Montana DLI - Building Codes

IRC Adoption Study Group Meetings

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
(email comments to Building Codes Bureau)

The Department of Labor and Industry, Building Code Bureau, has been receiving unsolicited comments from stakeholders concerned with the sprinkler provisions contained in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). These comments have been both in support of and opposition of the sprinkler provisions.

Due to the importance of this issue and the quantity of comments the Bureau will continue to cultivate comments from meetings (study groups) the Bureau plans to hold at various times and sites around the state. Meetings planned so far include:

Helena – April 30, 2009 – MACO Building – 2715 Skyway Drive (near Airport)
                                    10:00AM to Noon

Bozeman – May 5, 2009 – City Hall Commission Room – 121 N. Rouse Avenue
                                    10:00AM to Noon

Missoula – May 7, 2009 – City Council Chambers – 140 W. Pine Street
                                    10:00AM to Noon

Billings – May 14, 2009 –Library/City Offices Bldg. – 510 N. Broadway,
                                    3rd Floor - 10:30AM to 12:30PM

Kalispell – May 21, 2009 – City Council Chambers – 201 1st Avenue East
                                    10:30AM to 12:30PM

Butte – May 28, 2009 – City/County Council Chambers – 155 West Granite St.
                                   10:00AM to 12:00PM

The Bureau has condensed down the main emphasis of the total comments to date into the following four scenarios which have come from a variety of stakeholders. This list does not represent the total of all possible scenarios that could come from stakeholder comment nor should it be considered a draft of proposed adoption language at this time.

Adopt the 2009 edition as is – no modifications to sprinkler requirements.

Do not adopt the 2009 edition at this time – keep the 2006 edition in place.

Adopt the 2009 edition with modification to extend the effective date of sprinklers to a further date – 2012, 2013, 2014, etc. (the 2009 edition make sprinklers effective January 1, 2011)

Adopt the 2009 edition with modifications to the sprinkler requirements for trade offs in certain conditions – i.e. increased exiting, fire alarms, fire resistive construction, etc.

The process at each of these planned meetings will be to review the code adoption process and procedures and take input and comments from stakeholders on the issue. This informal format is designed to get some discussion going about the home sprinkler issue, hear from all sides, and gain some insight to any technical problems, if any, to moving forward or not moving forward with the written text of this model code language. The results of these meetings will assist the department in determining the best course to follow regarding the IRC.

The Bureau is making every attempt to reach all interested parties and you may receive this notice more than once which is an indication that you have previously requested your name be placed on more than one group of “Interested Parties” list the Bureau maintains. If you know of others wishing to be notified of other upcoming events such as this please have them contact me at dcook@mt.gov and I will add their name to the interested parties list. I will be sending this notice out before each of the planned meetings and I encourage anyone with interest in this topic make plans to attend one of the meetings.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to a good discussion on this issue.

David W. Cook, Bureau Chief
Building Codes Bureau
Department of Labor and Industry
406-841-2053

Department of Labor & Industry - Business Standards