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Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code: Brief History and Flood Requirements. Daniel E. Nichols, P.E. Overview. History of Uniform Code Applicability and enforcement Flood provisions: facts vs. myths Protection in the future Wrap-up/questions. Instructor Biography.
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Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code:Brief History and Flood Requirements Daniel E. Nichols, P.E.
Overview • History of Uniform Code • Applicability and enforcement • Flood provisions: facts vs. myths • Protection in the future • Wrap-up/questions
Instructor Biography • Fire Protection Engineer; New York State Department of State • Division of Code Enforcement and Administration • Currently assigned to Kingston regional office • Chairman, Fire Code Technical Subcommittee • Active participant and manager; Disaster assistance response teams to southern tier, Catskills, and Long Island • Member of several International Code Council Committees • IBC- Fire Safety (past chairman) • IBC- General • CTC- Elevator Lobby • Ad Hoc on Healthcare • Member of several National Fire Protection Association Committees • Historic Buildings and Cultural Resources • Residential Board and Care • Research Foundation on Smoke Alarm Functionality
Uniform Code History • In the early 1950’s, the Multiple Dwelling Law and Multiple Residence Law were created • First statewide requirements for construction • Still in effect todaay • At the same time, State Government starts to create a voluntary adoptable construction standard • “State Building Construction Code” • Very reminiscent to the first edition of the Basic Building Code, published by Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) • All building types covered by 1959 (single family, residential, and commercial)
Uniform Code History • In the early 1970’s, State Government creates a voluntary adoptable fire prevention standard • “Uniform Fire Prevention Code” • In 1980, a survey shows that approximately 30% of the State has some sort of building or fire prevention code in place • Mainly found around the big 5 cities, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley • Communities could adopt any standards they wish; at least 6 different building codes a 3 different fire prevention codes were in place; not counting self-created documents
Uniform Code History • 1980- Two major fires • November 21, 1980; MGM Grand- Las Vagas, NV • Hotel/Casino Fire- 85 dead • December 4, 1980; Stouffers Inn- Harrison, NY • Conference Center- 26 dead • Contributing factors identified were the inconsistency of building and fire prevention codes; or lack thereof • Town of Harrison did not have any codes • Neighboring City of White Plains had a very restrictive building and fire prevention ordinance • Stouffers was built on the line
Uniform Code Act • Chapter 707 of the Laws of 1981 created the “Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code Act” • Article 18 of the Executive Law • Unique in it’s application • Creates a Statewide Building and Fire Prevetion Code • Locals cannot adopt laws to lower the minimum requirements • Locals cannot adopt laws to raise the minimum requirements without State approval • Locals are required to enforce the Uniform Code, or surrender their authority to the State • Governments, including the State itself, is obligated to enforcement on government-owned buildings and premises • All governments must be enforcing ‘something’ by 1982 • All governments must use the new Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code by 1984
How does code enforcement work? • Each City, Town, Village and County is responsible for code enforcement within their jurisdiction • Counties enforce requirements on county-owned buildings • Any county or local government can ‘opt-out’ of code enforcement • Reverts to the next level of government of as delegated by the Secretary of State • Must meet the minimum requirements set by the Secretary of State • 19 NYCRR Part 1203 • City of New York permitted to continue with building and fire codes by Executive Law • State Agencies must also follow the Uniform Code • Done with an agency-designated code compliance manager • Many agencies delegate their responsibility to other agencies • OGS, DHESES, etc.
Interface with State agencies • Several State Agencies have licenses and/or construction requirements that are aligned/misaligned with the Uniform Code • Department of Health • Day Programs • Assisted Living • Cross connection requirements (Plumbing) • Office of Mental Health • Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities • Department of Environmental Conservation • Department of Labor • The Uniform Code is a regulation, and is not automatically superseded by other regulations
Understanding flood provisions • Flood-resistant construction is based upon whether a building is in a ‘flood hazard area’ • Within the 1% chance per year flood plain (100 year event) • Designated as a flood hazard area on a community’s flood hazard map or otherwise designated
2 Types of Flooding Runoff Flooding Wave Action Flooding
Terms commonly used with flood preparation outside the Uniform Code • “Flood evacuation zones” • Developed by local jurisdictions to prioritize evacuation needs, based on flood potential, access, and population • Not a tool for determining flood-resistance of buildings • Useful as part of a fire safety and evacuation plan • “Freeboard” • A prescriptive elevation requirement within the Residential Code of New York State and ASCE 24 BOTH TERMS ARE NOT USED WITHIN THE BUILDING CODE OF NEW YORK STATE
Building Code Requirements • Determine Building Category • Medical buildings (Group I-2) with surgery or ED: Category 4 • Other medical buildings (Group I-2) over 50 patients: Category 3 • Other medical buildings, such as residential board and care, assisted living, and small nursing homes: Category 2
Building Code Requirements • Determine flood hazard area • Base flood Elevation • Design Flood Elevation • Zone categories
Building Code Effectiveness • Flood design becomes an issue in the 1970’s • Model Building Code began recognition long after the National Flood Insurance Program is developed • State of New York updates the code to national standards in 2003 (previously based on 1951) • City of New York updates the code to national standards in 2008 (previously based on 1968)
Building Code Effectiveness • Building codes are not retroactive for construction features • Flood-resistant construction is required for: • New buildings • Additions • Substantially damaged
International Code Council • Adopted building code in almost every state and territory in the United States of America • Based on the combination of 3 regional model code groups in 2000 • Takes regional information and experience and makes it available to all • Flooding- Mississippi, Texas • Hurricanes: Carolinas, Florida, Louisiana • Snow- Colorado, Maine, Vermont, Alaska • Wildfires- Arizona, Utah, New York • Earthquakes- California, Hawaii
Other items for consideration • Emergency Power supplies • Building access • Stairs/ramps • Personnel • Evacuation • Medical needs • Oxygen • Waste disposal • Fuel sources
Questions? Daniel E. Nichols, P.E. New York State Department of State Division of Code Enforcement and Administration 1 Albany Ave. Suite G-5 Kingston , NY 12401 845.334.9768 Dan.nichols@dos.ny.gov