2016 SBC & CSFSC Memorandum

CHRISTOPHER RICHARD LAUX / building official / code consultant

September 27, 2016

Memo to: Clients and Friends in the construction industry

From: Christopher Laux

Subject: Adoption of 2016 State Building Code (SBC) and Connecticut State Fire Safety

Code (CSFSC)

The Office of the State Building Inspector (OSBI) and the Office of the State Fire

Marshal (OSFM) have just announced that the 2016 SBC and CSFSC have been

approved for adoption affecting all permit applications made on or after October 1,

2016. These codes will include the 2012 ICC family of codes typically adopted by CT,

including portions of the 2012 International Fire Code as Part III of the CSFSC; the 2009

Edition of ICC/ANSI AS117.1 for accessibility; and the 2014 National Electrical Code.

Each of these codes has been amended by CT so it is imperative that you download the

CT amendments from OSBI and OSFM.

How does this affect new permit applications?

While this date has long been anticipated; this formal announcement does not

leave much time to decide how to handle projects in the design and construction

document phase that have not yet been submitted for permits. I offer the following

suggestions:

1) Alter the design of projects in the pipeline to meet the requirements of the 2016

codes. There are, in fact, many favorable changes found in the 2012 codes;

2) Apply for modifications from both OSBI and OSFM to use the 2005 codes with all

subsequent amendments, based on the fact that the documents are at a stage that

makes changing them to meet the 2016 codes infeasible. OSBI has indicated that they

will look favorable upon these requests for a period of 3 to 4 months. Requests after

that time frame must have a documented reason for the request (delay in land use

approvals; lack of funding; etc.); or

3) Apply for a full or partial building permit prior to 10/1/16. Even if your application is

denied (lack of local approvals, lack of completed construction documents, etc.) you will

have 180 days from the date of your application (see IBC 105.3.2 and IRC R105.3.2) to

complete the application process. The local building official is empowered to grant one

or more extensions to the application process of 90 days each. The extension request

must be in writing and demonstrate justifiable cause. You then have a period of 180

days to begin construction after the permit has been issued. The local building official is

empowered to grant one or more extensions of 180 days each to begin the work. Again,

the extension request must be in writing and demonstrate justifiable cause.
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How does this affect construction projects for which a permit has been issued?

All work for which a full or partial permit has been issued prior to 10/1/16 that has

not been deemed to be abandoned shall continue to be regulated by the code in effect

at the time of permit application (presumably the 2005 SBC and CSFSC with applicable

CT Amendments). This is true even if additional permits are applied for after 10/1/16 for

the same project (such as deferred submittals for MEP or fire protection; or if only a

foundation permit has been issued, for the balance of the work). In other words, all work

required to complete the project and obtain a C of O will be regulated by the code in

effect at the time of issuance for the initial building permit.

Hope this helps!

27 Grey Fox Trail, Post Office Box 636, Woodbury, Connecticut 06798-0636

Phone: (203) 263-5787; Cell: (203) 586-8864; e-mail: codeguy22@gmail.com
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2016 SBC & CSFSC Announcement.pdf
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