VIRGINIA STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION CODE i PREFACE Introduction The Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code SFPC is a state regulation promulgated by the Virginia Board of Housing and C
ADMINISTRATION
The Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) is the official title of these regulations, which may be cited herein as "this code" or "SFPC." In this code, the term "chapter" refers to a chapter within the SFPC The SFPC was developed cooperatively by the Virginia Fire Services Board and the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development.
The SFPC prescribes regulations governing the maintenance of structures, processes, and premises and the safeguards required to protect life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion, as well as the handling, storage, and use of fireworks, explosives, or blasting agents, and it provides for the administration and enforcement of these regulations It also establishes permit requirements for manufacturing, storage, handling, use, or sale of explosives, and inspections under the SFPC are a governmental responsibility.
101.2.1 Provisions of this code shall not require modifications or installation of construction elements or systems regulated by the applicable building code, and installation is not required if no system, appliance, device, or other component was previously installed under the applicable building code.
101.2.2 Where this code requires maintenance or a system, structure, appliance, etc to be maintained it shall not be construed to be a requirement for installation through this code
The purpose of the SFPC is to establish statewide standards that safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from the improper maintenance of life-safety and fire-prevention materials, devices, systems, and structures, and from the unsafe storage, handling, and use of substances, materials, and devices—including explosives and blasting agents—wherever located.
101.4 Validity states that SFPC provisions or referenced codes and standards outside the scope of this chapter are invalid; likewise, any SFPC provision that conflicts with the USBC, OSHA, or a statute shall be invalid.
Local regulations: Local governing bodies may adopt fire prevention regulations that are more restrictive or broader in scope than the SFPC, provided such regulations do not affect the manner of construction or the materials used in erecting, altering, repairing, or using a building or structure, as provided in the USBC This may include the voluntary installation of smoke alarms and the regulation and inspection thereof in commercial buildings where such alarms are not required under the provisions of the SFPC.
Nonresidential farm structures are exempt from the State Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) when they are not used for residential purposes, but the code’s inspection and enforcement provisions can be exercised if a warrant is issued under Virginia Code §§ 27-98.2 through 27-98.5.
The SFPC governs all matters affecting or relating to structures, processes, and premises as set forth in Section 101, and it supersedes any fire prevention regulations previously adopted by local governments or other political subdivisions.
Any change of occupancy for a building or structure shall not be allowed until the structure is brought into full compliance with the USBC requirements, as determined by the building official.
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102.2 Application to pre-1973 buildings and structures Buildings and structures constructed prior to the USBC
The 1973 provisions require compliance with the SFPC maintenance requirements to the extent that equipment, systems, devices, and safeguards provided and approved during construction are maintained Buildings and structures subject to the Virginia Public Building Safety Regulations (VR 394-01-05) that were in effect prior to March 31, 1986 must also be maintained in accordance with those regulations.
Post-1973 buildings and structures constructed under any edition of the USBC must comply with SFPC maintenance requirements These requirements apply to the equipment, systems, devices, and safeguards that were provided and approved at the time of construction and must be maintained.
102.4 Referenced codes and standards The codes and standards referenced in the IFC shall be those listed in Chapter
Clause 80 is regarded as part of the SFPC requirements to the extent prescribed by each referenced standard Where differences occur between the provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of this code shall apply.
The SFPC applies to all state-owned buildings and structures in the manner and extent described in § 27-99 of the Code of Virginia, and the State Fire Marshal is empowered to enforce this code in state-owned buildings and structures as prescribed in §§ 27-98 and 27-99 of the Code of Virginia.
102.6 Relationship to USBC In accordance with §§ 27-34.4, 36-105.1, and 36-119.1 of the Code of Virginia, the
This code does not supersede the provisions of the USBC that prescribe standards to be complied with in existing buildings and structures, provided that this code shall not impose requirements that are more restrictive than those of the USBC under which the buildings or structures were constructed Subsequent alteration, enlargement, rehabilitation, repair, or conversion of the occupancy classification of such buildings and structures shall be subject to the construction and rehabilitation provisions of the USBC Inspection of buildings other than state-owned buildings under construction and the review and approval of building plans for these structures for enforcement of the USBC shall be the sole responsibility of the appropriate local building inspectors.
Upon completion of such structures, the responsibility for fire safety protection transfers to the local fire marshal or the official designated by the locality to enforce the SFPC where the code is in force In areas that do not enforce the SFPC, this responsibility shifts to the State Fire Marshal.