2015 - Virginia

1 2015 . Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention code Effective October 16, 2018. Cover art by Julia Lange, International code Council, Inc. 10022018. PREFACE. introduction The Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention code (SFPC) is a state regulation promulgated by the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development in cooperation with the Virginia Fire Services Board, both Governor-appointed boards, for the purpose of establishing statewide standards to safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from the improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection materials, devices, systems and structures and the unsafe storage handling, and use of substances, materials and devices, including fireworks, explosives and blasting agents, wherever located. The provisions of the SFPC are based on a nationally recognized model code published by the International code Council, Inc. and fire protection and prevention standards published by the National Fire Protection Association.

2 Such code and standards are made part of the SFPC through a regulatory process known as incorporation by reference. The SFPC also contains administrative provisions governing the use of the model code and standards and establishing requirements for the enforcement of the code by the local and state enforcing agencies. In keeping with the designations of the SFPC used previously, since the 2015 edition of the International Fire code is incorporated by reference into this version of the SFPC, it is known as the 2015 . edition of the SFPC. Arrangement The SFPC is part of the Virginia Administrative code (VAC), the official compilation of state regulations published under the authority and guidance of the Virginia code Commission. Due to the difference in the section numbering system between the VAC and the model code incorporated by reference into the SFPC, the SFPC utilizes a dual section numbering system. In the SFPC, the VAC section numbers are listed first, followed by a section number matching the model code system.

3 In this printing of the SFPC, the VAC. section numbers are omitted and only the model code numbering system is utilized. The version of the SFPC containing both the VAC section numbers and the model code numbering is available from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and may also be accessed through the website of the Virginia code Commission or by subscription to the VAC. Codes Purchased from ICC. The 2015 edition of the SFPC is being made available in pamphlet form as in past editions of the SFPC. In the state pamphlet version, a single line is placed in the margin to delineate changes between the 2009. edition of the SFPC and the 2015 edition of the SFPC. In addition to the pamphlet form of the SFPC. published by DHCD, the International code Council (ICC) publishes a version of the SFPC. In the ICC. published version, marginal markings are provided to distinguish between text which is part of the International Codes and text which is part of the state regulation.

4 Double vertical lines in the margins within the body of the code indicate state amendments to the International code . As in the standard printings of the International Codes, a single vertical line in the margins within the body of the code indicates a technical change from the previous edition of the International Codes. Deletions from the previous editions of the International Codes are indicated in the form of an arrow ( ) in the margin where an entire section, paragraph, exception or table has been deleted or an item in a list of items or a table has been deleted. Technical Assistance DHCD, the State Fire Marshal's Central and Regional Offices and local enforcing agencies may be contacted for further information concerning the SFPC. Contact information for DHCD and the State Fire Marshal's Office is below. Additional contact information, including the regional State Fire Marshal's Offices, is available at the websites. DHCD, Division of Building and Fire Regulation Virginia Department of Fire Programs State Building Codes Office State Fire Marshal's Office 600 East Main Street, Suite 300 1005 Technology Park Drive Richmond, Virginia 23219 Glen Allen, Virginia 23059.

5 Phone: (804) 371-7150 Phone: (804) 371-0220. Email: Email: Website: Website: 2015 Virginia STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION code i TABLE OF CONTENTS. Part I General Regulations .. 1 CHAPTER 11 CONSTRUCTION. REQUIREMENTS FOR. CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION .. 1 EXISTING BUILDINGS .. 105. Section CHAPTER 20 AVIATION FACILITIES .. 107. 101 Scope .. 1 CHAPTER 21 DRY CLEANING .. 109. 102 Applicability .. 1. 103 Incorporation by Reference .. 2 CHAPTER 22 COMBUSTIBLE DUST- 104 Enforcement .. 3 PRODUCING. 105 Enforcing Agency .. 3 OPERATIONS .. 111. 106 Duties and Powers of the Fire Official .. 5 CHAPTER 23 MOTOR FUEL- 107 Permits and Fees .. 5 DISPENSING FACILITIES. 108 Operational Permits .. 16 AND REPAIR GARAGES .. 113. 109 Inspection .. 18. 110 Unsafe Conditions .. 19 CHAPTER 24 FLAMMABLE FINISHES .. 123. 111 Violations .. 20. 112 Appeals .. 20 CHAPTER 25 FRUIT AND CROP. RIPENING .. 129. Part II Technical Amendments .. 23. CHAPTER 26 FUMIGATION AND. INSECTICIDAL FOGGING .. 131. CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS.

6 23. CHAPTER 27 SEMICONDUCTOR. CHAPTER 3 GENERAL FABRICATION FACILITIES .. 133. REQUIREMENTS .. 27. CHAPTER 28 LUMBER YARDS AND. CHAPTER 4 EMERGENCY PLANNING WOODWORKING. AND PREPAREDNESS .. 35 FACILITIES .. 137. CHAPTER 5 FIRE SERVICE FEATURES .. 37 CHAPTER 29 MANUFACTURE OF. ORGANIC COATINGS .. 139. CHAPTER 6 BUILDING SERVICES AND. SYSTEMS .. 41 CHAPTER 30 INDUSTRIAL OVENS .. 141. CHAPTER 7 FIRE RESISTANCE RATED CHAPTER 31 TENTS AND OTHER. CONSTRUCTION .. 53 MEMBRANE STRUCTURES .. 143. CHAPTER 8 INTERIOR FINISH, CHAPTER 32 HIGH-PILED COMBUSTION. DECORATIVE STORAGE .. 147. MATERIALS AND. FURNISHINGS .. 55 CHAPTER 33 FIRE SAFETY DURING. CONSRUCTION AND. CHAPTER 9 FIRE PROTECTION DEMOLITION .. 151. SYSTEMS .. 61. CHAPTER 34 TIRE REBUILDING AND. CHAPTER 10 MEANS OF EGRESS .. 83 TIRE STORAGE .. 153. 2015 Virginia STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION code ii CHAPTER 35 WELDING AND. OTHER HOT WORK .. 155. CHAPTER 36 MARINAS .. 157. CHAPTER 37 COMBUSTIBLE 159. CHAPTER 50 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS . GENERAL PROVISIONS.

7 161. CHAPTER 51 AEROSOLS .. 173. CHAPTER 53 COMPRESSED GASES .. 177. CHAPTER 54 CORROSIVE MATERIALS .. 179. CHAPTER 55 CRYOGENIC FLUIDS .. 181. CHAPTER 56 EXPLOSIVES. AND FIREWORKS .. 183. CHAPTER 57 FLAMMABLE AND. COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS .. 199. CHAPTER 58 FLAMMABLE GASES AND. FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC. FLUIDS .. 209. CHAPTER 59 FLAMMABLE SOLIDS .. 211. CHAPTER 60 HIGHLY TOXIC AND. TOXIC MATERIALS .. 213. CHAPTER 61 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM. GASES .. 217. CHAPTER 62 ORGANIC PEROXIDES .. 219. CHAPTER 63 OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING. GASES AND OXIDIZING. CRYOGENIC FLUIDS .. 221. CHAPTER 64 PYROPHORIC. MATERIALS .. 223. CHAPTER 65 PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE. NITRATE) PLASTICS .. 225. CHAPTER 66 UNSTABLE (REACTIVE). MATERIALS .. 227. CHAPTER 67 WATER-REACTIVE. SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS .. 229. CHAPTER 80 REFERENCED. STANDARDS .. 231. iii 2015 Virginia STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION code . Part I General Regulations CHAPTER 1. ADMINISTRATION. SECTION 101 provided in the USBC, including the voluntary SCOPE installation of smoke alarms and regulation and inspections thereof in commercial buildings where Title.

8 These regulations shall be known as the such smoke alarms are not required under the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention code (SFPC), provisions of the SFPC. hereinafter referred to as "this code " or "SFPC." The term "chapter" means a chapter in the SFPC. The Nonresidential farm structures. Farm SFPC was cooperatively developed by the Virginia structures not used for residential purposes are exempt Fire Services Board and the Virginia Board of from the SFPC except when the inspection and Housing and Community Development. enforcement provisions of the code are exercised by a warrant issued under the authority of Scope. The SFPC prescribes regulations through of the code of Virginia . affecting or relating to maintenance of structures, processes and premises and safeguards to be complied SECTION 102. with for the protection of life and property from the APPLICABILITY. hazards of fire or explosion and for the handling, storage and use of fireworks, explosives or blasting General. The provisions of the SFPC shall agents, and provides for the administration and apply to all matters affecting or relating to structures, enforcement of such regulations.

9 The SFPC also processes and premises as set forth in Section 101. The establishes regulations for obtaining permits for the SFPC shall supersede any fire prevention regulations manufacturing, storage, handling, use, or sales of previously adopted by a local government or other explosives. Inspections under the SFPC are a political subdivision. governmental responsibility. Change of occupancy. No change of Purpose. The purposes of the SFPC are to occupancy shall be made in any building or provide for statewide standards to safeguard life and structure unless such building or structure is made property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising to comply with the requirements of the USBC as from the improper maintenance of life safety and fire determined by the building official. prevention and protection materials, devices, systems and structures, and the unsafe storage, handling, and Application to pre-1973 buildings and use of substances, materials and devices, including structures.

10 Buildings and structures constructed prior explosives and blasting agents, wherever located. to the USBC (1973) shall comply with the maintenance requirements of the SFPC to the extent Validity. To the extent that any provisions of that equipment, systems, devices, and safeguards the SFPC or the referenced codes or standards are not which were provided and approved when constructed within the scope of this chapter, those provisions are shall be maintained. Such buildings and structures, if considered to be invalid. When any provision of the subject to the state fire and public building regulations SFPC is found to be in conflict with the USBC, OSHA, ( Virginia Public Building Safety Regulations, VR. or statute, that provision of the SFPC shall become 394-01-05) in effect prior to March 31, 1986, shall also invalid. be maintained in accordance with those regulations. Application to post-1973 buildings and Local regulations. Any local governing body structures. Buildings and structures constructed may adopt fire prevention regulations that are more under any edition of the USBC shall comply with the restrictive or more extensive in scope than the SFPC maintenance requirements of the SFPC to the extent provided such regulations do not affect the manner of that equipment, systems, devices, and safeguards construction or materials to be used in the erection, alteration, repair, or use of a building or structure, as 2015 Virginia STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION code 1.