ATTACHMENT_14,_BUILDING_CODE_POLICY,_JULY_1,_2017.docx

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

BUILDING CODE POLICY

July 01, 2017

Background:

The Kennedy Center, as a federal entity, is its own authority having jurisdiction over the property and wishes to adopt uniform state-of-the-art standards for its construction projects while maintaining the flexibility to meet the specific needs of a project, the facility, or the organization. Although the adopted codes contain a detailed administrative framework, this policy provides a practical supplement for the implementation of these standards at the Kennedy Center.

Applicable Laws:

The Public Buildings Amendments of 1988, 40 United States Code (U.S.C.) 3312, require that each building constructed or altered by a federal agency shall, to the extent feasible, be in compliance with one of the nationally recognized model building codes and with other applicable nationally recognized codes. In addition, Section 303 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and revised ADA Amendments Act of 2008 requires that new construction or alteration be designed to meet uniform accessibility standards.

Adopted Codes:

Where applicable, projects at the Kennedy Center shall comply with the following Codes and Standards:

· International Building Code (IBC) (2015)

· International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) (2015)

· International Existing Building Code (IEBC) (2015)

· International Fire Code (IFC) (2015)

· International Green Construction Code (IgCC) (2015)

· International Mechanical Code (IMC) (2015)

· International Plumbing Code (IPC) (2015)

· International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) (2015)

· NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) (2017)

· NFPA 70e, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (2015)

· The technical egress requirements of the 2015 NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) will be used in lieu of the egress requirements of the International Building Code

· 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design

· Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (2004)

· Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS)

Where, in any specific case, different sections of these codes specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the more restrictive standard shall govern. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable.

Referenced Codes:

The other codes and standards that are referenced in the adopted codes shall be considered part of the Kennedy Center’s requirements to the prescribed extent of each such reference.

Changes in Adopted Codes:

To ensure that the most up to date standards are used, the latest versions of the above codes (at the time of design contract award) will be used.

Code Interpretation and Modification:

Any time that modification of a code requirement appears to be in the best interests of the Kennedy Center, or an interpretation of a specific code requirement is needed, the issue will be formally reviewed by a Code Panel consisting of the following or their designated representative:

Vice President of Facilities Director of Project Management Director of Facilities Services Director of Operations and Maintenance Director of VSA & Accessibility Safety and Occupational Health Manager

The Code Panel may also engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual technical issues.

If a modification is requested by a Contractor or contracted Architect/Engineer, the firm will submit a written justification for the requested change along with suggested means, methods and/or materials to achieve equivalency.

If there are irreconcilable differences of opinion between the interested parties, final adjudication shall be made by the Kennedy Center’s Senior Vice President for Operations.

Code Enforcement:

For large projects, review of Contractor submittals and inspection of work for compliance with the project specifications and applicable codes will be contracted to the project design team or an independent third party. Kennedy Center staff, including Project Management and Code Panel members, may perform submittal review and/or unscheduled inspections as desired.

For small projects and projects performed by Kennedy Center staff, inspections and/or submittal review may be performed by Project Management staff, with assistance from the code panel members as requested.

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