2009 Building and Fire Protection Codes

2009 International Building Code and Fire Code

In order to protect the health, safety and welfare of communities large and small, the industry adheres to a system of model codes that regulate the construction of residential and commercial buildings. These codes are created by the International Code Council (ICC), a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. The International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) are two of the most widely accepted codes in North America; all 50 states have adopted a version of the IBC and at least 42 states have adopted a version of the IFC.

To ensure the regulations remain up-to-date, the ICC revises the codes every three years to include new and innovative design ideas and technologies, modern materials and methods of construction, and current approaches to fire safety, life safety and structural stability. In 2009, the ICC introduced the latest editions of the IBC and IFC, both of which contained significant code changes and additions, particularly in regards to the means of egress.

IBC/IFC Egress Regulations: The 2009 IBC and IFC state that luminous egress path markings shall be required in all new and existing institutional, educational, business, hotel, public assembly and R-1 residential buildings having occupied floors that are located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access (generally 5+ stories or floor levels). According to the tenth chapter of the IBC and IFC, luminous markings are required for all doors, steps, landings, handrails, perimeters, and obstacles.

The IBC and IFC regulations are enforced by building inspectors and fire code officials. Buildings are put on notice if they do not conform, and then given a reasonable amount of time to bring the facilities up to code. If they fail to meet regulations by the designated timeline, buildings are subject to fines and penalties. Additionally, the risk of liability exposure increases dramatically if an unfortunate incident occurs in a building that has not conformed to the required codes.

2009 National Fire Protection Association 101: Life Safety Code

To protect the lives of building occupants in the event of a fire, the industry has established several construction codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. These codes are created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), identified as the world’s largest and most influential fire safety organization.

The NFPA’s Life Safety Code, also known as the NFPA 101, is another benchmark for occupant fire safety in both new and pre-existing structures. It provides advanced regulations for sprinklers, alarms, egress, emergency lighting, smoke barriers, special hazard protection, and other features required to reduce the loss of life from fire, including smoke, fumes, or panic.

Similar to the IBC and IFC, the NFPA 101 is updated every three years to include the latest research, technological advances and industry developments in relation to fire safety. The latest version of the NFPA 101, which was released in 2009, contains a number of significant provisions regarding the means of egress.

2009 NFPA 101 Egress Regulations

The 2009 NFPA 101: Life Safety Code includes new criteria for the complete marking of steps, handrails and door hardware. Revised standards also apply for the remoteness of exit accesses and exit discharges, intended to reduce the possibility of both paths becoming blocked by a single fire.

The NFPA 101 is enforced by inspectors, zoning boards, fire marshals and other industry officials. The code applies to existing structures as well as new structures. When a code revision is adopted into local law, existing structures have a grace period before they must comply.

Learn more about the codes and Egress Marking products by downloading a free copy of the 2009  Emergency Egress Marking Handbook.