Section 12-J904. FIRE PROTECTION

Strike Section 904.1.1 of the International Existing Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 904.1.1 to the Existing Building Code in its place to read as follows:

 

904.1.1 High-rise buildings. In high-rise buildings, work areas shall be provided with automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with Section 903 of the Building Code, 12 DCMR A.

 

904.1.1.1 Where Level 3 work areas occur on 75 percent or more of the building floors, excluding mechanical, parking and non-occupiable levels, automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided throughout the entire building in accordance with Section 903 of the Building Code.

 

904.1.1.2 Where an automatic sprinkler system with sprinkler control valves and water flow devices is provided for each floor throughout the building in accordance with Section 903 of the Building Code, modifications to the minimum type of construction and fire resistance rating requirements of the Construction Codes are permitted as described in Section 403.2 of the Building Code.

 

904.1.1.3 Additional requirements for alterations to 100% percent of floors.  Where Level 3 alteration work areas occur on all floors, excluding mechanical, parking and non-occupiable levels, the building shall comply with the following additional requirements:

 

1. Emergency voice/alarm communication systems.  Provide an emergency voice/alarm communication system in accordance with Section 403.4.4 of the Building Code.

 

2. Emergency responder radio coverage.  Provide a two-way fire department communications system in accordance with Section 403.4.5 of the Building Code.

 

3. Fire command center.  Provide a fire command center in accordance with Section 403.4.6 of the Building Code.

 

Exception:  Where the following features do not exist in the building or cannot be readily provided as part of a Level 3 alteration, they are not required to be added for compliance with Section 911.1 of the Building Code: annunciator unit visually indicating the location of the elevators and whether they are operational; status indicators and controls for air-handling systems and emergency and standby power status indicators.

 

4. Standby power and emergency power systems.  Provide standby power and emergency power systems in accordance with Sections 403.4.8 and 403.4.9 of the Building Code.

Strike Section 904.1.2 of the International Existing Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 904.1.2 to the Existing Building Code in its place to read as follows:

904.1.2 Rubbish and linen chutes.  Rubbish and linen chutes located in the work area shall be provided with automatic sprinkler system protection where protection of the rubbish and linen chute would be required under the provisions of the Building Code for new construction.

 

 

authority

Section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2012 Repl.)) and Mayor’s Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009, as amended.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 3336 (March 28, 2014 – Part 2).

EditorNote

The District of Columbia Existing Building Code (2013), referred to as the “Existing Building Code,” consists of the 2012 edition of the International Existing Building Code as amended by the District of Columbia Existing Building Code Supplement (2013)(12 DCMR J)). The International Existing Building Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at: http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/iebc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000006&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.