The 2009 edition of International Building Code (IBC), available in March, will better protect occupants of tall buildings with several enhanced safety measures. The newly added skyscraper safety standards include:
> An additional stairway for high rises more than 420 feet tall unless the building includes special elevators that can be used for emergency evacuation.
> Fire service access elevators permitted in high rises more than 120 feet tall.
> An option to allow emergency evacuation elevators for building occupants.
> Requirements for more robust fire proofing for buildings greater than 75 feet tall.
IBC 2009 also includes new guidelines for the design and construction storm shelters, based upon the International Code Council/National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, ICC 500-2008.
The IBC, developed and published by the International Code Council, is adopted at the state or local level in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
For more, visit: www.iccsafe.org/2009icodes
