Design & ConstructionFrequently Asked Questions Regarding DFM Code Footprint RequirementsAbbreviations used in this document. CMS - Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (federal funding agency for Health Care Facilities)
It is a building and life safety code compliance document that graphically and narratively indicates, using small scale site and building plans, the key code information for a building. The code footprint regulation, K.A.R. 22-1-7, defines minimum features of a code footprint for an objective evaluation by the uniform application of state law using a minimum of resources. The code footprint shows compliance with state law by verifying the architect or engineer's seal, their signature and date, building location and owner information as a single source contact, the codes of record for a specific building, fire alarm requirements, automatic fire sprinkler requirements, and occupancy type(s) that determine exit requirements and maximum occupant loads. The codes of record outline the applicable codes, such as: Kansas Fire Prevention Code (including KSFM’s Kansas Buildings Fire Safety Handbook), National Fire Protection Association- Life Safety 101, International Code Council Code Family Series and Kansas Statutes and Regulations. [Back to Top] Why is a Code Footprint Required? It is required by regulation K.A.R. 22-1-7. It makes the code footprint available to assist DFM, KSFM, and local fire officials in reviewing new construction and changes in use. The regulation also provides the building owner with a document that outlines building and life safety features that are to be maintained for the building to be in compliance with the Kansas Fire Prevention Code (including KSFM’s Kansas Building Fire Safety Handbook. [Back to Top] When do I have to submit a Code Footprint to DFM? Code footprints are required to be submitted to DFM for buildings on State Property for the following work:
The form, “Is a code footprint required to be submitted to DFM?” was developed to assist in the determination of when a Code Footprint is required. It is available on DFM website at http://www.da.ks.gov/fp/manual.htm under executable forms. [Back to Top] Why do all Code Footprints have to list the Kansas Fire Prevention Code? State law establishes minimum life safety requirements and has uniform force and effect throughout Kansas. K.S.A. 31-133 and 2003 Supp. 31-134 and K.A.R. 22-1-1 (Kansas Fire Prevention Code) require that all occupied structures except 1 and 2 family dwellings conform to basic life safety requirements:
What are the hazardous conditions which may impede speedy exits/evacuation of building occupants in an existing building? Hazardous conditions are the items listed in inspection checklists in KSFM’s Kansas Buildings Fire Safety Handbook (based on NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 1991 edition). Refer to KSFM web site. [Back to Top] What if an existing building does not comply with the 2006 ICC code family? An existing building does not have to be upgraded to meet all requirements of the 2006 ICC code family series, but is required to comply with the Kansas Fire Prevention Code. The Kansas Fire Prevention Code includes the inspection checklists in the KSFM’s Kansas Buildings Fire Safety Handbook. The inspection checklists outline minimum life safety requirements. These requirements are based on NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 1991 edition for existing buildings. If the existing building have occupancies that receive CMS funding, the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2000 edition will apply in lieu of NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code, 1991 edition. [Back to Top] When would additional work be required within an existing building? Any existing building component that does not meet the minimum requirements of the KSFM’s Kansas Buildings Fire Safety Handbook will be considered a hazardous condition that impedes speedy exit/evacuation of building occupants. The item(s) will need to be corrected to an acceptable level of life safety as determined by KSFM. All new construction within an existing building is to comply with 2006 ICC code family. Additionally, if there are conflicts between minimum existing building code requirements and new code requirements, resolution shall be such that the new construction shall not degrade the existing exiting, fire/smoke resistance, or structural integrity. [Back to Top] Why does the existing construction and new construction need to be identified? This assists DFM, KSFM and local fire officials in identifying and evaluating compliance. The existing construction is evaluated to the Kansas Fire Prevention Code and the new construction is evaluated to the IBC, 2006 edition or NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2000 edition when applicable to Health Care Facilities. For further explanation, reference the Application of Codes to Building Projects on State of Kansas Property on DFM web site. [Back to Top] Why are Code Footprints required to be submitted in an 11 x 17” black and white format? This format is easily filed and is easily reproduced for the fire/building official and owner’s use. [Back to Top] Why does a graphic scale need to be shown? Will an architectural scale be acceptable? Reproducing the code footprint may mean the architectural scale is incorrect. Often the architectural scale is incorrect on the original submittal because the scale was developed for a drawing size other than the 11 x 17 format. A graphic scale developed for the drawing will always be accurate with the drawing. Do not use an architectural scale for code footprints. [Back to Top] Why does each space need to be labeled on the plan? The spaces need to be labeled so occupancy, occupant load and exiting width can be determined and verified. [Back to Top] Why do all the exits and exit capacity need to be shown on the plan? Complete information is required so that the compliance of the exiting system can be verified. Additionally, exits need to be shown whenever more than one exit is required from a room/space, and exits need to be shown from each floor. This helps verify compliant placement of exits and will also identify when panic hardware, exit signs, emergency illumination, and/or fire alarm pull stations are required in the room/space and/or floor. [Back to Top] Why do fire department connections and fire department access roads and hydrants need to be shown? This information is required so that this office and the local Fire Department can verify compliance to the codes and can verify the fire department will have the required access to the facility and the required water in the event of an emergency. [Back to Top] What if the site does not have access to water for fire hydrants? Verify how the local Fire Department will provide water for fire fighting purposes and indicate that source on the code footprint. [Back to Top] What are considered special hazards or conditions? A special hazard or condition would include hazardous materials stored or used in a building as well as operations that are hazardous such as welding, repair garages, laboratories or application of flammable finishes. Hazardous materials are listed in the High Hazard Occupancy section of the building or fire codes. If hazardous materials are present in the building, they need to be identified and quantified. The description of special hazards and conditions helps substantiate the classification of the building occupancy. Identification of these conditions will also aid the identification of the applicable code sections (such as sections from NFPA and IFC) [Back to Top] Why does the IBC, 2000 edition section on alternate means and method need to be noted for buildings at Universities? Universities, by Statute K.S.A. 31-150, are to comply with the IBC, 2000 edition. KSFM and DFM will accept the use of the IBC, 2006 edition as an alternate means of design to be compliant with this statute. Notation of this section indicates compliance with the statute. [Back to Top] Why do the active life safety systems need to be listed as required/not required and provided/not provided? Indicating this information on the code footprint clearly identifies the code requirements and compliance to the code requirements. [Back to Top] Why is a code footprint required when the work is for a KSFM citation or plan of correction? A code footprint is used by the KSFM to identify the KSFM citation and to document the plan of correction for KSFM review and acceptance. This type of code footprint is not reviewed by DFM. The code footprint will be forwarded to KSFM for their review. If the plan of correction results in a construction project, DFM will review and inspect the construction work per the KSFM accepted code footprint. [Back to Top] When a code footprint is accepted, is there other documents I need to submit for code acceptance? Construction documents will need to be submitted for review. The construction documents are reviewed to verify they comply with the ICC Code Family and the accepted code footprint. The construction documents are also reviewed for ADAAG compliance. If the construction work includes work to a fire alarm and/or sprinkler system, shop drawings will be required to be submitted. Specific information on submittal procedures can be found in Chapter 7 of the Building Design and Construction Manual posted on DFM web site. [Back to Top]
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