Fire Code
Board of Appeals
Executive Summary of Changes
From the 1997 Uniform Fire Code
To the 2006 International Fire Code
This is a summary of changes from the 1997 UFC to the 2006 IFC and also recommendations from the Fire Code Board of Appeals for code revisions.
Chapter 1
Permits for operational and construction activities are authorized to be issued. In previous code adoptions, the permit sections of most chapters were deleted.
The qualifications of the members of the Board of Appeals were amended to permit the continued presence of an International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1596 representative.
A provision that a written agreement between the owner and occupant must be executed indicating that the tenant is responsible for certain fire code violations otherwise the owner is required to comply. This resolves the argument as to who is responsible for certain fire safety appliance fixtures that require routine maintenance but are under control of the tenant.
Chapter 2
The following definitions were amended:
Blast site was deleted from the code and referenced to Article 6 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, KS.
Definition for R-2 was amended to include occupancies with four or more unrelated persons to coincide with Planning and Zoning. Also “congregate residences were added to R-2 from R-3.
The definition for R-4 occupancies that are residential care/assisted living was amended to coincide with the State Fire Prevention Code for occupants of four or more but less than 16.
Chapter 3
Open burning within the City for any fire not in an approved container will require a burning permit. This is a change from previous codes that did not require residential burning permits for recreation fires such as campfires.
Open burning for the purpose of land clearing operations shall be required to utilize an air curtain destructor to limit the amount of combustion products released into the atmosphere. All structures within 1500 feet of the site will be given notice, by either mail or personal delivery, of the intent to burn.
The regulation of open flame cooking devices on combustible balconies is prohibited. This provides a requirement for multi family building managers and owners to regulate tenant’s use of barbeque grills on balconies.
Smoking regulations were amended to reference the current City Code, Section IX, Article 8.
Chapter 4
Fire Watch Personnel was changed to require experienced firefighters to be employed by the responsible party and upon approval of the fire code official.
Chapter 5
Where security gates are placed across streets and required fire apparatus access roadways, they must be equipped with “Opticom” Receivers to open the gates.
The IFC requires street signs at the time new streets are put in to provide a means to respond to the proper location during construction.
A Fire Command Center will be required in new high rise structures.
Chapter 6
The use of extension cords is prohibited. Only power taps can be utilized in place of the appliance cord or fixed wiring.
Chapter 7
A new section will require testing of vertical fire doors which has not been required previously.
A new code that requires all vertical shafts that are required to be “separated” will need to be retrofitted with self or automatic closures.
Chapter 8
A new section that limits the amount of artwork on interior corridors of schools to a maximum of 25% of the wall area.
Chapter 9
New section requires ALL NEW Residential occupancies (Group R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4) to be equipped with fire sprinkler systems regardless of height or number of dwelling units. Single family and duplex structures, if constructed under the International Residential Code, are not required to comply with this section.
Sprinklers are also required in all new Group I occupancies, and new Group A occupancies under certain conditions.
A retroactive Sprinkler requirement only affects occupancies that store Pyroxilin Plastics or existing Congregate residences with 20 or more occupants.
Existing buildings that are greater than 50 feet in height must be equipped with standpipes as required by the Code.
Fire Alarm systems are required, retroactively, in all Residential, Educational and Institutional occupancies. There is an exception that permits previously approved fire alarm systems to comply with this section. Therefore, those occupancies that currently have approved fire alarm systems, whether supervised or interconnected single-station, will be compliant so long as they are fully operational.
The fire code official is authorized to require locking Fire Department Connection caps to ensure that the ability to supply water to systems is not compromised by blockage of the connections.
Chapter 10
Access controlled doors and delay egress doors have expanded in the new code. This allows security for buildings wanting to limit access but still provides an override for those exiting. Also the delayed egress doors were only allowed on Business occupancies that were fully sprinkled in the past but are now allowed in all but A, E and H occupancies.
The International Code allows bedrooms to not be provided with egress windows for new construction and renovations IF they are in fully sprinkled buildings. This is a departure from the previous codes but a survey of surrounding communities shows that it is being adopted as written. The Board of Appeals, upon the City Commission’s direction, has amended this section to continue requiring egress windows in sleeping/guest rooms are required in previous codes.
Sleeping Dorms in Congregate Residences will be required to provide 25 sq. ft. per person of gross floor space for such use. The dimensions of Existing Stairs shall be required as stated in the current ordinance and existing, approved and maintained exit ladder devices will be allowed to remain.
Chapter 11
Article 24 of the UFC
Chapter 12
Article 36 of the UFC
Chapter 13
Article 76 of the UFC
Chapter 14
Requires approved water supply for fire flow on the construction site to be provided prior to combustible materials being brought on-site. This code requirement mirrors our existing policy for water supply during construction.
This section also requires standpipes, where required in the finished structure, to be extended as construction progresses so as to be in service during construction.
Chapter 15
Article 45 of the UFC
Chapter 16
Article 46 of the UFC
Chapter 17
Article 47 of the UFC
Chapter 18
Article 51 of the UFC
Chapter 19
This code requires access roads to be more numerous in outdoor lumber storage yards, as well as requiring either hydrants with hoses or portable extinguishing equipment for that outside storage.
Chapter 20
Article 50 of the UFC
Chapter 21
Article 62 of the UFC
Chapter 22
The code allows Class II and III motor fuels to be stored in single wall tanks; however this is not allowed per the City Code, Chapter VIII, Article 2, Section 8-204.
Chapter 23
Article 81 of the UFC
Chapter 24
Article 32 of the UFC
Chapter 25
This section has new requirements for the location of outdoor storage areas, size limitations and access roads to those areas.
Chapter 26
Will require permits to be obtained from Fire Prevention for hot work (welding, pipe sweating, etc.) which is retained in the proposed ordinance.
Chapter 27
Article 80 of the UFC
Chapter 28
Article 88 of the UFC
Chapter 29
Article 28 of the UFC
Chapter 30
Article 74 of the UFC
Chapter 31
New chapter that separates Corrosive Materials from Article 80 of the UFC
Chapter 32
Article 75 of the UFC
Chapter 33
This chapter has requirements for both Fireworks and Explosives which are both covered, at least in part, by City Ordinances. This chapter will have revisions to ensure that current City Ordinance is enforced as well as the additional provisions in the chapter that are not covered by Ordinance, such as storage and quantity requirements.
Chapter 34
Article 79 of the UFC
Chapter 35
New chapter that separates Flammable Gases from Article 80 of the UFC
Chapter 36
This chapter was derived from Chapter 48 of the UFC and portions of Article 80.
Chapter 37
New chapter that separates Highly Toxic and Toxic Materials from Article 80 of the UFC.
Chapter 38
Provisions for separating the “cylinder exchange program” storage from building openings, fuel dispensing and combustibles.
Chapter 39
New chapter that separates Organic Peroxides from Article 80 of the UFC.
Chapter 40
New chapter that separates Oxidizers from Article 80 of the UFC.
Chapter 41
New chapter that separates Pyrophoric Materials from Article 80 of the UFC.
Chapter 42
Article 27 of the UFC.
Chapter 43
New chapter that separates Unstable Materials from Article 80 of the UFC.
Chapter 44
New chapter that separates Water Reactive Solids and Liquids from Article 80 of the UFC.
Chapter 45
Was Article 90 of the UFC. Amendments will be added to reference the International Existing Building Code for guidance in applying code requirements for renovation, remodel, additions and changes in use of structures.
Appendix A
Outlines the makeup and scope of the Board of Appeals. A revision is made to permit the local firefighters union to have a representative on this Board. This is a new and more complete guide to the Board of Appeals than provided in previous codes
Appendix B
Appendix III-A of the UFC
Appendix C
Appendix III-B of the UFC
Appendix D
This is a new appendix that provides guidance on configuration of Apparatus Access Roadways. It will require all new developments with cul-de-sacs greater than 150 feet in length to be constructed with turnaround with a minimum radius of 96 feet.
A change in this appendix that will further require the aerial access to be within 75’ of all areas of the first floor of new buildings will be added in the ordinance. This appendix requires multiple access routes to buildings greater than 30’ in height and also requires access for aerial apparatus, where required, is a minimum of 26’ in width.
One and Two-family residential developments with more than 30 dwellings must be provided with separate and approved multiple access roadways into the development or all structures will be required to be sprinkled.
Appendix E
Appendix is for reference and not intended for adoption.
Appendix F
Appendix VI-B of the UFC
Appendix G
Appendix is for reference and not intended for adoption.
Appendix 1-D
Deleted, provisions are covered by the model code and amendments.
Appendix 1-E
Deleted, provisions are covered by the model code and amendments.
Appendix 1-F
Retroactive Appendix adopted in City Code, Chapter VIII, Article 2, Section 8-212 and proposed to be included in this adoption for Residential/Mixed occupancies in Downtown Lawrence.
Appendix 1-G
Retroactive Appendix adopted in City Code, Chapter VIII, Article 2, Section 8-213 and proposed to be included in this adoption for Residential Day Care Facilities not covered by State or Local codes.