International Building Codes (Ibc)

[AWAIS18061]

In most companies in UAE knowledge of these Codes are necessary.

The International Building Code (IBC)

Table of Contents

Definition 3

History 4

Structure 6

Development 8

Use in Government Regulation 10

Conclusion 12

References 13

Definition:

A building code is a set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings. The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code developed by the International Code Council (ICC). A model building code has no legal status until it is adopted or adapted by government regulation. The IBC provides minimum standards to insure the public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction and to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the occupancy of buildings, structures or premises.

Before the creation of the International Building Code there were several different building codes used, depending on where one decided to construct a building. The IBC was developed to consolidate existing building codes into one uniform code that could be used nationally and internationally to construct buildings. The purpose of the IBC is to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction of buildings. Therefore, it is used to regulate building construction through use of standards and is a reference for architects and engineers to use when designing buildings or building systems.

3

History:

The first building codes can be traced back to early 1800 BC. The Babylonian emperor Hammurabi enforced what was known as the Code of Hammurabi. This code was very strict and stated that, “If a builder build a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.” Building codes have evolved over time to protect the safety of building occupants without the threat of death.

Structure:

The International Building Code is arranged in a systematic manner for easy reference. It incorporates all aspects of building construction. It is made up of thirty-five (35) chapters and several appendices. The chapters in the IBC are as follows:

1) Administration 19) Concrete

2) Definitions 20) Aluminum

3) Use and Occupancy Classification 21) Masonry

4) Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy 22) Steel

5) General Building Heights and Areas 23) Wood

6) Types of Construction 24) Glass and Glazing

7) Fire-Resistant-Rated Construction 25) Gypsum Board and Plaster

8) Interior Finishes 26) Plastic

9) Fire Protection Systems 27) Electrical

10) Means of Egress 28) Mechanical Systems

11) Accessibility 29) Plumbing Systems

12) Interior Environment 30) Elevators and Conveying Systems

13) Energy Efficiency 31) Special Construction

14) Exterior Walls 32) Encroachments into the Public Right-of-

15) Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures Way

16) Structural Design 33) Safeguards During Construction

17) Structural Tests and Special Inspections 34) Existing Structures

18) Soils and Foundations 35) Referenced Codes

Each chapter is broken down into sections and each section into sub-sections. Each section describes performance criteria to be met or references other sections of the IBC or other standards such as ANSI, ASTM, etc. The following is an excerpt from Chapter 7 of IBC 2000.

705.1 General. Each portion of a building separated by one or more fire walls that comply with the provisions of this section shall be considered a separate building. The extent and location of such fire walls shall provide a complete separation. Where a fire wall also separates groups that are required to be separated by a fire barrier wall, the most restrictive requirements of each separation shall apply. Fire walls located on property lines shall also comply with Section 503.2. Such fire walls (party walls) shall be constructed without openings.

6

As excerpt indicates, the code structure states regulation in terms of measured performance rather than in rigid specification of materials. This allows for the acceptance of new materials and construction methods without revising the code.

7

Development:

There are five subcommittees of the International Code Council (ICC) that developed and update the International Building Code (IBC). The Steering and Performance committees of the ICC oversee each of these subcommittees. The committees consisted of code officials (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI), design professionals, trade professionals, builders and contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, and government agencies.

The General Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 1,2,5,6,12,13 and 26-34. The Structural Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 16-25. The Fire Safety Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 7-9,14, and 15. The Means of Egress Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 10 and 11. The Occupancy Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 3 and 4.

The development of the IBC typically runs in eighteen-month (18) cycles. The first step is accepting applications for code committees and code change proposals. The next step is to publish the proposed changes. The third step is to hold public hearings on the proposed changes. Next the minutes from the hearing are published. The following step is to collect public comments. The fifth step is to publish the public comments. Next the final public hearing is held. After the final

8

public hearing the annual ICC meeting is held. Finally the revised or new code is published. Below is an example code development schedule from the ICC.

New editions of the IBC are published every three (3) years. Amendments to the 2000 edition were issued in 2003 and 2006. In between edition revisions, intervening supplements are published. The last supplement was issued in 2004. The amendments are issued to incorporate approved changes, lessons learned and new technology. All the changes in the new editions are indicated by markings in the margins.

9

Use in Government Regulation:

The Constitution of the United States of America grants states jurisdiction over regulation of building construction. The International Building Code (IBC) is designed to be adopted by reference by ordinance. Forty-seven (47) states including Washington, DC, the U.S Department of Defense, and the National Park Service have adopted the IBC or parts of it into government regulation. Local building code officials mainly regulate the enforcement of the IBC.

One or more International Codes currently enforced statewide

One or more International Codes enforced within state at local level

One or more International Code adopted statewide with future enforcement date

Several states including Arkansas, California, Georgia, and Florida have amended versions of the IBC and incorporated the amendments into their building codes. California has yet to adopt the IBC due to disputes between the ICC and

10

National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). The NFPA has developed its own code NFPA 5000 to offer the industry an ANSI-accredited, consensus-based alternative to the IBC. It is expected that within the next five years all states will incorporate some form of the IBC.

11

Conclusion:

The development of the International Building Code has been an advancement for the building and construction industry. It provides minimum standards to insure the public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction and to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the occupancy of buildings, structures or premises. The IBC is a single source document that is adopted across the United States. This allows contractors to learn one code instead of the several that use to exist depending on the region where the work was performed. Without the IBC or building codes, people would have to think twice before entering structures or their homes.

[Ayesha]

In most companies in UAE knowledge of these Codes are necessary.

The International Building Code (IBC)

Table of Contents

Definition 3

History 4

Structure 6

Development 8

Use in Government Regulation 10

Conclusion 12

References 13

Definition:

A building code is a set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings. The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code developed by the International Code Council (ICC). A model building code has no legal status until it is adopted or adapted by government regulation. The IBC provides minimum standards to insure the public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction and to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the occupancy of buildings, structures or premises.

Before the creation of the International Building Code there were several different building codes used, depending on where one decided to construct a building. The IBC was developed to consolidate existing building codes into one uniform code that could be used nationally and internationally to construct buildings. The purpose of the IBC is to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction of buildings. Therefore, it is used to regulate building construction through use of standards and is a reference for architects and engineers to use when designing buildings or building systems.

3

History:

The first building codes can be traced back to early 1800 BC. The Babylonian emperor Hammurabi enforced what was known as the Code of Hammurabi. This code was very strict and stated that, “If a builder build a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.” Building codes have evolved over time to protect the safety of building occupants without the threat of death.

Structure:

The International Building Code is arranged in a systematic manner for easy reference. It incorporates all aspects of building construction. It is made up of thirty-five (35) chapters and several appendices. The chapters in the IBC are as follows:

1) Administration 19) Concrete

2) Definitions 20) Aluminum

3) Use and Occupancy Classification 21) Masonry

4) Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy 22) Steel

5) General Building Heights and Areas 23) Wood

6) Types of Construction 24) Glass and Glazing

7) Fire-Resistant-Rated Construction 25) Gypsum Board and Plaster

8) Interior Finishes 26) Plastic

9) Fire Protection Systems 27) Electrical

10) Means of Egress 28) Mechanical Systems

11) Accessibility 29) Plumbing Systems

12) Interior Environment 30) Elevators and Conveying Systems

13) Energy Efficiency 31) Special Construction

14) Exterior Walls 32) Encroachments into the Public Right-of-

15) Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures Way

16) Structural Design 33) Safeguards During Construction

17) Structural Tests and Special Inspections 34) Existing Structures

18) Soils and Foundations 35) Referenced Codes

Each chapter is broken down into sections and each section into sub-sections. Each section describes performance criteria to be met or references other sections of the IBC or other standards such as ANSI, ASTM, etc. The following is an excerpt from Chapter 7 of IBC 2000.

705.1 General. Each portion of a building separated by one or more fire walls that comply with the provisions of this section shall be considered a separate building. The extent and location of such fire walls shall provide a complete separation. Where a fire wall also separates groups that are required to be separated by a fire barrier wall, the most restrictive requirements of each separation shall apply. Fire walls located on property lines shall also comply with Section 503.2. Such fire walls (party walls) shall be constructed without openings.

6

As excerpt indicates, the code structure states regulation in terms of measured performance rather than in rigid specification of materials. This allows for the acceptance of new materials and construction methods without revising the code.

7

Development:

There are five subcommittees of the International Code Council (ICC) that developed and update the International Building Code (IBC). The Steering and Performance committees of the ICC oversee each of these subcommittees. The committees consisted of code officials (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI), design professionals, trade professionals, builders and contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, and government agencies.

The General Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 1,2,5,6,12,13 and 26-34. The Structural Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 16-25. The Fire Safety Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 7-9,14, and 15. The Means of Egress Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 10 and 11. The Occupancy Subcommittee is responsible for development and updating of chapters 3 and 4.

The development of the IBC typically runs in eighteen-month (18) cycles. The first step is accepting applications for code committees and code change proposals. The next step is to publish the proposed changes. The third step is to hold public hearings on the proposed changes. Next the minutes from the hearing are published. The following step is to collect public comments. The fifth step is to publish the public comments. Next the final public hearing is held. After the final

8

public hearing the annual ICC meeting is held. Finally the revised or new code is published. Below is an example code development schedule from the ICC.

New editions of the IBC are published every three (3) years. Amendments to the 2000 edition were issued in 2003 and 2006. In between edition revisions, intervening supplements are published. The last supplement was issued in 2004. The amendments are issued to incorporate approved changes, lessons learned and new technology. All the changes in the new editions are indicated by markings in the margins.

9

Use in Government Regulation:

The Constitution of the United States of America grants states jurisdiction over regulation of building construction. The International Building Code (IBC) is designed to be adopted by reference by ordinance. Forty-seven (47) states including Washington, DC, the U.S Department of Defense, and the National Park Service have adopted the IBC or parts of it into government regulation. Local building code officials mainly regulate the enforcement of the IBC.

One or more International Codes currently enforced statewide

One or more International Codes enforced within state at local level

One or more International Code adopted statewide with future enforcement date

Several states including Arkansas, California, Georgia, and Florida have amended versions of the IBC and incorporated the amendments into their building codes. California has yet to adopt the IBC due to disputes between the ICC and

10

National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). The NFPA has developed its own code NFPA 5000 to offer the industry an ANSI-accredited, consensus-based alternative to the IBC. It is expected that within the next five years all states will incorporate some form of the IBC.

11

Conclusion:

The development of the International Building Code has been an advancement for the building and construction industry. It provides minimum standards to insure the public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction and to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the occupancy of buildings, structures or premises. The IBC is a single source document that is adopted across the United States. This allows contractors to learn one code instead of the several that use to exist depending on the region where the work was performed. Without the IBC or building codes, people would have to think twice before entering structures or their homes.

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All info about International codes are available on www.iccsafe.org.

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