Enhancements
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Expanded fire safety and
evacuation plan requirements
Periodic testing and inspection
for sprinkler, standpipe and fire
alarm systems (NFPA standards)
Fire apparatus access roads
Construction site fire safety
manager
Enforcement of industry
standards
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Subject to the approval of fire
code official, the use or
occupancy of an existing
structure shall be allowed to be
changed and occupied for
purposes in other groups without
conforming to all the
requirements of this code and the
International Building Code for
those groups, provided the new
or proposed use is less
hazardous, based on life and fire
risk, than the existing use.
IFC Section 102.5 now specifies
that requirements for fire
department access roadways, fire
protection water supplies,
premises addressing and similar
provisions are applicable to IRC
regulated buildings.
 Administrative, operational and
maintenance provisions are also
applicable.
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The codes and standards
referenced in this code and
any subsequent revisions or
amendments to the
referenced codes and
standards thereto, shall be
those that are listed in
Chapter 47 and as such codes
and standards shall be
considered part of the
requirements of this code to
the prescribed extent of each
such reference.
When differences occur
between the provisions of this
code and the referenced
standards, the provisions of
this code shall apply.
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Section 104.9.1 requires that
research reports or tests used
as a design basis be submitted
to the fire code official for
review and approval.
When test results are
submitted, they require the
basis for testing (i.e., relevant
ASTM or ANSI test
standards).
If an approved standard is not
available, the fire code official
must approve the test
method.
This proposal does not
address proprietary data that
may be subject to FOIA
requests.
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The issuance or granting of a permit shall
not be construed to be a permit for, or an
approval of, any violation of any of the
provisions of this code or of any other
ordinance of the jurisdiction.
Permits presuming to give authority to
violate or cancel the provisions of this code
or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall
not be valid.
The issuance of a permit based on
construction documents and other data
shall not prevent the fire code official from
requiring the correction of errors in the
construction documents and other data.
Any addition to or alteration of approved
construction documents shall be approved
in advance by the fire code official, as
evidenced by the issuance of a new or
amended permit.
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This new section addresses
requirements for notifying
fire code officials of
inspections and maintaining
the area of interest
accessible.
Section 106.2.2 sets forth
provisions for systems that
require progressive
inspections (e.g.,
installation of an automatic
sprinkler system).
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Any person who violates a provision
of this code or fails to comply with
any of the requirements thereof or
who erects, constructs, alters, or
repairs a building or structure in
violation of the approved
construction documents or directive
of the building official or of the fire
official, or of a permit or certificate
issued under the provisions of this
code, shall be subject to penalties in
accordance with Chapter 1 of the
Mobile City Code.
Violation of the provisions of the
2009 International Fire Code (IFC)
shall be subject to $250.00 fine
unless otherwise listed below:
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Working without proper license, certifications or
permit. $500.00
Interference with a fire code official.
$100.00
The 2009 IFC requires automatic
sprinkler protection in a AHCF
fire area and an automatic smoke
detection system with occupant
notification throughout the
building.
 Sprinkler protection is only
required in the Group B AHCF
fire area. If located above or
below the grade plane, sprinkler
protection is also required at the
level of exit discharge.
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A child care facility that
provides care for more than
five but no more than 100
children 2 ½ years or less of
age.
where the rooms with which
the children are cared for are
located on a level of exit
discharge (first floor) serving
such rooms has an exit door
directly to the exterior, shall
be classified as Group E
Occupancy.
 If all conditions listed above
for child care are not met the
child care facility shall be
classified as Group I-4.
Open flame, fire and burning in
Group R occupancies shall
comply with the requirements of
Sections 308.1 through 308.1.6.3
and 308.4.1.
 The management of multi-family
residential occupancies which
have balconies, decks, or patios
shall notify their tenants in
writing of the prohibitions of
open flame cooking devices on
balconies as outlined in 308.1.4
of this code when the tenant or
occupant initially occupies the
building and periodically
thereafter as may be necessary to
ensure compliance.
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Section 403.3 now requires a
crowd manager for events
where more than 1,000
persons congregate.
When an event or venue has
more than 1,000 persons in
congregation, Section 403.3
specifies that one crowd
manager be provided for each
250 individuals.
Can be reduced by the Fire
Code Official if in sprinklered
building.
Building lockdown plans requires the fire
code official’s approval and must contain
specific procedures.
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Section 404.3.3.1 requires the plan to
establish procedures for:
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Plan initiation
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Accountability of occupants
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Plan recall
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Communication and coordination
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Training frequency
A lockdown plan is applied when normal
evacuation would put occupants in risk.
 Section 404.3.3.3 requires that the means
of communicating during the lockdown
be separate and distinct from fire alarm
signals.
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Fire apparatus access roads
shall be designed and
maintained in accordance
with:
 Appendix D FIRE APPARATUS
ACCESS ROADS Section D102.1
Access and loading.
 Facilities, buildings or portions
of buildings hereafter
constructed shall be accessible to
fire department apparatus by
way of an approved fire
apparatus access road with
asphalt, concrete or other
approved driving surface capable
of supporting the imposed load
of fire apparatus weighting at
least 75,000 pounds.
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Section 503.5 contains new
requirements for
automatically operated gates
installed across fire
department access roads that
require compliance with UL
and ASTM standards for gate
design, construction and
installation.
The provisions were
developed to improve gate
reliability when access is
required and to reduce the
potential for injury or death
resulting from entanglement
or entrapment.
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All buildings with fire alarm
and fire protection sprinkler
systems are required to install
an approved key box for rapid
fire department entry into the
building.
All buildings requiring a fire
department inspection for
Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
will require an approved key
box.
Entry keys/cards to all parts
of the building are required to
be placed in the key box and
shall be maintained in
accordance to 506.2.
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New requirements in Section 510
address the signal coverage and
strength of public safety radio
systems in new and existing
buildings.
Coverage is deemed acceptable
when the strength and location of
signal transmitted outside of and
received inside of buildings equals
or exceeds code specified limits.
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Section 510.1 permits the
installation an approved
wired communication system
in lieu of an approved inbuilding amplification system.
Section 510.3 requires
approved coverage in all
buildings without any
exemptions.
Section 603.3.2 now permits up
to 3,000 gallon of Class II or
IIIA fuel oil inside of
buildings supplying fuel-fired
equipment.
 A Protected AST (PAST) must
be used and located on a level
that is protected by automatic
sprinklers.
 The PAST cannot be located
more than 2 levels below
grade.
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Section 603.4.2 sets forth new
requirements for portable
outdoor gas-fired heating
appliances.
Heaters must be constructed to
ANSI Z83.26, Standard for
Gas-Fired Outdoor Infrared
Patio Heaters and specific IFC
requirements.
Prohibited locations
Minimum clearances to
buildings and combustible
materials
The location of heaters in
relation to exits
Installation and maintenance
Storage and exchange of fuel
gas cylinders
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Section 604.2.14.3 now
requires electrically powered
fire pumps in high-rise
buildings be connected to an
emergency power branch
circuit.
The NFPA 20 fuel duration
requirements for engine
driven generators serving
electrically powered fire
pumps are more restrictive
when compared to the IFC
requirements.
Section 609.3 sets forth
requirements for the operation
and maintenance of
commercial cooking equipment
that include cleaning
frequencies based on the type
of cooking operations.
 This section requires qualified
individuals to perform an
inspection of cleaned Type I
hoods.
 These new requirements are
independent of the
requirement in Section
904.11.6.1 which specify a 6
month inspection frequency for
fire extinguishing systems
protecting commercial cooking
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A high rise building with an
occupied floor over 120 feet
above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access
now requires a dedicated
elevator for use by the fire
service.
The elevator is required to
have direct access to an exit
enclosure.
The elevator lobby requires a
minimum 1-hour smoke
barrier.
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Access to the building’s Class
I standpipe is required
between the elevator lobby
and the exit enclosure.
A means of monitoring the
elevator from the fire
command center is required.
Monitoring is accomplished
using a Standard Emergency
Service Interface in
accordance with NFPA 72.
Power conductors serving the
elevator shall be protected by
a minimum 1-hour shaft or
through the use of circuit
integrity cables.
Before requesting final approval
of the installation, the installing
contractor shall furnish a written
statement to the Bureau of Fire
Prevention that the subject fire
protection system has been
installed in accordance with
approved plans and has been
tested in accordance with the
manufacturer’s specifications and
the appropriate installation
standard.
 Any deviations from the design
standards shall be noted and
copies of the approvals for such
deviations shall be attached to
the written statement.
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Automatic sprinkler system,
standpipe systems and fire alarm
system contractors shall be
certified by the Alabama State
Fire Marshal’s Office before
applying for permission to
perform work on these systems
within the City’s jurisdiction.
 All other fire protection system
contractors shall submit proof of
certification from the fire
protection system’s manufacturer
to perform work on those
systems.
 The fire protection system permit
requirements does not relieve the
permitted of additional
qualifications and permits
required from other adopted
codes and ordinances.
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Group E occupancies
greater than 12,000sf
require sprinkler
systems. (formerly
20,000sf)
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Every portion of Group E
occupancies below the
level of exit discharge
(basements) require fire
sprinklers, regardless of
size.
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903.2.7 will now require
Group M occupancies that
display or sell upholstered
furniture be protected by an
automatic sprinkler system.
These provisions do not
apply to retailers of
mattresses and box springs
or furniture that is not
upholstered.
 Mattresses and box
springs are not
considered furniture
under 16 CFR Part 1633.
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The dwelling fire sprinkler
system is a life-safety system.
It is not designed for property
protection.
A dwelling fire sprinkler
system is not required when a
dwelling is altered or
renovated.
The design can utilize the
prescriptive requirements in
Section P2904 or NFPA 13D
as an alternative design.
Alabama HB264 prohibits
adopting an ordinance
requiring residential sprinkler
systems.
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Alabama
HB264: Prohibits any entity
from requiring fire sprinklers in
one- and two-family homes.
Status: Amended to remove
Code Board's "advisory status"
to "sole authority" with regards
to adoption, implementation,
and revision of the code.
Committee substitute for
HB264 adopts the 2006 edition
of the IRC and prohibits
communities from adopting
home fire sprinkler
requirements. Passed and
signed by governor.
Section 903.6.2 retroactively
requires the installation of
automatic sprinkler
protection in all Group I-2
occupancies (medical,
surgical, psychiatric, nursing
or custodial care is provided
on a 24-hour basis).
 Sprinklers are required on
the floor housing the Group I2 occupancy and floors
between the Group I-2
occupancy and the level of
exit discharge.
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The requirements in
Section 907 were
completely reorganized
and aligned with the
requirements in NFPA
72, National Fire Alarm
Code.
The IFC now explicitly
states when occupant
notification is required.
Fire safety requirements
are also correlated to
NFPA 72.
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Section 907.2 allows the
elimination of all but one
manual fire alarm box in
buildings protected by NFPA
13 or 13R sprinkler systems.
The single manual fire alarm
box must be located so it is
not publicly accessible.
Where other sections of this
code allow elimination of fire
alarm boxes due to sprinklers,
a single box shall be installed.
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Locking caps are
required on fire
department connections
for water-based fire
protection systems
 Exception: The FDC
is located inside a
security guardmaintained, fenced
facility and the
Bureau of Fire
Prevention has
approved the site.
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The fire pump, driver, and
controller shall be
protected in accordance
with NFPA 20 and the
electrical code against
possible interruption of
service through damage
caused by:
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explosion, fire, flood,
earthquake, rodents, insects,
windstorm, freezing,
vandalism and other diverse
conditions.
All electric fire pumps shall
require an emergency
generator for an alternate
source of power.
Section 913.2.1 now correlate the
NFPA 20 requirements for the
protection of fire pumps with the
IFC and IBC.
 The provisions are based on the
building height or if a fire pump
unit is located outdoors.
 High-rise building: 2-hour
horizontal and vertical
separation
 Non-high rise building: 1-hour
horizontal and vertical
separation
 Outdoor pump unit: Minimum
50 feet from exposure building
and protection from exposure
hazards
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There is no longer an allowance
to decrease the required egress
width of stairways, hallways,
ramps, doorways, corridors, etc
for having a fire sprinkler system
installed.
 Formerly, egress components
were figured at .2 inches per
occupant (stairways) and .15
inches per occupant for other
egress components…..
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For example:
 1000 occupants in sprinkler
protected auditorium used
to required 200” of egress
width on stairways, and
150” of egress width
doorways. (two 8’+
stairways and four+ 36”
doorways)
 Now, the same auditorium
would require 300” of
stairway egress width and
200” of egress doorway
width. (three+ 8’ stairways
and five and ½ 36” egress
doors)
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With the exception of Group
R-2 occupancies, IBC Section
1024 and IFC Section 4604.2
requires luminous egress path
markings in exit enclosures of
new and existing high-rise
buildings.
These markings are intended
to improve the visibility of
stair treads, landings and
handrails under normal and
emergency conditions.
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Section 1024.3 requires
that luminous egress
path markings be
uniform in throughout
the exit enclosure.
Markings are required
along the leading edge of
each stair step, at
landings, and on
handrails.
Markings are also
required on door frames
and door hardware.
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To function properly, the
luminous egress path
markings must be
exposed to a minimum
light luminance level for a
minimum period daily.
These levels vary by
manufacturer.
A key requirement is IBC
Section 1024.3 which
requires consistent and
uniform dimensions of
the marking system
throughout the exit
enclosure.
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Section 1007.6.3 is a new
provision that requires a
means of two-way
communications for use by
mobility –impaired
individuals.
A communication means is
required at each elevator
lobby located one or more
levels above or below the level
of exit discharge.
The IBC and IFC now
permits electromagnetically
locked egress doors in
limited occupancy groups.
 The listed hardware must:
 Be readily operable under
all building lighting
conditions
 Be capable of being
operated by one hand
 Immediately release of
the lock upon activation
 Automatically unlock
upon power loss
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The IFC no longer
allows a 400 foot exit
access travel distance
in Group F-1 and S-1
occupancies equipped
with automatic
sprinkler systems and
smoke and heat vents.
This deletion resulted
from the lack of
understanding the
interaction between
smoke and heat vents
and automatic
sprinkler systems.
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Section 1501.2 now addresses
the applicability of the
flammable finishes
requirements when water
based formulations are used.
Chapter 15 provisions are no
longer applicable when:
 The liquid does not exhibit
a fire point when tested in
accordance with ASTM
D92
Any liquid with a flash point
temperature >95°F in a water
solution or dispersion
containing more than 80%
water by weight
Section 2204.4.1 now limits the
volume of containers that can be
filled with Class I, II or IIIA
liquids at a fuel dispenser to a
maximum 6 gallon volume.
 If a larger container is desired, it
must be listed. The listing
standards published by UL or
ASTM establish are limited to
contains with a volume of 6
gallons or less.
 This code change was a result of
wheeled fuel containers designed
for fuel dispensing or salvage.
Some of these containers have
volumes up to 30 gallons.
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Requirements for the design,
construction and maintenance
of motor vehicle fueldispensing stations dispensing
alcohol blended fuels are now
specified in Section 2206.8.
 ABFs contain at least 15% ethyl
alcohol with the remainder
being gasoline.
 Equipment used for the storage
and dispensing of ABFs must be
compatible with ethanol.
 ABFs can present a greater
challenge to firefighters.
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Section 2206.8 requires:
 Any conversion of a fuel storage and
dispensing system to ABF be approved
by the fire code official.
 The tank, dispenser, and nozzle are
properly identified as being approved
for ABF service.
 Nozzles, hose swivels and breakaway
connections are listed as being
compliant with UL Subject 87A,
Outline of Investigation for PowerOperated Dispensing Devices for
Gasoline/Ethanol Blends with Ethanol
Content Greater than 15 Percent.
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Section 2703.2.1 was revised
to now require pressure
vessels used for the storage of
hazardous materials be
constructed in accordance
with the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC).
This code change was in
response to the 2006 fire &
explosion at Marcus Oil Co. in
Houston, TX. The incident
was investigated by the
United States Chemical Safety
Investigation Board
Section 2703.9.10 now requires
listed safety cans when these are
used to increase the indoor
MAQ of Class I, II and IIIA
liquids.
 Safety cans must meet UL 30 or
Factory Mutual Global
standards.
 UL listings are limited to
metallic cans
 FM listings cover nonmetallic
and metallic cans
 Listed safety cans are not
available for storing liquids with
different physical hazards.
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The permit holder
shall furnish:
 Proof of approval from
the Alabama State Fire
Marshal and
 A certificate of liability
insurance in the
amount of one million
dollars listing the City
of Mobile as additional
insured.
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Section 3404.2.15 is a new
section addressing
maintenance of ASTs.
The provisions apply only to
shop fabricated ASTs.
The provisions require ASTs,
connected piping and
ancillary equipment be
maintained in a safe operating
condition.
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Home health care containers
are limited to a volume of 15.8
gallons.
Containers cannot be located
in egress paths, in areas
subject to mechanical impact
from falling objects or doors,
or where they can be
electrically energized.
Not more than 31.6 gallons
(120L) are permitted in Group
R occupancies.
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Indoor trans-filling of LOX is
permitted inside of dwellings.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention
is authorized by the 2009 IFC
to require identification of the
residence or location using
LOX for home health care.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention
is authorized to require
notification of LOX home
health care locations
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The new Chapter 45
establishes fire protection
requirements for marinas.
Chapter 45 requirements
address:
 General precautions such
as electrical equipment and
identification of slips
 Fire protection
requirements
 Fire department access and
water supply
 Marine motor vehicle
fueldispensing stations
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This a new chapter which is
primary an accumulation of
existing requirements from
Chapters 7, 9 and 10.