ABSTRACT

In 2000 three local sets of regional codes (developed by BOCA, SBCCI and ICBO), which are adopted by the various local jurisdictions into regulations, were merged into one, under the umbrella of the International Code Council (ICC). ICC now issues a building code (IBC), a fire code (IFC) and a number of other codes. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued their own building code (NFPA 5000) in 2002, to accompany their existing Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1). Both organizations revise their codes on a periodic basis (every 3 years). NFPA 230 (Standard for Fire Protection of Storage) Annex D (Protection of Baled Cotton) and NFPA 13 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems) also apply to storage of baled cotton and will need to be amended. These codes and standards could have a severe impact on any new construction or occupancy changes involving warehouses that store baled cotton.