Safety guidelines for skyscrapers strengthened in 2009 International Building Code

The 2009 edition of the International Building Code (IBC), available in March, will better protect occupants of tall buildings, contains new provisions for ambulatory health care facilities, and provides guidelines for constructing storm shelters.

Jurisdictions that adopt the 2009 IBC will apply the most modern, scientific, and comprehensive building safety provisions available to save lives and protect property. The IBC, developed and published by the International Code Council (ICC), is adopted at the state or local level in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

New safety features of the 2009 IBC include the following:

• 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 taller than 75 feet;
• a new "Ambulatory Health Care" occupancy category to enhance occupant safety at day surgery centers; and
• new guidelines for design and construction ofstorm shelters, based on the new ICC/National Storm Shelter Association Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, ICC 500-2008.

To pre-purchase the 2009 International Codes, visit www.iccsafe.org.