After much evaluation, the General Service Administration (GSA) has redefined its position on specific issues under consideration by the International Code Council.The GSA has redrawn its proposal to reduce the requirements for fireproofing steel members in highrise buildings over 42 stories. Reports from the NIST has shown that the primary reason for the collapse of the World trade Center towers was the fact that the fireproofing on the steel members was blown off in the explosion caused by the jet fuel. This caused the members to be exposed to extreme heat which weakened their strength.
Still, the GSA viewed the more stringent requirements as unneccessary, and way too expensive. After much criticism from numerous fronts including a scalding letter from Senator Hillary Clinton, the GSA has softened its stance on this issue and is now supporting the International Code Council's position.
Also, there seems to have been a compromize regarding the proposed third egress stairwell required in all towers overs 420 feet. This compromize will be a third elevator capable of functioning even in the event of power failure in the building and the widening of the two required stairwells which will facilitate occupancy evacuation.
I would like to start off by appologising to my readers for not having any new posts for so long. I had a project that took up way too much of my time the past few weeks. Anyway, I am happy that the GSA has finally been made to see past their greed and realize that occupant safety is a higher priority than lining their pockets and would like to thank senator Clinton for helping lean on them.
Image obtained from www.nytimes.com
For more info, go to www.csemag.com/article/CA6593763.html
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