Virginia Law

A. Change Section 801.1 to read:

801.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern interior finish, interior trim, furniture, furnishings, decorative materials, and decorative vegetation in buildings.

B. Change the title of Section 803 and Section 803.1 to read:

Section 803 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish and Trim in Buildings.

803.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to the maintenance of interior wall and ceiling finishes and interior wall and ceiling trim in existing buildings in accordance with the applicable building code.

C. Change Section 803.1.1 to read:

803.1.1 Classification. Interior wall or ceiling finishes shall be classified and tested in accordance with the applicable building code.

D. Change Section 803.1.1.1 to read:

803.1.1.1 Manufacturer's product information and testing reports. Manufacturer's product information and testing reports shall be furnished to the fire official upon request.

E. Delete Sections 803.1.2 and 803.1.3.

F. Change Sections 803.2 and 803.3 to read:

803.2 Stability. Interior finish materials regulated by this chapter shall remain applied or otherwise fastened in accordance with the applicable building code.

803.3 Interior finish requirements. Interior wall and ceiling finish shall have a flame spread index not greater than that approved under the applicable building code. New interior finish shall not be installed unless approved by the building official in accordance with the applicable building code.

G. Delete Table 803.3.

H. Change Section 803.5 to read:

803.5 Textile wall coverings. Where used as interior wall or ceiling finish materials, textiles, including materials having woven or nonwoven, napped, tufted, looped, or similar surface shall comply with the requirements of the applicable building code. Newly introduced materials shall not be installed unless approved by the building official.

I. Delete Sections 803.5.1, 803.5.1.1, and 803.5.2.

J. Change Sections 803.6, 803.7, 803.8, 803.9, 803.10, and 803.11 to read:

803.6 Textile ceiling coverings. Where used as interior wall or ceiling finish materials, textiles, including materials having woven or nonwoven, napped, tufted, looped, or similar surface, shall comply with the requirements of the applicable building code. Newly introduced materials shall not be installed unless approved by the building official.

803.7 Expanded vinyl wall coverings. Expanded vinyl wall coverings shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code. Newly introduced materials shall not be installed unless approved by the building official.

803.8 Expanded vinyl ceiling coverings. Expanded vinyl ceiling coverings shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code. Newly introduced materials shall not be installed unless approved by the building official.

803.9 High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Where high-density polyethylene or polypropylene is used as an interior finish, it shall comply with the applicable building code. Newly introduced materials shall not be installed unless approved by the building official.

803.10 Site-fabricated stretch systems. Where used as newly installed interior wall or interior ceiling finish materials, site-fabricated stretch systems containing all three components described in the definition in Chapter 2 shall not be installed unless approved by the building official in accordance with the applicable building code.

803.11 Foam plastic materials. Foam plastic materials shall not be used as interior wall and ceiling finish or interior trim unless specifically allowed by the building official in accordance with the applicable building code.

K. Delete Sections 803.11.1 and 803.11.2 and change Sections 803.12 through 803.15 to read:

803.12 Facings or wood veneers intended to be applied on site over a wood substrate. Facings or veneers intended to be applied on site over a wood substrate shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.

803.13 Laminated products factory produced with an attached wood substrate. Laminated products factory produced with an attached wood substrate shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.

803.14 Thickness exemption. Materials having a thickness less than 0.036 inch (0.9mm) applied to the surface of walls or ceilings shall not be subject to interior finish requirements.

803.15 Heavy timber exemption. Exposed portions of buildings elements complying with the requirements of Type IV construction in accordance with the applicable building code shall not be subject to interior finish requirements.

L. Change the title of Section 804 and Section 804.1 to read:

Section 804 Interior Wall and Ceiling Trim and Interior Floor Finish in Buildings

804.1 Interior trim. Combustible trim, as defined by the applicable building code, excluding handrails and guardrails, shall be maintained. Newly introduced materials shall not be installed unless approved by the building official.

M. Delete Sections 804.1.1 and 804.1.2.

N. Change Section 804.2 to read:

804.2 Foam plastic. Foam plastic used as interior trim shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code. Newly introduced materials shall not be installed unless approved by the building official.

O. Delete Sections 804.2.1 through 804.2.4.

P. Delete Sections 804.3.2 through 804.4. Change Sections 804.3 through 804.3.1; and add Section 804.3.1.1 to read:

804.3 Interior floor finish. Interior floor finish and floor covering materials shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.

804.3.1 Classification. Interior floor finish and floor covering materials shall be classified in accordance with the applicable building code.

804.3.1.1. Manufacturer's product information and testing reports. Manufacturer's product information and testing reports shall be furnished to the fire official upon request.

Q. Change the title of Section 805 and Sections 805.1.1.2, 805.1.2.2, 805.2.1.2, 805.2.2.2, 805.4.1.2, and 805.4.2.2 to read:

Section 805 Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses in Buildings

805.1.1.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1537 or California Technical Bulletin 133, as follows:

1. The peak rate of heat release for the single upholstered furniture item shall not exceed 80 kW.

Exception: Upholstered furniture in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

2. The total energy released by the single upholstered furniture item during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 megajoules (MJ).

Exception: Upholstered furniture in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

805.1.2.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced mattresses shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1590 or California Technical Bulletin 129, as follows:

1. The peak rate of heat release for the single mattress shall not exceed 100 kW.

Exception: Mattresses in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

2. The total energy released by the single mattress during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 MJ.

Exception: Mattresses in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

805.2.1.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1537 or California Technical Bulletin 133, as follows:

1. The peak rate of heat release for the single upholstered furniture item shall not exceed 80 kW.

Exception: Upholstered furniture in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

2. The total energy released by the single upholstered furniture item during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 MJ.

Exception: Upholstered furniture in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

805.2.2.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced mattresses shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1590 or California Technical Bulletin 129, as follows:

1. The peak rate of heat release for the single mattress shall not exceed 100 kW.

Exception: Mattresses in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

2. The total energy released by the single mattress during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 MJ.

Exception: Mattresses in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

805.4.1.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1537 or California Technical Bulletin 133, as follows:

1. The peak rate of heat release for the single upholstered furniture item shall not exceed 80 kW.

Exception: Upholstered furniture in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

2. The total energy released by the single upholstered furniture item during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 MJ.

Exception: Upholstered furniture in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

805.4.2.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced mattresses shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1590 or California Technical Bulletin 129, as follows:

1. The peak rate of heat release for the single mattress shall not exceed 100 kW.

Exception: Mattresses in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

2. The total energy released by the single mattress during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 MJ.

Exception: Mattresses in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

R. Change the title of Section 806 and Exception 1 in Section 806.1.1 and add Exception 3 in Section 806.1.1 to read:

Section 806 Natural Decorative Vegetation in Buildings

1. Trees located in areas protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard shall not be prohibited in Groups A, E, M, R-1, and R-2.

3. Trees shall be permitted in places of worship in Group A occupancies.

S. Change the title of Section 807 and Exceptions 1 and 2 in Section 807.2 to read:

Section 807 Decorative Materials and Artificial Decorative Vegetation in Buildings

1. In auditoriums in Group A, the permissible amount of curtains, draperies, fabric hangings, and similar combustible decorative materials suspended from walls or ceilings shall not exceed 75% of the aggregate wall area where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard and where the material is installed in accordance with the applicable building code.

2. In Group R-2 dormitories, within sleeping units and dwelling units, the permissible amount of curtains, draperies, fabric hangings, and similar decorative materials suspended from walls or ceilings shall not exceed 50% of the aggregate wall areas where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

T. Change the Exception to 807.4 to read:

Exception: Testing of artificial vegetation is not required in Group I-1; Group I-2, Condition 1; Group R-2; Group R-3; or Group R-4 occupancies equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard, where such artificial vegetation complies with the following:

1. Wreaths or other decorative items on doors shall not obstruct the door operation and shall not exceed 50% of the surface area of the door.

2. Decorative artificial vegetation shall be limited to not more than 30% of the wall area to which it is attached.

3. Decorative artificial vegetation not on doors or walls shall not exceed three feet (914 mm) in any dimension.

U. Change Section 807.5.1.2 and Exceptions 1 and 2 (Exception 3 remains) of Section 807.5.2.1 to read:

807.5.1.2 Motion picture screens. The screens upon which motion pictures are projected in buildings of Group A shall either meet the flame propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701 or shall comply with the requirements for a Class B interior finish in accordance with the applicable building code.

1. Corridors protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

2. Corridors protected by an approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 72 standard.

V. Change Sections 807.5.3.1 through 807.5.3.4 and 807.5.4 to read:

807.5.3.1 Group I-1 and Group I-2 Condition 1 within units. In Group I-1 and Group I-2 Condition 1 occupancies, equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard, within sleeping units and dwelling units, combustible decorative materials placed on walls shall be limited to not more than 50% of the wall area to which they are attached.

807.5.3.2 In Group I-1 and Group I-2 Condition 1 for areas other than within units. In Group I-1 and Group I-2 Condition 1 occupancies, equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard, combustible decorative materials placed on walls in areas other than within dwelling and sleeping units shall be limited to not more than 30% of the wall area to which they are attached.

807.5.3.3 In Groups I-2 Condition 2. In Group I-2 Condition 2 occupancies, equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard, combustible decorative materials placed on walls shall be limited to not more than 30% of the wall area to which they are attached.

807.5.3.4 Other areas in Groups I-1 and I-2. In Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies, in areas not equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system, combustible decorative materials shall be of such limited quantities that a hazard of fire development or spread is not present.

807.5.4 Group I-3. In Group I-3, combustible decorative materials are prohibited.

Exception:

Cell areas in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard where a maximum four-square-foot area has been demarcated on the wall for personal items 0.025 inch (0.64 mm) or less in thickness applied directly to and adhering to the wall.

W. Change Exception 1 (Exceptions 2 and 3 remain) of Section 807.5.5.1 to read:

1. Corridors protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

X. Change the title of Section 808 and Sections 808.1, 808.2, 808.4, and 808.5 to read:

Section 808 Furnishings Other Than Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses or Decorative Materials in Buildings

808.1 Wastebaskets and linen containers in Groups I-1, I-2, and I-3 occupancies and Group B ambulatory care facilities. Wastebaskets, linen containers, and other waste containers, including their lids, located in Groups I-1, I-2, and I-3 occupancies shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or of materials that meet a peak rate of heat release not exceeding 300 kW/m² when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1354 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m² in the horizontal orientation. Metal wastebaskets and other metal waste containers with a capacity of 20 gallons (75.7 L) or more shall be listed in accordance with UL 1315 and shall be provided with a noncombustible lid. Portable containers exceeding 32 gallons (121 L) shall be stored in an area classified as a waste and linen collection room and constructed in accordance with the applicable building code.

Exception: Recycling containers complying with Section 808.1.2 are not required to be stored in waste and linen collection rooms.

808.2 Waste containers with a capacity of 20 gallons or more in Group R-2 college and university dormitories. Waste containers, including their lids, located in Group R-2 college and university dormitories with a capacity of 20 gallons (75.7 L) or more shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or of materials that meet a peak rate of heat release not exceeding 300 kW/m² when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1354 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m² in the horizontal orientation. Metal wastebaskets and other metal waste containers with a capacity of 20 gallons (75.7 L) or more shall be listed in accordance with UL 1315 and shall be provided with a noncombustible lid. Portable containers exceeding 32 gallons (121 L) shall be stored in an area classified as a waste and linen collection room constructed in accordance with the applicable building code.

808.4 Combustible lockers. Where lockers constructed of combustible materials are used, the lockers shall be considered to be interior finish and shall be approved by the building official in accordance with the applicable building code.

Exception: Lockers constructed entirely of wood and noncombustible materials shall be permitted to be used wherever interior finish materials are required to meet Class C classification in accordance with the applicable building code.

808.5 Play structures. Play structures shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.