The Iowa State Fire Code and its Application Ljerka Vasiljevic Construction Design Engineer Senior Statewide Applicability of the Iowa State Fire Code Iowa Code, Chapter 100.35 Rules of Marshal The fire marshal shall adopt, and may amend rules under chapter 17A, which include standards relating to exits and exit lights, fire escapes, fire protection, fire safety and the elimination of fire hazards, in and for churches, schools, hotels, theaters, amphitheaters, hospitals, health care facilities as defined in section 135C.1, boarding homes or housing, rest homes, dormitories, college buildings, lodge halls, club rooms, public meeting places, places of amusement, apartment buildings, food establishments as defined in section 137F.1, and all other buildings or structures in which persons congregate from time to time, whether publicly or privately owned. Violation of a rule adopted by the fire marshal is a simple misdemeanor. However, upon proof that the fire marshal gave written notice to the defendant of the violation, and proof that the violation constituted a clear and present danger to life, and proof that the defendant failed to eliminate the condition giving rise to the violation within thirty days after receipt of notice from the fire marshal, the penalty is that provided by law for a serious misdemeanor. Each day of the continuing violation of a rule after conviction of a violation of the rule is a separate offense. A conviction is subject to appeal as in other criminal 1
State Fire Code Administrative Rules Public Safety 661 Chapters 200-205 200- Administration 201 General Provisions 202 Existing Occupancies 205-Health Care Facilities State Fire Code-IAC 661-Chapter 201 2009 International Fire Code, and 2009 International Building Code Chapter 2-Definitions Chapter 3-Definitions Chapter 4-Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy Chapter 5-Building Heights and Areas Chapter 5-Types of Construction Chapter 7-Fire Resistance-Rated Construction Sections 804 and 805-Interior Floor Finish and Combustible Materials in Types I and II Construction 2
Amendments to ICC Codes Amendments to International Fire Code and International Building Code 2009 can be found in IAC 661-Chapter 201 Sprinkler system in Assisted living occupancies Door closers in Assisted living occupancies Commercial kitchen exhaust hoods in Assisted living occupancies Exit discharge pathways Occupancies Required to be Inspected for the State Fire Code Compliance Any facility housing an adult day care Any assisted living facility Any residential care facility Any elder group home Any facility owned by the state Any licensed health care facility 3
Fire Code Matrix Fire Code Matrix 4
Plan Review Steps Preliminary Plan Review is Required Usually scheduled when DD phase is finished Can be conducted by meetings or, for very simple projects, can be conducted by e-mails Final Plan Review Plans have to be approved prior to construction Plan Review can take from 3 weeks to 2 months Minor projects that do not include changes to structural or life safety components of the building may be approved not to be submitted for the full plan review (as per architect`s request) Remodeling projects are required to comply with requirements for new construction Licensed professional is always required 5
When Can I Start Construction? With the exception of site preparation, construction may not begin until the final plans are approved by the State Building Code Bureau, unless staged or fast track approvals are granted by the State Fire Marshal and /or/ the Building Code Commissioner. 6
Fire Inspection Bureau. Fourteen fire inspectors carryout the inspection of state and federally licensed buildings throughout the state including but not limited to: hospitals, nursing homes, schools, adult daycares, assisted living facilities, elder group homes, colleges and state owned buildings. Fire Code Inspections State Fire Code Inspectors are inspecting existing buildings and all projects that pertain to licensed health care facilities. State Building Code Inspectors are inspecting all new construction except those that pertain to licensed health care facilities. 7
When the Fire Code Inspection is Required? Projects for new buildings, additions or remodeling: Only the final inspection is required. Existing Buildings: Assisted living facilities, adult day cares and elder group homes are inspected every two years.. Other buildings are inspected only if somebody files a complaint. What Can we do Better and General Questions? 8