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Additional background on the ORSC and OSSC <br /> On April 1, 2021, the 2021 ORSC took effect. A significant portion of the overall adoption process was to <br /> update,align,and streamline the administrative provisions within Chapter 1. This was done in parallel with an <br /> interim amendment update to Chapter 1 of the 2019 OSSC. Since 2018,the division has been making an effort <br /> to appropriately adjust the Chapter 1 provisions of both codes for our state to accurately reflect delegable <br /> authority, address inconsistencies in the state building code,and effectively communicate division policy under <br /> ORS 455 for our customers, stakeholders and local government partners acting under our authority. As a result <br /> of this effort,the Oregon requirements for non-residential uses align more closely with national model building <br /> codes, and with the national standard of care. Introducing a business, care facility, or other non-residential use <br /> to an otherwise residential setting increases fire-life safety risk. The national model code (International <br /> Residential Code)requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in all residential applications,while Oregon requires <br /> them only in limited applications. Because these non-residential use facilities are at higher risk, they were <br /> particularly below the national standard of care, which prompted the change in their treatment in Chapter I of <br /> the OSSC and ORSC. <br /> In Oregon,the ORSC governs residential uses of detached one-and two-family dwellings,townhouses,and their <br /> accessory structures. As defined, live/work units are also permitted to follow the construction standards of the <br /> ORSC where they meet the applicable provisions of the OSSC;including an automatic fire sprinkler system and <br /> accessibility. Other non-residential uses, including businesses and care facilities, must be appropriately <br /> classified and constructed in accordance with OSSC.Where these new uses are proposed in an existing dwelling, <br /> [. a change of use process must be initiated by contacting the local building department. <br /> fir' Licensure associated with non-residential uses may specify that certain licensed activities are permitted to occur <br /> within detached one-and two-family dwellings and townhouses.Particularly for child care facilities and adult <br /> foster care facilities, licensure establishes; acceptable business locations, land use or zoning allowances, <br /> maximum numbers of individuals receiving care, and similar licensing parameters. In Section R101.2, the <br /> 2021 ORSC recognizes these two unique business uses located within detached dwellings, and specifies the <br /> appropriate construction standard path of the OSSC,while ensuring flexibility in the designby assigning a Group <br /> R-3 occupancy classification. R-3 is the standard classification generally reserved for residential-only use, and <br /> covers one-and two-family dwellings. <br /> Under the previous ORSC scope, and multiple iterations prior, these facilities were directly governed without <br /> additional safeguards. Under the 2021 ORSC, those non-residential uses associated with typical detached one- <br /> and two-family dwellings and townhouses are now addressed by the standards of the OSSC. Under the OSSC, <br /> and the assigned Group R-3 classification,these facilities are still permitted to be constructed using prescriptive <br /> conventional light-frame construction provisions, but now have the added safety requirement of an automatic <br /> residential fire sprinkler system. Specification of this safeguard for these new child care and adult foster care <br /> facilities located in dwellings is outlined in the Governor's January 2020 Child Care Workgroup summary <br /> report,available at: Oregon.gov/Gov/admin/regional-solutions. <br /> L <br /> Page 2 of 2 <br />