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Insights Category: Code Updates

524 CMR, Board of Elevator Regulations, was amended as of June 1, 2018. These regulations reference the 2013 Editions of ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. As of December 1, 2018 all new elevators are required to comply with the new regulations. Existing elevators undergoing alterations or replacements may also be subject to the new regulations, to the extent required by 524 CMR 10.00.

Previous to December 1, 2018, a sump pump was not specifically required per the MA amendment to 524 CMR 35.00 Section 2.2.2.5. However, after the new adoption, the amendment was removed and as such sump pumps are now required for elevators providing Firefighters’ Emergency Operation. The pump must have the capacity for removing a minimum of 11.4 m3/h per elevator.

Mass timber construction is no longer a fledgling concept in the U.S. – it’s a movement. Proponents of mass timber got a boost when the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) was introduced, which specifically allowed for cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a building material. Recently-approved changes to the 2021 IBC will allow for even taller designs.

Mass timber is a category of framing typically characterized by the use of large solid wood panels for wall, floor and roof construction. Products in the mass timber family include CLT, nail-laminated timber (NLT), dowel-laminated timber (DLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam, or GLT when used as panels), and structural composites such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and laminated strand lumber (LSL). These products, combined with a heightened awareness of wood’s carbon benefits, have focused attention on the possibility of “tall wood” buildings, either made entirely from wood products or a combination of wood and other materials.

In North America, mass timber projects have typically been located in the Pacific northwest or Canada. However, the potential for mass timber construction on the east coast is not lost on suppliers, where in 2018, two mass timber manufacturers announced plans to build production facilities in Maine. The industry appears to be capitalizing on the positive reviews of New England’s jewel mass timber building – the Olver Design Building at UMass Amherst.

2015 IBC Allowances

Massachusetts’ state building code (780 CMR 9th edition) is based on the 2015 IBC, which allows mass timber buildings, including cross-laminated timber.  As a result, several of these buildings are currently on the drawing boards, several of which Code Red Consultants is involved.   For states that have not yet adopted the 2015 IBC, like New Hampshire and Rhode Island, variances may be sought to utilize the 2015 provisions. The 2015 IBC allows for mass timber buildings to be up to 85 ft in height, with the following allowable number of stories for major occupancy types:

Assembly (Group A-3) 4 stories
Residential (Group R-2) 5 stories
Business (Group B) 6 stories

 

2021 IBC Allowances

The 2021 IBC will feature three new construction types to support tall mass timber buildings, as follows:

IV-A 18 stories; gypsum wallboard on all mass timber elements
IV-B 12 stories; limited area of exposed mass timber walls and ceilings allowed
IV-C 9 stories; all exposed mass timber

 

For these new construction types, all mass timber elements must have a 2-hr fire-resistance rating. Although the 2021 IBC will not be available or adopted for a few years, this is a significant development and roadmap for the industry.

“Mass timber has been capturing the imagination of architects and developers, and the ICC result means they can now turn sketches into reality,” said American Wood Council (AWC) president Robert Glowinski. “ICC’s rigorous study, testing and voting process now recognizes a strong, low-carbon alternative to traditional tall building materials used by the building and construction industry.”

Making Mass Timber Projects Work

While CLT is prescriptively allowed, the technology and code provisions are new enough that many building and fire officials are asking for continuing education during the design process as to the code approvals path and the structural and fire safety compliance. Additionally, there may be opportunities to negotiate the earlier use of 2021 IBC provisions for taller mass timber buildings once the edition is published in its final form.

Please email our office if we can be of assistance with continuing education, AHJ negotiations, or general questions.

The 9th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) contains several new requirements associated with Fire Service Access Elevators (FSAE’s).  FSAE’s and associated lobbies are required in buildings with an occupied floor more than 120 feet above the lowest level of fire department access (2015 IBC Section 403.6.1).

One such change is that FSAE lobbies are now required to be provided with a means of water protection.  Such protection is required to consist of an approved method to prevent water from the operations of the sprinkler system outside of the enclosed lobby from infiltrating into the hoistway enclosure (2015 IBC Section 3007.3).

This requirement was introduced as part of the 2012 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC), so it is newly enforceable as part of the 9th Edition of 780 CMR.

Note that this requirement applies to (FSAE lobbies (governed by IBC Section 3007) and water protection is not required for regular elevator lobbies governed by IBC Section 3006.

The requirement for water protection is performance-based, with the specific method and sizing of components to achieve the water infiltration prevention not specified by the code.  Some of the options that may be used include door sweeps, trench drains, sloped floors, curbs, or gasketed openings (or combination thereof), and ultimately the method used is required to be approved by the AHJ.

When applying this requirement to your projects, note the following:

  • This requirement is only for protection from sprinkler water, and not from fire-fighter hoses;
  • Where an elevator is two-sided, this requirement must be met on each side, including the side that does not have the FSAE;
  • With regards to using sloped floors as an option for compliance, note that landings on either side of doors are required to be level, so any sloping of the floor will need to be done away from the door;
  • The prevention of water infiltration can occur either (1) at the hoistway itself or at (2) the FSAE boundary, or both.

The 2018 Edition of the IBC revised the language for the Water Protection requirement to clarify the intent, although the practical application of the requirement remains the same.  Further, there was no change in the requirement from the 2018 to the 2021 Editions of the IBC.

In Massachusetts, the requirement for generator exhaust stacks is commonly overlooked or misunderstood.

The 2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC) Section 501.3, as referenced by 780 CMR 28.00, requires that any air removed by a mechanical exhaust system be discharged outdoors at a point where it will not cause a public nuisance and will not be readily drawn in by a ventilating system in the subject building or any other building. Additionally, the IMC provides requirements for minimum exhaust outlet clearances including at least 10 feet from property lines, 3 feet from exterior walls and roofs, 10 feet from operable openings into buildings, and 10 feet above adjoining grade. IMC Section 915.1 also references the 2015 Edition of NFPA 37, Standard for the Installation and Use of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines for the installation of liquid-fueled stationary internal combustion engines and gas turbines. NFPA 37 requires generators located on roofs or outdoors to be at least 5 feet from openings in walls or from structures having combustible exterior walls unless a 1-hour rated enclosure is provided (NFPA 37, 4.1.3.1 & 4.1.4)

In Massachusetts, generators installed on and after March 23, 2006 must also comply with 310 CMR, Department of Environment Protection Regulations. 310 CMR 7.26(42) addresses regulations to prevent air pollution from emergency engines or turbines and includes specific requirements relative to exhaust stack heights. These requirements are much more direct and, in many cases, are more stringent than the IMC as follows:

  • General Requirements:
    • Exhaust stacks must be configured to discharge the gases vertically and must not be equipped with any part of device that impedes the vertical exhaust flow of the emitted gases (e.g. shanty caps or egg beaters).
    • Emissions on sensitive receptors including people, windows and doors that open, and buildings with fresh air intakes must be minimized.
  • Generators with a power output ≥ 300 kW: Minimum stack height of 10 feet above the facility rooftop or the emergency engine enclosure, whichever is lower.
  • Generators with a power output ≥ 1 MW: Minimum stack height of 1.5 times the height of the building on which the stack is located. If the stack is lower than 1.5 times the building height or lower than the height of a building within the stack’s area of influence, the owner must submit documentation that the operation of the generator will not cause an exceedance of any National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This would typically involve computer aided dispersion analysis to confirm. The stack’s area of influence includes any buildings within a distance 5 times the building’s height or projected area, whichever is less.

In early June of this year, the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations adopted a new elevator code.

Code Basis

The new Board of Elevator Regulations code is based on the 2013 Edition of ASME A17.1 with Massachusetts specific amendments.

Date of Adoption

The new code went into effect on June 1, 2018.

Use of Old Code

The adoption of the new provisions includes a concurrency period which is in effect from June 1, 2018 until December 1, 2018. During this time period, individuals seeking building permits are allowed to comply with either the elevator provisions in effect prior to the June 1st adoption, or the new code that went into effect on June 1st, but not a combination of both. After the December 1st deadline, all submitted plans and documents are required to comply with the new elevator provisions.

The new 524 CMR can be accessed at the link below:

https://www.mass.gov/law-library/524-cmr

Have questions on how this affects your design? Contact us with questions about the implications of the code change!

The City of Providence has been expecting Construction Fire Safety Plans as part of their permit submission process for years. They have recognized that many disasters (fires, explosions and other mishaps resulting in injury or loss of life) have occurred during demolition and construction. The Rhode Island Fire Code (RIFC) & NFPA 241 are in place to prevent same or reduce negative outcome if an emergency occurs. The City of Providence is expecting to receive NFPA 241 plans as a condition of permit, as the RIFC & NFPA 241 suggests. Expectations are specifically outlined in the Providence Guide to Permitting .

NFPA 241 narratives (FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM; RIFC: 16.3.1, fire protection plans [RIFC: 16.1.3], fire alarm and sprinkler plan; in or out of service, temporary heating, waste disposal, use of flammable and combustibles, hot work (permits by PAI required per RIFC: 41), security, access, standpipes, potable fire extinguisher information, temporary separation, safety during demolition, etc.) are required on every project and the extent of same depends on extent of and hazards associated with the proposed work. The narratives [on company letterhead and signed] have been simple to very complex reports based on the project. When a narrative is received the requesting city reviewer will either accept, comment and/or reject pending receipt of the safeguards not outlined.

Free access to the NFPA codes and standards can be found here: http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards.

Following the City of Boston’s lead, Massachusetts now requires new provisions when hot work activity is performed in all buildings; from the start of construction/renovation to general building maintenance. As previously discussed on this page, the new State of Massachusetts Fire Code (527CMR) comes into effect next month on January 1, 2018. One key change in this version of the Code is that all individuals that are involved in any hot work activity will require proper certification. This will have wide reaching impact on many contractors and building facility managers, alike.

For detailed information relative to scoping of said certification, check out the Link that the State Fire Marshall issued this past month.

On January 23, 2018, the Maine Department of Public Safety – Bureau of Building Codes and Standards approved amendments to the newest edition of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC), Maine Uniform Building Code (MUBEC), and Maine Uniform Energy Code (MUEC).

Code Basis

The model codes for each of the three (3) Uniform codes is as follows:

  • MUBEC
    • 2015 Edition of International Building Code (IBC)
    • 2015 Edition of International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
    • 2015 Edition of International Residential Code (IRC)
    • 2009 Edition of International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
  • MUBC
    • 2015 Edition of International Building Code (IBC)
    • 2015 Edition of International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
    • 2015 Edition of International Residential Code (IRC)
  • MUEC
    • 2009 Edition of International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Each of the codes is amended by the State of Maine and those amendments can be found at the following links:

MUBC – Commercial Amendments

MUBC – Existing Building Code Amendments

MUEC – Energy Conservation Amendments

MUBC – Residential Amendments

The adoption of these new codes requires each municipality which adopts these codes to begin enforcing the new regulations. Projects which aren’t permitted prior the municipality being enforcement are required to comply with the codes outlined above.

Have questions on the amendments to the code and how they may affect your facility? Contact us with questions about the implications of the code change!

As discussed in a previous blog post here, the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (BFPR) has recently submitted for approval a new version of 527 CMR 1.00, Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. The BFPR is the board responsible for promulgating the Commonwealth’s Fire Safety Code.

One of the major code changes for the construction industry is the introduction of an amendment to Chapter 41, Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work. Section 41.7 now requires individuals to provide documentation showing they have successfully completed training in the last 12 months that is approved by the State Fire Marshal covering the following topics:

  • 527 CMR 1.00 Chapter 41, Hot Work Operations
  • 29 CFR 1910.252 Subpart-Q Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
  • NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Cutting, Welding, Brazing, and Other Hot Work, 2014 Edition
  • NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alternation, and Demolition Operations, 2013 Edition
  • ANSI Z49, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, 2012 Edition

This training requirement applies to any individuals performing any of the following roles of the hot work process:

  • Serving as Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI), (i.e. owners or general contractors issuing daily/weekly internal hot work permits)
  • Perform as a fire watch
  • Perform, supervise, or delegate any hot work operation including many activities defined as hot work by NFPA 51B, several of which may not be initially thought of as such (e.g. metal chop saw cutting)

In essence, every individual involved in the hot work process from permit review and approval through the completion of the hot work is required to obtain additional training which covers all aspects of hot work safety. This code change stems from a requirement in the City of Boston requiring individuals applying for a hot work permit or conducting hot work to obtain a Hot Work Safety Certificate, which went into effect in January of 2017. This amendment rolls out this requirement state wide after seeing positive results of the requirements within the City.

The Board has acknowledged that this change in regulation will require a large number of individuals to attend training classes in order to obtain that certification. For this reason, they pushed off the effective date of the training requirement until July 1, 2018, while the rest of the code goes into effect on July 1, 2018.

The 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is also effective, however this was previously adopted on August 12, 2016 under the 8th Edition in accordance with the Green Communities Act of 2008.

Contact us at info@crcfire.com if you’re interested in us coming into your office for a Significant Changes in the 9th Edition presentation. A focus will be given to those code changes which will be most impactful on the design, cost, and schedule of your future projects.

9th Edition of MA State Building Code Adopted

The 9th Edition of 780 CMR, which is an amended version of the 2015 I-Codes, was promulgated last Friday, October 20th. The final amendments to the Code are currently available from the state bookstore (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/spr/sprcat/catidx.htm). It is also expected that an electronic copy of the final amendments will be available on the Office of Public Safety and Inspections’ website shortly (http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/government/oca-agencies/dpl-lp/opsi/ma-state-building-code-780-cmr.html). Now that the 9th Edition is promulgated, there is a shortened concurrency period through December 31, 2017 where either the 8th or 9th Edition may be utilized. The effective date is based on when the permit package is submitted to the local or state building official. As of January 1, 2018, the 9th Edition will solely be adopted. Any permit packages after this date will be required to comply with the 9th Edition provisions, unless relief is granted by the Building Code Appeals Board.

The 9th Edition of 780 CMR includes the following codes:

  • 2015 International Building Code (IBC)
  • 2015 International Residential Code (IRC)
  • 2015 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
  • 2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
  • 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
  • Portions of the 2015 International Fire Code (IFC) where referenced by the IBC

The 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is also effective, however this was previously adopted on August 12, 2016 under the 8th Edition in accordance with the Green Communities Act of 2008.

Contact us at info@crcfire.com if you’re interested in us coming into your office for a Significant Changes in the 9th Edition presentation. A focus will be given to those code changes which will be most impactful on the design, cost, and schedule of your future projects.