First Substitute H.B. 245

Representative James A. Dunnigan proposes the following substitute bill:

1 STATE FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS
2 2014 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan
5 Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends the State Construction and Fire Codes Act.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . adds an exception to the requirement that an automatic sprinkler system be installed
13 in certain fire areas; and
14 . modifies provisions related to hazardous and environmental conditions.
15 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
16 None
17 Other Special Clauses:
18 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2014.
19 Utah Code Sections Affected:
20 AMENDS:
21 15A-5-202.5 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 199
22 15A-5-204 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 199
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 15A-5-202.5 is amended to read:

26 15A-5-202.5. Amendments and additions to Chapters 3 and 4 of IFC.
27 (1) For IFC, Chapter 3, General Requirements:
28 (a) IFC, Chapter 3, Section 304.1.2, Vegetation, is amended as follows: Delete line six
29 and replace it with: "the Utah Administrative Code, R652-122-200, Minimum Standards for
30 Wildland Fire Ordinance".
31 (b) IFC, Chapter 3, Section 308.1.2, Throwing or Placing Sources of Ignition, is
32 deleted and rewritten as follows: "No person shall throw or place, or cause to be thrown or
33 placed, a lighted match, cigar, cigarette, matches, lighters, or other flaming or glowing
34 substance or object on any surface or article where it can cause an unwanted fire."
35 (c) IFC, Chapter 3, Section 310.8, Hazardous and Environmental Conditions, is deleted
36 and rewritten as follows: "When the fire code official determines that hazardous environmental
37 conditions necessitate controlled use of any ignition source, including fireworks, lighters,
38 matches, sky lanterns, and smoking materials, any of the following may occur:
39 [(i)] 1. If the hazardous environmental conditions exist in a municipality, the legislative
40 body of [a] the municipality [within which the hazardous environmental conditions exist] may
41 prohibit [only] the ignition or use of [the] an ignition source in mountainous, brush-covered, or
42 forest-covered areas or the wildland urban interface area, which means the line, area, or zone
43 where structures or other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland
44 or land being used for an agricultural purpose[; and].
45 [(ii) where] 2. Except as provided in paragraph 3, if the hazardous environmental
46 conditions exist in an unincorporated [areas that meet the description in Subsection (1)(c)(i)]
47 area, the state forester may prohibit [the] an ignition or use of the ignition source in all or part
48 of [theses] the areas described in paragraph 1 that are within the unincorporated area, after
49 consulting with the county fire code official [having] who has jurisdiction over that area.["]
50 3. If the hazardous environmental conditions exist in a township created under Section
51 17-27a-306 that is in a county of the first class, the county legislative body may prohibit the
52 ignition or use of an ignition source in all or part of the areas described in paragraph 1 that are
53 within the township."
54 (d) IFC, Chapter 3, Section 311.1.1, Abandoned Premises, is amended as follows: On
55 line 10 delete the words "International Property Maintenance Code and the".
56 (e) IFC, Chapter 3, Section 311.5, Placards, is amended as follows: On line three delete

57 the word "shall" and replace it with the word "may".
58 (f) IFC, Chapter 3, Section 315.2.1, Ceiling Clearance, is amended to add the
59 following: "Exception: Where storage is not directly below the sprinkler heads, storage is
60 allowed to be placed to the ceiling on wall-mounted shelves that are protected by fire sprinkler
61 heads in occupancies meeting classification as light or ordinary hazard."
62 (2) IFC, Chapter 4, Emergency Planning and Preparedness:
63 (a) IFC, Chapter 4, Section 404.2, Where required, Subsection 8, is amended as
64 follows: After the word "buildings" add "to include sororities and fraternity houses".
65 (b) IFC, Chapter 4, Section 405.2, Table 405.2, is amended to add the following
66 footnotes:
67 (i) "e. Secondary schools in Group E occupancies shall have an emergency evacuation
68 drill for fire conducted at least every two months, to a total of four emergency evacuation drills
69 during the nine-month school year. The first emergency evacuation drill for fire shall be
70 conducted within 10 school days after the beginning of classes, and the third emergency
71 evacuation drill for fire shall be conducted 10 school days after the beginning of the next
72 calendar year. The second and fourth emergency evacuation drills may be substituted by a
73 security or safety drill to include shelter in place, earthquake drill, or lock down for violence."
74 (ii) "f. In Group E occupancies, excluding secondary schools, if the AHJ approves, the
75 monthly required emergency evacuation drill can be substituted by a security or safety drill to
76 include shelter in place, earthquake drill, or lock down for violence. The routine emergency
77 evacuation drill for fire must by conducted at least every other evacuation drill."
78 (iii) "g. A-3 occupancies in academic buildings of institutions of higher learning are
79 required to have one emergency evacuation drill per year, provided the following conditions are
80 met:
81 (A) The building has a fire alarm system in accordance with Section 907.2.
82 (B) The rooms classified as assembly shall have fire safety floor plans as required in
83 Section 404.3.2(4) posted.
84 (C) The building is not classified a high-rise building.
85 (D) The building does not contain hazardous materials over the allowable quantities by
86 code."
87 Section 2. Section 15A-5-204 is amended to read:

88 15A-5-204. Amendments and additions to IFC related to fire protection systems.
89 For IFC, Fire Protection Systems:
90 (1) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 901.2, Construction Documents, is amended to add the
91 following at the end of the section: "The code official has the authority to request record
92 drawings ("as builts") to verify any modifications to the previously approved construction
93 documents."
94 (2) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 901.4.6, Pump and Riser Room Size, is deleted and
95 replaced with the following: "Pump and Riser Room Size. Fire pump and automatic sprinkler
96 system riser rooms shall be designed with adequate space for all installed equipment necessary
97 for the installation and to provide sufficient working space around the stationary equipment.
98 Clearances around equipment shall be in accordance with manufacturer requirements and not
99 less than the following minimum elements:
100 901.4.6.1 A minimum clear and unobstructed distance of 12 inches shall be provided
101 from the installed equipment to the elements of permanent construction.
102 901.4.6.2 A minimum clear and unobstructed distance of 12 inches shall be provided
103 between all other installed equipment and appliances.
104 901.4.6.3 A clear and unobstructed width of 36 inches shall be provided in front of all
105 installed equipment and appliances, to allow for inspection, service, repair or replacement
106 without removing such elements of permanent construction or disabling the function of a
107 required fire-resistance-rated assembly.
108 901.4.6.4 Automatic sprinkler system riser rooms shall be provided with a clear and
109 unobstructed passageway to the riser room of not less than 36 inches, and openings into the
110 room shall be clear and unobstructed, with doors swinging in the outward direction from the
111 room and the opening providing a clear width of not less than 34 inches and a clear height of
112 the door opening shall not be less than 80 inches.
113 901.4.6.5 Fire pump rooms shall be provided with a clear and unobstructed
114 passageway to the fire pump room of not less than 72 inches, and openings into the room shall
115 be clear, unobstructed and large enough to allow for the removal of the largest piece of
116 equipment, with doors swinging in the outward direction from the room and the opening
117 providing a clear width of not less than 68 inches and a clear height of the door opening shall
118 not be less than 80 inches."

119 (3) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.2.1.2, Group A-2, is amended to add the following
120 subsection: "4. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Group A-2
121 occupancies where indoor pyrotechnics are used."
122 (4) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.2.2, Ambulatory Health Care Facilities, is amended as
123 follows: On line two delete the words "all fire areas floor" and replace with the word
124 "buildings" and delete the last paragraph.
125 (5) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.2.4, Group F-1, Subsection 2, is deleted and rewritten
126 as follows: "A Group F-1 fire area is located more than three stories above the lowest level of
127 fire department vehicle access."
128 (6) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.2.7, Group M, Subsection 2, is deleted and rewritten as
129 follows: "A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above the lowest level of fire
130 department vehicle access."
131 (7) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.2.8 Group R, is amended to add the following:
132 "Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings
133 (townhouses) constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code for one- and
134 two-family dwellings."
135 (8) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.2.8, Group R, is amended to add a second exception as
136 follows: "Exception: Group R-4 fire areas not more than 4,500 gross square feet and not
137 containing more than 16 residents, provided the building is equipped throughout with an
138 approved fire alarm system that is interconnected and receives its primary power from the
139 building wiring and a commercial power system."
140 (9) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.2.8 Group R, is amended to add a third exception as
141 follows: "Exception: Single story group R-1 occupancies with fire areas not more than 2,000
142 square feet, that contain no installed plumbing or heating, where no cooking occurs, and
143 constructed of Type I-A, I-B, II-A, or II-B construction."
144 [(9)] (10) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.2.9, Group S-1, Subsection 2, is deleted and
145 rewritten as follows: "A Group S-1 fire area is located more than three stories above the lowest
146 level of fire department vehicle access."
147 [(10)] (11) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.3.1.1 is amended by adding the following
148 subsection: "903.3.1.1.2 Antifreeze Limitations. Antifreeze used in a new automatic sprinkler
149 system installed in accordance with NFPA 13 may not exceed a maximum concentration of

150 38% premixed propylene glycol or 48% premixed glycerin, and the capacity of the system may
151 not exceed 150 gallons."
152 [(11)] (12) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.3.1.2 is amended by adding the following
153 subsection: "903.3.1.2.2 Antifreeze Limitations. Antifreeze used in a new automatic sprinkler
154 system installed in accordance with NFPA 13R may not exceed a maximum concentration of
155 38% premixed propylene glycol or 48% premixed glycerin, and the capacity of the system may
156 not exceed 150 gallons."
157 [(12)] (13) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.3.1.3 is amended by adding the following
158 subsection: "903.3.1.3.1 Antifreeze Limitations. Antifreeze used in a new automatic sprinkler
159 system installed in accordance with NFPA 13D may not exceed a maximum concentration of
160 38% premixed propylene glycol or 48% premixed glycerin, and the capacity of the system may
161 not exceed 150 gallons."
162 [(13)] (14) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.3.5, Water supplies, is amended as follows: On
163 line six, after the word "Code", add "and as amended in Utah's State Construction Code".
164 [(14)] (15) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 903.5 is amended to add the following subsection:
165 "903.5.1 Tag and Information. A tag shall be attached to the riser indicating the date the
166 antifreeze solution was tested. The tag shall also indicate the type and concentration of
167 antifreeze solution by volume with which the system is filled, the name of the contractor that
168 tested the antifreeze solution, the contractor's license number, and a warning to test the
169 concentration of the antifreeze solutions at yearly intervals."
170 [(15)] (16) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 904.11, Commercial cooking systems, is deleted
171 and rewritten as follows: "The automatic fire extinguishing system for commercial cooking
172 systems shall be of a type recognized for protection of commercial cooking equipment and
173 exhaust systems. Pre-engineered automatic extinguishing systems shall be tested in accordance
174 with UL300 and listed and labeled for the intended application. The system shall be installed
175 in accordance with this code, its listing and the manufacturer's installation instructions. The
176 exception in Section 904.11 is not deleted and shall remain as currently written in the IFC."
177 [(16)] (17) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 904.11.3, Carbon dioxide systems, and Section
178 904.11.3.1, Ventilation system, are deleted and rewritten as follows:
179 (a) "Existing automatic fire extinguishing systems used for commercial cooking that
180 use dry chemical are prohibited and shall be removed from service."

181 (b) "Existing wet chemical fire extinguishing systems used for commercial cooking
182 that are not UL300 listed and labeled are prohibited and shall be either removed or upgraded to
183 a UL300 listed and labeled system."
184 [(17)] (18) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 904.11.4, Special provisions for automatic sprinkler
185 systems, is amended to add the following subsection: "904.11.4.2 Existing automatic fire
186 sprinkler systems protecting commercial cooking equipment, hood, and exhaust systems that
187 generate appreciable depth of cooking oils shall be replaced with a UL300 system that is listed
188 and labeled for the intended application."
189 [(18)] (19) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 904.11.6.2, Extinguishing system service, is
190 amended to add the following: "Exception: Automatic fire extinguishing systems located in
191 occupancies where usage is limited and less than six consecutive months may be serviced
192 annually if the annual service is conducted immediately before the period of usage, and
193 approval is received from the AHJ."
194 [(19)] (20) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 905.3.9 is a new subsection as follows: "Open
195 Parking Garages. Open parking garages shall be equipped with an approved Class I manual
196 standpipe system when fire department access is not provided for firefighting operations to
197 within 150 feet of all portions of the open parking garage as measured from the approved fire
198 department vehicle access. Class I manual standpipe shall be accessible throughout the parking
199 garage such that all portions of the parking structure are protected within 150 feet of a hose
200 connection.
201 Exception: Open parking garages equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
202 system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1."
203 [(20)] (21) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 905.8, Dry Standpipes, Exception is deleted and
204 rewritten as follows: "Where subject to freezing conditions and approved by the fire code
205 official."
206 [(21)] (22) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 905.11, Existing buildings, and IFC, Chapter 11,
207 Section 1103.6, Standpipes, are deleted.
208 [(22)] (23) In IFC, Chapter 9, Section 906.1, Where Required, the exception under
209 paragraph 1 is deleted and rewritten to read: "Exception: In new and existing Group A, B, and
210 E occupancies equipped with quick response sprinklers, portable fire extinguishers shall be
211 required only in locations specified in items 2 through 6.

212 [(23)] (24) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 907.2.3 Group E:
213 (a) The first sentence is deleted and rewritten as follows: "A manual fire alarm system
214 that initiates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 and installed in
215 accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group E occupancies."
216 (b) Exception number 3, on line five, delete the words, "emergency voice/alarm
217 communication system" and replace with "occupant notification system."
218 [(24)] (25) IFC, Chapter 9, 907.8, Inspection, testing, and maintenance, is amended to
219 add the following sentences at the end of the section: "Increases in nuisance alarms shall
220 require the fire alarm system to be tested for sensitivity. Fire alarm systems that continue after
221 sensitivity testing with unwarranted nuisance alarms shall be replaced as directed by the AHJ."
222 [(25)] (26) IFC, Chapter 9, Section 908.7, Carbon Monoxide Alarms, is deleted and
223 rewritten as follows: "Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed on each habitable level of a
224 dwelling unit or sleeping unit in Groups R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, I-1, and I-4 equipped with fuel
225 burning appliances.
226 908.7.1 If more than one carbon monoxide detector is required, they shall be
227 interconnected as required in IFC, Chapter 9, Section 907.2.11.3.
228 908.7.2 In new construction, a carbon monoxide detector shall receive its primary
229 power as required under IFC, Chapter 9, Section 907.2.11.4.
230 908.7.3 Upon completion of the installation, the carbon monoxide detector system will
231 meet the requirements listed in NFPA 720, Installation of Carbon Monoxide Detection and
232 Warning Equipment and UL2034, Standard for Single and Multiple Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
233 [(26)] (27) IFC Section 908.7.1 is renumbered to 908.7.4.
234 Section 3. Effective date.
235 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2014.