The new requirements in the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and the International Building Code (IBC) are the result of the International Code Council (ICC) membership approving a proposal during the May 2010 Final Action Hearing to require the installation of CO detection in new and existing Group-R and Group-I occupancies, such as hotels, dormitories, apartment buildings, hospitals and nursing homes.
The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) has adopted the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) without amendments to the CO and smoke detection sections.
On July 13, 2011, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy signed HB 5326, Public Act No. 11-248 into law. The Act requires public or non-public school buildings, newly constructed on or after January 1, 2012, to install carbon monoxide (CO) detection. This is a good win for enhancing the life safety of students and facilities in Connecticut.
NFPA 72-2010 refines and more carefully defines the concept of intelligibility.
Jonathan R. Hart, Associate Fire Protection Engineer with the National Fire Protection Association, is responsible for documents addressing information technology equipment, telecommunication facilities, wet and dry chemical extinguishing systems, explosion protection, commercial cooking systems, fire safety and emergency symbols, and water mist fire protection systems. Hart holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and is finishing work toward an M.S. degree in Fire Protection Engineering.
As a relatively new concept to fire and life safety systems, intelligibility requirements will change how these systems are designed and installed. Designing for intelligibility can be complicated by a variety of factors. While the properties of the speaker have some impact on the intelligibility of a system, most factors have to do with the occupancy itself. So while important, speaker choice will not always ensure intelligibility.
Aspiration detection systems must comply with the state, local, federal and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards, specifically, the NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code), NFPA 75 “Standard for Protection of Computer and Data Processing Equipment,” and NFPA 76 “Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities.” Ultimately, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) will dictate fire protection requirements. Although aspiration systems must comply with codes, they are not required by code.
Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the $787 billion economic stimulus package enacted and signed into law in February 2009, are now being disbursed. According to www.recovery.gov, the U.S. government’s official ARRA spending Web site, $25 billion of ARRA funds had been awarded as of December 2009. Only $18 billion of this sum has already been disbursed, however.
The Virginia Tech tragedy served as a wake-up call for most U.S. campuses. In August 2008, the government provided support in terms of a new public law: the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008, an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965, which is required of schools that receive federal funds.
New standard establishes a common platform that allows increased cost-effective retrofit flexibility. The Underwriters Laboratories’ new edition of the fire alarm controls standard may prove to be one of the most significant changes the fire- and life-safety industry has seen in the past 20 years. “The 9th edition of UL864 is bordering more on revolutionary [...]