NFCA’s code proposals had a great showing at the International Code Council’s Code Development Process and Public Comment Hearings. We were able to change several key items in the 2021 IBC to make the code reflect the actual field inspection process without changing the key requirements. We also found a way to limit inspections for SFRM to 110% of the actual inspection quantities to protect building owners from overly aggressive inspection agency inspectors.
The International Fire Code (IFC) has always had a section that states, ‘maintain fire-resistance’. In the 2021 IFC, we were able to add a section specifically for the Fireproofing industry. The section states that visual inspection of SFRM and IFRM Fireproofing is required to verify no exposure to the substrate. In Chapter 7 of the IFC, this is an ‘annual visual inspection by the owner’. The building owner could contract this visual inspection to a fireproofing contractor, an opportunity possibly for the NFCA Member to help the building owner stay code compliant.
There is still an ‘Online Governmental Consensus Vote’ (OGCV) that takes place. The OGCV is where building officials, fire marshals, and honorary members vote, which could change outcomes, so we’re not in the clear yet with our approved or disapproved proposals.
Watch for more about the hearings in the December Enews.
ICC Proposal of Note –
The California Fire Chiefs Association added a new section to the 2021 IBC, with FS8-18 that deals with clarifying in the code, what’s required by the 12” Rule. We’ll report on it after the OCGV ends in December.
