Building Codes

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Building Codes
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Codes

• Building Code
• Regional
• BOCA, SBCCI, CABO, UBC, CITY OF DALLAS,
• National
• IBC
• Fire Code
• NFC, UFC, NFPA, Life Safety 101
• Accessibility Code
• ADAAG, UDAG, TAS

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Codes

• Zoning
• By region
• City of Lubbock Zoning Ordinance
• Specialty Codes
• TDH, TDHS, Long Term Care, Assisted Living
  Facilities, Licensed Child-Care Center, Etc.

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Codes

• Legal documents
• Must be adopted by region
• State, County, City
• Regional addenda
• Updated typically every 3 years
• IBC 2000, 2003, 2006
• Codes are written by experts in the field
• Architect, engineers, fire marshals,
  manufacturers, contractor, end users

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Codes

• Defined by historical events
• Human abuse/ life loss produces change in code
• Industrial revolution
• Coconut Grove fire
• Nursing Homes in the 60s
• Inaccessible facilities in the 80s
• 911/ Twin Towers, etc.
• Most codes allow for public review and submittal

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Why Codes

• To protect health, safety and welfare
• Protect people not structures
• Establish a minimum standard
• Few codes mandate aesthetics
• Standard for design, permits, and construction
• Used by architects, engineers, contractors,
  owners, code officials, lawyers

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Architects Role

• Review all applicable codes
• Ensure code compliance
• Design, not construction
• Coordinate all consultants
• Consultants are responsible for their
  disciplines, but architect is responsible for the
  entire project, including all disciplines
• Owner/Architect
• Architect/Consultants
• Review of codes with authorities
• Owner through contractor is responsible for
  permits

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Building Codes

• No national standard
• The International Code
• (23 states have adopted)
• Building, Fire, Residential, Electrical,
  Mechanical, Energy, Plumbing, etc.
• The City of Lubbock
• 2003 International Codes
• IBC, IPC, IFC, etc.

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IBC Big Picture

• 1 - Occupancy
• Stated by project
• Chapter 3
• Group Classification
• Incidental Use
• Mixed Use
• Chapter 4
• Special Use

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IBC Big Picture

• 2 Construction Type
• Chapter 6
• Non linear process between Construction Type and
  Area Allowance
• Type I most fire resistant non combustible
• Type II non combustible
• Type III composite
• Type IV heavy timber
• Type V least fire resistive
• The higher the type, the more expensive

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IBC Big Picture

• Begin with the lowest Construction Type as
  possible or Construction Type by material
  selection
• Typical residential, wood frame, Type IV
• Typical commercial, metal stud, Type II/ Type III
• Typical high-rise construction, Type I
• Fire resistive construction
• A non-combustible
• B combustible
• Differentiates fire rating of building elements
• Table 601
• Hidden elements such as blocking

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IBC Big Picture

• Fire separation
• Distance to property line or another structure
• Table 602

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IBC Big Picture

• 3 Area and Height Allowance
• Non linear process with Construction Type
• Table 503
• Area modifications per GSF
• Section 506
• Increase due to frontage or sprinkler
• Special Provisions

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How to do a Code Study

• Non linear process
• Between area and construction type
• Between individual chapters and occupancy type
• Between individual chapters and Fire Resistance
  Rated Construction
• Chapter 7
• Fire wall, fire partitions, openings, etc.
• Note what applies to building only

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How to do a Code Study

• Print 8 ½ x 11 of site and floor plan
• 6 Basic Steps
• Step 1 Classify Building
• Occupancy
• Construction
• Location
• Allowable Area and Height

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How to do a Code Study

• Step 2 Review Occupancy Requirements
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Step 3 Review Construction Type and Fire
  Resistance
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7

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How to do a Code Study

• Step 4 Review Means of Egress
• Chapter 10
• Various calculations are required
• Occupancy load Table 1004.1.2
• NSF - do not have to calculate non occupied
  spaces, corridors, walls, or restrooms
• Exit width Table 1005.1
• Step 5 Review Accessibility
• Chapter 11
• Many regions submit to the authority of the
  state
• TDLR - Texas Department of Licensing and
  Regulation
• TAS - Texas Accessibility Standards

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How to do a Code Study

• Step 6 Review Detailed Regulations
• All other chapters
• As they apply to building
• Have interior finishes, better look at Chapter 8
  and Chapter 12
• Have plumbing, better look at Chapter 29
• Got glass Chapter 24