Virginia Law

A. Delete Section 3302.1 of the IBC.

B. Add Sections 3302.4 and 3302.5 to the IBC to read:

3302.4 Separations between construction areas. Separations used in Type I and Type II construction to separate construction areas from occupied portions of the building shall be constructed of materials that comply with one of the following:

1. Noncombustible materials.

2. Materials that exhibit a flame spread index not exceeding 25 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.

3. Materials exhibiting a peak heat release rate not exceeding 300 kW/m² when tested in accordance with ASTM E1354 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m² in the horizontal orientation on specimens at the thickness intended for use.

3302.5 Fire safety requirements for buildings of Types IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C construction. Buildings of Types IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C construction designed to be greater than six stories above grade plane shall comply with the following requirements during construction unless otherwise approved by the building code official:

1. Standpipes shall be provided in accordance with Section 3311.

2. A water supply for fire department operations, as approved by the fire code official and the fire chief.

3. Where building construction exceeds six stories above grade plane and noncombustible protection is required by Section 602.4, at least one layer of noncombustible protection shall be installed on all building elements on floor levels, including mezzanines, more than four levels below active mass timber construction before additional floor levels can be erected.

Exception: Shafts and vertical exit enclosures shall not be considered part of the active mass timber construction.

4. Where building construction exceeds six stories above grade plane, required exterior wall coverings shall be installed on floor levels, including mezzanines, more than four levels below active mass timber construction before additional floor levels can be erected.

Exception: Shafts and vertical exit enclosures shall not be considered part of the active mass timber construction.

C. Delete IBC Sections 3303 and 3305 in their entirety.

D. Change Section 3310.2 of the IBC to read:

3310.2 Maintenance of means of egress. Means of egress and required accessible means of egress shall be maintained at all times during construction.

E. Chance Section 3312.1 of the IBC to read:

3312.1 Completion before occupancy. In buildings where an automatic sprinkler system is required by this code, it shall be unlawful to occupy any portion of a building or structure until the automatic sprinkler system installation has been tested and approved, except as provided in Section 116.1.1.

F. Delete exception to Section 3313.1 and change Section 3313.1 of the IBC to read:

3313.1 Where required. An approved water supply for fire protection, either temporary or permanent, shall be made available as soon as combustible building materials arrive on the site, on commencement of vertical combustible construction, and on installation of a standpipe system in buildings under construction, in accordance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.

G. Delete Sections 3313.2, 3313.3, 3313.3.1, 3313.3.2, 3313.3.3, 3313.4, and 3313.5 of the IBC.