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With thanks to Bill Erny, Regulatory and
Scientific Affairs Specialist for the American
Petroleum Institute and Richard S. Kraus, Codes Coordinator and author
of the materials, here is API's evaluation of the draft NFPA 5000 Building
Code.
The new draft NFPA 5000 Building Code is now available for review and comment on the NFPA web site at
http//buildingcode.nfpa.org. I have reviewed the chapters of the proposed code covering administrative and general areas and the chapters covering industrial, storage, hazardous and special structures occupancies for fire prevention, fire protection and safety concerns. (Note: None of these chapters cover service stations. These may be covered by Chapter 33, Hazardous Occupancies, which is not yet available for review). Although I did not closely review these chapters for construction, accessibility or environmental requirements, I did not notice anything unusual or different from other building codes while I was scanning through them for fire and safety issues.
CHAPTER 1 - ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 1 covers administration and application of the building code. There are two issues, "retroactivity" and "unsafe buildings" that should be considered.
1. Retroactivity Issue
Retroactivity could be of concern to API member companies. Some occupancy requirements (see "storage occupancies") are retroactive and the following circumstances could conceivably be applicable to warehouse, process unit, vessel and storage tank rebuilds, depending on the local AHJ's determination:
1.12 Compliance of Buildings and Structures
1.12.1.2 When additions, alterations or repairs within any 12-month period exceed 50% of the value of a structure or building, such structure or building shall be made to conform to all requirements for a new building or shall be demolished.
1.12.1.3 Alterations or repairs exceeding 25% but not exceeding 50% of the value of a building or structure and made within any 12-month period shall be permitted without making the entire building or structure comply with this code. Additions shall conform to the requirements of this code for a new building of like area, height and occupancy. The entire building or structure including the new addition shall not exceed the area and height specified in this code for its type of construction and occupancy classification.
NFPA 5000 Building Code Report
September 8, 2000 - Page 2 of
1.12.1.4 Alterations and repairs to any part of a building within any 12-month period the cost of which does not exceed 25% of the value of the building or structure, shall comply with the requirements of this code for new buildings or structures except that minor structural additions, alterations and repairs are permitted to be made with the same materials of which the building or structure is constructed. Such building or structure, including new additions, shall not exceed the area and height provided in this code for the type of construction and occupancy classification.
2. Unsafe Building Issue
The unsafe building requirements are similar to existing building codes. The "unsafe" principle also has been used in fire codes for many years. The following requirements should be noted:
1.12.3.1 An unsafe building is one that is unsafe, unsanitary, deficient in exit requirements, a hazard from fire or windstorm or otherwise dangerous to human life or public welfare by reason of illegal or improper use, occupancy or maintenance, or that do not comply with provisions of applicable codes, or that have been substantially damaged by the elements, acts of God, fire or explosion or other cause, or that are incomplete buildings for which permits have expired. The local AHJ has the authority to deem a building as being unsafe.
1.12.3.2.2 If the cost of alteration, repair or replacement of an unsafe building exceeds 50% of its value, the building shall be demolished and removed.
1.12.3.2.3 If the cost of the structural repair or structural replacement of a building or part thereof exceeds 33 % of its structural value, such building or part thereof shall be demolished and removed.
CHAPTER 28 - INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIES
Chapter 28, Industrial Occupancies, includes gas plants and refineries and the building code requirements apply to only new occupancies. There are no minimum construction requirements, however the means of egress are to be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 12 of the code.
28.3.2 Protection from hazards. Every high hazard industrial occupancy, operation or process shall have approved, supervised automatic extinguishing systems or other protection appropriate to the particular hazard. Protection shall be provided for any area subject to an explosion hazard to minimize danger to occupants in case of a fire or other emergency before they have time to use exits to escape.
CHAPTER 29 - STORAGE OCCUPANCIES
Chapter 29, Storage Occupancies, covers bulk oil storage facilities, truck and marine terminals and warehouses. The requirements are retroactive except as noted.
29.1.1 Application. The requirements apply to both new and existing storage occupancies. Storage occupancies shall include all buildings ands structures used primarily for the storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise, products, vehicles or animals.
29.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents. Contents of storage occupancies shall be classified as low hazard, ordinary hazard or high hazard in accordance with Section 6, depending on the character of the materials stored, their packaging and other factors. (Note: Section 6 states the following: Low hazard contents are those of such low combustibility that no self-propagating fire therein can occur. Ordinary hazard contents are those likely to burn with moderate rapidity or give off considerable smoke. High hazard contents are those likely to burn with extreme rapidity or from which explosions are likely and include flammable liquids and hazardous chemicals.)
29.4.1 High Rise Buildings. High rise storage shall comply with the automatic sprinkler requirements. Exceptions: Low hazard storage and existing storage occupancies.
CHAPTER 30 - OCCUPANCIES IN SPECIAL STRUCTURES
Chapter 30, Occupancies in Special Structures, covers vehicles, vessels, open structures, towers, piers and water surrounded structures (platforms).
30.4 Vehicles and Vessels. The code covers vehicles (tank trucks and tank cars) attached to a building and subject to human occupancy.
30.5 Open Structures (Outdoor Process Facilities).
30.5.1 Definition - Open Structure. Structures supporting equipment and operations found in oil refining and chemical processing are covered.
30.5.9.2 Protection from Hazards. Every open structure shall have automatic, manual or other protection appropriate to the particular hazard that is designed to minimize danger to occupants in case of fire or other emergency before they have time to utilize the means of egress.
30.7 - Water Surrounded Structures
30.7.1 Application. Exception: Any structure surrounded by water and under the jurisdiction of the U.S. coast guard and designed and arranged in accordance with Coast guard regulations shall be exempt from the code.
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