NFPA 285 in the Field: An Update of Local Adoption

This presentation reviews the current standing of the International Building Code amendments and adoption by various state and local Authorities Having Jurisdictions (AHJ) in the US limited to the code sections triggering the assembly compliance with NFPA 285, Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components It reviews the International Code Council (ICC) code development process for the IBC where the triggers for NFPA 285 were significantly expanded. It discusses the national, state, and local amendment and adoption process as well as their successes and failures to modify the model code requirements relative to triggers requiring compliance with NFPA 285. It also provides specific examples of the local amendment language relative to triggers requiring compliance with NFPA 285 detailing the justifications offered to support the proposed amendment and a discussion of their ultimate success or failure.

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