randomperson Fire Alarms
@randompersonfire.bsky.social
I talk about fire/life safety, politics, Disney, and more. Left-leaning, proudly non-partisan, anti-NRA, anti-war, a non-driver, and a Masshole.
I guess we can add another entry on the long list of reasons to ditch the ICC’s codes.
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bsky.app/profile/rand...
November 22, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I guess we can add another entry on the long list of reasons to ditch the ICC’s codes.
bsky.app/profile/rand...
bsky.app/profile/rand...
This article is everything @jasoncoxnc.bsky.social has been saying for a while. (And it even calls out the not-so-international nature of the ICC’s codes.)
November 22, 2025 at 7:27 PM
This article is everything @jasoncoxnc.bsky.social has been saying for a while. (And it even calls out the not-so-international nature of the ICC’s codes.)
Is "egress court" potentially an endorsement of Europe-style courtyards?
(Full ordinance: www.culvercity.gov/files/assets...)
(Full ordinance: www.culvercity.gov/files/assets...)
November 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Is "egress court" potentially an endorsement of Europe-style courtyards?
(Full ordinance: www.culvercity.gov/files/assets...)
(Full ordinance: www.culvercity.gov/files/assets...)
Here's a suggestion for talking points. No credit please, just say "someone on social media". (Reposting to fix pagination issues.)
October 22, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Here's a suggestion for talking points. No credit please, just say "someone on social media". (Reposting to fix pagination issues.)
Perhaps some of the more innovative states should consider developing their own, performance-based building code that emphasizes international standards and best practices? (Of course, the biggest hurdle might be overcoming the ICC's lobbyist SWAT team as it desperately clings to power.)
October 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Perhaps some of the more innovative states should consider developing their own, performance-based building code that emphasizes international standards and best practices? (Of course, the biggest hurdle might be overcoming the ICC's lobbyist SWAT team as it desperately clings to power.)
Here's a similar tactic - using very specific criteria that seem generic but apply only to one. For instance, this part of the California Penal Code about unauthorized commercial activity at specific airports applies only at SFO due to the "located in another county" provision.
September 9, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Here's a similar tactic - using very specific criteria that seem generic but apply only to one. For instance, this part of the California Penal Code about unauthorized commercial activity at specific airports applies only at SFO due to the "located in another county" provision.
The best outcome (we can only dream!) would be ditching the IBC and writing a new, performance-based building code.
The worst outcome would be a total ban on single-stair even for 2 or 3-story buildings. (Some people have a Bad Idea Machine.)
PS: @nilo.bsky.social you'll love this figure.
The worst outcome would be a total ban on single-stair even for 2 or 3-story buildings. (Some people have a Bad Idea Machine.)
PS: @nilo.bsky.social you'll love this figure.
September 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The best outcome (we can only dream!) would be ditching the IBC and writing a new, performance-based building code.
The worst outcome would be a total ban on single-stair even for 2 or 3-story buildings. (Some people have a Bad Idea Machine.)
PS: @nilo.bsky.social you'll love this figure.
The worst outcome would be a total ban on single-stair even for 2 or 3-story buildings. (Some people have a Bad Idea Machine.)
PS: @nilo.bsky.social you'll love this figure.
Federal or state senator? (If a state senator, some ideas could include: requiring the state to develop and adopt a performance-based building code that takes international standards and best practices into account, and prohibiting direct adoption of any "model" building code including the IBC.)
September 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Federal or state senator? (If a state senator, some ideas could include: requiring the state to develop and adopt a performance-based building code that takes international standards and best practices into account, and prohibiting direct adoption of any "model" building code including the IBC.)
Here are the severe restrictions on elementary schools in the 2024 edition of NFPA 101. (The sections numbered 14 are for new, those numbered 15 are for existing.)
August 12, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Here are the severe restrictions on elementary schools in the 2024 edition of NFPA 101. (The sections numbered 14 are for new, those numbered 15 are for existing.)
For the codes, options for jurisdictions wanting to move faster could include amendments or variances to allow international alternatives to UL/ASHRAE (or ditching the ICC codes outright in favor of a new, performance-based code), but the article suggests there are federal regulations involved too.
July 15, 2025 at 9:22 PM
For the codes, options for jurisdictions wanting to move faster could include amendments or variances to allow international alternatives to UL/ASHRAE (or ditching the ICC codes outright in favor of a new, performance-based code), but the article suggests there are federal regulations involved too.
The idea has been around in some form since the 1990's.
June 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The idea has been around in some form since the 1990's.
A lot of countries have used performance-based codes for many years. This should be an opportunity to look at ditching the IBC and writing a new, statewide, performance-based building code.
June 19, 2025 at 3:37 PM
A lot of countries have used performance-based codes for many years. This should be an opportunity to look at ditching the IBC and writing a new, statewide, performance-based building code.
And speaking of schools... I thought I may want to mention a code issue from NFPA 101. (some IBC jurisdictions like North Carolina also have amendments with this prohibition... just why?)
June 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
And speaking of schools... I thought I may want to mention a code issue from NFPA 101. (some IBC jurisdictions like North Carolina also have amendments with this prohibition... just why?)
Sorry for the delay, how does something like this look?
June 17, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Sorry for the delay, how does something like this look?
This makes me wonder if anyone has tried to apply for variances to use EN/ISO elevators. (This may be more feasible in some states than others. For instance, Massachusetts allows statewide "product approval" variances.)
May 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
This makes me wonder if anyone has tried to apply for variances to use EN/ISO elevators. (This may be more feasible in some states than others. For instance, Massachusetts allows statewide "product approval" variances.)
Here's an idea that would be an important part of making both of those things (and more) possible. (Note that in many states, elevators are regulated separately from building codes.)
May 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Here's an idea that would be an important part of making both of those things (and more) possible. (Note that in many states, elevators are regulated separately from building codes.)
I would not be surprised if a lot of cops don't just fantasize about arresting people - they probably also fantasize about shooting people and probably overlap with wanting to shoot anyone who comes up their driveway. (and someone on X even mentioned this... anyone know who this is referring to?)
April 29, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I would not be surprised if a lot of cops don't just fantasize about arresting people - they probably also fantasize about shooting people and probably overlap with wanting to shoot anyone who comes up their driveway. (and someone on X even mentioned this... anyone know who this is referring to?)
So I had a look at the list... and it's mentioning a county that does not exist in Massachusetts? I guess someone at ICE forgot to proofread.
April 15, 2025 at 5:17 PM
So I had a look at the list... and it's mentioning a county that does not exist in Massachusetts? I guess someone at ICE forgot to proofread.
Off-topic but you'll love this meme.
April 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Off-topic but you'll love this meme.
I wonder if other countries require this or not... (or if other countries' performance-based codes make alternate methods much easier for situations like this.)
On a related note, I made another silly meme.
On a related note, I made another silly meme.
April 9, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I wonder if other countries require this or not... (or if other countries' performance-based codes make alternate methods much easier for situations like this.)
On a related note, I made another silly meme.
On a related note, I made another silly meme.
Also... another interesting thing is that Wesleyan appears to be one of the few universities without its own police force. (University police forces are something that should be abolished entirely, for several reasons.)
The part about inability to arrest isn't fully true, see CGS 53a-22(g).
The part about inability to arrest isn't fully true, see CGS 53a-22(g).
April 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Also... another interesting thing is that Wesleyan appears to be one of the few universities without its own police force. (University police forces are something that should be abolished entirely, for several reasons.)
The part about inability to arrest isn't fully true, see CGS 53a-22(g).
The part about inability to arrest isn't fully true, see CGS 53a-22(g).
Update on the EPCOT Building Code: Turns out the aforementioned update to the code was actually signing its death warrant.
March 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Update on the EPCOT Building Code: Turns out the aforementioned update to the code was actually signing its death warrant.
That too! Abolishing any facility-specific police would be a great thing for state legislatures (including Beacon Hill) to do.
(A potential misconception is that schools/colleges/universities can't have armed non-police security. This is not true in MA. MGL Chapter 269, Section 10 does allow it.)
(A potential misconception is that schools/colleges/universities can't have armed non-police security. This is not true in MA. MGL Chapter 269, Section 10 does allow it.)
March 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
That too! Abolishing any facility-specific police would be a great thing for state legislatures (including Beacon Hill) to do.
(A potential misconception is that schools/colleges/universities can't have armed non-police security. This is not true in MA. MGL Chapter 269, Section 10 does allow it.)
(A potential misconception is that schools/colleges/universities can't have armed non-police security. This is not true in MA. MGL Chapter 269, Section 10 does allow it.)
Speaking of codes... (what appears to be) the only non-IBC building code remaining in the US is about to get an overhaul. The hearing for this is on the 28th. (I have no knowledge as to what will be mentioned in the new edition of the EPCOT Building Code.)
March 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Speaking of codes... (what appears to be) the only non-IBC building code remaining in the US is about to get an overhaul. The hearing for this is on the 28th. (I have no knowledge as to what will be mentioned in the new edition of the EPCOT Building Code.)
Update: the only non-IBC building code remaining in the US (the EPCOT Building Code) is about to get an overhaul. It is set to be discussed at the board meeting on March 28. (Hopefully this version won't cost $125 to read.)
March 25, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Update: the only non-IBC building code remaining in the US (the EPCOT Building Code) is about to get an overhaul. It is set to be discussed at the board meeting on March 28. (Hopefully this version won't cost $125 to read.)