Fire Safety Code Revisions Provide Less Protection

Families, schools and businesses across the nation may find they have less protection from fires as a result of ongoing building code revisions. Until 2000, the Southeast, Northeast and West had separate organizations that created building codes. Now, the three regions have combined to create one building code for the entire country, resulting in less protection from fire in some cities and states.


The problem with the new code involves firewalls, which have traditionally been rated in terms of“hours.” Some materials, like concrete masonry, endure the entire test with no failure using only one wall panel. Other materials get by with the same rating by passing the test using two wall panels for different parts of the standardized test. Whether a product passes the test with one wall or gets a rating with less rigorous testing involving two walls is not general public knowledge.


In the Southeast, the old codes required all firewalls to have a four-hour rating. But the newer standard requires a four-hour rating only for buildings considered to be“high hazards.” Firewalls for buildings where large groups of people gather or where businesses, schools or daycare facilities are located now require only a three-hour rating when constructed of noncombustible materials or large wooden timbers. Additionally, the new code requires only a two-hour firewall for these facilities when wood studs are used.


In the Northeast, the old codes required all firewalls to be built of noncombustible materials. Yet the new standard allows firewalls to be built of combustible materials for buildings using wood studs. It is even more critical that these walls stop the spread of fire since wood studs are combustible.


Since some requirements in the old codes are more stringent than in the new standard, this means the problem is now left up to state authorities to improve firewalls. Some, like North Carolina, already have required all firewalls be constructed of masonry, concrete, or any approved noncombustible material. Further, they have mandated that all firewalls must pass the entire standardized fire-resistance test by using only one wall panel instead of allowing two. Concerned citizens can contact their elected representatives about this at www.ncma.org/fire.



Jerry R. Harke is a spokesman for the National Concrete Masonry Association.


Featured

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • University of Kentucky Sees Positive Results from Energy Efficiency Program

    The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently announced the results of its Energy Program in Facilities Management, put into place eight years ago, according to a news release. Between the fiscal years of 2017 and 2025, the university’s campus grew by 13.6% while the energy use per square foot dropped by 19.2%.

  • University of Kansas Opens $400M Football Stadium Reconstruction

    The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently announced that the $400-million reconstruction of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is complete in time for the 2025 football season, according to a news release. The university partnered with Turner Construction Company on the project.

  • AP Construction Breaks Ground on Two Projects for Austin ISD

    Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) recently announced that it has broken ground on two renovation projects for the Austin Independent School District, according to a news release. The work at McCallum and Anderson High Schools totals 97,350 square feet and is scheduled for completion in January 2027.

Digital Edition