New Year = New Codes

BY: ASHLEY RODRIGUE, STATE FIRE MARSHAL PUBLIC AFFIARS DIRECTOR

For many, a new year provides the opportunity to be out with the old and in with the new. For the state’s construction industry, 2022 will likely be following that trend on a few fronts. So we at the State Fire Marshal’s (SFM) Office are taking this opportunity to give you some insight into what to keep your eye on this coming year. State law requires the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC) to review, evaluate, and update the State Uniform Construction Code no later than five years from the date of publication. As such, the council is currently reviewing the 2021 editions of the “I” codes and is planning to begin the promulgation process in June of 2022. An effective date of January 1, 2023, is currently planned; however, there are some unanswered questions at this time regarding the federal “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” and FEMA requirements, that may affect this and result in an effective date as early as August 2022. The promulgation process for the 2021 editions of the NFPA codes and standards will once again be coordinated with the council’s process as much as possible. These codes are also currently proposed for promulgation in June of 2022 with the effective date of January 1, 2023. A six-month transition period is typically provided for the NFPA codes and standards, allowing the option to comply with either the currently adopted editions or the proposed editions of NFPA. Note that compliance with all provisions of a selected code or standard edition is required. There are some provisions of the Federal “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” that may affect the energy codes as well. There are later editions of this code referenced in the Act that may be related to funding. The Louisiana “Commercial Building Energy Conservation Code” editions are typically updated by law, and not adopted through the rulemaking process as other codes typically are. We will know if a bill will be proposed for adoption prior to the next legislative session. The International Building Code (IBC) review committee of the LSUCCC will also be addressing mass timber construction in February or March in addition to considering ASCE 24 “freeboard requirements” for possible statewide adoption or amendments in March. The ASCE 24 topic will be an important conversation regarding the future source of oversight remaining local or transitioning to a statewide adoption. Some of this conversation may be guided by actions taken during the legislative session. Speaking of the session, the SFM is working with lawmakers to bring several items to the table in the spring. The first comes after having two hurricane seasons with major storms impacting our state that exposed increased carbon monoxide dangers for Louisiana residents. More people using portable generators more frequently in 2020 following multiple storms, coupled with more people having and using home standby generators for a longer period of time following Hurricane Ida in 2021, saw a concerning increase in carbon monoxide poisoning deaths and hospitalizations that require action. While our agency pushed constant generator safety messaging via traditional media and social media and distributed almost 10,000 carbon monoxide alarms into affected areas across both years, the situation is leading to legislation being drafted that could require carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to be installed in all new homes constructed as well as installed as part of existing home sales and leases. And for those of you that use the SFM’s Information Management System (IMS), legislation is being developed to allow a new module to be added that will change the way that life safety and property protection systems are certified and tracked for maintenance. These systems include fire alarms, automatic sprinklers, fire suppression, fire extinguishers, and elevators. The current process consists of paper tags placed on the systems that display the inspection and maintenance dates and the status of the system. These tags will be replaced with “QR” code decals, or “electronic tags”, that allow the data to be uploaded into a database. Basic information regarding the system and the status will be available using any smartphone or QR reader, while additional specific data, maintenance records, and reminders will be available to the responsible parties. Beta testing has been underway for several months now and a slow rollout will begin early this year. As always, any legislation is open for negotiation and debate. If any of these topics pique your interest enough to want to get involved in the conversation and outcome, reach out to your state lawmaker to learn more and express your opinion. If you’re interested in engaging in the LSUCCC’s upcoming efforts, visit their website to learn when the meetings are scheduled and to review the agendas for the topics you’re looking for. That website is lsuccc.dps.louisiana.gov. We wish you a prosperous start to 2022!