H-1 - 2024 International Fire Code Letter and Summary from Fire Marshal

Section 903.3.1.1.4 Add a new section to read as follows: Strip malls, multi-occupant/tenant or shell buildings: The minimum sprinkler design density for all new multi-occupant/tenant or shell buildings shall be Ordinary Hazard (Group 2) as outlined in NFPA 13. (Change: Provide a minimum design standard for these types of occupancies) Section 903.3.5 Delete the section and replace with: Water supplies for automatic sprinkler systems shall comply with this section and the standards referenced in Section 903.3.1. The potable water supply shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the requirements of this section and the International Plumbing Code. The backflow preventor shall include a detector (water meter) unless the fire code official approves an exception in consultation with the water supply utility. For connections to public waterworks systems, the water supply test used for design of fire protection systems shall be adjusted to account for seasonal and daily pressure fluctuation based on information from the water supply authority and as approved by the fire code official. Cedar Rapids already requires. Iowa City is going to require. Section 903.4.3 Delete the section and replace it with: Alarms. An approved weatherproof horn/strobe device shall be mounted directly above the fire department connection between seven (7) and ten (10) feet in height above grade. The water-flow alarm device shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Approved and supervised audible visual notification appliances shall be installed throughout each level of the interior of the building as required by the Fire Code Official and NFPA 72. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system. Exception: Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings. (Change: Exception added to match IFC) Section 903.5.2 Add a new section to read as follows: Forward Flow Testing. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided with an external outlet to perform forward flow testing as required by NFPA 25. Control valve shall be supervised, and outlet shall be signed as testing and have male threads. Section 903.9 Add a new section to read as follows: Drains. As required by the Fire Code Official, all drain and testing piping serving automatic sprinkler systems and standpipes shall be piped to the exterior of the building. Exception: Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings. (Change: Added new section to follow current practice) Section 905.4 Requirement #1 Delete the section and replace it with: In every required interior exit stairway or exterior exit stairway, a hose connection shall be provided for each story above and below grade plane. Hose connections shall be located at intermediate landing between stories, unless otherwise approved by the Fire Code Official. (Change: Added "exterior exit stairway to match new IFC language") Section 907.5.2.1.3.2 Add a sentence to the end of the first sentence to read as follows: single-or multiple station smoke alarms shall be monitored by the fire alarm system as a supervisory signal. *We also need to look at modifying Section 907.6.6, Exception #1 Single- and multiple station smoke alarms. Section 1008.3, 3.5 Delete and replace with: 5. Restrooms designed for simultaneous use by more than one occupant. (Change: Removed “Public” or “Common Area” to require all multi-occupant restrooms to require emergency lights)