New York State Prepares to Update Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code

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By Director of Fire Service Activities Bruce Johnson
International Code Council

The process to update the 2010 Codes of New York State that will take effect in 2014 is just getting underway so there are many opportunities for fire service participation. Code development at the state level, and globally through the International Code Council, is an important way for those in the fire service to ensure that our voices are heard. With our input, the new code will help create safer communities that protect the public and first responders. During this public debate, it is the time for the fire service to provide valuable testimony about the safety benefits of residential fire sprinklers to save lives, of both residents and firefighters, and to reduce property damage.

The New York State Department of State Division of Code Enforcement & Administration (DCEA) is in the process of updating the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code on its website. 

The current codes, referred to as the 2010 Codes of New York State, are based on the 2006 national model codes produced by the International Code Council (ICC). This update process will involve many experts who are volunteering their time by serving on technical sub-committees that will review the changes to both the 2009 and 2012 I-Codes. The technical sub-committees will report their findings and recommendations to the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council (Code Council), which is the statutory board responsible for approving the updates to the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Director Ronald Piester of DCEA chairs the Code Council. State Fire Administrator Bryant D. Stevens serves on the sub-committee and Chief Fire Marshal (Retired) Joseph Sauerwein, Town of Brookhaven is the fire service representative.

The review for the code update will occur during the next year and a half with opportunities for all interested stakeholders, including the fire service, to provide input to the technical sub-committees and the Code Council when public hearings are scheduled. The anticipated effective date for the updated New York State Codes will be in 2014.

So why is this important to the fire service?

One of the changes in the ICC International Residential Code (IRC) is the requirement for residential fire sprinklers in all newly built one and two-family homes and townhouses. These provisions in the 2009 and 2012 IRC were debated during ICC code development hearings. The residential fire sprinkler requirements have been opposed successfully during the code adoption update process. Opponents argued the additional cost of construction for sprinklers outweighs the safety benefits. It is expected that the same debate will occur here in New York state.

There are many other significant changes to the I-Codes that will benefit the fire service and improve safety for New York. New York’s update of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code to the 2012 I-Codes will ensure that New York’s code remains technically viable and provide the greatest safety to its citizens and firefighters while supporting the construction industry and economic investment in building construction, which is essential to the state and local economy.

A statewide fire safety and building construction code that is based on the most recent edition of the International Codes will reduce costs associated with personal injury or death in the built environment, reduce property damage and associated costs while providing for the safety of the public and firefighters, which is critical in the present economy. Here are a few highlights of changes to the 2012 International Fire Code that will be part of the code update review here in New York state.

Section 311.5.4 Placard Symbols (Vacant Buildings) – A vacant building may contain many hazards to responding firefighters. New Item 4 of the section provides criteria for vacant building placards to designate the hazards identified in the structure. By labeling the various hazards, incident commanders will be able to have a clearer picture of the hazards contained in the building so that they can make more informed command decisions.

Section 701.2 Unsafe Conditions – A new section addressing the maintenance of fire-resistive construction in buildings that addresses conditions that are considered unsafe, such as buildings with open shafts and the maintenance of fire doors and dampers. The requirements also apply to penetrations of fire walls and smoke barriers that require protection using through-penetration fire stop assemblies

Section 605.11 – 605.11.4 Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems – The ever-increasing demand for alternative power sources brings with it new hazards to emergency responders. Among the most popular of these alternative energy sources are solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems, which offer property owners the ability to generate their own electricity and, in many cases, sell excess electricity back to the utility provider. The greatest danger facing emergency responders operating in proximity to solar energy collection systems is the lack of knowledge needed to operate safely around these systems. Some of the potential hazards associated with PV systems are tripping hazards and/or falls for firefighters operating on the roof and the potential for earlier roof collapse due to the added dead load and electric shock. These new requirements were developed to provide for the proper installation of PV systems, and to address the potential hazards to firefighters by requiring compliance with the provisions of the building code and Section 690 of NFPA 70, identification of PV circuits and disconnects, location of conductors to reduce potential trip hazards, and creation of pathways where firefighters can perform manual ventilation operations on roofs.

Section 317 Rooftop Gardens – This is a new section that addresses rooftop gardens and landscaped roofs. The requirements in this section limit the area of roof gardens, require the use of roof assemblies designed for severe fire exposures and provide for the installation of a standpipe connection. It also sets forth requirements for establishing a maintenance plan for the vegetation installed on rooftop gardens or landscaped roofs.

Section 903.2.7 Group M Occupancies Displaying and Selling Upholstered Furniture – A new fourth sprinkler trigger condition has been added in the interest of making furniture retail and warehouse facilities safer for employees, customers and firefighters. It will require sprinklers for certain size retail stores displaying and selling upholstered furniture because, under certain circumstances, upholstered furniture will ignite and contribute significantly to the fuel load of a fire.

In conclusion, the 2009 and 2012 International Codes currently under review by New York state contain new requirements that address safety concerns for fire and all other hazards related to safety in the built environment. One of the best ways for all firefighters to improve safety in our hazardous workplace – buildings that are on fire – is to participate at all levels of the code development and adoption process.

Get involved with your statewide fire service organizations and ensure that your voice is heard during New York state’s code review and update process.