Section 131. IFC Chapter 3. General Requirements

A. Change Section 301.2 to read:

301.2. Permits. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 107.2 for the activities or uses regulated by Sections 306, 307, 308, and 315.

B. Add Section 301.3 to read:

301.3. Occupancy. The occupancy of a structure shall be continued as originally permitted under and in full compliance with the codes in force at the time of construction or alteration. The occupancy of a structure shall not change to another occupancy that will subject the structure to any special provisions of this code or the USBC without the approval of the building official.

C. Add the following to the list of definitions in Section 302.1:

Sky lantern.

D. Change Section 304.3.2 to read:

304.3.2. Capacity exceeding 5.88 cubic feet. Containers with a capacity exceeding 5.88 cubic feet (44 gallons) (0.17 m³) shall be provided with lids. Containers and lids shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or approved combustible materials.

E. Add an exception to Section 307.1 to read:

Exception: Approved outdoor live fire training using equipment or appliances accessible or available to the general public, and that complies with Section 307.4.

F. Change Section 307.2 to read:

307.2. Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 107.2 prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, or a bonfire. Application for such approval shall only be presented by and permits issued to the owner of the land upon which the fire is to be kindled.

G. Add Section 308.1.6.3 to read:

308.1.6.3. Sky lanterns. No person shall release or cause to be released an untethered sky lantern.

H. Change Section 308.2 to read:

308.2. Permits required. Permits shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 107.2 prior to engaging in the following activities involving open flame, fire, and burning:

1. Use of a torch or flame-producing device to remove paint from a structure.

2. Use of open flame, fire, or burning in connection with Group A or E occupancies.

3. Use or operation of torches and other devices, machines, or processes liable to start or cause fire in or upon wildfire risk areas.

I. Change Section 311.1 to read:

311.1. General. Temporarily unoccupied buildings, structures, premises, or portions thereof, including tenant spaces, shall be safeguarded and maintained in accordance with Sections 311.1.1 through 311.5.6.

J. Add Section 311.5.6 to read:

311.5.6. Removal. Removal of placards posted in accordance with this section without the approval of the fire official shall be a violation of this code.

K. Add Section 311.6 to read:

311.6. Unoccupied tenant spaces in mall buildings. Unoccupied tenant spaces in covered and open mall buildings shall be:

1. Kept free from the storage of any materials.

2. Separated from the remainder of the building by partitions of at least 0.5-inch-thick (12.7 mm) gypsum board or an approved equivalent to the underside of the ceiling of the adjoining tenant spaces.

3. Without doors or other access openings other than one door that shall be kept key locked in the closed position except during that time when opened for inspection.

4. Kept free from combustible waste and be broom swept clean.

L. Change Section 314.1 to read:

314.1. General. Indoor displays constructed within any building or structure shall comply with Sections 314.2 through 314.5.

M. Add Section 314.5 to read:

314.5. Smokeless powder and small arms primers. Venders shall not store, display, or sell smokeless powder or small arms primers during trade shows inside exhibition halls except as follows:

1. The amount of smokeless powder displayed by each vender is limited to the amount established in Section 5606.5.1.1.

2. The amount of smokeless powder each vender may store is limited to the storage arrangements and storage amounts established in Section 5606.5.2.1. Smokeless powder shall remain in the manufacturer's original sealed container, and the container shall remain sealed while inside the building. The repackaging of smokeless powder shall not be performed inside the building. Damaged containers shall not be repackaged inside the building and shall be immediately removed from the building in such manner to avoid spilling any powder.

3. There shall be at least 50 feet separation between venders and 20 feet from any exit.

4. Small arms primers shall be displayed and stored in the manufacturer's original packaging and in accordance with the requirements of Section 5606.5.2.3.

N. Change Section 315.2 to read:

315.2. Permit required. A permit for miscellaneous combustible storage shall be required as set forth in Section 107.2.

O. Change Section 315.4 to read:

315.4. Outside storage. Outside storage of combustible materials shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a property line or other building on the site.

Exceptions:

1. The separation distance is allowed to be reduced to 3 feet (914 mm) for storage not exceeding 6 feet (1829 mm) in height.

2. The separation distance is allowed to be reduced when the fire official determines that no hazard to the adjoining property exists.

P. Change Section 315.4.1 to read:

315.4.1. Storage beneath overhead projections from buildings. To the extent required by the code the building was constructed under, when buildings are required to be protected by automatic sprinklers, the outdoor storage, display, and handling of combustible materials under eaves, canopies, or other projections or overhangs is prohibited except where automatic sprinklers are installed under such eaves, canopies, or other projections or overhangs.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 16, Issue 20, eff. September 15, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 25, eff. October 1, 2003; Volume 22, Issue 03, eff. November 16, 2005; Volume 24, Issue 14, eff. May 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 02, eff. March 1, 2011; Change in Effective Date, 27:5 VA.R. 533 November 8, 2010; amended, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. March 1, 2011; Volume 30, Issue 16, eff. July 14, 2014; Errata, 30:23 VA.R. 2590 July 14, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 27-97 of the Code of Virginia.