IFC Provides Exit Lighting, Emergency Communication Requirements
December 31, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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New requirements in the 2009 International Fire Code (IFC) provide added protection to building occupants and emergency responders, including two safety features resulting from Sept. 11.
One feature focuses on coverage of emergency radios inside and outside buildings, while a second requires special markings for emergency exits and stairwells.
The IFC addresses fire safety in new and existing buildings and is coordinated with the entire family of International Codes.
According to ICC, improved safety benefits of the 2009 IFC include:
- All hospitals, nursing homes and other Group I-2 occupancies, including existing buildings, without sprinklers, require automatic sprinkler protection.
- All new high-rise buildings require luminous exit pathway markings inside of building stair shafts.
- Emergency responder radio coverage is required inside buildings.
- New requirements address the use of liquid oxygen in home health care settings.
- New requirements address fire protection of marinas.
- The requirements for fire alarm and detection systems have been revised and correlated to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72.
- All requirements for existing buildings have been compiled into a new chapter.
The 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) includes new provisions for residential fire sprinklers. The sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family dwellings takes effect in 2011, while the requirements for sprinkler systems in townhomes takes effect upon the adoption of the 2009 IRC.
The 2009 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code contains provisions addressing fire spread, accessibility, defensible space and water supply for buildings constructed near wildland areas.
Source: International Code Council (ICC).