BY JACK J. MURPHY AND SEAN DeCRANE

Although many past codes and standards have addressed building construction, building features, fire protection systems, fireground operations, and past building failures, how will the new codes and standards impact future tactical operations and firefighter safety? In the International Code Council (ICC) International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) (2012 editions) and in several new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, the code and standard changes include new additions, changes in application, modifications, clarifications, special significance, and code section deletions. In the code highlights below, underlining indicates changes to the previous edition of the code or standard. Below are some significant approved code and standard amendments that will influence emergency tactical operations.

New Tactical Intelligence and the Building Information Card (IBC Section 911.1.5.13 and IFC 508.1.5 Section/Change type: Modification):

An approved Building Information Card [BIC] that contains, but is not limited to, the following information: general building information; building construction features; exit stairs; elevator banks; building services and system; fire protections systems; hazardous materials; building emergency contact information; etc.

(NPFA 1620, Standard for Pre-Incident Planning, 2010 edition/Change type: New):

The purpose of this document shall be to develop pre-incident plans to assist responding personnel in effectively managing emergencies for the protection of occupants, responding personnel, property, and the environment.

The standard chapters include the following: Pre-Incident Planning Process; Physical and Site Considerations; Occupant Classification; Water Supplies and Fire Protection Systems; Special Hazards; Emergency Operations; Pre-Incident Plan Testing and Maintenance; Appendix-D/Sample Pre-Incident Plan Field Collection Card and Pre-Plan/BIC; among others.

Tactical considerations. Over the years, at historic emergency incidents and in everyday local incidents, the lack of real-time building intelligence may have hindered many fire departments. Such data would enable fire personnel to rapidly identify what is needed, how to quickly coordinate effective rescues, where to rapidly isolate building systems, and what actions are needed to minimize the danger to the occupants and the impact to the building.

In addition, with many newer structures today, we can no longer be certain, based on a tactical size-up of the exterior, that the construction fits into one of the five types. Many newly built buildings or existing structures with major renovations may feature a mix of construction types, creating a "hybrid" building. Some floors may feature Type I (fire resistive) or Type II (noncombustible with lightweight) construction; other floors may be built as Type III (ordinary) or Type V (wood-frame) construction. On the ticking incident time clock, structure areas with different construction types in such buildings will react differently under adverse conditions. An incorrect size-up of the construction type and its fire rating may result in a sooner-than-expected structural collapse in that area (photos 1, 2).

(1) In sizing up this building, it appears from the exterior to be Type III ordinary construction with a brick veneer. (Photos 1 and 2 by Jack Murphy.)

(2) However, a more knowledge-based size-up of the building under construction reveals two different construction classifications. The lower two floors feature Type I fire-resistive construction, whereas the third through sixth floors feature wood-frame Type V construction. During a fire, each construction classification will react differently, and there is an increased potential of a partial or full collapse of the wood-frame floors above the Type I fire-resistant platform. An eBICard will provide firefighters the necessary building construction features, just as if they were standing in front of the building during the construction phases.

With such significant construction features already present today, there's no predicting what the industry will develop in future building system technologies—e.g., to create support beams and columns with less dense structural mass. Major code and standard revisions have been made in the 2010 and 2012 code cycles. Although the code enhancement may appear insufficient, it will drastically impact future tactical operations and enhance fireground safety.

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