eLaws | eCases | District of Columbia | DC Code | DC Courts | Code of Federal Regulations |
Home » 2015 Issues » Vol. 62, No. 1 (01/02/2015) » 5258484 Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Department of - Notice of Final Rulemaking - Amendments to Title 12-F of the D.C. Construction Codes, the Plumbing Code Supplement of 2013

  5258484 Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Department of - Notice of Final Rulemaking - Amendments to Title 12-F of the D.C. Construction Codes, the Plumbing Code Supplement of 2013  

  • DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
    CONSTRUCTION CODES COORDINATING BOARD

     

    NOTICE OF FINAL RULEMAKING

     

    The Chairperson of the Construction Codes Coordinating Board (Chairperson), pursuant to the authority set forth in 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; and the Director of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (Director), pursuant to the authority set forth in Section 12 of the Green Building Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-234; D.C. Official Code § 6-1451.11 (2012 Repl. & 2014 Supp.)) (Green Building Act), Mayor’s Order 2007-206, dated September 21, 2007, and Mayor’s Order 2010-1, dated January 5, 2010, hereby give notice of the adoption of the following final rulemaking amending Title 12 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), (the “2013 D.C. Construction Codes”).

     

    This rulemaking corrects errata and addresses various matters that were not fully resolved, or identified, prior to adoption of the 2013 D.C. Construction Codes.  

     

    A Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking was published on May 9, 2014 at 61 DCR 4760.  A Notice of Second Emergency Rulemaking, extending the emergency rules, was published on August 29, 2014 at 61 DCR 8983.  Pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Act, a proposed resolution approving the third proposed amendments was submitted to the Council of the District of Columbia, on September 30, 2014 for a forty-five (45) day period of review.  The 45-day period of review having expired on December 15, 2014 with no Council action to approve or disapprove the proposed resolution, the proposed amendments are deemed approved.  The rules were adopted on December 15, 2015 and will become effective upon publication in the District of Columbia Register.

     

    In the amendments below, insertion of new language is indicated by underlining, while deletion of existing language is indicated by strikethrough.

     

    Chapter 1, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, of Subtitle A, BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    106                  SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS

     

    106.1               General.  Submittal documents shall consist of construction documents (as specified in this Section 106 or as may be required by the code official), a statement of special inspections, a geotechnical report and other data. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the Construction Codes.  Where special conditions exist, the code official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.

     

    Where one or more submittal documents are required based on the permit(s) applied for, submittal documents shall be submitted with the permit application and shall include four sets, or an electronic submission, of drawings and one set of all other supporting documents unless otherwise specified below.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, all submittal documents, the permit application and all other supporting documents shall be submitted electronically, based on the following schedule:

     

    1.         Projects of 100,000 square feet or more:  June 28, 2014 January 1, 2014: Projects of 100,000 square feet or more.

     

     

    2.         Projects of 75,000 square feet and up to, but less than, 100,000 square feet: September 28, 2014 April 1, 2014: Projects of 75,000 square feet or more.

     

     

    3.         Projects of 50,000 square feet and up to, but less than, 75,000 square feet:  December 28, 2014 July, 1, 2014: Projects of 50,000 square feet or more.

     

     

    4.         Projects of less than 50,000 square feet, with the exception of projects exempted from seal requirements by Section 105.3.10.1: March 28, 2015 October 1, 2014: All projects with the exception of projects exempted from seal requirements by Section 105.3.10.1.

            

    The code official is authorized to modify the requirements for submittal documents when the application for permit is for alteration or repair or when otherwise warranted.

     

    Exception:  The code official is authorized to accept and process permit applications without submissions of construction documents and other supporting data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional, where the code official finds that the nature of the work applied for is such that review of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with the Construction Codes.

     

    Chapter 1, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, of Subtitle A, BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    106.1.1 Architectural and Engineering Details.  The code official shall require adequate details of structural, accessibility, fire protection, electrical, fuel gas, mechanical, plumbing, energy conservation, and green building provisions to be filed, including computations, stress diagrams, sound transmission details and other technical data essential to assess compliance with the Construction Codes, as further specified in this Section 106.  All engineering plans and computations shall bear the signature of the District-licensed professional engineer responsible for the design, as required by Section 106.3.4.

     

    Chapter 1, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, of Subtitle A, BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    110.1.6 Certificate Issued.  After the code official inspects the building or other structure and finds no violations of the provisions of the Construction Codes, the Zoning Regulations or other laws that are enforced by the Department, the code official shall issue a certificate of occupancy containing the following:

     

    1.         The building permit number (if applicable);

     

    2.         The address of the structure;

     

    3.         The name and address of the property or business owner, as applicable;

     

    4.         A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued;

     

    5.         The name of the code official;

     

    6.         The use and occupancy, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Building Code;

     

    7.         The use and occupancy in accordance with the Zoning Regulations;

     

    8.         The design occupant load;

     

    9.         Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit; and

     

    10.       Date of issuance;

     

    11.       If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is required;

     

    12.       The edition of the code under which the permit was issued; and

     

    13.       The type of construction as defined in Chapter 6.

     

     

    Chapter 4, SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON USE AND OCCUPANCY, of Subtitle A, BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    Strike Section 403.4.5 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 403.4.5 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows:

     

    403.4.5 Emergency responder radio coverage. Emergency responder radio coverage shall be provided in accordance with Section 510 of the Fire Code.

     

     

    Chapter 32, ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY, of Subtitle A, BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    3202.7             General restrictions.  All projections shall comply with the provisions of Sections 3202.7.1 through 3202.7.6.

     

    3202.7.1 Limitations based on street width.  Except as otherwise permitted by this chapter, projections shall not be allowed on any street less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in width.

     

    Exception:  Projecting cornices, bases, water tables, pilasters or uncovered steps.

     

    3202.7.1.1 Minimum clearance to curb line.  A minimum clear space from the outer edge of the curb to the outer face of all projections and steps shall be preserved, as follows:

     

    1.         Six feet (1829 mm) on streets 40 feet (12 192 mm), but less than 50 feet (15 250 mm) wide;

     

    2.         Eight feet (2438 mm) on streets 50 feet (15 240 mm), but less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) wide;

     

    3.         Ten feet (3048 mm) on streets 60 feet (18 288 mm) to and including 80 feet (24 384 mm) wide;

     

    4.         Twelve feet (3658 mm) on streets more than 80 feet (24 384 mm) to and including 90 feet (27 432 mm) wide; and

     

    5.         Fifteen feet (4572 mm) on streets more than 90 feet (27 432 mm) wide.

     

    For purposes of Section 3202.7.1.1, the term “street” shall include the public thoroughfare and any adjoining building restriction areas.

     

    ********

     

    3202.10.2.2 Projection.  Balcony projections shall be limited as follows:

     

    1.         Three feet (914 mm) beyond the lot line or building restriction line, if one exists, on streets more than 60 feet (18 288 mm) and less than 70 feet (21 336 mm) wide.

     

    2.         Four feet (1219 mm) beyond the lot line or building restriction line, if one exists, on streets 70 feet (21 336 mm) or more in width.

     

    For purposes of Section 3202.10.2.2, the term “street” shall include the public thoroughfare and any adjoining building restriction areas.

     

    ********

    3202.10.3.3 Projection.  The projection of bay windows shall be limited as follows:

     

    1.         Three feet (914 mm) on streets 60 feet (18 288 mm) to 70 feet (21 336 mm) wide.

     

    2.         Four feet (1219 mm) on streets more than 70 feet (21 336 mm) wide.

     

     

    For purposes of Section 3202.10.3.3, the term “street” shall include the public thoroughfare and any adjoining building restriction areas.

     

    ********

     

    3202.11.2.3 Projection.  Projection of one-story high porches shall be limited as follows:

     

    1.         Three feet (914 mm) on streets without public parking, 60 feet (18 288 mm) to 70 feet (21 336 mm) wide.

     

    2.         Four feet (1219 mm) on streets without public parking, more than 70 feet (21 336 mm) wide.

     

    3.         Five feet (1524 mm) on streets with public parking.  Porches more than one story in height shall conform to the provisions for bay windows in Section 3202.10.3.3 as to the extent of projection beyond the building line.

     

    For purposes of Section 3202.11.2.3, the term “street” shall include the public thoroughfare  and any adjoining building restriction areas.

     

    ********

     

    3202.11.3.2 Projection.  Step and ramp projections shall be limited as follows:

     

    1.         Three feet (914 mm) on streets without public parking, 40 feet (12 192 mm) or more in width, but less than 45 feet (13 716 mm) wide.

     

    2.         Four feet (12 192 mm) on streets without public parking, 45 feet (13 716 mm) or more in width, but less than 70 feet (21 336 mm) wide.

     

    3.         Five feet (1524 mm) on streets without public parking, 70 feet (21 336 mm) or more in width, but less than 80 feet (24 384 mm) wide.

     

    4.         Six feet (1829 mm) on streets without public parking, 80 feet (24 384 mm) or more in width.

     

    5.         Ten feet (3048 mm) on streets with public parking, 80 feet (24 384 mm) or more in width.

     

    For purposes of Section 3202.11.3.2, the term “street” shall include the public thoroughfare and any adjoining building restriction areas.

     

     

    Appendix N, SIGNS, of Subtitle A, BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

     

    N101.18.2a.6  The Gallery Place Project Graphic in the private alley shall be subject to the permit requirements of Sections N101.18.4 3107.18.4 through N101.18.8 3107.18.8; provided, that the permit fee for the Gallery Place Project Graphic digital displays shall be three dollars ($3) per square foot of each of the digital displays; provided further, that the reviews for the initial permit by the District Department of Transportation and the Office of Planning under Section N101.18.5 3107.18.5 (Permit Application Referrals) shall be conducted within fourteen (14) days of the referral date; and provided further, that the initial permit shall be valid for three (3) years from date of issuance and shall be renewable annually thereafter.  Each application for renewal shall be submitted on or before the anniversary of the permit’s original issuance and shall be subject to review for compliance with Sections N101.18.4 3107.18.4 (Gallery Place Project Graphics Permit Application), N101.18.5 3107.18.5 (Permit Applications Referrals), N101.18.6 3107.18.6 (Effect of Adverse Report), N101.18.7 3107.18.7 (Review, Approval, and Denial of Permit Applications), and other applicable laws or regulations.

     

     

    Chapter 3, GENERAL REGULATIONS, of Subtitle F, PLUMBING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

     

    Strike Section 305.4.1 of the International Plumbing Code in its entirety and insert new Section 305.4.1 in the Plumbing Code to read as follows:

     

    305.4.1 Sewer depth. 

    Building sewers shall be installed not less than 30 inches (762 mm) below grade. Building sewers that connect to approved private sewage disposal systems shall be installed not less than 30 inches (762 mm) below finished grade at the point of septic tank connection.

     

     

    Chapter 6, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, of Subtitle F, PLUMBING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    Table 603.3.1 Water Service Backflow Prevention

     

    Domestic Backflow Prevention Device

    Facility type

    Service Size

    Type

    Location

    Note a

    Residential or non-residential

    1", 1 1/2" and 2"

    Dual Check Valve Type (ASSE 1024- compliant)

    On the discharge side of meter yoke
    Note b

    Non-residential

    3" and larger

    Double Check BFP Assembly (ASSE 1015-compliant)

    Inside facility, within 10 feet of water service point of entry

    High Risk Non-residential

    Any

    Reduced Pressure Principle BF Preventer (ASSE 1013-compliant)

     

     

    Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Device

    Water Treatment

    Type

    Location

    Note a

    No chemical additives

    Double Check Fire Protection BFP Assembly (ASSE 1015 –compliant)

     

    Double Check Detector Fire Protection BFP Assembly (ASSE 1048 –compliant)

     

    Inside facility, within 10 feet of water service point of entry

    Treated with chemical additives

    Reduced Pressure Principle Fire Protection BF Preventer (ASSE 1013-compliant)

     

    Reduced Pressure Detector Fire Protection BFP Assembly (ASSE 1047-compliant)

     

     

    For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 ft = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa.

     

    a  -  Backflow prevention device shall always be located upstream from any water outlet.

    b - Where inlet pressure to meter yoke is less than 42 psi, it is acceptable to locate the domestic backflow prevention device inside the facility, within 10 feet of water service point of entry.

     

     

    Chapter 7, SANITARY DAMAGE, of Subtitle F, PLUMBING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    Strike Section 701.2 of the International Plumbing Code in its entirety and insert new Section 701.2 in the Plumbing Code to read as follows:

     

    701.2               Sewer required.

    Buildings in which plumbing fixtures are installed and premises having drainage piping shall be connected to a public sewer where available, or an approved private sewage disposal system.

     

     

    Chapter 3, REQUIREMENTS, of Subtitle G, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    310.1               Carbon monoxide alarms.  Effective 36 months one year from the date the 2013 edition of the Construction Codes is adopted pursuant to Section 122 of the Building Code, an approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed, in Group I and R occupancies and buildings regulated by the Residential Code, in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in dwelling units located in a building containing a fuel-burning appliance or a building which has an attached garage.  Only one alarm shall be required outside each separate sleeping area or grouping of bedrooms. The carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed as complying with UL 2034 and be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720 and the manufacturer’s instructions.  An open parking garage, as defined by Chapter 2 of the Building Code, or an enclosed parking garage ventilated in accordance with section 404 of the Mechanical Code, shall not be considered an attached garage.

     

    Exception:  A sleeping unit or dwelling unit which does not itself contain a fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage, but which is located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, need not be equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm provided that:

     

    1.                  The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any story which contains a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage;

     

    2.                  The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by ductwork or ventilation shafts to any room containing a fuel-burning appliance or to an attached garage; and

     

    3.                  The building is equipped with a common area carbon monoxide alarm system.

     

     

    Chapter 7, FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, of Subtitle G, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    Strike Section 704.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code in its entirety and insert new Sections 704.2 and 704.2.1 in the Property Maintenance Code in its place to read as follows:

     

    704.2               Smoke alarms.  Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, and R-4, and dwellings not regulated as Group R occupancies,  R or I-1 occupancies regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations:

     

    1.               On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.

     

    2.               In each room used for sleeping purposes.

     

    3.               In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements and cellars but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.

     

    Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in other groups in accordance with the Fire Code.

     

    704.2.1 Transition period for certain existing occupancies.  Existing Group I-1 and R R-2 and R-3 occupancies, and dwellings not regulated as Group R occupancies, that contain smoke alarms in locations that comply with Section 704.2(1) or (2) shall have a 36-month period, commencing on the date of adoption of the 2013 edition of the D.C. Construction Codes in accordance with Section 122 of the Building Code, shall have a 36 month period, commencing on to install smoke alarms in the additional locations specified in Section 704.2(1), (2) and (3).  that comply with the requirements of Section 704.2.  

     

    Insert a new Section 704.5 in the Property Maintenance Code to read as follows:

     

    704.5               Fire alarm systems.  Fire alarm systems shall be continuously maintained in accordance with applicable NFPA requirements or as otherwise directed by the code official.

     

    704.5.1 Manual fire alarm boxes.  All manual fire alarm boxes shall be operational and unobstructed.

     

    704.5.2 Fire alarm signage.  Where fire alarm systems are not monitored by a supervising station, an approved permanent sign shall be installed adjacent to each manual fire alarm box that reads: “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT”.

     

    Exception:  When the manufacturer has permanently provided this information on the manual fire alarm box.

     

    704.5.3 Fire alarm notice.  In accordance with the requirements of the Fire Alarm Notice and Tenant Fire Safety Amendment Act of 2009, effective March 11, 2010 (D.C. Law 18-116; D.C. Official Code § 6-751.11 (2012 Repl.), Tthe owner of a building containing four or more dwelling units, rooming units or sleeping units, including a building containing four or more residential condominium or cooperative units, shall post in conspicuous places in the common spaces of the building, and distribute to each tenant or unit owner, a written notice that provides information about fire alarm systems in the building.  The notice shall be on a form developed and published by the code official in English and in the languages required under section 4 of the Language Access Act of 2004, effective June 19, 2004 (D.C. Law 15-167; D.C. Official Code § 2-1933 (2012 Repl.). The notice shall include the following information:

     

    1.         Instructions on the operation of manual fire alarm boxes of the building fire alarm system;

     

    2.         Instructions on what to do when the dwelling unit’s smoke detectors activate,  including abandoning the dwelling unit immediately, closing the door of the unit, and actuating the nearest manual fire alarm box;

     

    3.         Whether the building fire alarm system is monitored by a supervising station; and

     

    4.         Instructions to report any fire event by immediately calling 911.

     

    For purposes of this section, the owner of a building containing condominium or cooperative units shall be the unit owners’ association, the cooperative housing association, or other entity having responsibility for managing the condominium or cooperative on behalf of the unit owners.

     

    704.5.4 Housing Business. Where the owner or operator of a housing business has failed to comply with the smoke alarm provisions of Section 704.2, the tenant is authorized to purchase, install and maintain battery-operated smoke alarm(s) as a temporary safeguard at the owner’s expense, subject to the following: (a) the tenant must notify the owner or operator in writing that installation, replacement or repair of a smoke alarm is required by Section 704.2 and request that the owner or operator take appropriate action, and the owner or operator fails to take the requested action within 10 days after such request or such later date as mutually agreed; and (b) the tenant must provide the owner or authorized agent of the owner with access to the dwelling unit to correct any smoke alarm deficiencies which have been reported.

     

    Reasonable costs incurred by the tenant may be deducted from the rent for the dwelling unit pursuant to procedures governing landlord tenant relationships set forth in 14 DCMR.  No tenant shall be charged, evicted, or penalized in any fashion for failure to pay the reasonable costs deducted from the rent for the dwelling unit for purchase, installation or maintenance of smoke alarms under this section.

     

    704.5.4.1 Emergency measures. The failure of an owner or operator of a housing business to comply with Section 704.2 shall be deemed an imminent danger pursuant to Section 109 of the Property Maintenance Code and Section 111.2 of the Fire Code.

     

    704.5.4.2  Owner responsibility.  Except as provided in Section 704.5.4.4, no act or omission by a tenant under this section 704.5.4 shall relieve the owner of responsibility to ensure full and continuing compliance with Section 704.

     

    704.5.4.3  Tenant responsibility. Except as provided in Section 704.5.4.4, nothing in this Section 704.5.4 shall be construed:  (a) to impose a penalty or other liability on a tenant for failure to install or maintain a smoke alarm; or (b) to mean that a tenant who fails to install or maintain a smoke alarm is contributorily negligent.

     

    704.5.4.4  Disabling of smoke alarms. Tampering with, removing, destroying, disconnecting, or removing the batteries from any installed smoke alarm, except in the course of authorized inspection, maintenance or replacement of the alarm, is prohibited.

     

    704.5.4.5 Other penalties. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to negate the obligation of the owner or operator to comply with the requirements of Section 704.2, or to preclude the code official from pursuing other penalties and remedies under this code where the owner or operator fails to comply with Section 704.2.  

     

     

     

    Chapter 1, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, of Subtitle H, FIRE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    TABLE 105.6.20

    PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

     

    TYPE OF MATERIAL

    AMOUNT

    Oxidizing materials

    Gases

    See Section 106.6.8 105.6.8

    Liquids

     

     

     

    Chapter 3, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, of Subtitle H, FIRE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    Strike Section 304.1.2 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Section 304.1.2 in the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

     

    304.1.2 Vegetation.

    Weeds, grass, vines or other growth that is capable of being ignited and endangering property, shall be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises.

     

     

    Chapter 5, FIRE SERVICE FEATURES, of Subtitle H, FIRE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    CHAPTER 5             FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

     

    507      Fire Protection Water Supplies

    508      Fire Command Center

    510      Emergency Responder Radio Coverage

     

     

    510                  EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE

     

    Strike Section 510.1 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Section 510.1 in the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

     

    510.1               Emergency responder radio coverage in new buildings.

    All new buildings shall have approved radio coverage for emergency responders within the building, based upon the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems of the District of Columbia at the exterior of the building. This section shall not require improvement of the existing public safety communication systems.


    Exceptions:

    1.         Where approved by the building official and the fire code official, a wired communication system in accordance with Section 907.2.13.2 shall be permitted to be installed or maintained in lieu of an approved radio coverage system.

     

    2.         Where it is determined by the District of Columbia Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and the fire code official that the radio coverage system is not needed based on procedures and criteria set forth in Section 510 and in OUC guidelines.

     

    3.         In facilities where emergency responder radio coverage is required and such systems, components or equipment could have a negative impact on the normal operations of that facility, the fire code official shall have the authority to accept an automatically activated emergency responder radio coverage system.

     

    4.         Buildings covered by the Residential Code.

     

    5.                  Group R-2 buildings with four or fewer dwelling units per floor up to three floors above grade.

     

    6.                  Group R-3 buildings.

     

    Strike Section 510.3 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Section 510.3 in the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

     

    510.3               Permits required.

    No emergency responder radio coverage system or related equipment shall be installed or modified without a building permit and any required electrical permit issued by the building code official.  An operational permit issued by the fire code official pursuant to Section 105.6.47 shall be required to use any emergency responder radio coverage system or related equipment. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.    

     

    Insert new Section 510.7 in the Fire Code to read as follows:

     

    510.7               Office of Unified Communications Requirements. Emergency responder radio coverage systems and related equipment shall comply with all additional requirements, specifications and criteria established by the District of Columbia Office of Unified Communications to satisfy the operational needs of emergency responders and to prevent adverse impact on the District of Columbia’s public safety communications.

     

     

    Chapter 11, CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS, of Subtitle H, FIRE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    Strike Section 1103.2 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1103.2 in the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

     

    1103.2             Emergency responder radio coverage in existing buildings.

    Existing buildings that do not have approved radio coverage for emergency responders within the building, based upon the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems of the District of Columbia at the exterior of the building, shall be equipped with such coverage according to one of the following:

     

    1.         Whenever an existing wired communication system cannot be repaired or is being replaced, or where not approved in accordance with Section 510.1, Exception 1; or

    2.         Within a time frame established by the District of Columbia Office of United Communications (OUC) and the fire code official.

    Exception: Where it is determined by OUC and the fire code official that the radio coverage system is not needed.

    Strike Sections 1103.8 and 1103.8.1 of the International Fire Code (with no change to Sections 1103.8.2 and 1103.8.3) and insert new Sections 1103.8 and 1103.8.1 in the Fire Code in their place to read as follows:

     

    1103.8             Single and multiple-station smoke alarms.  Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in existing Group I-1 and R occupancies, in accordance with Sections 1103.8.1 through 1103.8.3.  regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations:

     

    1.               On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.

     

    2.               In each room used for sleeping purposes.

     

    3.               In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements and cellars but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.

     

    Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in other groups in accordance with the Fire Code.

     

    1103.8.1 Existing occupancies Existing Group I-1 and R occupancies shall have a 36 month period, commencing on the date of adoption of the 2013 edition of the D.C. Construction Codes in accordance with Section 122 of the Building Code to install smoke alarms that comply with the requirements of Section 1103.8.

     

    1103.8.1 Where required.  Existing Group I-1 and R occupancies shall be provided with single- or multiple-station smoke alarms in accordance with Section 907.2.11, except as provided in Sections 1103.8.2 and 1103.8.3.

     

    Insert new Section 1103.8.4 in the Fire Code to read as follows:

     

    1103.8.4 Transition period for certain occupancies.  Existing Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies that contain smoke alarms in locations that comply with Section 907.2.11.2 (1) or (2) shall have a 36-month period, commencing on the date of adoption of the 2013 edition of the D.C. Construction Codes in accordance with Section 122 of the Building Code, to install smoke alarms in the additional locations specified in Section 907.2.11.2. 

     

    Strike Section 1103.23 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1103.23 in the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

     

    1103.23 Elevator operation.  Existing elevators with a travel distance of 25 feet (7620 mm) or more above or below the main floor or other level of a building, and intended to serve the needs of emergency personnel for fire-fighting or rescue purposes, shall be provided with emergency operation when required by the Existing Building Code.

     

     

    Chapter 3, GREEN BUILDING ACT AND ASHRAE 189.1, of Subtitle K, GREEN BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    302.3.3 Interior construction of mixed use space in a residential project.  Where residential occupancies exceed 50 percent of the gross floor area of the project, including allocable area of common space, and the project contains at least 50,000 contiguous square feet (4645 m2) of gross floor area, exclusive of common space, that is or would be occupied for of the non-residential useoccupancies, then the space designated for non-residential occupancies shall be designed and constructed to meet or exceed one or more of the applicable LEED standards listed in Section 302.4 at the Certified Level.  The applicant shall provide plans and supporting documents in sufficient detail and clarity to enable the code official to verify compliance with this section.

     

     

    Chapter 5, MATERIAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY, of Subtitle K, GREEN BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, of Title 12 DCMR, CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013, is amended as follows:

     

    CHAPTER 5             MATERIAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY

     

    503      Construction Waste Management

    504      Waste Management and Recycling

    505      Material Selection

    507      Building Envelope Moisture Control

    507                  BUILDING ENVELOPE MOISTURE CONTROL

    Strike Section 507.1 of the International Green Construction Code in its entirety and insert new Section 507.1 in the Green Construction Code in its place to read as follows:

    507.1               Moisture control preventative measures.

    Moisture preventative measures shall be inspected in accordance with Section 109 of 12 DCMR A and applicable Administrative Bulletins Sections 902 and 903 for the categories listed in Items 1 through 7.  Inspections shall be executed in a method and at a frequency as listed in Table 903.1.

     

    1.         Foundation sub-soil drainage system.

    2.         Foundation waterproofing.

    3.         Foundation dampproofing.

    4.         Under slab water vapor protection.

    5.         Flashings: Windows, exterior doors, skylights, wall flashing and drainage systems.

    6.         Exterior wall coverings.

    7.         Roof coverings, roof drainage, and flashings.

     

     

     

Visit the Official Version
Leave a Comment

Document Information

Rules:
12-F305
12-F603
12-F701