ICC F1 cheat sheet

IFC Chapter 1 gives the fire code official authority to enforce the code, inspect premises at reasonable times, and issue permits.

Two permit families exist: construction permits (new building, alteration, demolition) and operational permits (assembly, hazardous materials, hot work, open burning).

A certificate of occupancy is required before a building is occupied or a change of occupancy takes place.

A notice of violation states the code section, the corrective action, and a compliance date; failure to comply escalates to citations or legal action.

A written stop work order halts work being done contrary to the code; work may not resume until the fire code official authorizes it.

Appeals of a fire code official's decision go to the board of appeals, typically filed within 30 days of the decision.

The owner or designated agent is responsible for maintaining the premises in compliance between inspections.

Where entry is refused, the fire code official may seek an inspection warrant or other legal remedy.

Penalties for violations are set by local ordinance and may be civil, criminal, or both.

Ten primary occupancy groups: A assembly, B business, E educational, F factory, H high hazard, I institutional, M mercantile, R residential, S storage, U utility/miscellaneous.

Group A is divided A-1 through A-5; A-2 includes restaurants and bars, A-3 includes worship, galleries and libraries, A-4 indoor sports, A-5 outdoor venues.

Group H is subdivided H-1 through H-5 based on the type, quantity, and class of hazardous material present.

Group I-2 covers hospitals, nursing homes, and facilities where occupants are incapable of self-preservation.

Occupant load = floor area divided by the occupant load factor (IFC Table 1004.5), for example 15 net for unconcentrated assembly, 100 gross for business, 60 gross for mercantile, 300 gross for storage.

Accessory occupancies are ancillary uses limited in area; ancillary spaces exceeding the limits are classified as mixed occupancy.

Mixed occupancies are evaluated by the separated method (rated separations) or the nonseparated method (most restrictive requirements govern).

A change of occupancy requires evaluation against requirements for the new group, including egress, fire protection, and height/area limits.

Incidental use areas such as boiler rooms, trash rooms, and storage rooms require fire-resistance-rated separation from the main occupancy.

Construction Types I through V, each subdivided A (protected) and B (unprotected); Type I-A is the most fire resistive, Type V-B the least.

Typical structural frame ratings: Type I-A 3 hour, Type II-A 1 hour, Type V-A 1 hour, Type V-B 0 hour.

Means of egress consists of exit access, the exit, and exit discharge; every component must be continuous and unobstructed.

Egress capacity is occupant load times width factor: 0.2 inch per occupant for doors and level components, 0.3 inch per occupant for stairways.

Minimum clear width is 36 inches for corridors generally (44 inches where the occupant load is 50 or more) and 32 inches clear for egress doors.

Two means of egress are required where the occupant load reaches 50 or more in most occupancies, or where common path or travel distance limits are exceeded.

Dead-end corridors are limited to 20 feet, with limited sprinklered exceptions up to 50 feet in some occupancies.

Travel distance is measured along the natural path of travel from the most remote point to the nearest exit; limits vary by occupancy and sprinkler protection.

Egress doors serving 50 or more occupants must swing in the direction of travel and, in Groups A and E, be fitted with panic hardware.

Sprinkler standards: NFPA 13 for general occupancies, NFPA 13R for residential buildings up to four stories, NFPA 13D for one- and two-family dwellings.

Sprinkler deflectors must be at least 18 inches below the ceiling unless listed for reduced clearance; storage must not obstruct the spray pattern.

Fire extinguisher travel distance is 75 feet maximum for Class A and 30 feet for Class K cooking areas; Class B distances vary with hazard level.

Extinguishers are mounted with the top no more than 5 feet above the floor and the bottom at least 4 inches above the floor.

Manual fire alarm pull stations are located within 5 feet of each required exit door and within 200 feet of travel from any point on the floor.

Fire apparatus access roads must be at least 20 feet wide, have 13.5 feet vertical clearance, and be within 150 feet of the building.

Standpipe classes: Class I provides 2.5-inch outlets for fire department use, Class II provides 1.5-inch occupant outlets, Class III provides both.

Commercial cooking hoods require an automatic extinguishing system plus a Class K extinguisher, with hood and duct cleaning based on cooking volume.

Fire alarm audible signals must be at least 15 dBA above ambient; visible alarms are required in public restrooms and common areas.

Inspection sequence: identify the occupancy and applicable code, observe conditions, compare with code requirements, document findings, and follow up on corrections.

Every report records date and time, inspector, address, occupancy, code section violated, condition observed, corrective action required, and reinspection date.

NFPA 704 diamond: blue = health, red = flammability, yellow = instability, white = special hazards such as oxidizers or water-reactive materials.

Flammable liquid classes: Class I flash point below 100 F, Class II 100-140 F, Class IIIA 140-200 F, Class IIIB at or above 200 F.

Hazardous material quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area trigger permit, separation, and additional protection requirements.

Common housekeeping hazards: blocked exits, accumulated combustibles, extension cords used as permanent wiring, and storage within 18 inches of sprinkler deflectors.

Occupant load must be posted conspicuously near the main exit in Group A and Group B occupancies and other occupancies as required.

Imminent hazards such as blocked exits or unsupervised sprinkler control valves require immediate correction or an evacuation order.

Extinguisher servicing cycle: monthly visual inspection, annual maintenance, 6-year internal examination, and 12-year hydrostatic test.