 905.11Locking Caps on Standpipe Outlets 61

■ 906.1Portable Fire Extinguishers 62

■ 907.1.2Fire Alarm Construction Documents 63

■ 907.2.1Fire Alarms in Group A Occupancies 64

■ 907.2.10 (Deleted)Group R-4 Fire Alarm System 66

■ 907.5.2.2.4Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System Captions 68

■ 910.5Maintenance of Smoke and Heat Removal Equipment 69

■ 916Gas Detection Systems 71

■ Table 1004.5, 1004.8Occupant Load Calculation in Business Use Areas 74

■ 1006.2.1Spaces with One Exit or Exit Access Doorway 76

■ 1006.2.2.6, 1006.2.1, 1017.2Groups R-3 and R-4 Protected with NFPA 13D Sprinkler System 79

■ 1006.3, 1006.3.1Exits on Adjacent Stories 82

■ 1008.2.3Illumination of the Exit Discharge 84

■ 1008.3.5, 1008.2.2Emergency Illumination in Group I-2 86

■ 1009.7.2Protection of Exterior Areas of Assisted Rescue 88

■ 1010.1.1Size of Doors 90

■ 1010.1.4.4Locking Arrangements in Educational Occupancies 93

■ 1010.1.9.8Delayed Egress 95

■ 1010.1.9.9, 1010.1.9.10Electrically Locked Egress Doors 98

■ 1010.1.9.12Locks on Stairway Doors 101

■ 1010.1.10Panic Hardware and Fire Exit Hardware 103

■ 1010.3Turnstiles 105

■ 1011.6Stairway Landings 108

■ 1013.2Floor-level Exit Signs in Group R-1 110

■ 1015.6, 1015.7Fall Arrest for Rooftop Equipment 111

■ 1017.3Common Path of Egress Travel 113

■ 1023.3.1Stairway Extension 115

■ 1023.5, 1024.6Exit Stairway and Exit Passageway Penetrations 117

■ 1025.1Luminous Egress Path Marking in Group I Occupancies 119

■ 1026.4, 1026.4.1Refuge Areas for Horizontal Exits 120

■ 1029.6, 1029.6.3, 1029.7Open-air Assembly Seating 122

■ 1029.9.1Minimum Aisle Width 125

■ 1030.1Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings 127

■ 1030.1.1Operation of Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings 129

2018_IFC.indb 4 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

CONTENTS v

■ 1031.2.2Locking Arrangements in Existing Educational Occupancies 131

■ 1031.4Exit Signs in Existing Buildings 133

■ 1031.10Inspection and Testing of Emergency Egress Lighting 134

■ 1103.5.1Fire Sprinklers in Existing Group A-2 Occupancies 135

■ 1103.9Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Existing Buildings 138

■ 1104.16.2Wall Openings Adjacent to Fire Escapes 139

■ 1105.6.2Fire-protection-rated Doors in Existing Group I-2 140

■ Chapter 12Energy Systems 141

■ 1204.5Rapid Shutdown for Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems 144

■ 1206.2Stationary Storage Battery Systems 147

PART 4Special Occupancies (Chapters 20–39) 153

■ Chapter 22Combustible Dust 155

■ 2303.2.1Height of Emergency Disconnect Switch 157

■ 2306.7.3.1Protection from Vehicle Impact 158

■ 2309.6, 2309.6.1Defueling of Hydrogen Fueled Vehicles 159

■ 2311.6Repair of Vehicles Fueled by CNG and LNG 162

■ 2311.8Repair of Vehicles Fueled by Lighter-than-air Fuels 164

■ 2403.2.1.3Classified Electrical Areas Around Spray Booths 170

■ 2404.2, 2404.3.1, 914.9Spray Rooms and Spray Booths 171

■ 2810Outdoor Storage of Pallets at Pallet Manufacturing and Recycling Facilities 174

■ Chapter 31Umbrella Structures 177

■ 3103.3.1Tents and Membrane Structures Used as Special Amusement Buildings 178

■ 3103.6, 3103.9Structural Stability of Tents 180

■ 3104.2Fabrics for Tents and Membrane Structures 182

■ 3105, 105.6.47, 105.7.22Temporary Special Event Structures 184

■ 3106Outdoor Assembly Events 187

■ 3107.13LP-gas Containers and Tanks Adjacent to Tents and Membrane Structures 191

■ Chapter 32High-piled Combustible Storage 193

■ 3304.5, 3308, 3309.1Fire Watch During Construction and Demolition 198

■ Chapter 38Higher Education Laboratories 201

■ Chapter 39Processing and Extraction Facilities 205

PART 5Hazardous Materials (Chapters 50–67) 207

■ Table 5003.1.1(1)Consumer Fireworks 209

■ 5003.1.1(1), 5003.11.1, 6303.1.1.2Maximum Allowable Quantity for Class 3 Oxidizers 212

■ 5003.8.3.4Construction of Control Areas 214

2018_IFC.indb 5 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

vi CONTENTS

■ 5005.1.12Protection of Hazardous Materials Piping Systems 216

■ 5103.2, 5104.1.2Aerosol Products in Plastic Containers 218

■ 5103.2.2, 5104.2.2, 5104.3.3, 5104.8, 5106.2.2Aerosol Cooking Spray Products 220

■ 5306.1, 5306.2Medical Gas Storage 222

■ 5307.1, 5307.3Liquid Carbon Dioxide Systems for Beverage Dispensing 225

■ 5307.4Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Systems 228

■ 5707Mobile Fueling Operations 231

■ 6104.3Location of LP-gas Containers 234

PART 6Appendices (A–N) 237

■ E102.1.7.1Hazard Classification of Oxidizers 238

■ Appendix NIndoor Trade Shows and Exhibitions 240

2018_IFC.indb 6 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

vii

The purpose of Significant Changes to the International Fire Code®, 2018 Edition, is to familiarize fire officials, building officials, plans examiners, fire inspectors, design professionals and others

with many of the important changes in the 2018 International Fire Code® (IFC®). This publication is designed to assist code users in identifying the specific code changes that have occurred and, more important, in under-standing the reasons behind the changes. It is also a valuable resource for jurisdictions in order to help them explain the significance and impact of the changes as they go through their code adoption process.

Only a portion of the total number of code changes to the IFC are discussed in this book. The changes selected were identified for a num-ber of reasons, including their frequency of application, special signifi-cance or change in application. However, the importance of the changes not included is not to be diminished. Further information on all code changes can be found in the Complete Revision History, available from the International Code Council® (ICC®) in 2018, through the online store at http://shop.iccsafe.org. This resource collection provides the published documentation for each successful code change contained in the 2018 IFC since the 2015 edition.

Significant Changes to the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is arranged to follow the general layout of the IFC, including code sections and section number format. The table of contents, in addition to providing guidance in the use of this publication, allows for a quick identification of those significant code changes that occur in the 2018 IFC.

Throughout the book, each change is accompanied by a photograph or an illustration to assist in and enhance the reader’s understanding of the specific change. A summary and a discussion of the significance of the change are also provided. Each code change is identified by type, be it an addition, modification, clarification or deletion.

The code change itself is presented in a legislative format similar to the style utilized for code change proposals. Deleted code language is shown with a strikethrough, and new code text is indicated by under-lining. As a result, the actual 2018 code language is provided as well as

Preface

2018_IFC.indb 7 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

viii PREFACE

a comparison with the 2015 language, so the user can easily determine changes to the specific code text.

As with any code change text, Significant Changes to the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is best used as a companion to the 2018 IFC. Because only a limited discussion of each change is provided, the reader should reference the code itself in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the code change and its application.

The commentary and opinions set forth in this text are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of ICC. In ad-dition, they may not represent the views of any enforcing agency because such agencies have the sole authority to render interpretations of the IFC. In many cases, the explanatory material is derived from the reasoning ex-pressed by code change proponents.

Comments concerning this publication are encouraged and may be directed to ICC at significantchanges@iccsafe.org.

About the International Fire CodeFire code officials, fire inspectors, building officials, design profession-als, contractors and others involved in the field of fire safety recognize the need for a modern, up-to-date fire code. The International Fire Code (IFC), 2018 Edition, is intended to meet these needs through model code regulations that safeguard the public health and safety in all communi-ties, large and small. The IFC is kept up to date through ICC’s open code development process. The provisions of the 2015 edition, along with those code changes approved through 2016, make up the 2018 edition.

One in a family of International Codes® published by ICC, the IFC is a model code that establishes minimum fire safety requirements for new and existing buildings, facilities, storage and processes. It addresses fire prevention, fire protection, life safety and safe storage and use of haz-ardous materials. The IFC provides a total approach of controlling haz-ards in all buildings and sites, regardless of the hazard being indoors or outdoors.

The IFC is a design document. For example, before a building is constructed, the site must be provided with an adequate water supply for fire-fighting operations and a means of building access for emer-gency responders in the event of a medical emergency, fire or natural or technological disaster. Depending on the building’s occupancy and uses, the IFC regulates the various hazards that may be housed within the building, including refrigeration systems, application of flammable finishes, fueling of motor vehicles, high-piled combustible storage and the storage and use of hazardous materials. The IFC sets forth minimum requirements for these and other hazards and contains requirements for maintaining the life safety of building occupants, the protection of emergency responders, and to limit the damage to a building and its contents as the result of a fire, explosion or unauthorized hazard-ous material discharge and electrical systems. The IFC is available for adoption and use by jurisdictions internationally. Its use within a governmental jurisdiction is intended to be accomplished through adoption by reference, in accordance with proceedings establishing the jurisdiction’s laws.

2018_IFC.indb 8 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

PREFACE ix

Acknowledgements Significant Changes to the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is the result of a collaborative effort, and the author is grateful for the assistance and contributions by the following talented staff of ICC Business and Product Development: Hamid Naderi, P.E., C.B.O., Senior Vice President; Doug Thornburg, A.I.A., C.B.O., Vice President, Director of Education and Certification; and Jay Woodward, A.I.A, Senior Staff Architect. The author would also like to thank Bob Davidson, Davidson Code Concepts, LLC; Howard Hopper, Regulatory Services Program Coordinator with Under-writers Laboratories LLC; and Pat McLaughlin, McLaughlin & Associates for their insight and assistance with application of some of the technical requirements.

A special thank you is extended to Robert Neale, Vice President, ICC Government Relations. Rob spent many hours working on the content, sharing his knowledge, and providing peer review.

About the Author

Kevin H. Scott

President

KH Scott & Associates LLC

Kevin Scott is President of KH Scott & Associates LLC. Kevin has extensive experience in the development of fire safety, building safety and hazardous materials regulations. Kevin has actively worked for over 25 years in the de-velopment of fire code, building code and fire safety regulations at the local, state, national and international levels. Kevin previously worked as a Senior Regional Manager with the International Code Council, and before that, he was Deputy Chief for the Kern County Fire Department, California, where he worked for 30 years. He has developed and presented many seminars on a variety of technical subjects including means of egress, high-piled combus-tible storage, hazardous materials, and plan review and inspection practices.

Kevin was a member of the original IFC Drafting Committee that worked to create the first edition of the IFC. He served for seven years on the IFC Code Development Committee and was chairperson for the com-mittee from 2001 to 2004. Kevin has actively participated in numerous technical committees to evaluate specific hazards and technologies, and to create regulations specific to those hazards.

Some of the more significant committees are:• High-piled Combustible Storage Committee• Hydrogen Gas Ad Hoc Committee• Task Group 400• Technical Advisory Committee on Retail Storage of Group ‘A’

Plastic Commodities• Underwriters Laboratories Fire Council.

Kevin’s constant work to improve fire and life safety has been recog-nized on many levels. His contributions have been acknowledged by vari-ous organizations when they presented him with the following awards:

2018_IFC.indb 9 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

x PREFACE

• Mary Eriksen-Rattan Award in 2013—presented by the Southern California State Fire Prevention Officers’ Association

• William Goss Award in 2009—presented by the California State Firefighters Association

• Fire Official of the Year Award in 2005—presented by the California Building Officials

• Robert W. Gain Award in 2003—presented by the International Fire Code Institute.

About the Contributor

Robert A. Neale

Vice President

Governement Relations: National Fire Service Activities

Rob currently serves as the International Code Council Vice President for Government Relations: National Fire Service Activities. He is responsible for strategic guidance to help local fire organizations adopt and enforce the most recent version of the model codes and build relationships among code enforcement entities.

In 2015, Rob retired as Deputy Superintendent for the United States Fire Administration National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He led the development of curriculum aimed at improving the professionalism of America’s fire service.

In 2012, he received the FEMA Administrator’s Award for Innovation in training for his development of the popular Coffee Break Training series. Rob was awarded the International Society for Performance Improvement award for the National Fire Academy class “Evaluating Performance-Based Designs” in 2004.

He has more than 30 years of experience in Washington state municipal fire protection as a fire chief, fire marshal and fire fighter.

Rob has a master’s degree from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School and a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Western Washington University.

Rob has been published regularly in national fire protection trade jour-nals, and for many years has been content developer and platform instructor on codes, standards and fire protection systems.

2018_IFC.indb 10 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

PREFACE xi

About the International Code CouncilThe International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes. ICC Evaluation Service® (ICC-ES®) is the industry leader in performing technical evaluations for code compliance fostering safe and sustainable design and construction.

ICC Headquarters: 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor,

Washington, DC 20001

Regional Offices: Birmingham, AL • Chicago, IL • Los Angeles, CA

1-888-422-7233 (ICC-SAFE) www.iccsafe.org

2018_IFC.indb 11 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM

xii

2018_IFC.indb 12 10/13/2017 9:51:18 AM