On the rise: Chicago adopts high-rise ordinance and amends installation standards to reduce costs

摘要

LIKE MANY OTHER CITIES in the United States, the City of Chicago amended its building code in the mid-1970s to include provisions specifically applicable to new high-rise buildings. The current edition of the Chicago Building Code (CBC) defines high-rise buildings as those having a height of 80 feet (24 meters) or more. The high-rise provisions generally require automatic sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, occupant and fire department voice communication systems, stairway unlocking systems and other passive and active systems similar to the provisions found in the model building codes.