IFC Interpretation 59-08 | Issued 4-21-2009 | Section [F] 307.1
Where multiple buildings are located on a single lot, one of the detached buildings is dedicated to and contains a diesel-powered fire sprinkler pump provided to service the multiple associated buildings on the lot. The detached building containing the diesel-powered fire sprinkler pump is designed as a single fire area. The diesel-powered fire sprinkler pump is connected by a piping system to the diesel fuel stored within the building containing the fire sprinkler pump. The quantity of diesel fuel stored in the dedicated fire sprinkler pump building does not exceed the quantity of hazardous material allowed in Table 307.1(1) for a fire area. Is the building required to be classified High-Hazard Group H occupancy, and therefore subject to the provisions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code for the storage of hazardous materials? click to continue
IBC Interpretation 34-08 | Issued 2-20-2009 | Section 713.1
Do the provisions of Section 713.1 of the International Building Code apply to a joint that occurs between a fire resistance-rated assembly and a non-fire-resistance-rated assembly, such as where a fire-resistance-rated wall assembly terminates at the underside of a non-fire-resistance-rated roof assembly? click to continue
IRC Interpretation 66-09 | Issued 04-14-2009 | Section SECTION R905.2.6
In accordance with the provisions of Section 905.2.6 of the International Residential Code, does the "special method of fastening" specified for the attachment of asphalt shingles applied to roofs located where the basic wind speed is 110 mph or higher require the fasteners to be designed to resist component and cladding loads? click to continue
IFC Interpretation 59-08 | Issued 04-21-2009 | Section 202
Where multiple buildings are located on a single lot, one of the detached buildings is dedicated to and contains a diesel powered fire sprinkler pump provided to service the multiple associated buildings on the lot. The detached building containing the diesel powered fire sprinkler pump is designed as a single fire area. The diesel powered fire sprinkler pump is connected by a piping system to the diesel fuel stored within the building containing the fire sprinkler pump. The quantity of diesel fuel stored in the dedicated fire sprinkler pump building does not exceed the quantity of hazardous material allowed in Table 2703.1.1(1) for a fire area. Is the building required to be classified High-Hazard Group H occupancy, and therefore subject to the provisions of the International Fire Code and the International Building Code for the storage of hazardous materials? click to continue
IRC Interpretation 52-08 | Issued 05-06-2009 | Section P2713.1
In accordance with the provisions of Section P2713.1 of the International Residential Code, is a bathtub required to be equipped with an overflow? click to continue
IRC Interpretation 30-08 | Issued 02-20-2009 | Section R602.10.3
In accordance with the criteria for continuous diagonal let-in wall bracing as defined for Method 1 in Section R602.10.3 of the International Residential Code, is an opening prohibited within the height of the braced wall panel defined by where the continuous diagonal brace is let-in at the top and bottom wall plates? click to continue
IFC Interpretation 28-08 | Issued 01-27-2009 | Section 503.1.1
In accordance with the provisions of Section 503.1.1 of the International Fire Code, are fire apparatus access roads required to be located such that fire apparatus can park within 150 feet of every point within a building? click to continue
IBC Interpretation 27-08 | Issued 03-06-2009 | Section [B] 1021.1
In accordance with the provisions of Section [B] 1021.1 of the International Fire Code, can an exit passageway be used as a path of entry into a building? click to continue
In accordance with the provisions of Section 1021.1 of the International Building Code, can an exit passageway be used as a path of entry into a building? click to continue
IBC Interpretation 47-08 | Issued 04-21-2009 | Section 1015.1
Can a "space" that contains more than one "room", such as a suite of offices, be provided with a single exit access doorway in accordance with the provisions of Section 1015.1 of the International Building Code? click to continue
A clarification to garage separation (Section R302.6 and Table R302.6) has been made to the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). The dwelling/garage separation provisions in Sections R309.1 and R309.2 of the 2006 IRC have been relocated to Section R302 with the other fire-resistant construction provisions. For clarification, the provisions requiring the application of gypsum board on the garage side of the separation from a dwelling have been placed in a new table, and the corresponding text has been deleted from Section R309.2. click to continue
2009 IBC | Section 423
An addition to storm shelters (Section 423) has been made to the 2009 International Building Code. The new ICC Storm Shelter standard, ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, is now included as a referenced standard for regulating the design and construction of hurricane and tornado shelters. click to continue
2009 IBC | Sections 1704.3.4, 1704.6.2
An addition to special inspection for the bracing of trusses (Sections 1704.3.4, 1704.6.2) has been made to the 2009 International Building Code. Two new sections have been added to require that the special inspector verify that temporary and permanent bracing are installed in accordance with the approved truss submittal package for both cold-formed steel and wood trusses. click to continue
2009 IMC | Section 501.3
An addition to pressure equalization (Section 501.3) has been made to the 2009 International Mechanical Code. The addition to this section will allow R-2 occupancies the same exemptions as R-3 in regard to needing to maintain a neutral or negative pressure when an exhaust system is provided. click to continue
2009 IPC | Chapter 2
A modication to the definition of the depth of water seals (Chapter 2) has been made to the 2009 International Plumbing Code. This revision correctly identifies that the trap seal is composed of a liquid rather than referencing water only. click to continue
2009 IFC | Section 104.9.1
An addition to research reports and tests (Section 104.9.1) has been made to the 2009 International Fire Code. Research reports and results of tests used as a basis for approval are required to be provided to the fire code official. click to continue
2009 IRC | Section R301.2.1.1
A modification to design criteria (Section R301.2.1.1) has been made to the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC now recognizes structural insulated panel (SIP) construction for high wind areas, bringing the list of design alternatives to six. The new ICC-600 standard for high wind areas has replaced the legacy code standard SSTD 10. Additional text clarifies that building elements not addressed in the referenced methods of construction need to comply with the provisions of the IRC. click to continue
2009 IBC | Section 403.5.5
An addition to high-rise buildings [luminous egress arkings] (Section 403.5.5) has been made to the 2009 International Building Code. Photoluminescent or self-luminous exit path markings are now required to identify the egress path in exit enclosures and exit passageways of high-rise buildings that house Group A, B, E, I, M, and R-1 occupancies. click to continue
2009 IMC | Section 304.10 and 506.3.8
A modification to clearance from grade for appliances (Section 304.10) has been made to the 2009 International Mechanical Code (IMC). A minimum clearance height for ground-supported mechanical equipment and appliances has been established. A deletion to grease duct cleanouts and other openings (Section 506.3.8) has also been made in the 2009 IMC. Access doors on grease ducts may now be designed so that the use of a tool is permitted to open them. Previously, the code did not allow the use of a tool to gain access. click to continue
2009 IBC | Table 508.2.5 & Section 1604.8.3
A modification to incidental accessory occupancies (Table 508.2.5) has been made to the 2009 International Building Code (IBC). Parking garages and storage rooms are no longer regulated as incidental accessory occupancies. A modification to loading conditions on cantilevered decks (Section 1604.8.3) has also been made in the 2009 IBC. Previous code language had been modified to address the situation in which the load on the cantilevered portion of a deck span could produce uplift at the support remote from the support at the cantilever, which is consistent with the intent of the distribution of live loads in Section 1607.10. click to continue
Performance of Buildings in the Haiti Earthquake
On January 12, 2010, at 4:53 pm local time, a 7.0 earthquake occurred on the Enriquillo Fault 10 miles west-southwest of Port au Prince. It was the most powerful earthquake to strike the Port-au-Prince region in over 200 years. Over 3 million people lived in the greater Port-au-Prince metropolitan area at the time of the earthquake and fatality estimates range between 220,000 and 250,000. The earthquake significantly damaged or destroyed over 313,000 homes and 30,000 commercial buildings. According to the United Nations, in several towns close to the epicenter, 80 to 100 percent of buildings are significantly damaged or destroyed. click to continue
Methods to Venting Plumbing Fixtures and Traps in the 2009 International Plumbing Code - Part 2
In Part 1 of this series, we discussed conventional venting systems in the 2009 International Plumbing Code (IPC). In Part 2, we will continue to present the various approaches to venting that are permitted in the 2009 IPC. You will find that these venting provisions offer the installer and designer different paths to achieving an adequately vented system that could result in cost savings along with ease of installation in different types of construction. click to continue
Methods to Venting Plumbing Fixtures and Traps in the 2009 International Plumbing Code
Chapter 9 of the International Plumbing Code describes a variety of methods to vent plumbing fixtures and traps. The methods have been laboratory tested to determine sizing and installation requirements that provide proper venting to a drainage system. The venting methods have also been field tested, establishing a long history of satisfactory service. click to continue
Fulfilling the Promise: Equal, Accessible Housing for All
Persons with disabilities have a serious need for accessible housing, and there are several reasons why. According to the 2007 American Community Survey – a nationwide survey that is part of the Census Bureau that collects and produces population and housing information yearly – 41.2 million people have some level of disability. They represent 15 percent of the civilian non-institutionalized population five years of age and older. click to continue
Reviewing Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Submittal Packages
Light wood frame construction is widely used throughout the United States and in many places in the world. An estimated more than 60 percent of buildings that use wood frame construction have metal-plate-connected wood trusses. The wood trusses are most commonly used as framing members for roof construction, but they are also sometimes used in floor construction. Even buildings that use steel, masonry or concrete as the walls, columns and beams commonly use wood trusses for the roof framing when the building code allows. The building code typically limits use of light wood trusses to low-rise buildings. click to continue
Fire-Resistance-Rated Brick Veneer Exterior Walls
The 2009 ICC International Building Code (IBC) now contains four new exterior nonbearing wall design entries in Table 720.1(2) Rated Fire-Resistance Periods for Various Walls and Partitions. The IBC designates these designs as Items 15-2.1 through 15-2.4 for one-hour and two-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior walls finished with brick veneer. Items 15-2.1 and 15-2.2 describe one-hour and two-hour exterior walls constructed using thin brick veneer units attached as adhered masonry veneer. Items 15-2.3 and 15-2.4 provide details for one-hour and two-hour exterior walls finished with masonry veneer attached as anchored brick units. click to continue
Rebuilding Iraq: IBC Makes New Judicial Complex Safe and Secure
Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the international community has worked to improve and repair the country's infrastructure, much of which was destroyed during the conflict. Targets for repair or replacement have included the region's water supply, electrical system, transportation network, hospitals, government facilities, schools, housing and sewage treatment plants. As the region is being transformed, contractors have blended modern construction methods—including International Building Code (IBC) standards—with traditional construction methodologies in the face of some unique cultural and security challenges. click to continue
Today, more than ever, owners and developers look to employ energy efficient, affordable building solutions to construct the next generation of industrial, commercial and residential buildings. Metal buildings systems offer industry a cost-effective and versatile alternative for projects that range from complex production facilities and distribution centers to retail stores, motels, schools and churches. As the application of metal building systems continues to rise, code officials and communities will want demonstrable proof that low-cost, energy-efficient metal building systems provide equivalent or better performance than brick and mortar counterparts in terms of safety and strength. click to continue
Accessibility in Recreation: Getting in the Game
Accessibility requirements primarily exist to allow equal access to all the places where people want to live, work and play. Current building codes address viewing events at recreational facilities with assembly seating requirements (including team and player seating); what the codes are branching out into is access to participation in the recreation activity itself. click to continue
As we begin the journey into 2010, the construction industry is hoping that this year brings about a turnaround in terms of projects and profits. Particularly when it comes to residential and multifamily construction projects, which have been hit especially hard over the last year or so, as projects ended up being put on hold due to financial concerns. While some firms have seen a near complete halt to multifamily construction projects, other firms are still working on transit-oriented and mixed-use projects. click to continue
The ADA-Compliant Restroom: Keep Up to Date on Code Requirements or Face Liability Issues Later
Restrooms can lead to serious confusion when it comes to accessibility and universal design. "The most basic and least expensive way to determine if a restroom is accessible is to review the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the American National Standards Institute’s standard (ICC/ANSI A117.1)," says Jon Villwock, lavatory systems and washfountains product manager at Bradley Corp. To assess your building's restrooms, "Grab a tape measure and conduct a walkthrough to evaluate any changes that might need to be made," says Villwock. click to continue
Best Green Houses: Weaning Off Groundwater
Just outside Phoenix, a suburb called Fountain Hills boasts a centerpiece lake in which a giant nub shoots water as much as 562 feet into the air, on every daylight hour for 15 minutes. This columnar height makes the 40-year-old fountain the second tallest of its kind in the world, and it exemplifies old-school Arizona’s attitude toward water consumption: wasteful, arrogant, naive. click to continue
2010 Outlook: The Year ahead for Construction
Higher education was the one bright spot this year, and while there is hope that universities and hospitals will resume the multi-year campus plans they shelved last winter, these impacts are unlikely to translate into actual construction until the second half of 2010. Nonresidential construction, especially building construction, had a rough year in 2009. Unfortunately, 2010 will provide modest relief, at best. click to continue
Wall Art: Engineered Solutions for Aesthetic Earth Retention
Art and science truly combine in today's retaining wall systems. Civil engineers must design increasingly taller structures that not only support slopes, buildings, or roads, but also enhance the aesthetics of the project. The retaining wall can be a work of art itself, making an architectural statement; or it may disappear into the natural elements surrounding it, whether vegetation, soil, or rock. According to manufacturers, the most significant trends influencing the use of segmental, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE), gravity, and geocellular retaining walls include new project delivery and design methods, a focus on green or sustainable design, and wall aesthetics. click to continue
Trendy Living: A Closer Look at Multifamily Construction
Residential and multifamily construction projects, which have been hit especially hard over the last year or so, are being put on hold due to financial concerns. While some firms have seen a near complete halt to multifamily construction projects, other firms are still working on transit-oriented and mixed-use projects. click to continue
The ADA-Compliant Restroom
Make sure you're up to date on code requirements so you don't face liability issues later. Restrooms can lead to serious confusion when it comes to accessibility and universal design. "The most basic and least expensive way to determine if a restroom is accessible is to review the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and the American National Standards Institute's standard (ICC/ANSI A117.1)," says Jon Villwock, lavatory systems and washfountains product manager at Bradley Corp. click to continue
Are Houses Getting Too Tight?
The airtightness of the building envelope is an important key to understanding the performance of any new house. Uncontrolled air leakage can result in high fuel bills, failure of building components and increased builder callbacks. As a result, more and more time is being spent by the building trades sealing up new houses in an effort to reduce problems associated with air leakage. The question on many builders minds these days is; how tight should I be building my houses? After more than two decades of sealing up houses to make them more energy efficient, many people are wondering whether we've gone too far. The answer may be that we haven't gone far enough. click to continue
12 Major Trends in Library Design
Many academic planners assumed that the coming of the Internet would lead to the decline of the library as we know it. To the contrary, many academic libraries have experienced significantly increased patron use in recent years. click to continue