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When it comes to fire safety within a building, fire extinguishers are not typically the first protection method that comes to mind. Fire sprinklers, fire alarm systems, smoke detectors – all are much more commonly considered when evaluating the fire safety of a building or space. However, portable fire extinguishers do play a role in the overall protection strategy of a building and are still required by the International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) in most buildings. This post will explore the specific requirements, installation guidelines, and considerations for architects, designers, and building safety professionals.
All code references in this post are to the 2021 IBC and IFC or the 2022 Edition of NFPA 10, the Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.
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The design and construction of high-rise buildings come with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to fire and life safety. The 2021 International Building Code (IBC) outlines specific requirements for high-rise buildings that affect construction type, fire protection, egress, and emergency systems. These requirements play a major role in the design of a high-rise building, so it’s important for architects and engineers to know and understand the requirements from the beginning of the design process.
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the key requirements from the 2021 IBC that apply to high-rise buildings. If you're interested in a cheat sheet that summarizes these requirements, scroll down to the bottom of the article to download your free one-page cheat sheet. In projects of Type II, III, IV or V construction, architects are often forced to balance the allowable area limits of lesser construction types with the added cost of higher construction types. A fire wall is an ideal solution, as it allows for the cost savings of a lower construction type while allowing the structures on either side of the fire wall to be considered independently from an allowable area standpoint.
On several recent projects, I have seen plan reviewers treat any door opening in the fire wall as a horizontal exit, even if that was not the design team’s intention. The reviewers then issued permit comments regarding compliance with the horizontal exit code requirements. This has led me to the question: is an opening in a fire wall automatically a horizontal exit?
In almost every building, owners or tenants have a need for some level of security or access control. The IBC covers a wide range of door locking and control techniques, but the shear number of sections and underlying requirements can be tough to digest. Many folks have trouble knowing which code sections apply, and even if the correct section is identified, it can be a challenge to understand the requirements.
In this post, I take a number of these door locking requirements and translate them into (hopefully) more clear and concise language. I also provide some general commentary on my experience in using each type of door/locking arrangement. References are provided to the last 4 editions of the IBC. All references within the article itself are to the most recent code edition. Click one of the door/lock types in table below to jump to that section. This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).
This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).
As the global push towards environmentally friendly solutions continues, the HVAC industry has been experiencing a shift in refrigerant technology. A2L refrigerants, categorized as "mildly flammable,” have been a hot conversation topic in the construction community. The push towards eliminating A1 refrigerants, which have a higher Global Warming Potential (GWP), has coincided with additional design requirements for A2L refrigerants that have been challenging for many architects and engineers.
In this article, we'll provide a detailed overview of A2L refrigerants, touching on everything from their fundamental characteristics to the critical code requirements surrounding their installation and use. This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).
This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).
This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).
For years, architect clients have asked me for a code solution to solve the challenge of corridors that exceed the dead end limit. As a quick reference, dead ends are limited to 20 feet, except in Groups B, E, F, I-1, M, R-1, R-2, R-4, S and U with a full NFPA 13 sprinkler system, where the limit is increased to 50 feet (2021 IBC 1020.5).
One of the fundamental concepts of fire protection and life safety in a building is compartmentation - the division of a building into multiple compartments to limit the spread of fire and smoke. The provision of floor assemblies, and specifically fire-resistance rated floor assemblies, is one common example of compartmentation. At the same time, there are legitimate reasons to design openings through these floor separation, such as elevator hoistways. To simultaneously allow for elevator hoistways and maintain some level of compartmentation, the International Building Code (IBC) sets forth requirements for protection of hoistway openings. This post will provide an overview of hoistway opening protection, including when it is required and the various options for how to provide the protection. All code references are to the 2021 IBC.
This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).
This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).
This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).
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The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, including the author's employer and the International Code Council, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Local codes and amendments may vary from the code requirements described herein. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component of public health, safety and welfare and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code compliance.
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