CODES ANALYSIS

Cristal Gonzalez, Camille Davis, Corey Lotz, Melisa Nervaiz, Joann Schnippel
INTA212 W3 A2
Professor McDowell

CODES AND ANALYSIS

Fire and
Life Safety

International Existing Building

Code:
List the code in this column
405.1.2 Existing Fire Escapes

Building
elements
and
Materials
Electrical

401.2.2 New and Replacement

Material

Energy
Conservati
on

811.1

808.3 Residential Occupancies

CODES ANALYSIS/UPDATES
Rationalize why or why not the existing building
should be expected to conform to the code
The existing building should conform to this code
because the existing fire escapes to conform to
the "component in the means of egress" (2015
International Existing Building codes)
The existing building should conform to this code
because we are renovating an older building to
accommodate a new space. As long as the new
materials comply to safety hazards.
The existing building should conform to the
following codes under 808.3 because the building
will become a residence where many new rooms
will be added and hallways/passageways will be
made.
The existing building should not conform to this
code because it is not required on buildings that
already exist. Insulation can be good energy
conservation. Also, the use of certain materials
amongst the home can help with conservation of
energy. Other things that can be added to provide
energy conservation are, compact fluorescent
lights, high efficient appliances, double paned
windows, and low flow shower heads.

QUESTION 1
C A M I L L E DAV I S

Codes are important in interior design because they are meant to provide minimum standards for
the protection of life, limb, property, environment and for the safety and welfare of the consumer,
public and the owners and occupants of residential buildings regulated by this code. But they are
modified, adopted and enforced by local politicians and government officials. They are not
intended to limit the appropriate use of materials, appliances, equipment or methods of design or
construction not specifically prescribed by the code, provided the building official determines that
the proposed alternate materials, appliances, equipment or methods of design or construction are
at least equivalent of that prescribed in this code. Building codes are constantly changing and they
can vary by state, county, city and town. Codes are usually updated every 3 years. Most states
follow international codes more so than national codes. Knowing local codes are important for
safety. No one wants to be liable or responsible for damage and or injury or even worse
someones death because they did not follow the proper codes. In interior design your job is to
please your client by giving them what they want. As the professional designer, you are also
thinking about the client and anyone else who will occupy that spaces safety. That is why there are
codes in place. Safety inspections are critical to the success of the designer.

QUESTION 2

J OA N N S C H N I P P E L

The application of using sprinklers in a residential space has several advantages and disadvantages.
All of them really depend on personal preference and the priorities of the owner. Overall there is
really one great advantage to having sprinklers and one big disadvantage. The big advantage of
using sprinklers in a residential application is that if the residences catch on fire the sprinklers are
a quick and immediate response. This is also very convenient if at the time the fire starts the
owner is not home. Having a sprinkler system could not only decrease the odds of the whole
complex going up in flames but could also decrease the number of fire fatalities. The disadvantage
of using sprinklers in a residential application is that aesthetically they arent that appealing and
many people want every aspect of their home to be pleasing to the eye. Also, people dont like to
be told what they can or cannot do in their home especially when it comes to how it looks, again
it really all depends on the owners personal perspective. In Ohio, The Residential Committee
voted to remove sprinklers in lieu passive protection for engineered construction. Overall all
there are really on positives that can come from requiring all residential spaces.Yes, at first the
owners will not be please, the contractors and architect will have additional step when planning
and drawing; but at the end of the day if it saves even one life it is worth it.

QUESTION 3
M E L I S A N E RVA I Z

In order to insure the safety of the owners and future tenants it is important
to be compliant with these electrical codes. When doing this renovation it is
important to make sure the building can handle whatever will be plugged in to
avoid a fire. Sometimes when there are not enough electrical receptacle
outlets people tend to use power cords. If too many things are plugged in it
can result in a power surge or even a fire. It is important to be able to
consider safety in this matter. Also if existing wring is not met to code this
could eventually result in a fire as well. Renovations cannot continue if a
building inspector sees this for it is putting people harm. Last reason is by
doing it right the first time you avoid future problems. This will make things
more cost effective for the client in the long run. (NFPA.org)

QUESTION 4

C R I S TA L G O N Z A L E Z

The code organization followed in my locality is the 2012 Phoenix Building Construction Code.
The residential building codes are 2012 international residential codes. Topic of choice is fire and
life safety. According to the state of Arizona R314.3 Location; smoke alarms are placed in the
locations they provided (Planning and Development Codes, Ordinances, Standards and
Interpretations, 23). In the IEBC, there was no specification of where fire alarms shall be installed
in chapter 4 or 8. Reasons for the difference could be geographical location. In the state of
Arizona extreme weathers exist, where fires are a common occurrence. Due to this, more fire
safety codes will be taken into consideration. The I-C codes are just a basic but does not fully
focus on an exact location. One must conduct research in their local codes as well as the I-C
codes when it comes to remodeling or building an entire new building. Similarity between the
code is that it is required for a residence to have smoke alarms installed in various rooms for
safety and well-being. Also in the state of Arizona carbon monoxide detectors are installed and
water sprinklers are recommended as a fire safety. In other states, I do not know if fire sprinklers
are common in a residence. These are the fire and life safety codes followed in my location.

QUESTION 4
C O R E Y L OT Z

I selected Building Elements and Materials I found that there are a few codes that are the same
but are worded differently for example the code I found for the ICC compliance Codes was
702.3 Interior Trim. All new materials shall comply with section 806. The one I found for
Minnesota building code was 806.5 Interior Trim. All materials other them foam plastic shall have a
minimum of flame and smoke spread of a Class C. these codes even though they are talking about
the same thing are different in so many ways like the Minnesota building code cares more about
the fire safety than anything else. The ICC compliance Codes all materials must comply with the
section of 806. The way the trim is laid out is not mentioned or the fact that in the Minnesota one
they bring up if the material is foam plastic then it does not have to comply with the code. There
is another code with the Minnesota Building code that goes along with these two which is code
801.4 Decorative Materials and trim. These are restricted by combustibility and flame propagation
performance criteria of NFPA 70. These rules are just the General rules for interior finishes and
later in the section they get into further detail.

WORK CITED

NFPAnfpa.org.np,n.d.Web.17 December 2016. http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/allcodes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards?mode=code&code=70

"Planning and Development Codes, Ordinances, Standards and Interpretations." Planning and
Development Codes, Ordinances, Standards and Interpretations. N.p., n.d.Web. 17 Dec. 2016.
<https://www.phoenix.gov/pdd/devcode/buildingcode>.
Residential Building Codes, Construction Standards, Building Permit Information & Links 1997,
B4UBuild,web Dec 17, 2016, http://www.b4ubuild.com/links/codes.shtml
Sims, Dominic. "Interior Finishes." International Code Council. Margi Laddin, June-July 1994. Web.
17 Dec. 2016. .
Sprinkler Requirements By State. Fire Sprinkler Initiative. Web. 16 December 2016