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Insights Category: Code Updates

The current building and fire codes that are applicable in Connecticut are based on the 2015 Editions of the International Code Council (ICC) documents. In 2020, the State was in the process of moving towards the next version of the codes based on the 2018 ICC documents; however, this was put on hold due to COVID-19. Two years later, they have shifted their original intent and are in the process of moving to the following codes, effective October 1, 2022:

  • 2022 Connecticut State Building Code (CSBC)
  • 2022 Connecticut State Fire Safety Code (CSFSC)
  • 2022 Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code (CSFPC)

These codes will adopt and amend the following national standards:

  • 2021 International Building Code (IBC) by the ICC
  • 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) by the ICC
  • 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by the ICC
  • 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) by the ICC
  • 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) by the ICC
  • 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) by the ICC
  • 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC) by the ICC
  • 2020 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC) by NFPA
  • 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities by the ICC
  • 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) by the ICC
  • 2021 NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code by the NFPA
  • 2021 NFPA 1 – Fire Code by the NFPA

Historically, a concurrency period has not been provided in CT when switching code editions without approval of a state modification. There have been discussions about offering one for this cycle, however, no formal word has been provided at this time.

 

For jurisdictions that adopt the 2018 Edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, there are new means of escape requirements for New Apartment Buildings per Chapter 30 unless specifically amended.  Grab bars are now required for all bathing fixtures including bathtubs, bathtub-shower combinations, and showers in New Apartment Buildings.   There is an exception that would allow the grab bars to be omitted if the bathing fixture is a roll-in shower with slip resistant floor.

This requirement is a means of escape requirement to ensure safe walking conditions out of a bathing fixture that has a threshold of more than ½” and flooring that is not slip resistant.  This grab bar requirement found in Chapter 30 of NFPA 101 is in addition to grab bars that may be required for accessibility compliance within the bathroom.

If you have questions on means of escape grab bars and the applicability to your project, please reach out to our office at info@crcfire.com to find out how we can assist.

There are several reasons developers and architects are contemplating using Mass Timber for their next project – most notably sustainability, speed and ease of construction and reduced weight of materials. An additional benefit remaining at the forefront of Mass Timber is the exciting aesthetic that comes with exposed wood beams, columns, ceilings, and walls. Given this element, understanding the allowances and limitations of the new Type IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C construction types in the 2021 IBC is important, with each type carrying a prescriptive requirement related to the amount of exposed wood.

Type IV-C construction provides the most opportunity to expose the Mass Timber elements in the future code, is allowed to have all walls, ceilings, and structure be 100% exposed, provided that the required fire-resistance ratings for the building are achieved. At the other end of the spectrum, Type IV-A construction is required to have all wood concealed behind gypsum wallboard, as a trade-off for superior building heights (which can reach up to 18 stories for most occupancies).

In the middle, Type IV-B construction is allowed a partial exposure of floors and ceilings. The Type IV-B exposure allowance is approximately 30% across walls and ceilings, with specific regulations as follows:

  • Exposed ceilings, including attached beams, are limited to a maximum area equal to 20 percent of the floor area in any dwelling unit or fire area.
  • Exposed walls, including attached columns, are limited to a maximum area equal to 40 percent of the floor area in any dwelling unit or fire area.
  • Where both ceilings and walls have exposed portions, the exposure is required to comply with the equation shown below. This equation requires the ratio of total exposed ceiling area (Utc) to allowable exposed ceiling area (Uac) plus the ratio of total exposed wall area (Utw) to allowable exposed wall area (Uaw) to be less than one. (If this approach seems familiar, it is the same concept that is used for separated mixed-use occupancy area calculations in Chapter 5.)

The exposed ceiling area is required to include beams, and the exposed wall area is required to include columns. However, beams and columns that are not an integral part of floor/ceiling or wall assemblies, respectively, do not count toward these calculations, and are permitted to be exposed.

It should be noted that the 2021 IBC will not be applicable in Massachusetts until the 10th edition of 780 CMR is adopted, which, as of this writing (December 2021), is still likely over a year away. However, with this coming trend, it is important to understand the new 2021 IBC requirements related to Mass Timber construction, especially as they may be able to be used in the meantime to justify building code variances to the 9th edition of 780 CMR.

If you are considering Mass Timber for your next project, please reach out to info@crcfire.com.

Click the links below to view the other Insights in the Mass Timber series:

Mass Timber – Concealed Spaces

Mass Timber – CLT & Glulam Char Depth Calculations

Photo credit: Jones Architecture and DCAMM

 

 

With the adoption of the 10th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code (MSBC) and an anticipated increase in projects utilizing Mass Timber, it is important to understand the new 2021 IBC requirements related to this type of construction. This Insight will focus on new code provisions related to allowance and protection of concealed spaces in Type IV construction.

In the 9th Edition of the MSBC (based on the 2015 IBC), buildings constructed of Type IV construction are prohibited from having any concealed spaces at all. All other construction types are allowed to contain concealed spaces, which are otherwise required to be protected via MSBC Section 718. The prohibition of concealed spaces in Type IV construction is unrealistic for modern buildings, almost all of which have concealed space in some locations.

In the 2021 IBC, however, concealed spaces are prescriptively permitted in Type IV construction. For the new Type IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C tall mass timber construction types, concealed spaces are allowed, but must comply with the following provisions:

  • Such spaces must not contain any combustibles other than electrical, mechanical, fire protection, or plumbing materials and equipment permitted in plenums in accordance with International Mechanical Code
  • Concealed spaces within any combustible construction within Type IV-A and IV-B construction must be protected with noncombustible protection with a minimum assigned time of 80 minutes
  • Concealed spaces within any combustible construction within Type IV-C construction must be protected with noncombustible protection with a minimum assigned time of 40 minutes

For the legacy Type IV-HT construction type in the 2021 IBC, concealed spaces must not contain any combustibles as described above, and must be protected with one or more of the following:

  • Sprinkler protection in accordance with NFPA 13
  • Be filled with noncombustible insulation
  • Surfaces within concealed spaces must be fully sheathed with not less than 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board

If concealed spaces are within any interior walls/partitions that possess a 1-hour or greater fire-resistance rating, no additional protection is required.

These new updates allow for more flexibility in the design of Type IV buildings and will hopefully help owners, developers, and architects to further consider Mass Timber for building projects. If you require assistance with your Mass Timber project, please reach out to info@crcfire.com.

Click the links below to view the other Insights in the Mass Timber series:

Mass Timber – CLT & Glulam Char Depth Calculations

Mass Timber – Exposed Wood in Type IV-B Construction

The occupancy of a space plays a major role in fire alarm system design; each type has different requirements for system initiation/activation and occupant notification. The types and quantities of fire alarm initiating devices needed for a self-storage warehouse are different from those needed for an office building. The types of occupant notification appliances needed to serve a large assembly space are much different from those needed in a hospital. However, some of the most distinctive and complicated occupancies relative to fire alarm design in the International Building Code (IBC) are Group R-1 (transient residential occupancies) and Group R-2 (permanent residential occupancies). When dealing with these occupancies, the fire alarm requirements can be daunting and therefore easily missed. This is particularly true of the requirements surrounding low frequency notification.

Low frequency notification (producing a low frequency tone of 520 Hz ± 10 percent) is used to alert occupants that are asleep or are hard-of-hearing. Research has indicated that low frequency tones are six times as effective as the more standard 3kHz signal when it comes to waking high-risk occupants (such as people over 65 who are hard of hearing, school-age children, and people who are alcohol impaired).

IBC Section 907 generally requires Residential occupancies to be provided with fire alarm systems designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code (IBC Section 907.2). In Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies, notification for building fire alarm system activation and notification for local in-unit smoke detector activation are governed by separate requirements.

For notification of a building fire alarm system activation, Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies must be provided with (IBC Sections 907.5.2.1 and 907.5.2.3): Audible appliances (typically system speakers and/or horns) to provide notification to all occupiable spaces within the building; and visible appliances in all common areas. As well as, in Massachusetts, locations required by 521 CMR, Architectural Access Board. From Chapter 18 of NFPA 72, all audible notification appliances serving sleeping areas must produce a low frequency tone.

A separate requirement typically applies for notification of smoke detector/alarm activation within a residential unit. Chapter 29 of NFPA 72 (specifically Section 29.3.8 and associated subsections) requires low frequency tones where notification appliances are provided voluntarily for those with hearing loss or are required by other governing laws, codes, or standards for people with hearing loss. In Massachusetts, 521 CMR Sections 8.6 and 9.7 provide scoping for areas where such appliances must be provided. Specifically: In permanent residential occupancies, 2% of the total units must be provided with features for hearing impaired persons; and in transient residential occupancies the quantity of units that must be designated as hearing impaired varies proportional to the number of guest rooms in the building (in accordance with the table in 521 CMR Section 8.4.5).

Why is this important?

In Massachusetts, the current (9th Edition) 780 CMR, Massachusetts State Building Code is based on the 2015 Edition of the IBC. However, the 10th Edition of 780 CMR is currently being developed and will be based on the 2021 Edition of the IBC (skipping the 2018 Edition).

Under the 2015 IBC, the requirements for low frequency notification discussed above are all currently located in referenced standards (NFPA 72, 521 CMR), not directly within the building code. The revamped content in the 2021 IBC will now include much of this scoping for low frequency tones directly within the body of Section 907.5.2. While this minor change should simplify finding and understanding these requirements, there was a more impactful change in the body of the 2021 IBC as well: The IBC (2021) will now require low frequency notification to be provided for all residential units upon activation of smoke detectors/alarms in that unit, where this would have only been required in hearing impaired units under previous editions. This requirement would take precedence over the language and scoping of NFPA 72 and 521 CMR, in accordance with the Applicability section of 2021 IBC. This is a significant change as there are limited options on the market to purchase notification appliances capable of producing low frequency tones other than those devices listed to be part of the fire alarm system.

There are of course many other fire alarm system requirements for residential (and all other) occupancies. Please feel free to contact the Code Red office for more information by emailing as at info@crcfire.com!

 

 

Why Are There New UL 268 and UL 217 Editions and How Does It Impact Me?

First, let us explore what UL 268 and UL 217 apply to:

UL 268 is the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard titled Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems and it applies to smoke detectors which are connected to a Fire Alarm Control Unit. These devices detect the presence of smoke and (via the building fire alarm system) sound the notification appliances to alert occupants of a smoke event. A related standard that is also undergoing revision is UL 217, Standard for Smoke Alarms, which applies to smoke alarms which are typically powered by 110/120V line voltage. This type of device is traditionally used in residential occupancies and contain both the smoke sensing element and the notification function (typically horn) internal to the smoke alarm device.

So Why Are the UL 268 and 217 Standards Being Revised?

UL announced that the new editions include criteria to reduce nuisance alarms and address differing smoke characteristics between fast moving and smoldering polyurethane foam fires. Research shows that smoke characteristics have changed, and escape times have reduced (from an average of seventeen minutes several decades ago, now down to three or four minutes), largely due to changes in materials used in furnishings and construction. The updates to UL 268 and 217 are intended to better address these changes (compared to the previous 2009 and 2015 editions, respectively).

Reducing nuisance alarms, thereby reducing the temptation to disconnect smoke alarms, is another objective of the updated editions.  Based on a 2010 report by U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission smoke alarms were not operating or were intentionally disabled in almost half (46%) of home fires. Nuisance alarms are reported to be the leading reason behind residential occupants disabling their smoke alarms. Specifically, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the most commonly reported reason for occupants disabling a smoke alarm is nuisance alarms associated with cooking.

The new editions of UL 268 and 217 include more than 250 technical changes to the standards compared to the previous editions. The technical updates are consolidated into about 50 lab tests to verify the effectiveness of smoke detectors and smoke alarms.

Three of the new, more challenging, performance tests (Flaming Polyurethane Foam Test, Smoldering Polyurethane Foam Test and Cooking Nuisance Smoke Test) are targeted at: (1) reducing nuisance alarms from cooking; while (2) efficiently identifying smoke originating from new synthetic materials. The Cooking Nuisance Smoke Test includes broiling a frozen hamburger to initially produce light grey small smoke particles and then later produce larger particles representing those most commonly produced in kitchen fires. During this test, the smoke detector is subjected to the smoke and must alarm within a predetermined time after the smoke percentage reaches a minimum threshold; the detector must not alarm too quickly, or at too low a smoke percentage.

The other two tests that were added to the UL standards included the introduction of smoldering polyurethane foam fires and flaming polyurethane foam fires to more appropriately represent a fire that would be expected from modern furnishings.  The Flaming Polyurethane Foam Test produce small black dense smoke particles and the Smoldering Polyurethane Foam Test produces medium brownish smoke particles.  For both polyurethane tests, the smoke detectors must alarm within specific time limits and smoke densities.

Existing smoke detector/alarm designs which had been manufactured in accordance with the previous editions of the UL 268/UL 217 standards generally will not meet the more stringent requirements of the new editions. As such, manufacturers have needed to implement new technologies or combine existing technologies into their smoke detectors/alarms to satisfy the new UL requirements.

What is The Impact to Existing Smoke Detectors, Smoke Alarms and Facilities?

The new UL 268 7th Edition standard becomes effective on June 30, 2021 and the UL 217 8th Edition standard becomes effective on June 30, 2022. The effective dates of these two standards does not trigger an automatic replacement of all smoke devices; only that those devices manufactured after this date must be compliant with the new editions of the standards to receive the UL Listing. It is important to note that devices already manufactured prior to the effective date can still be sold with the UL listing received when manufactured.  Many manufacturers have already begun selling the new edition compliant devices and have information on their websites.

It is recommended that owners who maintain fire alarm systems which utilize smoke detectors in their buildings consult with their service providers to review how the implementation of these new smoke detectors will impact their existing systems. Some manufacturers have made announcements regarding new UL Listed compliant devices requiring panel upgrades or in some instances replacement of all devices due to compatibility requirements which could be a significant impact.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us info@crcfire.com.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) requires that multifamily housing buildings constructed after March 1991 contain accessible features for persons with disabilities.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recognizes various safe harbors for compliance with the FHA design and construction requirements.

Effective March 8, 2021, the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and the 2009 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (ICC A117.1) will be a new allowable safe harbor.  The ruling made by HUD also designates the 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018 editions of the IBC as safe harbors.  This is the first update to the safe harbor list in 15 years and will help streamline regulatory requirements in many states that reference ICC A117.1 by way of the state building code.

If you have questions on accessibility compliance, please reach out to our office to find out how we can assist.  Contact us at info@crcfire.com for more information.

On January 29, 2021, the Maine Technical Codes & Standards Board unanimously voted to incorporate the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) code provisions related to tall mass timber construction into the current version of the Maine Uniform Building & Energy Code (MUBEC) via an amendment. The amendment process could take upwards of 90 days to finalize language and accommodate a public comments period before the code change becomes official.

The implications of adopting these provisions are significant for those looking to utilize cross-laminated timber (CLT) and other mass timber materials on new projects. Three (3) new construction types will be available (Type IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C)  allowing for mass timber buildings of up to 18 stories tall. There are several considerations relative to fire protection, life safety, and construction materials that require careful consideration early in the design process.  This is especially important when the aesthetically pleasing mass timber elements are desired to be architecturally exposed. Designers now have an ‘as-of-right,’ prescriptive code compliance path at their disposal which is a game changer!

Code Red Consultants has endeavored to remain on the forefront of the mass timber movement and construction technologies, including the greatly expanded options introduced by the 2021 IBC. Please reach out to us at info@crcfire.com if we can be of assistance on your mass timber projects.

The concurrency period had allowed building permit applicants to choose to have designs comply with the provisions with either the 2015 or 2018 editions of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with Massachusetts amendments. As of November 7, 2020, the concurrency period has ended. The ending of the concurrency period means that all designs submitted for permit must now be in accordance with the 2018 MA Energy code provisions as laid out in the revised 780 CMR Section 13.00.

 

See our previous blog posts here on the timeline of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards Committee’s actions regarding the Energy code concurrency period extensions.

 

Please reach out for assistance with Energy code scoping provisions and big picture implications of the new 780 CMR 13.00 amendments and the 2018 IECC.

 

Based on the Massachusetts amendment to Sections C401.2 and C402.1.5 of the 2018 IECC, the IECC component performance alternative (sometimes referred to as the “backstop calculation”) is required in Massachusetts for projects following ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Appendix G (or ASHRAE 90.1-2013 Appendix G if following the Stretch Energy Code).  This will require a minimal prescriptive compliance for the exterior envelope in addition to the thermal performance established by using Appendix G.  The impacts of this amendment diverge from previous iterations of energy efficiency design compliance and should be reviewed by key project stakeholders including the project architect, mechanical engineer, and envelope consultant.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have energy code scoping questions and how they apply to your specific project