Updated means of egress and interior finish requirements, comprehensive roof provisions, seismic engineering provisions, innovative construction technology, revamped structural provisions, reorganized occupancy classifications and the latest industry standards in material design. Published by I.C.B.O.
Chapter 1Administration
SECTION 101 - GENERAL
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Building Code of [Name Of Jurisdiction], hereinafter referred to as "this code."
101.2 Scope. The provisions of the International Building Code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.
Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories high with separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the. 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories high with separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the.
101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
101.3 Intent. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.
101.4 Referenced codes. The other codes listed in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.7 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
101.4.1 Electrical. The provisions of the ICC Electrical Code shall apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances thereto. 101.4.2 Gas. The provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code shall apply to the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances and the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories. 101.4.3 Mechanical. The provisions of the International Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs, and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and/or appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other energy-related systems. 101.4.4 Plumbing. The provisions of the International Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. The provisions of the International Private Sewage Disposal Code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems. 101.4.5 Property maintenance. The provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code shall apply to existing structures and premises; equipment and facilities; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety, hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and structures. 101.4.6 Fire prevention. The provisions of the International Fire Code shall apply to matters affecting or relating to structures, processes and premises from the hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; from conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; and from the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression and alarm systems or fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation. 101.4.7 Energy. The provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency.
101.4.1 Electrical. The provisions of the ICC Electrical Code shall apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances thereto.
101.4.2 Gas. The provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code shall apply to the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances and the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories.
101.4.3 Mechanical. The provisions of the International Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs, and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and/or appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other energy-related systems.
101.4.4 Plumbing. The provisions of the International Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. The provisions of the International Private Sewage Disposal Code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems.
101.4.5 Property maintenance. The provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code shall apply to existing structures and premises; equipment and facilities; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety, hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and structures.
101.4.6 Fire prevention.
The provisions of the International Fire Code shall apply to matters affecting or relating to structures, processes and premises from the hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; from conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; and from the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression and alarm systems or fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation.
101.4.7 Energy. The provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency.
SECTION 102 - APPLICABILITY
102.1 General. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable.
102.2 Other laws. The provisions of this code shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of local, state or federal law.
102.3 Application of references. References to chapter or section numbers, or to provisions not specifically identified by number, shall be construed to refer to such chapter, section or provision of this code.
102.4 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between provisions of this code and referenced codes and standards, the provisions of this code shall apply.
102.5 Partial invalidity. In the event any part or provision of this code is held to be illegal or void, this shall not have the effect of making void or illegal any of the other parts or provisions.
102.6 Existing structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code, the International Property Maintenance Code or the International Fire Code, or as is deemed necessary by the building official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public.
SECTION 103 - DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING SAFETY
103.1 Creation of enforcement agency. The department of building safety is hereby created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the building official.
103.2 Appointment. The building official shall be appointed by the chief appointing authority of the jurisdiction.
103.3 Deputies. In accordance with the prescribed procedures of this jurisdiction and with the concurrence of the appointing authority, the building official shall have the authority to appoint a deputy building official, the related technical officers, inspectors, plan examiners and other employees. Such employees shall have powers as delegated by the building official. For the maintenance of existing properties, see the International Property Maintenance Code.
SECTION 104 - DUTIES AND POWERS OF BUILDING OFFICIAL
104.1 General. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this code. The building official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies and procedures shall be in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code. Such policies and procedures shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this code.
104.2 Applications and permits. The building official shall receive applications, review construction documents and issue permits for the erection, and alteration, demolition and moving of buildings and structures, inspect the premises for which such permits have been issued and enforce compliance with the provisions of this code.
104.3 Notices and orders. The building official shall issue all necessary notices or orders to ensure compliance with this code.
104.4 Inspections. The building official shall make all of the required inspections, or the building official shall have the authority to accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. Reports of such inspections shall be in writing and be certified by a responsible officer of such approved agency or by the responsible individual. The building official is authorized to engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual technical issues that arise, subject to the approval of the appointing authority.
104.5 Identification. The building official shall carry proper identification when inspecting structures or premises in the performance of duties under this code.
104.6 Right of entry. Where it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or where the building official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a structure or upon a premises a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this code which makes the structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this code, provided that if such structure or premises be occupied that credentials be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such structure or premises be unoccupied, the building official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the structure or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the building official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.
104.7 Department records. The building official shall keep official records of applications received, permits and certificates issued, fees collected, reports of inspections, and notices and orders issued. Such records shall be retained in the official records for the period required for retention of public records.
Introduction
Internationally, code officials recognize the need for a modern, up-to-date building code addressing the design and installation of building systems through requirements emphasizing performance. The International Building Code is designed to meet these needs through model code regulations that safeguard the public health and safety in all communities, large and small.
This comprehensive building code establishes minimum regulations for building systems using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. It is founded on broad-based principles that make possible the use of new materials and new building designs. Additionally, the International Building Code is designed to be compatible with the entire family of International Codes published by the International Code Council.
The International Building Code provisions provide many benefits, among which is the model code development process that offers an international forum for building professionals to discuss performance and prescriptive code requirements. This forum provides an excellent arena to debate proposed revisions. This model code also encourages international consistency in the application of provisions.
Development
The first draft of the International Building Code was prepared in 1997 by five drafting subcommittees appointed by the International Code Council (ICC) and consisting of representatives of BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI. The intent was to draft a comprehensive set of regulations for building systems consistent with and inclusive of the scope of the existing model codes.
Technical content of the latest model codes promulgated by BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI and reports issued by the Board for the Coordination of Model Codes (BCMC) was utilized as the basis for the development of this document. While there were a great many similarities among the codes, careful consideration was given to identified differences. The committees followed certain principles as guidance in the resolution of the technical differences. The principles were based on the intent to establish provisions consistent with the scope of a building code that adequately protects public health, safety and welfare; provisions that do not unnecessarily increase construction costs; provisions that do not restrict the use of new materials, productions or methods of construction; and provisions that do not give preferential treatment to particular types or classes of materials, products or methods of construction.
In order to gain views of code users, industries and all other interested parties, a public comment forum was conducted and comments on the full content of the working draft were accepted. The drafting committees considered all comments submitted in writing in advance of a 1997 public comment forum. A public hearing was held in 1998 and two public hearings were held in 1999. Five technical subcommittees considered all written comments submitted in advance of the hearings. In addition to the changes made at the public comment forum and the three public hearings, other editorial changes have been made for consistency and correlation purposes.
Letter Designations in Front of Section Numbers
In each code development cycle, proposed changes to this code are considered at the First Public Hearing by the International Building Code Development Committee, whose action constitutes a recommendation to the voting membership for final action on the proposed change. Proposed changes to a code section whose number begins with a letter in brackets are considered by a different code development committee. For instance, proposed changes to code sections which have the letter [F] in front (e.g., [F] 1001.3), are considered by the International Fire Code Development Committee at the First Public Hearing. Where this designation is applicable to the entire content of a main section of the code, the designation appears at the main section number and title and is not repeated at every subsection in that section.
The content of sections in this code which begin with a letter designation are maintained by another code development committee in accordance with the following: [F] = International Fire Code Development Committee; [M] = International Mechanical Code Development Committee; [PM] = International Property Maintenance Code Development Committee; [P] = International Plumbing Code Development Committee; [RBE] = International Residential Code Building and Energy Development Committee; [RMPI = International Residential Code Mechanical/Plumbing Development Committee; [E] = International Energy Conservation Code Development Committee; and [EL] = ICC Electrical Code Development Committee.
Adoption
The International Building Code is available for adoption and use by jurisdictions internationally. Its use within a governmental jurisdiction is intended to be accomplished through adoption by reference in accordance with proceedings establishing the jurisdiction's laws. At the time of adoption, jurisdictions should insert the appropriate information in provisions requiring specific local information, such as the name of the adopting jurisdiction. These locations are shown in bracketed words in small capital letters in the code and in the sample ordinance. The sample adoption ordinance on page v addresses several key elements of a code adoption ordinance, including the information required for insertion into the code text.
Maintenance
The International Building Code is kept up to date through the review of proposed changes submitted by code enforcing officials, industry representatives, design professionals and other interested parties. Proposed changes are carefully considered through an open code development process in which all interested and affected parties may participate.
The contents of this work are subject to change both through the Code Development Cycles and the governmental body that enacts the code into law. For more information regarding the code development process, contact: BOCA, ICBO or SBCCI.
While the development procedure of the International Building Code assures the highest degree of care, BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI, their members and those participating in the development of this code do not accept any liability resulting from compliance or noncompliance with the provisions because BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI do not have the power or authority to police or enforce compliance with the contents of this code. Only the governmental body that enacts the code into law has such authority
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