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The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code developed by the International Code Council (ICC). It has been adopted throughout most of the United States.

History

Since the early 1900s, the system of building regulations in the United States was based on model building codes developed by three regional model code groups. The codes developed by the Building Officials Code Administrators International (BOCA) were used on the East Coast and throughout the Midwest of the United States, while the codes from the Southern Building Code Conference International (SBCCI) were used in the Southeast and the codes published by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) covered the West Coast. Although regional code development has been effective and responsive to the regulatory needs of the local jurisdictions, by early 1990s it became obvious that the country needed a single coordinated set of national model building codes. The nation’s three model code groups decided to combine their efforts and in 1994 formed the International Code Council (ICC) to develop codes that would have no regional limitations.

After three years of extensive research and development, the first edition of the International Building Code was published in 1997. The code was patterned on three legacy codes previously developed by the organizations that constitute ICC. By the year 2000, ICC has completed the International Codes series and ceased development of the legacy codes in favor of their national successor.

Legacy codes

Competing codes

Notably absent from the group of the IBC developers is another large player in model code development, the National Fire Protection Association. Initially, NFPA joined ICC in a collective effort to develop the International Fire Code (IFC). This effort however fell apart at the completion of the first draft of the document. Subsequent efforts by ICC and NFPA to reach agreement on this and other documents have been unsuccessful, resulting in a series of disputes between the two organizations. After several failed attempts to find common ground with the ICC, NFPA has withdrawn from participation in development of the International Codes and joined with International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Western Fire Chiefs Association to create an alternative set of codes. First published in 2002, the code set named the Comprehensive Consensus Codes, or C3, includes the NFPA 5000 building code as its centerpiece and the companion codes such as the National Electrical Code, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, UPC, UMC, and NFPA 1. Unlike the IBC, the NFPA 5000 conforms to ANSI-established policies and procedures for the development of voluntary consensus standards.

The NFPA's move to introduce a competing building standard has received strong opposition from powerful trade groups such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA), BOMA International and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). After unsuccessful attempts to encourage peaceful cooperation and resolution between NFPA and ICC on their codes disputes, a number of organizations, including AIA, BOMA and two dozen commercial real estate associations, founded the Get It Together coalition, which repeatedly urged NFPA to abandon code development and adoption efforts related to NFPA 5000 and to work with ICC to integrate the other NFPA codes and standards into the ICC family of codes.

Unfortunately, all efforts to save the development of the unified set of model codes have failed, and both NFPA and ICC began and are continuing to aggressively push for adoption of their respective documents. As a result of the unwillingness of the National Fire Protection Association and the International Codes Council to cooperate on a single code, which could have been uniformly applied throughout the United States, the local governments and the nation's construction and real estate industries find themselves in the middle of the battle for code supremacy.

Overview

A large portion of the International Building Code deals with fire prevention. It differs from the related International Fire Code in that the IBC handles fire prevention in regards to construction and design and the fire code handles fire prevention in an on-going basis. For example, the building code would deal with location of exits with the fire code keeping exits unblocked. The building code also deals with access for the disabled and structural stability (including earthquakes). The International Building Code applies to all structures in areas where it is adopted, except for one and two family dwellings (see International Residential Code).

Parts of the code reference other codes including the International Plumbing Code, the International Mechanical Code, the National Electric Code, and various National Fire Protection Association standards. Therefore, if a municipality adopts the International Building Code, it also adopts those parts of other codes referenced by the IBC. Often, the plumbing, mechanical, and electric codes are adopted along with the building code.

The code book itself (2000 edition) totals over 700 pages and chapters include:

  • Building occupancy classifications
  • Building heights and areas
  • Interior finishes
  • Foundation, wall, and roof construction
  • Fire protection systems (sprinkler system requirements and design)
  • Materials used in construction
  • Elevators and escalators
  • Already existing structures
  • Means of egress (see below)

Means of Egress

The phrase "means of egress" refers to the ability to exit the structure, primarily in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Specifically, a means of egress is broken into three parts: the path of travel to an exit, the exit itself, and the exit discharge (the path to a safe area outside). The code also address the number of exits required for a structure based on its intended occupancy use and the number of people who could be in the place at one time as well as their relative locations. It also deals with special needs, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons where evacuating people may have special requirements. In some instances, requirements are made based on possible hazards (such as in industries) where flammable or toxic chemicals will be in use.

Accessibility

"Accessibility" refers to the accommodation of disabled people in structures. This includes parking spaces, elevators, and restrooms.

Existing structures

Pre-existing structures are usually exempt from meeting the code. However, it the building is sold, it usually has to be brought up to the current code. If a municipality or county has adopted the code, codes may not apply to state-owned buildings. Federal buildings are exempt from local codes. The International Building Code also states that historic buildings are not exempt from accessibility issues, though special provisions are made for them. Usually, major modifications will override aspects of a code (such as to meet accessibility requirements). Even though not addressed by the IBC, structures on the National Register of Historic Places cannot be required to meet codes as locally adopted codes cannot override federal law.

References

International Building Code 2000. International Code Council, 2000.

Safety codes

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "International Building Code".

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