10th Edition 780 CMR to be based on 2021 ICC Codes. A draft is available at mass.gov. Anticipated adoption in early 2023. 

AKF values continuous learning opportunities as they fuel our knowledge of industry trends and stimulate our creativity for providing the best engineering solutions for our projects. We look forward to connecting with clients and colleagues at the following conferences:

Square Footage Healthcare Summit - Boston, MA; June 8th

7x24 Spring Conference - Orlando, FL; June 12th-15th

Commercial Observer Healthcare Forum - New York, NY; June 16th

ASHE Annual Conference & Technical Exhibition - Boston, MA; July 17th - 20th

SCUP Annual Conference - Long Beach, CA; July 24th - 26th

RWJBarnabas Health | Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

The Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is a new 12-story comprehensive cancer center that will provide life-changing inpatient care, outpatient care, and research lab facilities. A central architectural feature of the building is a four-story atrium that will use high windows, natural light, and vibrant greenery to invite nature into the space.

To optimize the design of the atrium smoke exhaust system, AKF’s Code Consulting Team conducted a performance-based analysis using fire-modeling software to simulate the transport of smoke and heat through the atrium. The analysis yielded a significant reduction in the required quantity of smoke exhaust and makeup air when compared to the prescriptive calculations. This reduction was instrumental in the design, allowing the fans and ductwork to fit within the complex atrium geometry and steel configuration.

In addition to smoke modeling, AKF also provided MEP design, lighting design, energy modeling, and CFD modeling for the revolutionary project. AKF is proud to contribute to the creation of a space that will provide a healing environment, both physically and mentally, while also ensuring that the space is designed with the safety of all occupants in mind.

Take a walk through the atrium to experience the space for yourself and check out the groundbreaking ceremony to hear the importance of this special project.

Battery technology continues to move at a lighting-fast pace, but like the proverbial tortoise, codes are catching up. Lithium-ion batteries have been the focus of a variety of code changes, including the inaugural edition of NFPA 855, which was published in 2019.

NFPA 855 is the Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, many of the requirements of which are also captured in the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code. NFPA 855 provides both prescriptive and performance-based approaches for protection of energy storage systems, including those utilizing lithium-ion batteries.

In order to use the performance-based exceptions of the standard, a battery system will need to undergo UL 9540A fire testing. The UL 9540A test evaluates the system's performance under fire conditions at the cell, module, unit, and sometimes installation level. As a result, both the test and NFPA standard provide opportunities to tailor protection features based on a particular battery system.

AKF's code experts can help owners, designers, and authorities navigate the requirements of NFPA 855, as well as assess the performance of batteries subject to UL 9540A testing. Contact us to find out more!