Introduction to Building Codes

Introduction to Building CodesBabylonian Code of HammurabiPurpose of Building CodesEngineering FailuresUS History of Building CodesBuilding Officials and Code AdministrationInternational Conference of Building OfficialsSouthern Building Code ConferenceInternational Code CouncilICC CodesInternational Residential CodeIRC Chapter 3 Building Planning

Babylonian Code of Hammurabi1780 BC 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.

Purpose of Building CodesHealth, safety, and well-being of the publicProtection of human life

Professionals are licensed because the publics safety is in their hands

Engineering Failures2007 Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

US History of Building CodesFires in the 1800s prompted insurance companies to demand building codes for structures

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871

Building Officials and Code Administration (BOCA)The first major model-code groupFounded in 1915Located in Country Club Hills, IllinoisCodes were adopted predominantly in the north central and northeastern states

International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)Formed in 1922Located in Whittier, CAFirst edition of the Uniform Building Code published in 1927Adopted by states west of the Mississippi River

Southern Building Code Conference Headquartered in Birmingham, AlabamaFounded in 1940Published the Southern Building CodeWidely accepted in the southeast

International Code Council (ICC)Uniform system of codes was necessaryRepresentatives from each of the code organizations formed the ICC in 1994First edition of the International Building Code published in 2000

ICC CodesInternational Residential Code (IRC)International Building Code (IBC)International Mechanical CodeInternational Plumbing CodeInternational Energy Conservation CodeICC Electrical CodeOthers

International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings(IRC)Addresses design and construction of one- and two-family dwellings and townhomesLocal municipalities can adopt the IRC but may publish modificationsModifications and specifications are generally published on the Internet for all to reference

International Residential Code

IRC applies to homes consisting of three stories, or less, above gradeCovers conventional residential constructionCovers all home components and systemsStructural systemsThermal insulationMechanical systemsPlumbing systemsElectrical systemsFuel gas systemsFireplaces and chimneys

International Residential CodeChapter 3 Building Planning

Habitable Space: A space in a building for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking.

Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas are not considered habitable space.

International Residential CodeChapter 3 Building Planning

Section R303 Light, Ventilation, and HeatingSection R304 Minimum Room AreasSection R310 Emergency Escape and Rescue OpeningsSection R311 Means of Egress

Introduction to Building CodesBabylonian Code of HammurabiPurpose of Building CodesEngineering FailuresUS History of Building CodesBuilding Officials and Code AdministrationInternational Conference of Building OfficialsSouthern Building Code ConferenceInternational Code CouncilICC CodesInternational Residential CodeIRC Chapter 3 Building Planning

ReferencesInternational Code Council (n.d). Retrieved on March 21, 2012 at http://www.iccsafe.org/Pages/default.aspxHooker, R. The code of Hammurabi (1996). Retrieved March 21, 2012 at http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/CODE.HTMInternational Code Council. 2009 international residential code (2009). United States: International Code Council, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesThe first known building code was the Code of Hammurabi which dates back nearly 4000 years. The code included hundreds of laws which were written on stone tablets and displayed in Babylons temple of Marduk. Some of the laws dealt with building construction, such as this one.Civil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesEngineering failures can result in loss of life, injuries, structure damage, etc.Civil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesWe will use the IRC for the Affordable Home Project. When you work on a commercial project, you will use additional ICC codes, including the IBC, the International Plumbing Code, and the International Energy Conservation Code.Civil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesThe IRC only applies to residential structures. Design and construction of structures other than one- and two-family homes and townhomes are covered by the IBC.

The IRC will not apply to non-conventional residential construction. Other codes will apply to uncommon design and construction.

The IRC differs from the IBC in that it is an all-in-one code. For buildings other than those covered by the IRC, different codes apply for different systems for example, the design and construction of the structural system is specified in the IBC, but the plumbing system must comply with the International Plumbing Code.Civil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesThe terms habitable space and habitable room are used often in Chapter 3.Civil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesThe IRC is over 800 pages long. Architects and engineers who design and build homes are well versed in all of the code requirements. However, we dont have time to learn all of the requirements contained in the IRC. For the Affordable Housing Project, we will concentrate on Chapter 3 of the IRC Building Planning. We will touch on only a few of the requirements there is much more to learn.

Be sure that students have a copy of the International Residential Code Summary. Go over each code requirement as a group and discuss how it will affect the design of their affordable home. Note: Each section number and title will change color when you click the mouse.Civil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building CodesCivil Engineering and Architecture Unit 2 Lesson 2.3 Residential Design*Project Lead The Way, Inc.Copyright 2010Introduction to Building Codes