Virginia Law

A. Delete Section 403.4.5 of the IBC.

B. Change Sections 407.4 and 407.4.1.1 of the IBC to read:

407.4 Means of egress. Group I-2 occupancies shall be provided with means of egress complying with Sections 407.4.1 through 407.4.4 and Chapter 10.

407.4.1.1 Special locking arrangement. Means of egress doors shall be permitted to contain locking devices restricting the means of egress in areas in which the clinical needs of the patients require restraint of movement, where all of the following conditions are met:

1. The locks release upon activation of the fire alarm system or the loss of power.

2. The building is equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

3. A manual release device is provided at a nursing station responsible for the area.

4. A key-operated switch or other manual device is provided adjacent to each door equipped with the locking device. Such switch or other device, when operated, shall result in direct interruption of power to the lock independent of the control system electronics.

5. All staff shall have keys or other means to unlock the switch or other device or each door provided with the locking device.

C. Add Section 407.12 to the IBC to read:

407.12 Emergency power systems. Emergency power shall be provided for medical life support equipment, operating, recovery, intensive care, emergency rooms, fire detection, and alarm systems in any Group I-2 occupancy licensed by the Virginia Department of Health as a hospital, nursing home, or hospice facility.

D. Add Section 408.2.1 to the IBC to read:

408.2.1 Short-term holding areas. Short-term holding areas shall be permitted to comply with Section 431.

E. Change Section 408.6 of the IBC to read:

408.6 Smoke barrier. Occupancies classified as Group I-3 shall have smoke barriers complying with Sections 408.8 and 709 to divide every story occupied by residents for sleeping or any other story having an occupant load of 50 or more persons into no fewer than two smoke compartments.

F. Change Section 408.9 of the IBC and add Sections 408.9.1 through 408.9.3 to the IBC to read:

408.9 Smoke control. Smoke control for each smoke compartment shall be in accordance with Sections 408.9.1 through 408.9.3.

Exception: Smoke compartments with operable windows or windows that are readily breakable.

408.9.1 Locations. An engineered smoke control system shall comply with Section 909 and shall be provided in the following locations:

1. Dormitory areas.

2. Celled areas.

3. General housing areas.

4. Intake areas.

5. Medical celled or medical dormitory areas.

6. Interior recreation areas.

408.9.2 Compliance. The engineered smoke control system shall provide and maintain a tenable environment in the area of origin and shall comply with all of the following:

1. Shall facilitate the timely evacuation and relocation of occupants from the area of origin.

2. Shall be independent of exhaust systems under Chapter 5 of the IMC.

3. Duration of operation in accordance with Section 909.4.6.

4. The pressurization method shall be permitted and shall provide a minimum of 24 air changes per hour of exhaust and 20 air changes per hour of makeup and shall comply with Section 909.6. If the pressurization method is not utilized, the exhaust method shall be provided and shall comply with Section 909.8.

408.9.3 Corridors. Egress corridors within smoke compartments shall be kept free and clear of smoke.

G. Add Section 414.6.2 to the IBC to read:

414.6.2 Other regulations. The installation, repair, upgrade, and closure of underground and aboveground storage tanks subject to the Facility and Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Regulation (9VAC25-91) and Underground Storage Tanks: Technical Standards and Corrective Action Requirements (9VAC25-580) shall be governed by those regulations, which are hereby incorporated by reference to be an enforceable part of this code. Where differences occur between the provisions of this code and the incorporated provisions of 9VAC25-91 and 9VAC25-580, the provisions of 9VAC25-91 and 9VAC25-580 shall apply. Provisions of the International Fire Code addressing closure of such tanks that are subject to 9VAC25-91 and 9VAC25-580 shall not be applicable.

H. Change footnote "b" of Table 428.3 of the IBC to read:

b. Shall include walls, floors, ceilings, and construction supporting the floor of the laboratory suite necessary to provide separation from other portions of the building. Fire barriers shall be constructed in accordance with Section 707, and horizontal assemblies shall be constructed in accordance with Section 711.

I. Delete Section 428.3.3 of the IBC.

J. Change Section 428.3.7 of the IBC to read:

428.3.7 Ventilation. Ventilation shall be in accordance with the Virginia Mechanical Code. The design and installation of ducts from chemical fume hoods shall be in accordance with NFPA 91.

K. Add IBC Section 429 to read:

Section 429 Manufactured Homes and Industrialized Buildings.

429.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to the installation or erection of manufactured homes subject to the Virginia Manufactured Home Safety Regulations (13VAC5-95) and industrialized buildings subject to the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (13VAC5-91).

Note: Local building departments are also responsible for the enforcement of certain provisions of the Virginia Manufactured Home Safety Regulations (13VAC5-95) and the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (13VAC5-91) as set out in those regulations.

429.2 Site work for manufactured homes. Footing design, basements, grading, drainage, decks, stoops, porches, and utility connections shall comply with the provisions of this code applicable to Group R-5 occupancies. Manufactured homes shall be classified as Group R-5 in accordance with Chapter 3 of this code. Additionally, all applicable provisions of Chapter 1 of this code, including requirements for permits, inspections, certificates of occupancy, and requiring compliance, are applicable to the installation and set-up of a manufactured home. Where the installation or erection of a manufactured home utilizes components that are to be concealed, the installer shall notify the building official that an inspection is necessary and ensure that an inspection is performed and approved prior to concealment of such components, unless the building official has agreed to an alternative method of verification.

429.2.1 Relocated manufactured homes. Installation, set-up, and site work for relocated manufactured homes shall comply with the provisions of this code and shall include the option of using the manufacturer's installations instructions or the federal Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards (24 CFR Part 3285) for the technical requirements.

429.2.2 Alterations and repairs to manufactured homes. Alterations and repairs to manufactured homes shall either be in accordance with federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (24 CFR Part 3280) or in accordance with the alteration and repair provisions of this code.

429.2.3 Additions to manufactured homes. Additions to manufactured homes shall comply with this code and shall be structurally independent of the manufactured home, or when not structurally independent, shall be evaluated by an RDP to determine that the addition does not cause the manufactured home to become out of compliance with federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (24 CFR Part 3280).

429.3 Wind load requirements for manufactured homes. Manufactured homes shall be anchored to withstand the wind loads established by the federal regulation for the area in which the manufactured home is installed. For the purpose of this code, Wind Zone II of the federal regulation shall include the Cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach.

429.4 Skirting requirements for manufactured homes. As used in this section, "skirting" means a weather-resistant material used to enclose the space from the bottom of the manufactured home to grade. In accordance with § 36-99.8 of the Code of Virginia, manufactured homes installed or relocated shall have skirting installed within 60 days of occupancy of the home. Skirting materials shall be durable, suitable for exterior exposures and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions. Skirting shall be secured as necessary to ensure stability, to minimize vibrations, to minimize susceptibility to wind damage, and to compensate for possible frost heave. Each manufactured home shall have a minimum of one opening in the skirting providing access to any water supply or sewer drain connections under the home. Such openings shall be a minimum of 18 inches (457 mm) in any dimension and not less than three square feet (0.28 m²) in area. The access panel or door shall not be fastened in a manner requiring the use of a special tool to open or remove the panel or door. On-site fabrication of the skirting by the owner or installer of the home shall be acceptable, provided that the material meets the requirements of this code. In addition, as a requirement of this code, skirting for the installation and set-up of a new manufactured home shall also comply with the requirements of 24 CFR Part 3285 - Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards.

429.5 Site work for industrialized buildings. Site work for the erection and installation of an industrialized building shall comply with the manufacturer's installation instructions. To the extent that any aspect of the erection or installation of an industrialized building is not covered by the manufacturer's installation instructions, this code shall be applicable, including the use of the IRC for any construction work where the industrialized building would be classified as a Group R-5 building. In addition, all administrative requirements of this code for permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy are also applicable. Further, the building official may require the submission of plans and specifications for details of items needed to comprise the finished building that are not included or specified in the manufacturer's instructions, including footings, foundations, supporting structures, proper anchorage, and the completion of the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems. Where the installation or erection of an industrialized building utilizes components that are to be concealed, the installer shall notify the building official that an inspection is necessary and ensure that an inspection is performed and approved prior to concealment of such components, unless the building official has agreed to an alternative method of verification.

Exception: Temporary family health care structures installed pursuant to § 15.2-2292.1 of the Code of Virginia shall not be required or permitted to be placed on a permanent foundation but shall otherwise remain subject to all pertinent provisions of this section.

429.6 Relocated industrialized buildings; alterations and additions. Industrialized buildings constructed prior to January 1, 1972, shall be subject to Section 117 when relocated. Alterations and additions to any existing industrialized buildings shall be subject to pertinent provisions of this code. Building officials shall be permitted to require the submission of plans and specifications for the model to aid in the evaluation of the proposed alteration or addition. Such plans and specifications shall be permitted to be submitted in electronic or other available format acceptable to the building official.

429.7 Change of occupancy of industrialized buildings. Change of occupancy of industrialized buildings is regulated by the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (13VAC5-91). When the industrialized building complies with those regulations for the new occupancy, the building official shall issue a new certificate of occupancy under the USBC.

L. Add Section 430 Aboveground Liquid Fertilizer Tanks to the IBC to read:

430.1 General. This section shall apply to the construction of aboveground liquid fertilizer storage tanks (ALFSTs) and shall supersede any conflicting requirements in other provisions of this code. ALFSTs shall also comply with any applicable nonconflicting requirements of this code.

430.1.1 When change of occupancy rules apply. A change of occupancy to use a tank as an ALFST occurs when there is a change in the use of a tank from storing liquids other than liquid fertilizers to a use of storing liquid fertilizer and when the type of liquid fertilizer being stored has a difference of at least 20% of the specific gravity, operating temperature, or both or a significant change in the material's compatibility.

430.2 Standards. Newly constructed welded steel ALFSTs shall comply with API 650 and TFI RMIP, as applicable. Newly constructed ALFSTs constructed of materials other than welded steel shall be constructed in accordance with accepted engineering practice to prevent the discharge of liquid fertilizer and shall be constructed of materials that are resistant to corrosion, puncture, or cracking. In addition, newly constructed ALFSTs constructed of materials other than welded steel shall comply with TFI RMIP, as applicable. For the purposes of this code, the use of TFI RMIP shall be construed as mandatory and any language in TFI RMIP, such as, but not limited to, the terms "should" or "may" which indicate that a provision is only a recommendation or a guideline shall be taken as a requirement. ALFSTs shall be placarded in accordance with NFPA 704.

Exception: Sections 4.1.4, 4.2.5, 5.1.2, 5.2.8, 5.3, and 8.1(d)(i) of TFI RMIP shall not be construed as mandatory.

430.3 Secondary containment. When ALFSTs are newly constructed and when there is a change of occupancy to use a tank as an ALFST, a secondary containment system designed and constructed to prevent any liquid fertilizer from reaching the surface water, groundwater or adjacent land before cleanup occurs shall be provided. The secondary containment system may include dikes, berms or retaining walls, curbing, diversion ponds, holding tanks, sumps, vaults, double-walled tanks, liners external to the tank, or other approved means and shall be capable of holding up to 110% of the capacity of the ALFST as certified by an RDP.

430.4 Repair, alteration and reconstruction of ALFSTs. Repair, alteration and reconstruction of ALFSTs shall comply with applicable provisions of API 653 and TFI RMIP.

430.5 Inspection. Applicable inspections as required by and in accordance with API 653 and TFI RMIP shall be performed for repairs and alterations to ALFSTS, the reconstruction of ALFSTs and when there is a change of occupancy to use a tank as an ALFST. When required by API 653 or TFI RMIP, such inspections shall occur prior to the use of the ALFST.

430.6 Abandoned ALFSTs. Abandoned ALFSTs shall comply with applicable provisions of Section 5704.2.13.2 of the IFC.

M. Add Section 431 Short-term Holding Areas to the IBC to read:

431.1 General. In all groups other than Group E, short-term holding areas shall be permitted to be classified as the main occupancy, provided all of the following are met:

1. Provisions are made for the release of all restrained or detained occupants of short-term holding areas at all times.

2. Aggregate area of short-term holding areas shall not occupy more than 10% of the building area of the story in which they are located and shall not exceed the tabular values for building area in Table 506.2 without building area increases.

3. Restrained or detained occupant load of each short-term holding area shall not exceed 20.

4. Aggregate restrained or detained occupant load in short-term holding areas per building shall not exceed 80.

5. Compliance with Sections 408.3.7, 408.3.8, 408.4, and 408.7 as applicable for Group I-3 occupancies.

6. Requirements of the main occupancy in which short-term holding areas are located shall be met.

7. Fire areas containing short-term holding areas shall be provided with a fire alarm system and automatic smoke detection system complying with Section 907.2.6.3 as applicable to I-3 occupancies.

8. Where each fire area containing short-term holding areas exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m²), such fire areas shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler system complying with Section 903.3.

9. Short-term holding areas shall be separated from other short-term holding areas and adjacent spaces by smoke partitions complying with Section 710.

N. Add Section 432 Plant Processing or Extraction Facilities to the IBC to read:

432.1 General. The design, construction, and installation of plant processing or extraction facilities in any occupancy group shall comply with Chapter 39 of the International Fire Code.

O. Add Section 433 Electrical Energy Storage Systems (ESS) to the IBC to read:

433.1 Scope. Electrical Energy Storage Systems shall comply with the applicable provisions of the International Fire Code.