Building and Fire Safety Guidance Library

building planners meeting

Advisories, directives, interpretations, and notices

Welcome to the Building and Fire Safety Guidance Library, a centralized resource maintained by the Office of the State Building Inspector (OSBI) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM). This page provides access to all official Advisories, Directives, Interpretations, and Notices issued under Connecticut’s building and fire safety regulations.

These documents are designed to assist local building and fire officials, design professionals, contractors, and members of the public in understanding and applying state codes and standards consistently across Connecticut.

Use this library to find the latest guidance, clarify code requirements, and stay informed on important updates that affect building safety and fire prevention statewide.


Access Official Guidance Documents

Below you will find categorized links to official documents issued by the Office of the State Building Inspector and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Each section provides current and archived materials for reference.

Advisories

Advisories communicate general information, updates, or clarifications on building and fire code topics. They may include notices of code adoption, procedural updates, or statewide guidance intended to promote consistency in enforcement.

List and Link Advisories here

Directives

Directives establish official policies or procedures that must be followed by local building or fire officials. These are binding instructions intended to ensure uniform application of the Connecticut State Building Code and Fire Safety Code.

List and Link Directives

Archives

Interpretations

Interpretations provide formal explanations of specific provisions within the Connecticut State Building Code or Fire Safety Code. These are issued to resolve questions of meaning or application raised by local officials or the public.

Accessibility Code Interpretations

Index of Accessibility Code Interpretations:
Code Section Interpretation Number Code Description State Building Code Edition
2003


1108.2 i-10-03 Toilet accessibility and adaptability 1999

2002


1103.1 i-16-02 Inaccessible mezzanine - goods & services 1999
1107.2.3 i-19-02 Accessible seating in mezzanine 1999
1107.4.2.1 i-22-02 Type A R-2 1999
2001

Chap.11 i-03-01 Van-accessible parking spaces in a garage 1999
1110.2 i-08-01 20% rule - alterations 1999
1105.1.1 i-17-01 Accessible parking R-2 1999
1107, 114 i-30-01 Substantial renovation or rehabilitation 1999
2000


103.1, 1107.4.2.3

 i-07-00 Townhouses, R-4 & accessibility requirements 1999
4.2.5.1 i-13-00 Electrical switches & receptacles & accessible reach range requirements 1999
1999


1110.2.1 i-29-99 Accessibility & the 20% application requirement 1999
1107.4.2 i-48-99 Changing accessible features within a condominium unit 1999
1107.4.1.1, 1107.4.2 i-39-99 Accessibility for R-2 dormitory suites with bath & kitchen facilities 1999
1107.4.2.1 i-54-99 R-2 townhouse unit & accessibility throughout the dwelling 1999

BOCA National Building Code Interpretations

 
Code Section Interpretation Number Code Description State Building Code Edition
2011


108.2; 108 i-05-11 Pool/spa rough stage & final inspections needed to obtain Certificate of Occupancy 1999
1621.1 i-08-11 Component design seismic bracing 2005

307.2.3.1 (IMC)
M1411.3.1.1 (IRC)

 i-11-11 Water-level monitoring devices
2008
1017.2 i-16-08 Means of egress
 1999
2007
1014.11.2 i-02-07 Exit enclosure penetrations
 1999
705.2 i-08-07 Rated structural elements in exterior wall
 1999
2006
1006.2.1; 1006.4 i-4-06 Means of egress
 1999
1021.2 i-7-06 Guard height 1999
713.2 i-17-06 Rated joints 1999
2005

714.2.1 i-2-05 Vent penetrations 1999
2004

1512.0 i-2-04 Roof coverings 1999
308.1; 308.2 i-3-04 I-2 vs R-2 use group
 1999
113; 118 i-5-04 Certificate of occupancy issuance 1999
505 i-7-04 Mezzanine calculation 1999
407.0 i-8-04 Private garages in multiple single family
 1999
420 i-11-04 Demolish mobile home
 1999
421.10.1 i-12-04 Pool barrier hinges 1999
716 i-14-04 Exterior structural member rating 1999
2003
1014.11 i-3-03 Stair enclosure 1999
1614.0; 3408.2.4 i-4-03 Seismic for repairs
 1999
3404.2 i-5-03 Existing roof loads 1999

i-8-03 Language of a statute 1999
1108.2 i-10-03 Toilet accessibility and adaptability 1999
118.3 i-11-03 Inspections 1999
803.2 i-12-03 Wood in Type 2C construction
 1999
3405.1 i-15-03 Home Office 1999
1606.2.3 i-17-03 Truss bottom chord loads
 1999
114.3 i-19-03 Threshold limits 1999
118.3 i-20-03 Temporary vacancy 1999
310.5 i-21-03 Fire separation in multi-single family 1999
114.2.2 i-23-03 Payment of special professional services
 1999
2002

3404.2 i-5-02 Roof covering – drainage
 1999
1005.5 i-8-02 Recessed garage pits - safety concerns
 1999
1024.1 i-11-02 Means of egress lighting
 1999
1010.2, 1010.3, 1017.2 i-12-02 Spaces with a single means of egress
 1999
102.2 i-15-02 Existing pool barrier 1999
1103.1 i-16-02 Inaccessible mezzanine - goods &services 1999
421.10.1, 421.10.3 i-17-02 Pool barrier - climbability 1999
Chap. 34, 3408.2.4 i-18-02 Change of use/occupancy 1999
1107.2.3 i-19-02 Accessible seating in mezzanine 1999
1103.1 i-21-02 Kennel accessibility
 1999
1107.4.2.1 i-22-02 Type A R-2 1999
2001

105.4 i-2-01 Inspection reports submitted by individuals not licensed to perform such inspections 1999
Chap. 11 i-3-01 Van-accessible parking spaces in a garage
 1999
1007.3 i-4-01 Elevator lobbies 1999
Table 302.1.1 i-6-01 Boiler and furnace room doors
 1999
1110.2.1 i-08-01 20% rule – alterations
 1999
111.1 i-09-01 Requirements for a permit
 1994
1405.5 i-10-01 Brick veneer [ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402-95]
 1999
100.4, 103.2, 104.1 i-13-01 Public safety general welfare 1994
114.1, 114.1.1 i-14-01 Architect's seal 1999
107.1 i-15-01 Skateboard ramp
117.3 i-16-01 Prosecute violation
 1999
1105.1.1 i-17-01 Accessible parking R-2 1999
707.0 i-18-01 Existing fire wall 1999
Chap. 11 i-19-01 Language clarification 1994
404.4, 404.5, 713.3 i-20-01 Atrium without smoke control 1999
111.3 i-21-01 Structural failure 1999
117.2, 118.1, 120.3 i-22-01 Prosecution for working without a building permit
 1994
421.1 i-23-01 Pool depth and water system exemptions for inflatable swimming pools
 1999
117.0 i-24-01 Prosecute violation
 1999
407.09 i-26-01 Private garage floors 1999
Chap. 1 i-27-01 Radio towers and associated antennae
 1999
118.0 i-28-01 Stop work order 1994
117 i-29-01 Code enforcement 1994
1107, 114 i-30-01 Substantial renovation or rehabilitation
 1999
2000

904.1, 904.8 i-01-00 Possible conflict between code sections when applying to project re hotel sprinklers 1999
1301.1 i-02-00 MEC; 101.4 & ASHRAE; 101 & exemption of special support spaces
 1999
108.1 i-03-00 Foamseal F2100 product acceptable alternative method of attachment
 1999
3408.6.11 i-04-00 Change of occupancy, R2 to R3 & requirement for window replacement
 1999
103.1 i-08-00 Residential identification of hazardous locations for glazing 1994
3105.4 i-10-00 Awning material & flame-resistant code requirement
 1999
2801.2 i-11-00 Residential fuel tank installation requirements
 1999
1107.4.2.1 i-12-00 Applicability of “substantially renovated & rehabilitated”
 1999
1205.2 i-14-00 R3 & R2 residential bathrooms & exhaust requirements 1999
114.3 i-15-00 Special provisions of threshold limits & application to existing buildings

1999
302.1.1.1 i-16-00 Gypsum wallboard used as smoke partitions
 1999
1012.0 i-19-00 Standpipes 1999
603.0 i-21-00 Use of combustible wood siding 1999
421.10.1 i-22-00 Use of wire mesh fencing barrier for swimming pool, spa or hot tub
 1999
421.10.1 i-23-00 Pool barrier door alarm 1999
107.9 & 108.1.1 i-24-00 Amount of time permit applicant has to complete an action; amount of time bldg. Official has to act on an application
 1999
401.4.3 & 401.4 i-26-00 Use of plastic pipe 1994
507.1 i-27-00 Fully sprinklered existing buildings
 1999
1014.6.2 i-28-00 Stone stair construction tolerances
 1999
1110.2.1 & 1107.4.2.1 i-30-00 Alterations affecting the primary function areas
 1999
302.1.2 i-31-00 Exemption of accessory areas to accessibility provisions for new construction
 1999
Chap. 1 i-32-00 Stop work order 1999
310.0 i-33-00 Differentiation between accessory (in-law) apartments & 2 family dwellings 1999
105.7 i-35-00 Local bldg. official’s retention of construction documents for single family dwellings & outbuildings
 1999
403.9.1.3 i-36-00 Eight story bldg undergoing change of use (R2 to R1) 1999
117.0 i-37-00 Building code definitions 1999
1610.0 i-39-00 Seismic hazard exposure group
 1999
3107.0 i-40-00 Flood resistive construction
 1999
421.10.1 i-41-00 Pool barriers utilizing raised terrace 1999
310.6 i-44-00 Calculating sq. ft. area per floor & open riser
 1999
107.0 & 108.0 i-46-00 Permits & licensing 1999
102.2 i-48-00 Electrical renovations 1999
114.3 i-52-00 Threshold height re: mechanical equipment
 1999
1017.2 i-53-00 Mechanical egress 1999
1022.2 i-54-00 Handrail clearances; comparison to CABO/ANSI A117.1
 1999
3405.1 i-55-00 Use Group M sprinklers & change of occupancy
 1999
3404.2 i-56-00 Renovations to existing buildings
 1999
505.4 i-57-00 Mezzanine openness 1999
Chap. 1 i-58-00 Statute questions 1999
1806.1 & 1812.1 i-63-00 Frost protection – mini-storage building 1999
108.1 i-66-00 Zoning sign-off - waste disposal
 1999
107.1 i-67-00 Removal of building by burning
 1999
1021.3 i-69-00 Pipe guard rails 1999
412.2 i-72-00 Definitions of platform and stage
 1999
117.2, 117.3, 111.1,
118.1, 118.2		 i-73-00 Administrative procedures re violations, stop work orders 1999
1110.2.1, 3404.2 i-74-00 Changing existing door hardware in a partial renovation 1999
502.1 i-75-00 Definition of one structure 1999
1999

Table 305.2 i-3-99 Use group for a typical take out pizza & donut store/shop configuration
 1994
101.1.1 i-4-99 Uniform implementation of the CT State Building Code
 1994
204.4, 201.1 i-5-99 Building official right to enter garages, porches & CGS 29-393, 29-261d 1994
117.3, 2303.2 i-8-99 Building official instituting proceeding of law; permit requirement for roof shingling
 1994
111.3, 111.8, 112.6 i-9-99 Application of permit designee, applicant & authorization from owner
 1994
117.3 i-10-99 Does CT State Building Code allow building official to attain legal services? 1994
Article 21 i-11-99 Permit for wood clapboard siding 1994
111.1 i-13-99 Activities which need a permit. Work being done without a permit
 1994
118.1 i-15-99 Building official using sheriff to serve a stop work order 1994
104.1 i-16-99 Specific words requesting definitions 1994
114.1 i-17-99 Must an official accept documents prepared by an architect
 1999
702, 705 i-19-99 Code intent with regard to fire separation distances 1994
Chap. 3 i-20-99 Use group for an assisted living facility, use group R-2 or use group I
 1999
904.3, 3103.3.1 i-21-99 Riding arena use group, construction type & membrane structure concerns
 1999
315.2 i-23-99 Handrails & equivalent graspability of BOCA Section 1022.2.4 & CABO
 1999
114.1.1 i-25-99 Intent of code with respect to services of an architect or an engineer 1999
103.1 i-26-99 Code to utilize when residence work exceeds CABO section requirements
 1999
120, 103.1, 103.3 i-28-99 1999 CT State Building Code reuse of an existing stone foundation 1994
1017.4.5 i-30-99 Electro-magnetic lock on egress doors
 1999
310.1 i-32-99 Right of entry 1994
1005.9 i-33-99 Requirement for guardrails
 1999
110.1.1 i-34-99 Building official’s right to entry
 1994
Table 401 i-38-99 Steel beams & fireproofing of Type 1A construction
 1999
507.2 i-40-99 Adjacencies of unlimited building areas & fire walls
 1999
403.1 i-41-99 High-low drinking fountains & plumbing fixture count code requirements 1999
302.1, 308.3.1,
308.5.1		 i-42-99 Use group for adult day care facility with occupants incapable of self-exiting
 1999
Table 503.0 i-47-99 Intent of code height limitations & areas of stories below grade
 1999
507.1.1 i-57-99 Unlimited area requirements for use group
 1999
112.3.1 i-58-99 Formula for charging municipal building permit fees 1999
1103.1, 1104.2 i-62-99 Mezzanine access 1999
1705 i-64-99 Special inspector & engineer of record
 1999
1507.4.3 i-66-99 Number of fasteners required for asphalt strip roof shingles to meet basic wind speeds
 1999
716.2 i-68-99 Braced structural frames & fire resistance rating requirements 1999
2203 i-70-99 Leaded glass panels & exemption classification 1999

International Swimming Pool and Spa Codes

2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) Interpretation 1-26-01

Archives