The Chicago Construction Codes are about to undergo a major update on August 1, 2020. At this time, they are generally grouped together under Titles 13, 15 and 18 of the Chicago Municipal Code, but will be broken out into their own sub-titles in Title 14. A letter designation will title the sub-tile to reflect [Read More]
New Electrical Code for the City of Chicago
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The City of Chicago has adopted the 2017 version of NFPA 70 (NEC) as its new electrical code, with amendments of course. The new code is set to become effective on March 1, 2018. I’ve got a copy of that new code and have begun going over the fire alarm/voice evacuation section to find variations [Read More]
Can Elevators Still Be Used During a Fire Alarm?
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We’ve all seen the signage in elevator lobbies to use the stairs in event of fire. Some signs even say the elevators are out of service in event of fire, but that’s not always true. People may become unsure of what to do when they see an elevator door open on the 30th floor during a fire [Read More]
What is Fire Alarm Audibility?
The biggest obstacle to getting occupancy of a completed construction project is getting approval from the fire department. Of all the items checked by the fire department inspector, the biggest concern and hardest to rectify if not compliant is the level of occupant notification in event of a fire alarm activation. If occupants can’t hear [Read More]
Does a Renovation Project Change Elevator Recall Requirements?
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We frequently get questions about whether an office buildout/renovation changes the existing elevator recall sequence or mandates it if there is no recall. The simple answer is that if the elevator equipment is not substantially altered after its installation, the requirements applicable at the time of installation remain in force. Whether or not the space [Read More]
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