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1. Wisconsin adopts new building and fire codes;
2. Email answers to technical questions;
3. Employment Opportunity;
4. IBC Chapter 7, Fire- Resistance Rated Construction;
5. A packet of information is important in the recall of fire sprinklers with O-rings;
6. Wisconsin adopts NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code;
7. Fire Protection Appointed Agents;
8. Certified Municipalities.
1. Wisconsin adopts new building and fire codes
by Tom Kasper, Bureau of Integrated Services Commercial Buildings Section Chief, 608-267-7586, tkasper@commerce.state.wi.us Wisconsin has adopted of new state building and fire codes based on amended national model codes. The effective date is set at July 1, 2002. The Wisconsin building code will be based on the International Code Council (ICC) suite of codes (I-Codes) to replace the majority of the state-written commercial and multi-family building code. (This does not affect Wisconsin's Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Dwelling Code for one- and two-family dwellings, or state Electrical Code.) Wisconsin's fire code, Comm 14, will adopt NFPA 1 Fire Prevention Code in terms of building use and operation (see #6 below). Effective date - July 1, 2002. Note that viable project submittals (including footing and foundation submittals) that are initially received for review prior to that date would be reviewed under the current Wisconsin Building Code, as would any subsequent revisions of projects reviewed before that date, including structural components, fire protection, or HVAC submittals. Published date - Most of the adoption package will be published later this year, with the delayed effective date of July 1, 2002, to allow time to become familiar with the new codes. The official printed versions of the Wisconsin code (not the I-Codes) will be available in the future for purchase from state Document Sales, 800-362-7253. Several other code packages, including a revised Comm 70 Historic Buildings, revised accessibility standards, and general coordination of related codes, will be published closer to the effective date. Interim use of I-Codes - An owner may elect to use the I-Codes prior to the effective date by submitting a petition for variance to S&B. This petition could be to use the full I-code suite with Wisconsin amendments or a portion of the I-Codes that stands alone, such as the structural or energy conservation requirements. Adopted codes - Wisconsin adopted the 2000 editions of the I-Codes as follows:
> International Building Code (IBC);
> International Energy Efficiency Code (IECC);
> International Mechanical Code (IMC) Note that this will not include chapters relating to boilers, refrigeration, hydronic piping, or fuel oil. Current Wisconsin codes will continue for these subjects:
> International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) Note also that Wisconsin's adoption will not include the fuel gas piping portions of the IFGC, but will rather continue to use NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code;
In addition, specified construction requirements of the International Fire Code (IFC) apply where the IFC is referenced by one of the other above-listed I-Codes. Accessibility standards - A supplemental code package is being developed that will incorporate the requirements of IBC Chapter 11, the more-recently developed ICC accessibility standards for multi-family housing, and the Wisconsin amendments. New Wisconsin administrative code chapter numbers - The following chapters will replace the current Comm 14, 50-64, 66, 69, and 70: Comm 14 - Fire Prevention, which adopts NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code for purposes of regulating the operation and maintenance of constructed buildings for fire-safety purposes. The building construction requirements, including retroactive ones, of NFPA 1 are not adopted, nor are certain sections that are covered under other codes, such as Comm 7, Explosives. Municipalities may petition to use the IFC for operation and maintenance requirements in lieu of the NFPA 1. Comm 61 - Administration and Enforcement; including adoption of the IBC, IECC, IMC, and IFGC. Comm 62 - Buildings and Structures, including Wisconsin amendments to of the IBC Comm 63 - Energy Conservation; including Wisconsin amendments to the IECC Comm 64 - Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning; including Wisconsin amendments to the IMC Comm 65 - Fuel Gas Appliances; including Wisconsin amendments to the IFGC. Comm 70 - Historic Buildings Code (this is being updated to correlate with the new I-Codes as the base codes). (Comm 75-79, Existing Buildings Code, does not change.) Note that there will no longer be a separate code for multi-family dwellings as there was with Comm 66. Erosion control, previously proposed as Comm 65, will be assigned a new chapter number as it is further developed. Adopted standards - Many of the standards adopted by the current Wisconsin code are also adopted by the I-Codes. There are key new ones to consider obtaining (see "National Resources," below):
ASCE 7 - Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures;
ANSI A117.1 - Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilitie. Administration and Enforcement - Wisconsin is mainly retaining the current administration and enforcement requirements and is generally not adopting the various administration and enforcement chapters of the I-Codes or NFPA 1. Enrolled code version - Our agency is working with ICC to make available consolidaterd versions of the I-Codes that have the Wisconsin amendments integrated with the I-code text. Comm code section numbering format - For usability sake, Wisconsin amendments are numbered parallel to the amended I-code or NFPA standard, e.g. Comm 62.0205 amends IBC section 205 and Comm 14.16 amends NFPA 1 chapter 16. IBC Format - The IBC is generally organized by topical code chapters, rather than by occupancy chapters or by a combination of topical code chapters and occupancy chapters, as is the current Wisconsin code. The chapter titling and numbering follows that used by the three model codes for the past several years. Code sections are decimally numbered, similar to many modern codes and standards. In general, there are greater detailed methods of compliance, so that fewer petitions for variance may be needed for less common designs. Training - Since this is a major code change, code-users are encouraged to attend training. S&B is working with inspector associations to provide training for code officials, who will receive further information on this. The division is also cooperating with the UW-Extension, 800-462-0876, in their October five-day session and with the February Code Refresher. Other organizations may be offering training as well. Inspector credentialing - Existing commercial building inspectors will be grandfathered. A revised credentialing exam for new commercial building inspectors, incorporating ICC-based questions, will be available by July 1, 2002. National resources - Wisconsin amendments were minimized in order to maximize the benefits of a model code. Contact the following to obtain I-Codes and NFPA 1, user aides, training information, etc. Codes are generally available in softcover, 7-ring binder and CD-ROM formats. - International Code Council (ICC), 703-931-4533, website - www.intlcode.org.
- Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA), 800-214-4321, website - www.bocai.org.
- International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), 888-699-0541, website - www.icbo.org.
- Southern Building Code Conference International (SBCCI), 205-591-1853, website - www.sbcci.org.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 800-344-3555, website - www.nfpa.org.
2. Email answers to technical questions:
-Commercial buildings, Comm 50-64, etc. = bldgtech@commerce.state.wi.us
-Plumbing, cross connection = plbgtech@commerce.state.wi.us
-Private onsite wastewater treatment = powtstech@commerce.state.wi.us
-Public swimming pools = pooltech@commerce.state.wi.us
-Building and plumbings products = productech@commerce.state.wi.us
-Licenses, certifications, registrations = madisoncred@Commerce.state.wi.us
-Manufactured/mobile homes = manf-homes@commerce.state.wi.us
-UDC, one- and Two-family Dwelling Code = udctech@commerce.state.wi.us
3. Employment Opportunity Code Enforcement Officer 3 - City of Madison
The City of Madison, Department of Planning and Development, Inspection Unit, is recruiting for a Code Enforcement Officer 3. No City of Madison residency is required for this position. Salary begins at $43,104 and through five steps in 30 months progresses to $50,286. During that period there are annual increases that historically have been three percent per year. The City of Madison has an excellent benefit package and is part of the State Retirement System. General Responsibilities: Work involves the inspection of new and/or existing buildings for compliance with applicable national, state, and local codes and ordinances in order to establish compliance with minimum housing, zoning, structural, heating electrical, plumbing and/or fire safety code standards; and related office work. Employees work with a high degree of independence in diverse inspection activities requiring a broad range of inter-disciplinary code enforcement skills. Inspectors at this level exercise considerable judgment and discretion in carrying out assigned work. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Thorough knowledge of building construction principles, practices, methods and materials. Thorough knowledge of inspection policies, procedures and precedents. Thorough knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and ordinances. Thorough knowledge of enforcement procedures. Ability to analyze inspection codes and participate in their revision. Ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in carrying out assigned tasks. Ability to develop and convey informational presentations on code/inspection topics. Possession of all other skills and abilities required at lower levels of the progression series. Ability to maintain adequate attendance. Training and Experience: Three years of responsible experience equivalent to that gained as a Code Enforcement Officer II with the City of Madison. Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in knowledges, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position will also be considered. Applications and Complete Job Description: Are available at the City Human Resources Department, Room 501, City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Madison, WI 53709, 608-266-6500. For TDD (hearing impaired) accessibility and FAX 608-267-1115. Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on October 19, 2001.
4. IBC Chapter 7, Fire- Resistance Rated Construction
Chapter 7 of the 2000 International Building Code (IBC) deals with fire-resistance rated construction. Chapter 7 is now part of Comm 62, Buildings and Structures, a facet of Comm 61-66, the Commercial Buildings Code set of the newly adopted code revision package. (See # 1.) For more information on this subject, contact S&B Commercial Building Plan Reviewer Larry Stilen, 262-548-8607, Lstilen@commerce.state.wi.us.
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* All figures were taken from, 2000 IBC Handbook: Fire- and Life-Safety Provisions, © 2000 by International Conference of Building Officials, 800-284-4406. With the adoption of amended model codes as the basis of the Wisconsin commercial buildings codes, this is a good time to go over some of the important definitions and subjects Chapter 7 of the International Building Code, which will be part (amended) of Wisconsin's codes. Be aware of the "amendments," which have been called "Wisconsinisms" to Chapter 7 language. Those amendments are to these Chapter 7 locations: 702, 703.2, 704.1, 709, 712, 715, 719, and 720. For information about these references, you can see the adoption drafts of the new codes on the S&B WebSite, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-CommercialBuildingsModelCodeAdoption.html. A Fire Area is the aggregate floor area enclosed and bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls or fire-resistance rated horizontal assemblies of a building. Fire areas are used to determine the need and extent for certain fire protection systems and to use the separated use design option. A Fire Barrier is a fire-resistance rated vertical or horizontal assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected. IBC section 706.3 requires that fire barriers be used in the following areas:
• Vertical exit enclosures
• Exit passageways
• Horizontal exits
• Incidental use areas
• Separation of occupancies "706.4 Continuity. Fire barriers shall extend from the top of the floor/ceiling assembly below to the underside of the floor or roof slab or deck above and shall be securely attached thereto." Exceptions exist for tank storage and shaft enclosures. The intent of a fire barrier is to provide a continuous separation in order to completely isolate one area from another. Openings in fire barriers must be rated and are limited to an aggregate width of 25 percent of the wall length. See IBC Table 714.2 for rating requirements. The required rating ranges from ¾-hour to 3-hour. A Fire Partition is a vertical assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected. Per IBC 708.1, fire partitions are required in the following areas:
- Walls separating dwelling units as required by section 310.3;
- Walls separating guestrooms in Group R-1 occupancies, per section 310.3;
- Walls separating tenant spaces in covered mall buildings, as required by section 402.7.2;
- Walls of corridors, per section 1004.3.2; In general, the fire-resistance rating of fire partitions is required to be 1-hour. "708.4 Continuity. Fire partitions shall extend from the top of the floor assembly below to the underside of the floor/roof slab or deck above or to the fire-resistance rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly above, and shall be securely attached thereto." Opening protection for fire partitions is covered in IBC Table 714.2. For all fire partitions other than those creating a corridor enclosure, the minimum required opening protection assembly is ¾-hour. For corridors, the openings need only be protected by 20-minute fire-protection assemblies. Fire partitions are not permitted as an enclosure element for defining a fire area. Fire Separation Distance is the distance measured from the building face to the closest interior lot line, to the centerline of a street, alley or public way, to a permanent no-build assessment line, or to an imaginary line between two buildings on the same property. This distance shall be measured at right angles from the lot line. (See Comm 62.0702.) A Fire Wall is a fire-resistance rated wall having protected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall. There are three common reasons for using fire walls:
1) To meet the allowable area for a particular type of construction;
2) Can use multiple construction types within the same building without classifying the
entire building based on the lowest type of construction involved; and
3) Separate the building into multiple fire areas. Separate a structure into multiple buildings, potentially eliminating the need for an automatic sprinkler system. It is of great importance that the firewall be situated and constructed properly. The firewall must have structural integrity. Both sides of the firewall must be structurally independent and no structural members may pass through it. The firewall must provide a complete separation. Openings in firewalls that are constructed on property lines (i.e., defined as party walls) are prohibited. Openings in fire walls: The IBC provides that firewalls be of either 2-hour, 3-hour, or 4-hour fire-resistance rated construction as specified in Table 705.4. Permitted openings in firewalls are addressed in section 705.8. "705.5 Horizontal continuity. Firewalls shall be continuous from exterior wall to exterior wall and shall extend at least 18 inches (457 mm) beyond the exterior surface of the exterior walls." There are exceptions. "705.6 Vertical continuity. Firewalls shall extend from the foundation to a termination point at least 30 inches (762 mm) above both adjacent roofs." There are exceptions to terminate at the underside of the roof deck. Horizontal offsets in firewalls are not permitted.
5. A packet of information is important in the recall of fire sprinklers with O-rings The recall program of Central Sprinkler Company to replace 35 million fire sprinklers which have O-ring seals features a packet that provides photo and extensive other information useful in identifying the problem sprinklers. The program involves "wet" and "dry" sprinklers with O-ring seals manufactured by Central, "on-off" sprinklers used in "wet" systems sold by Gem Sprinkler, and "dry" sprinklers manufactured by Star Sprinkler. The claim packet materials can be reviewed on the Central website, http://www.sprinkler replacement.com, or may be obtained by calling 866-505-8553 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST. S&B is encouraging fire inspectors to obtain a copy of the claim packet to help them in identifying the o-ring model sprinklers in existing buildings. Where a fire inspector identifies a building having the recalled sprinklers they should make the owner aware of the situation and provide information about the recall, so the sprinklers may be replaced. Your assistance in this recall effort is appreciated. Central said it will replace each of these O-ring sprinkler heads with a free replacement Belleville seal sprinkler head. Belleville seals use a metallic "spring seal," rather than a rubber O-ring, to maintain a watertight seal.
6. Wisconsin adopts NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code
by John Lippitt, S&B Fire Safety Program Manager, jlippitt @commerce.state.wi.us, 608-266-1036 NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code, has been adopted in a revised Comm 14, Wisconsin's Fire Prevention Code, which will go into effect July 1, 2002. The adoption is limited in application to the operation, use and maintenance of public buildings and places of employment. The design and construction portions of the NFPA 1 are not adopted. All design and construction requirements are located in the Commercial Building Code, newly revised and renumbered as Comm 61-64. The references regarding operation and use from the NFPA 1 to the NFPA 101 will also apply. Discussions are now underway for determining the number and location of seminars provided by the National Fire Protection Association for training on the NFPA 1.
7. Fire Protection Appointed Agents
These municipalities are delegated agents of the Safety and Buildings Division to perform plan review and inspection of fire detection and suppression systems as prescribed under Comm 50.12(2)(k):
- City of Appleton;
- City of Burlington;
- City of Madison;
- Village of McFarland.
8. Certified Municipalities 
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