News
By Jason Amirhadji
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September 8, 2004
One state, one law, varying interpretations. Though it was developed to maintain uniform building code standards nationwide, the recently-adopted International Fire Code has been a common cause of confusion across the Commonwealth.
Among other things, the new code regulates the amount of flame-resistant and flame-retardant material that can be attached to a wall or ceiling and prohibits the use of combustible materials as wall decorations in multi-unit dwellings, including apartment buildings and student dormitories, said Jim Tidwell, the national director of fire service activities for the International Code Council.
"The idea is to limit the potential for flash fires, which travel at a speed faster than people will normally exit a building," Tidwell said.