Utah Code Ann. § 15A-5-203 – Amendments and additions to IFC related to fire safety, building, and site requirements.

(1) For IFC, Chapter 5, Fire Service Features:
1. (a) In IFC, Chapter 5, a new Section 501.5, Access grade and fire flow, is added as follows: "An authority having jurisdiction over a structure built in accordance with the requirements of the International Residential Code as adopted in the State Construction Code, may require an automatic fire sprinkler system for the structure only by ordinance and only if any of the following conditions exist:
  1. (i) the structure:
    1. (A) is located in an urban-wildland interface area as provided in the Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code adopted as a construction code under the State Construction Code; and
    2. (B) does not meet the requirements described in Utah Code, Subsection 65A-8-203(3)(a) and Utah Administrative Code, R652-122-200, Minimum Standards for Wildland Fire Ordinance;
  2. (ii) the structure is in an area where a public water distribution system with fire hydrants does not exist as required in Utah Administrative Code, R309-550-5, Water Main Design;
  3. (iii) the only fire apparatus access road has a grade greater than 10% for more than 500 continual feet; or
  4. (iv)
    1. (A) the water supply to the structure does not provide at least 500 gallons fire flow per minute for a minimum of 30 minutes, if the total square foot living space of the structure is equal to or less than 5,000 square feet;
    2. (B) the water supply to the structure does not provide at least 750 gallons per minute fire flow for a minimum of 30 minutes, if the total square foot living space exceeds 5,000 square feet, but is equal to or less than 10,000 square feet; or
    3. (C) the water supply to the structure does not provide at least 1,000 gallons per minute fire flow for a minimum of 30 minutes, if the total square foot living space exceeds 10,000 square feet."
2. (b) In IFC, Chapter 5, Section 506.1, Where Required, is deleted and rewritten as follows: "Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official, after consultation with the building owner, may require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official. For each fire jurisdiction that has at least one building with a required key box, the fire jurisdiction shall adopt an ordinance, resolution, or other operating rule or policy that creates a process to ensure that each key to each key box is properly accounted for and secure."
3. (c) In IFC, Chapter 5, a new Section 507.1.1, Isolated one- and two-family dwellings, is added as follows: "Fire flow may be reduced for an isolated one- and two-family dwelling when the authority having jurisdiction over the dwelling determines that the development of a full fire-flow requirement is impractical."
4. (d) In IFC, Chapter 5, a new Section 507.1.2, Pre-existing subdivision lots, is added as follows "Total water supply requirements shall not exceed the fire flows described in Section 501.5(iv) for the largest one- or two-family dwelling, protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system, on a subdivision lot platted before December 31, 1980, unless the municipality or county in which the lot is located provides the required fire flow capacity."
5. (e) In IFC, Chapter 5, Section 510.1, Emergency Responder Radio Coverage in New Buildings, is amended by adding: "When required by the fire code official," at the beginning of the first paragraph.
(2) For IFC, Chapter 6, Building Services and Systems:
1. (a) In IFC, Chapter 6, Section 605.11.3.3.1, Access, is deleted and rewritten as follows: "There shall be a minimum three foot wide (914 mm) clear perimeter around the edges of the roof."
2. (b) In IFC, Chapter 6, Section 605.11.3.3.2, Pathways, is deleted and rewritten as follows: "The solar installation shall be designed to provide designated pathways. The pathways shall meet the following requirements:1. The pathway shall be over areas capable of supporting the live load of fire fighters accessing the roof.2. The centerline axis pathways shall be provided in both axes of the roof. Centerline axis pathways shall run where the roof structure is capable of supporting the live load of fire fighters accessing the roof.3. Smoke and heat vents required by Section 910.2.1 or 910.2.2 of this Code, shall be provided with a clear pathway width of not less than three feet (914 mm) to vents.4. Access to roof area required by Section 504.2 or 1009.16 of this Code, shall be provided with a clear pathway width of not less than three feet (914 mm) around access opening and at least three feet (914 mm) clear pathway to parapet or roof edge."
3. (c) In IFC, Chapter 6, Section 605.11.3.2, Residential Systems for One and Two Family Dwellings, is deleted and rewritten as follows: "Access to residential systems for one and two family dwellings shall be provided in accordance with Sections 605.11.3.2.1 through 605.11.3.2.4.Exception: Reduction in pathways and clear access width shall be permitted where shown that a rational approach has been used and that such reductions are warranted when approved by the Fire Code Official."
4. (d) In IFC, Chapter 6, Section 605.11.3.3.3, Smoke Ventilation, is deleted and rewritten as follows: "The solar installation shall be designed to meet the following requirements:1. Arrays shall be no greater than 150 feet (45.720 mm) by 150 feet (45.720 mm) in distance in either axis in order to create opportunities for fire department smoke ventilation operations.2. Smoke ventilation options between array sections shall be one of the following:2.1. A pathway six feet (1829 mm) or greater in width.2.2. A three foot (914 mm) or greater in width pathway and bordering roof skylights or smoke and heat vents when required by Section 910.2.1 or Section 910.2.2 of this Code.2.3. Smoke and heat vents designed for remote operation using devices that can be connected to the vent by mechanical, electrical, or any other suitable means, shall be protected as necessary to remain operable for the design period. Controls for remote operation shall be located in a control panel, clearly identified and located in an approved location."
5. (e) In IFC, Chapter 6, Section 607.4, Elevator Key Location, is deleted and rewritten as follows: "Firefighter service keys shall be kept in a "Supra-Stor-a-key" elevator key box or similar box with corresponding key system that is adjacent to the elevator for immediate use by the fire department. The key box shall contain one key for each elevator, one key for lobby control, and any other keys necessary for emergency service. The elevator key box shall be accessed using a 6049 numbered key."
6. (f) In IFC, Chapter 6, Section 609.1, General, is amended as follows: On line three, after the word "Code", add the words "and NFPA 96".
(3) For IFC, Chapter 7, Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction, IFC, Chapter 7, Section 703.2, is amended to add the following: "Exception: In Group E Occupancies, where the corridor serves an occupant load greater than 30 and the building does not have an automatic fire sprinkler system installed, the door closers may be of the friction hold-open type on classrooms' doors with a rating of 20 minutes or less only."