Committee advocates for changes to 2027 I-Codes

The International Code Council (ICC) held its second code action hearings in Long Beach, Calif., in October to consider updates and improvements to several of the proposals originally disapproved during its first code action hearings for the 2027 International Codes.

Participants in the hearings debated over proposed changes to the 2027 editions of the International Fire Code (IFC), International Building Code (IBC), International Plumbing Code (IPC) and International Mechanical Code.

The ICC Committee on Healthcare (CHC) testified on 23 proposals for consideration, five of which were originated by the CHC.

Key proposals supported by the ICC CHC that were modified during this latest round of code hearings include modified requirements for alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) storage, an improved definition of the term “clinical need,” a modification to the requirements for self-closing or automatic-closing corridor doors in Group I-1 occupancies and a potential compromise for handwashing station water temperature.

Alcohol-based hand rubs

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the use of ABHRs was significantly perpetuated, yet the IFC didn’t specifically address the storage, use or handling of ABHRs outside of health care facilities.

Members of the American Society for Health Care Engineering participated in a working group led by the ICC Fire Code Action Committee to develop four proposals to help clarify these issues within the IFC. Although the proposals were approved during the first code action hearings, an interested party submitted a modification to improve the charging language of Proposal F260 to address the storage requirements and quantity limitations of ABHRs.

The modification does not affect any of the requirements or limitations within the original proposal. Instead it better organizes the application of these requirements and limitations to make the proposal easier to understand and apply in real-life settings.

Definition of clinical need

It was brought to the ICC CHC’s attention that some surveyors have been questioning door-locking arrangements based on the clinical needs of patients, highlighting the issue that no definition of “clinical need” exists within the I-Codes. The original definition proposed by the CHC was disapproved during the first hearings. Working with several additional stakeholders, the CHC followed up at last month’s hearings with the following definition of “clinical need” for the International Building and Fire Codes:

“An enhanced level of safety or security required to address care or welfare risks for care recipients.”

This definition was approved unanimously by the committee.

Closers in Group I-1 occupancies

While nursing homes (Group I-2, Condition 2) are not required to have self-closing or automatic-closing corridor doors due to the facilities having smoke compartments to subdivide care recipient sleeping areas, the building being fully sprinklered, and staff trained in fire and safety evacuation plans, assisted-living facilities (Group I-1, Condition 2) are currently required to have self-closing or automatic-closing corridor doors even though these facilities are also required to have these same three requirements. In assisted-living facilities, residents — while typically slower than the average person — are required to be capable of self-preservation and are often injured by doors with self-closing or automatic-closing doors.

The CHC modified the original proposal disapproved during the first hearings to address the concerns expressed by committee members and proponents. The modified proposal was approved by the committee during the second code action hearings. This approved proposal will allow for assisted-living facilities to better care for their residents and to reduce the risk of injuries from self-closing or automatic-closing doors.

Handwashing station water temperature.

The current requirement within the IPC for tempered water is between 85–110 F, which is the ideal range for the growth of many waterborne pathogens, prompting the CHC to proposed modified temperature requirements.

The CHC submitted a proposal during the first code hearings to allow for water delivered to handwashing stations to be outside of the tempered water range, but it was disapproved. While a modified proposal was also submitted for the second code hearings this was not acted upon by the committee. Instead, the CHC will be working with individuals who opposed the initial proposal to finalize a third proposal that will be presented at the public comment hearings scheduled to take place in April 2026.

Anyone interested in participating in the ICC CHC’s efforts for the 2027 International Codes cycle can reach out to the ICC CHC Chair Jeff O’Neill at Jeffrey.O’Neill@rwjbh.org or to Jonathan Flannery, senior associate director of ASHE Regulatory Affairs, at jflannery@aha.org.