Chapter 42

Building Codes and Commercial Design

Introduction• Commercial drafting depends more on

building codes– This means working with the International

Building Code or a local code based on IBC• You must be able to properly use the code

governing your area

Exploring Building Codes• International Building Code (IBC)

– Published by the International Code Council (ICC)

– Merger between:• Uniform Building Code (UBC)• National Building Code (NBC)• Building Officials and Code Administrators

International (BOCA)• Standard Building Code (SBC)

Exploring Building Codes (cont’d.)• International Building Code (cont’d)

– Part of a family of codes • Structural• Plumbing• Mechanical• Fire• Residential

– Several other International Codes published by the ICC (e.g., fuel gas, sewage disposal, etc.)

Exploring Building Codes (cont’d.)• Building codes influence every aspect of a

construction project– Code book should be available and referred to

frequently• Check with building department to determine the

code for drafting project

Exploring Building Codes (cont’d.)• Exploring the IBC

– Each code consists of related books to regulate: • Design and structural• Electrical and energy• Fire• Mechanical• Plumbing• Zoning

– Construction types are numbered from I to V

Exploring Building Codes (cont’d.)• Exploring the IBC (cont’d.)

– Additional considerations• Safety requirements• Building systems• Building materials

Determining Design Categories• Occupancy groups

– Specifies by whom or how the structure will be used

• Ten classifications, broken into sub classifications• Group R occupancy categories considerations

Design Categories (cont’d.)• Type of construction

– Five general types of construction• Represented by the Roman numerals I through V

• Building area– Basic square-foot sizes

• May be altered depending on construction techniques

Design Categories (cont’d.)• Determining height

– Occupancy and type of construction will determine maximum height

• Building location and size– Impacted by zoning and the structures use

• Increasing space between buildings lessens chance of additional fire damage and provides greater firefighting equipment access

Design Categories (cont’d.)• Increasing the allowable floor area

– Wood frames cannot be as large or tall as those built of noncombustible materials

• Fire protected structural members may be larger and taller

• Occupancy load– Determined by a ratio of room area to code

specified area per person

Design Categories (cont’d.)• Exits

– Exit paths• Mostly determined by number of occupants

– Determining exits• Refer to text for calculations

– Exit locations• If more than one exit is required, IBC requires at

least two exits be separated by one-half of the diagonal of the area served

Design Categories (cont’d.)• Accessibility requirements for type R

occupancies– Type of living units based on level of

accessibility provided• Type A or B

Design Categories (cont’d.)• Accessibility requirements for type R

occupancies– Additional considerations:

• Accessible routes• Operating controls• Doorways• Kitchens• Toilet and bathing facilities

Using the Codes• Drafter must be aware of classifications

– Many problems will need the code to solve• Requires knowledge of basic code limitations

– Practice using tables in the text and similar tables of the code that govern your area