THE CODE CONNECTION

Ohio has tried for years to adopt a new fire code based on the International Fire Code.  After two code cycles with the family of International Codes regulating construction the fire code has finally been added to the suite and in the process created a battle over the rules of enforcement.

It wasn't easy.  A few years back the State Fire Marshall made an attempt at adopting an NFPA version which met opposition across the board including local fire departments.  In reaction to this a number of local fire departments began to unilaterally adopt the International Fire Code (Ohio allows this) because of its coordination with the the IBC.  Gradually the State Fire Marshal came around.  This round has also had its detractors from the gasoline industry, architects, and others.  While most of the concerns from the skeptics were addressed many are taking a wait and see attitude.

So what's the rub?  First a little background.  The ICC in its development of the International Fire Code did some interesting things.  Since the IFC is a model code that can be adopted anywhere in the world, it recognizes that some communities may not be as up to date with its building code.  And fire code have traditionally includes topics such as "means of egress".  Hence, the IFC has duplicated several chapters (7-10) verbatim from the International Building Code.  Cool idea because all the traditional conflicts between the IBC and the IFC are now completely coordinated.

Here's the real problem - how to apply the administrative rules of these two codes.  When states adopt these codes they have to decide when the rules apply and who enforces them.  And, as a matter of legal protocol, lawmakers try hard not to duplicate any rules.  Herein lies our problem.  With the IBC and the IFC both outlining major code sections regarding, Fire-resistive Construction, Interior Finishes, Fire Protection Systems and Means of Egress it can cause some real confusion about enforcement.  How do you apply these rules under the Fire Code when they are already in affect under the Building Code?

Traditionally the difference has been the building code is just that - a BUILDING code.  And the fire code is a MAINTENANCE code that takes affect after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.  The question of "WHEN" is discerned in just this way.  There's not much disagreement about the significance of the CO.  Works great in theory.  However, the practical issues of how a building is built and inspected, the handshake between fire departments and building departments, home rule adoption of local fire codes and occasional turf wars all lead to trouble.

The overlap of these two codes has a limited amount of merit, particularly if you are a fire official.  Some essential life safety items are now codified in a manner that replicates the building code.  But the building official is reviewing plans and making judgements based on the building code that the fire official will later inherit.  That's how turf wars get started and the first casualty is the owner and his contractor.  how many times have you heard the story about a fire official barking orders and threatening to lock the doors right before the building is scheduled to open?  I have friends who make a living fighting these cases in court.

The American Institute of Architects justifiably opposed the adoption of the new fire code in Ohio not because of the technical code provisions of the overlapping rules.  These are all resolved in the model code process.  Its the administrative section, Chapter 1, that is the primary source of debate.  When state rule makers decide that duplicate permits can be required as a condition of construction it can only lead to havoc.  While verbally arguing that they have not crossed the thin line of enforcement marked by the Certificate of Occupancy, the rules clearly have carved a place for fire officials to exercise new authority.  We'll see.

Ohio has been a leader in the promulgation and adoption of the International Codes.  However, the best way to do this is to create a single board to adopt both the fire code and building code.  Today, even though the Fire Marshal and Board of Building Standards are located in the same Dept. of Commerce, they have differing processes for code adoption.  An attempt was made a few years ago to create a unified board but it died on the vine.  It's time to try again as we watch carefully how this new code works.

Note: Terry Welker AIA, your Code Connection Host, currently serves as Secretary of AIA Ohio.

Newspapers are great at headlines and giving a quick overview.  But when it comes to parsing out real information and full details you have to go right to the source.  In this case the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a federal agency, has everything you need to know about the 9/11 tragedy and the impact it may have on future construction and building codes.

Here's the source: http://wtc.nist.grv/

You can get the Draft Summary Report with an executive summary, complete recommendations, and the full report.  You will also find detailed reports of each of the building collapses, life safety evaluation, and analysis of the building and fire safety procedures.

Additionally, the April 5, 2005 news release also has links to downloadable computer simulations of the Boeing 767's crashes into each of the World Trade Center towers.  Go to: http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/wtc_briefing_april0505.htm

Armed with real facts and scientific discipline, states and the major code promulgating organizations like the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) can move forward toward making the world a safer place.

Updated on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 08:28AM by T. Welker AIA

Updated on Sunday, April 3, 2005 at 12:51PM by T. Welker AIA

After several years of aggravation with alternate codes, California will finally join the rest of the nation in the adoption of the I-Codes. This news release from the ICC: California Building Standards Commission Withdraws 2003 Code Recommendations Decision Clears Way for State Agencies to Proceed with International Building, Fire and Residential Codes Sacramento, CA: The California Building Standards Commission voted 8-2 on Wednesday, March 16, to rescind its code recommendations of July 2003. The Commission's action will allow state agencies to move forward with the adoption of building codes that are the best fit for California, including the International Building Code (IBC), the International Fire Code (IFC) and the International Residential Code (IRC), in updating the State's building codes. The state agencies will bring proposed code amendments back to the Building Standards Commission for approval -- a process that is estimated to take about two years. This approach is consistent with how California has adopted building codes in the past.

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I'm back!  Thanks to all of my code friends for being patient with during my absence with a broken arm.  Still healing but back up to speed so I can devote more time on a regular basis to the Code Connection.

Looks like Ohio is on track having adopted the 2003 International Building Code which will go in effect March 1, 2005 as the Ohio Building Code.  The only bad news is that old dogs have to learn new tricks.  With code updates occurring every three years there's no time to sit around.  The good news is that the 2003 IBC is a substantial improvement over the 2000 version.  Especially Chapter 10 - Means of Egress.  Not that there we a lot of requirement changes - they are primarily numbering format changes for the good that will make it easier to use.  The old 2000 version would cast you into numeration hell.  You could never remember a code section number because of the rash of decimal points.  Word on the street is that the new IBC Code Commentaries are greatly improved and full of helpful background information.

I want to give a shout out to all my friends at the American Institute of Architects, particularly AIA Dayton, who has engaged me to teach a monthly "Code Series".  I'm always refreshed by talking with architects who are the daily users of the code especially the young architects who keep it fun.  Having to teach a subject always causes you to "sharpen the saw".

For visitors to this site, the Code Connection will remain politically neutral.  But in keeping with the mission of this site I want to give you the tools to help you make decisions.  In the sprit of Socrates, the "answers" are secondary to the task of asking the right question in the first place.  To designers, this means taking serious account of our own thinking about how to make the world a better place to live.  Most people are not single issue voters and can find lots to disagree about with all the candidates.  In the end we find ourselves looking to vote for the candidate that most closely aligns with our personal values and beliefs.  To help you find out where you stand in relation to the candidates I've found a really cool site help you do this:

http://www.ontheissues.org/quizeng/XPresMatch2004/start.asp

It's often difficult to make the connection between politics and design but consider questions like these:

• What's the history of the ADA and the civil rights of those the law protects?
• What's the proper role of goverment in ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its citizens?
• Which candidates do you think can have a positive affect on the revival of American Cities?

This list is endless.  Questions like these however, are worth posing in your own mind so you can make the right voting decisions for you.  Code Connection advice: be involved, THINK, register and VOTE!