On May 3rd, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule in the Federal Register to adopt the 2012 Edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. Here’s what you need to know:
- Effective Date – The 2012 Edition of NFPA 101 will become effective on July 5, 2016. Any buildings that have not received all pre-construction governmental approvals before this date, or those buildings that begin construction after this date, will be required to comply with the New Occupancy chapters of the 2012 Edition of NFPA 101. Any existing buildings permitted between March 11, 2003 and July 4, 2016 are subject to the requirements for new construction under Chapter 18 of the 2000 Life Safety Code. Those buildings will now be reviewed to the existing healthcare occupancy requirements contained in Chapter 19 under the 2012 Life Safety Code. Make note that the level of safety which the buildings were originally approved under cannot be reduced to the Chapter 19 requirements if they are less restrictive.
- Existing Building Rehabilitation – The 2012 Edition of NFPA 101 contains a brand new chapter, Chapter 43 – Building Rehabilitation. Existing buildings undergoing work after the effective date must comply with this chapter whose requirements vary depending on the scope and extent of the work occurring in the building. The classification of work dictates retroactive upgrades that may be triggered as part of the project.
- Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies – Ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) must comply with Ambulatory Health Care Occupancy requirements regardless of the number of patients served. This is a unique CMS regulation which is more stringent than the base 2012 NFPA 101 which only requires compliance with the Ambulatory Health Care Occupancy when 4 or more patients are incapable of self-preservation. An ASC is defined as any distinct entity that operates exclusively for the purpose of providing surgical services to patient not requiring hospitalization and in which the expected duration of services would not exceed 24 hours following an admission.
- High-Rise Buildings – All high-rise health care buildings will be required to have sprinkler systems installed throughout the building within 12 years of publication of the final ruling. Note that this timeframe may be less in some states which have already adopted more recent editions of NFPA 101.
- Significant Code Changes – There are many beneficial changes in the 2012 NFPA 101 including increased suite size allowances, less stringent travel distances, door locking arrangements, manual sliding doors, etc. Want to know more? Subscribe to our blog here where we will be tackling each significant change in a special 2012 NFPA 101 series over the next month.
Email us at info@crcfire.com if your team is interested in a customized learning opportunity on the 2012 Edition of NFPA 101!
A recent change to the Boston Fire Prevention Code removes the requirement for furniture to comply with California Technical Bulletin 133 (Cal TB 133) in a fully sprinklered building. This change will have significant impacts to project teams going for assembly permits as well as building owners in the City of Boston. This change Impacts Assembly, Institutional, Educational, and Residential (except R-3 & R-4) occupancies.
Technical Basis
Align with MA State Building and Fire Codes and reduce flame-retardant chemicals that are known carcinogens.
In 2015 when the new Massachusetts State Comprehensive Fire Code was adopted, reduced regulations regarding testing requirements for upholstered furniture in public spaces of fully sprinklered buildings were introduced. The previous edition of the code required this furniture to meet the testing requirements of CAL 133. The only way to meet the CAL 133 test standard is to introduce flame retardant chemicals which are hazardous to not only the occupants of the building but also the firefighters responding in the event of the emergency. The code change brought with it an allowance for meeting the CAL 117 test standard (which is less restrictive) for the spaces previously requiring CAL 133 testing. However, the Boston Fire Prevention Code still required the CAL 133 test method to be used for upholstered furniture in these spaces.
Timeline
Code change was adopted on 3/23/2016 and is expected to take effect around 7/1/2016.
On March 23, 2016, the City of Boston adopted a change to the Boston Fire Prevention Code related to flame retardant chemicals in upholstered furniture. The adoption of this less restrictive test method allows for different furniture to be used that doesn’t contain these harsh chemicals and provides a safer atmosphere for the occupants of the building. This adoption provides designers with more flexibility and owners with financial savings when it comes to furnishing a building. The bill passed by the City puts the code change into effect in 90 days so look for these changes to take place around July 1, 2016.
How to Apply Requirements Moving Forward
Now based on the new MA Fire Code, in sprinklered spaces, furniture is required to comply with CAL TB 117. If the assembly space is not sprinkler protected, compliance with CAL TB 133 is still required.
Have questions on how this affects your permit applications or properties? Contact us with questions about the implications of this code change!
The current Massachusetts State Building Code, the 8th Edition, has been in effect since August 6, 2010 and has been the active building code throughout most of the post-recession building boom. Following on the heels of the new Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code which was adopted on January 1, 2015, Massachusetts is looking to adopt a new version of the state building code, the 9th Edition, based on the 2015 International Code Council set of model codes.
On November 10, 2015, the state’s Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) approved the most recent batch of draft amendments for public review (see link below). In consideration of Governor Baker’s Executive Order EO 562 the new draft is intended to reduce the complexity of the code by limiting amendments and clarifying language to better align with the referenced base codes (I-Codes).
When Can We Expect Adoption?
The BBRS has indicated that the new edition of 780 CMR is to take effect in mid-2016 (anticipated in July) after time has passed for public input and the final adoption process. Projects looking to have permit application dates in mid-2016 and beyond should plan accordingly for the anticipated adoption of the new 9th Edition regulations. The BBRS has indicated that there may not be a concurrency period, where either the 8th or 9th Edition could be elected to be utilized for a period of time as we have seen in the past. The most recent updates from the BBRS still indicate that this is the case but they are continuing to discuss options with the Secretary of State’s office to help design professionals. Stay tuned for future Code Red Consultants blog posts for updates on this topic.
What’s Included?
As part of the adoption of the 9th Edition 780 CMR the following model codes will be incorporated with amendments:
- 2015 International Building Code
- 2015 International Existing Building Code
- 2015 International Residential Code
- 2015 International Energy Conservation Code
- 2015 International Mechanical Code
- 2015 International Fire Code (as limited by application of 527 CMR)
- Recent NFPA Standards as referenced by the above codes.
Unlike the 8th Edition, the BBRS is anticipating that a single building code document will be released that contains both the amendments and base code to simplify use.
Links to the proposed MA Amendments and key changes are included at this location:
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/buildings/updates-to-draft-9th-edition-of-the-building-code.html
The ICC Codes can be read here:
http://codes.iccsafe.org/I-Codes.html
What Does This New Code Mean For Me?
The new building code will bring about a number of new changes within each trade as the most up to date practices and regulations are adopted. If you would like to know how this code change will affect your building and future projects don’t delay in contacting us to guide you through navigating the new codes.
As of January 1, 2015, the newest edition of 527 CMR, Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, is in effect. All permits filed on or after January 1 will be required to comply with the new edition of the code. All permits filed prior to this date should be in compliance with the previous edition of 527 CMR.
Code Basis
The new fire safety code is largely based on the 2012 Edition of NFPA 1, the Uniform Fire Code, with Massachusetts Amendments. Link to Amendments
Code Organization
The MA Department of Fire Services has issued a guide, “Crosswalk,” that provides a cross reference between the sections of the previous fire code and the new Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. Link to Crosswalk The Massachusetts Electrical Code remains in 527 CMR Chapter 12.00.
Key Highlights
- Changes to the requirements for fire department access roads;
- Increased focus on the required maintenance of fire protection and life safety systems; and
- Modernization and expansion of code requirements for special hazards, including flammable and combustible liquids, pyrophoric gases, and oxidizers just to name a few.
More information about this change can be found at the following site: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dfs/dfs2/osfm/fire-prev/comprehensive-model-fire-code.html Concerned about how the new code will affect your existing facility or next project? Get in touch with us to find out what you need to know.
On August 7, 2014 the Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations voted to promulgate a revised fire safety code, referred to as the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
Date of Adoption
The new fire safety code will take effect on January 1, 2015. Any permit filed on or after this date will be required to comply with the new code. Any permit filed prior to this date should be in compliance with the current edition of 527 CMR.
Code Basis
The new fire safety code will be largely based on the 2012 Edition of NFPA 1, the Uniform Fire Code, with Massachusetts Amendments. Link to Amendments
Code Organization
The MA Department of Fire Services has issued a guide, “Crosswalk,” that provides a cross reference between the sections of the previous fire code and the new Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. Link to Crosswalk The Massachusetts Electrical Code will remain in 527 CMR Chapter 12.00.
What Does This New Code Mean For Me?
The new fire code adoption will be beneficial for designers and owners and will result in:
- A more comprehensive code which addresses a greater range of fire-safety related topics
- A code based on a nationally-recognized standard which incorporates the latest technologies, fire science, and design trends
- An easier code to update and maintain a working knowledge of moving forward
We believe the adoption of a new fire code based on a nationally-recognized standard is a big step in the right direction for Massachusetts. More information about this change can be found at the following site: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dfs/dfs2/osfm/fire-prev/comprehensive-model-fire-code.html Concerned about how the new code will affect your existing facility or next project? Get in touch with us to find out what you need to know.
