South Carolina Building Codes Council

SOUTH CAROLINA MODIFICATION

TO THE 2003 EDITION OF THE

INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE

As authorized by Section 6-9-60(C) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976 as amended, the South Carolina Building Codes Council has approved the following modification to the 2003 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC). Approved modifications under Section 6-9-60(C) are mandatory for all local jurisdictions and must be incorporated into the International Fire Code.

This modification was continued from the prior building code cycle, was renumbered to coincide with the 2003 building code cycle numbering, and is distinguished by a note and reference to the prior modification number.

Modification Number: IFC 2003 01.

Section: 508.5.1 Where required.

Modification: Deleted and replaced with substitute language.

The section will now read: “Water supply. Approved fire hydrants shall be provided for buildings to meet the necessary fire flow requirements as determined by the fire official. Where public water supply is inadequate or not available, an approved alternative water source meeting the fire flow requirements shall be provided. Fire flow performance tests shall be witnessed by the fire official, or representative, prior to final approval.

Location. The location and number of hydrants shall be designated by the fire official, but in no case, shall distance between installed fire hydrants exceed 1000 ft (305 m). Fire hydrants shall be located within 500 ft (152 m) of all firefighter access points when measured along the normal routes of fire department vehicle access which conforms to the requirements of Section 503. No point on the exterior of a building shall be located more than 500 ft (152 m) from a fire hydrant accessible to fire department vehicles as provided in Section 503.

Exception. One and two family dwellings, including attached or detached accessory structures.“

Reasons: The new language specifically address situations where there is no public water supply and allows the fire official other options for compliance.The language also provides an exception to the required installation of fire hydrants for one and two family dwellings.

Note: Modification (IFC 2000 01) continued from the 2000 building code cycle.

Proponent: Home Builders Association of South Carolina.

Effective Date:May 23, 2001.