We would like to think that our homes, apartments, dormitories and similar residential occupancies are some of the safest places to be at when inside a building. Or at least that is what is expected. People want to feel safe when they are sleeping, eating, or simply relaxing on the couch watching television. There are many attributes found around a house or similar residential occupancies that people take for granted.
In the US the two primary Building Codes that regulate construction are the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC regulates One-and-Two-Family Dwellings. All other residential type occupancies are regulated by the IBC. Some states and local jurisdictions may have different codes adopted, so it’s always wise to check with the local jurisdictions.
Many of the features within a dwelling can be traced back to the IRC code or an older code that was effective at the time of construction. These features were intended to keep us safe and alert us when fires start. Although there are many, a few of the key requirements will be discussed.
One of the most important requirements found the in the codes has to do with windows and/or doors found in sleeping rooms (bedrooms). IRC R310 and IBC 1026 include requirements for emergency Escape and Rescue openings. Sleeping rooms in residential occupancies are required to have emergency and rescue openings that open directly to public way or a yard that opens to public way. These openings have minimum size requirements.
The emergency escape and rescue opening required in sleeping rooms is important. In the event of an emergency, a person inside the dwelling must be able to evacuate the premises. The openings are critical for someone to evacuate from the inside if another exit route is not available. Another reason for the openings from the sleeping rooms is for rescue personnel to be able to get inside the dwelling. The size requirements are specific based on testing and statistical information to allow the entrance of fire department personnel, with necessary equipment strapped to their backs. Without these openings, rescue would be difficult and time-consuming with possibility of tragedy if not made available.
Another item that is commonly encountered in dwellings is addressed in Section R309 of the IRC. Private garages are required to be separated from the living spaces of the dwelling by Gypsum Board that lines the walls and ceiling of the garage. The common door between the garage and the dwelling must meet specific requirements, such as the ability to be self-closing. These items are necessary to protect the living space from a fire that may begin in the garage. The garage, most of the time, is not occupied. If a fire starts in the garage, it can and will spread very easily into the main parts of the house. The construction requirements will maintain the fire within the garage space for a portion of time, allowing the residents to escape.
Smoke alarms are found (should be) in every home. These alarms are required to be located at specific locations throughout the dwelling (IRC Section R313). Sleeping rooms and the spaces directly outside a sleeping room are required to have smoke alarms (detectors). Each level of a multistory home is also required to have a smoke detector. These are required to alert occupants of a fire. It is necessary to place these in sleeping rooms to wake those that may be asleep and not aware of an emergency.
Another item that is found in many, but not all, dwellings that has specific life safety requirements in the codes is a staircase. Many homes are two-stories or more and provide decorative staircases. These staircases are provided not only to access the upstairs, but to allow the occupants to travel downstairs without creating a hazard, especially in the event of an emergency. Sections R311 in the IRC and 1009 in the IBC provide for the requirements for stairway construction.
When it comes to the width of a stairway, headroom, treads, and risers, the size of a stairway is limited. These size requirements are provided so that a tripping hazard is not created when a staircase is built. If someone needs to run down the stairs in an emergency, this path needs to be safe. If the stair size is unconventional, a person may fall down the stairs instead of exit the house safely.
Other aspects of a staircase that are addressed in the codes are the bottom landing, the handrail, and the guard. A landing is required at the bottom of the staircase. The landing provides an area for someone to change direction and remain balanced and oriented while shifting travel direction. Handrails are required continuously on at least one side of residential stairways. The handrail serves as a guide. A guardrail is required as well. Guards may have openings, but only as large enough so that a 4.375-inch diameter sphere cannot pass through. This opening size requirement is to keep young children from falling through. A guardrail though keeps both children and adults from falling over the edge of a staircase.
The items discussed above are only a sample of the requirements found in the Building Codes. There are many other requirements in the Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes related to Fire and Life Safety. Some requirements may seem insignificant at first, but when it comes to keeping people safe, nothing else matters.
Authors:
Annette Bevier, E.I.T., C.P.E., is a Plan Check Engineer at NAFFA International, Inc.
Imad Naffa, P.E., is the President and Senior Engineer at NAFFA International, Inc.
For more information about NAFFA and for additional code resources and links, visit www.NAFFAinc.com
For building and fire code related questions, visit the “Building Code Discussions Group” (BCDG) by NAFFA at: http://bcodes.infopop.cc/eve
