Proposed Changes to the International Code Council

NASFM has submitted six proposed changes to the International Code Council's 2007-2008 code cycle, which will result in the 2009 edition of the I-Codes. The proposals and short descriptions are provided below.

Building Height and Area

• IBC 504.2 Automatic sprinkler system increase (height); IBC 506.3 Automatic sprinkler system increase (area). This proposal will remove the ability to increase both height and area based on the presence of a sprinkler system. Increases will be allowed in height or area, but not both.

• IBC 506.4 Area determination. Proposal reduces the total allowable building area from 3 to 2 times that of a single floor in buildings with more than one floor above grade.

Residential Sprinklers

• IRC R313.1 General fire protection systems. Proposal requires the installation of an approved automatic fire sprinkler system in all new one and two-family dwellings and townhouses.

Roof Assemblies

• IBC 1505.2 Class A roof assemblies. Proposal removes the automatic conveyance of Class A status for clay and concrete roof tile and requires the assembly to be tested in accordance with UL790.

• IRC R902.1 Roof covering materials. Proposal duplicates the changes proposed in IBC 1505.2.

Inspections

• IFC 107.2 Testing and operation and IFC 703.1 Maintenance. Proposal adds inspection requirement and adds passive fire systems to the items required to be inspected. Adds an annual visual inspection of fire-resistance-rated construction and sprayed fire-resistant materials.