FCIA CODE EFFORTS

FCIA Spring Conference 2003

By

William E. Koffel, P.E.

Koffel Associates, Inc.

Objectives

• Update participants regarding model code development activities of ICC and NFPA

Message

The Future is NOW!!!

ICC

• Consolidation of the three organizations into one organization

• 2003 Edition of the International Codes available– ICC Performance Code– International Existing Buildings Code

IBC – 2002 Changes

• FS33-02 submitted by Hilti, Inc.– Required penetrations of smoke partitions to

be protected with materials or systems that can withstand 400oF and capable of withstanding anticipated movement of the penetrating item

– Disapproved

IBC – 2002 Changes

• FS38-02 submitted by 3M Company– Required penetrations of corridor walls and

smoke barriers to meet a leakage rate of 25 cfm per sq ft as determined by UL 1479.

– Disapproved– Public Comment submitted by the IFC but

the item was still disapproved.

IBC – 2002 Changes

• FS110-02 submitted by the FCIA– Installations shall be subjected to special

inspections conducted in accordance with ASTM E2174

• Exception: Where the code official performs the inspection

– Disapproved

2002 Changes to the IBC

• FS39-02 submitted by FCIA– Where fire resistance-rated floor or floor/ceiling

assemblies are required, voids created at the intersection of the exterior curtain wall assemblies and such floor assemblies shall be sealed with an approved system to prevent the interior spread of fire. Such system…..

– Approved as Modified

• Similar change submitted to NFPA 5000 was accepted by the Committee but failed ballot

2002 Changes to the IBC

• FS40-02 submitted by GICC– Add a new sentence to read as follows– Height and fire-resistance requirements for curtain

wall spandrels shall comply with Section 704.9.– Approved although Public Comment by

Thermafiber requested disapproval– Nothing in this change eliminates perimeter fire

barrier systems in sprinklered buildings!

• Similar change submitted to NFPA 5000 was accepted

2002 Changes to the IBC

• FS41-02 submitted by Metal Construction Association– ..for the time period equal to the fire-resistance

rating of the exterior curtain wall assembly, or 30 minutes, whichever is greater.

• Exception: Where the floor is less than the wall, the floor fire resistance shall be the criteria

– Disapproved

• Similar change submitted to NFPA 5000 was accepted by the Committee but failed ballot

Case Study – City of Phoenix

• Currently in the process of adopting NFPA 5000-2002– Consultants and AFS members participated

in Subcommittee meetings– Consultants and AFS members participated

in Public Hearings• Included local distributors, representatives, and

contractors

Case Study – City of Phoenix

• Table 7.2.2 – Fire Resistance Ratings for Type of Construction– Revised to correlate with 1997 UBC– Implements structural frame concept for beams

having direct connections to columns

• Table 7.4.1 – Maximum Allowable Building Heights– Deleted 20 foot increase for sprinkler protection– Later modification substituted UBC Table for

NFPA Table

Case Study – City of Phoenix

• Section 7.4.3.2 – Sprinkler Increases– Eliminated “double dipping” for height and area

– No longer necessary since UBC Table and method substituted for NFPA Table and method

• Section 8.3.1 – Fire Wall Ratings– Revised to correlate with 1997 UBC instead of two-

hour fire wall requirement in NFPA 5000

Case Study – City of Phoenix

• Section 33.1.3 – High-rise Buildings: Fire Resistance– Correlates reductions in fire resistance ratings with

1997 UBC• Business and residential occupancies

• Section 33.2.5 – High-rise Buildings: Smoke Control– Incorporates requirements for smoke control in

high-rise buildings consistent with 1997 UBC

Case Study – City of Phoenix

• Corridor Fire Resistance Rating– Deletes reduction of one-hour in sprinklered

buildings– Approved for most commercial occupancies– Rejected for business, hotels, and apartment

buildings• Hotels and apartment buildings still required to

be 30-minute

ICC

• Process changed to 18 month cycle– Two code change cycles between editions of

the Codes– Deadline for code change proposals – March

24, 2003– Proposals to be available early July– Committee hearings – September 2003– Membership Action – May 2004

ICC

• Second cycle starts in Fall 2004– Committee hearings – February 2005– Membership Action – September 2005

• Issues– Clarify that automatic sprinkler protection

does not eliminate need for perimeter fire barrier system

– Resist, retard, restrict, and limit smoke

ICC

• Proposed change submitted on behalf of the FCIA– 712.5 Spandrel Wall. Height and fire-

resistance requirements for curtain wall spandrels shall comply with Section 704.9. Where Section 704.9 does not require a fire-resistance rated spandrel wall, the requirements of Section 712.4 shall still apply. Spandrel Wall.

NFPA

• NFPA 5000 is available– Adopted in Pasadena, TX– Recommendation to adopt likely to go to

City Council in Phoenix, AZ in May– California???– Louisiana

• Narrow vote to adopt International Codes

NFPA

• NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000 on same cycle• Proposals due in October 17, 2003• “Core Chapter” Committee meetings in

December 2003• Occupancy Chapter Committee Meetings –

February 2004• ROC Meetings – October/November 2004• Membership Action – May 2005

Scope TC on Fire Protection Features• Responsible for documents on

construction compartmentation, including the performance of:– assemblies, – openings, and – penetrations

as related to the protection of life and property from fire and other circumstances.

NFPA

• NFPA 5000 includes performance option (Chapter 5) and existing building provisions (Chapter 15)

• Issues– Coordination with other documents

– “Grandfathering”

– Same issues as ICC• Spandrel wall

• Resist, retard, restrict, and limit smoke

Questions???