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Indiana Adopts 2006 International Fire and Building Code
The Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission has adopted the 2006 Edition of the International Fire and Building Code. These new codes are developed and published by the International Code Council and will take effect June 16, 2008; once in effect they will be referenced as the Indiana Fire Code, 2008 Edition (675 IAC 22-2.4) and the Indiana Building Code, 2008 Edition (675 IAC 13-2.5). The new codes are available for purchase on-line from the International Code Council by visiting their website at www.iccsafe.org. The Indiana amendments to these codes can be downloaded free by visiting the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.state.in.us/dhs.
Three significant code changes related to automatic fire sprinkler systems found in the new codes include:
1.
Sprinklers are now required in Group A-2 occupancies, which include banquet halls, night clubs, restaurants, taverns, and bars, that have an occupant load or 100 persons or more. This is a significant change from the previous occupant load or 300 or more.
2.
Automatic sprinklers are now required throughout all buildings with a Group R (residential) fire area. Fire area is “the aggregate floor area enclosed by and bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls, or fire resistance rated horizontal assemblies of a building.”
3.
Previously, automatic sprinklers were only required in Group R-1 occupancies (hotels, motels) if the building was more than 3 stories in height and every guestroom did not have an exit that opened directly to the outside with approved exit access. Group R-2 occupancies (apartments, dormitories, boarding houses) required automatic sprinklers if the fire area was two or more stories in height or contained 16 or more units.
Group R occupancies (residential) with automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13R, Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies Up to and Including Four Stories in Height are now required to have sprinkler protection provided for exterior balconies, decks and ground floor patios of dwelling units when the building is wood frame construction. This requirement is more stringent than the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13R, which is currently adopted by Indiana and does not require sprinkler protection in these areas.
Remember, these changes are not retroactive, they apply only to new construction and modifications made after June 16, 2008 in accordance with Indiana’s General Administrative Rules, 675 IAC 12. Stay tuned for further updates!
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