Building Codes

[Joe_Carrick]

In California we use modified versions of the IBC & RBC. 

Our current versions is 2022 CBC & CRC.

 

Are there any jurisdictiions (States, Provinces, Countries) using anything other than the IBC & RBC?

[rlackore]

Wisconsin uses its own residential code called the Uniform Dwelling Code. It's quite abbreviated compared to the IRC. Whenever there is talk of adopting a model code, there is tremendous resistance from contractors. It's also very difficult to enact code changes due to a convoluted legislative process.

[kMoquin]

2021 I-Codes for Maine

[Joe_Carrick]

 

This is an example of the codes list I use in San Diego County.  Can you provide a list your jurisdiction requires?

I'm trying to create a comprehensive macro for as many locals as possible.

Edited 9 hours ago by Joe_Carrick

[Joe_Carrick]

3 minutes ago, kMoquin said:

2021 I-Codes for Maine

How often are the codes updated?  Is it regular every 3-4 years?

[Joe_Carrick]

28 minutes ago, rlackore said:

Wisconsin uses its own residential code called the Uniform Dwelling Code.

We used to have the "UBC - Uniform Building Code" in California.  Is your code derived from that?

[MoeGia]

Massachusetts follows the 2021 IBC & IRC with Massachusetts Amendments.  Previous to July 2024, we followed the 2015 codes.  They alternate updating the energy code and building codes so we're always dealing with some code changes.  Energy codes are further dictated by towns (can pick between 3 models).

[rlackore]

43 minutes ago, Joe_Carrick said:

We used to have the "UBC - Uniform Building Code" in California.  Is your code derived from that?

No idea, but I doubt it. It was created during the Carter years but wasn't enforced state-wide until the 2000's. It's a Frankenstein: our UDC is written into the Wisconsin Administrative Code, so any changes are an act of legislation - much more difficult than simply adopting a model code by reference.

[Joe_Carrick]

34 minutes ago, rlackore said:

It was created during the Carter years but wasn't enforced state-wide until the 2000's. It's a Frankenstein: 

Undoubtedly it was derived from the UBC or BOCA.  I remember the time clearly and while I no longer have a copy of UBC or BOCA it appears your code is very much a version of one of those codes.

As you say, it's a Frankenstein.

 

The IBC wasn't in existence prior to 2000.

[Joe_Carrick]

1 hour ago, MoeGia said:

Massachusetts follows the 2021 IBC & IRC with Massachusetts Amendments.

Hi Maureen,

California updates every 3 years.  Do you know if Massachusetts is going to adopt a similar strategy?  The last time was evidently an increment of 6 years.  

Edited 7 hours ago by Joe_Carrick

[SHCanada2]

Canada has its own building code with no references to any other building code

 

And then some provinces have their own version of that building code. It comes out every 5? years. And there is the National electrical code, and national plumbing code, and fire code

[Joe_Carrick]

50 minutes ago, SHCanada2 said:

Canada has its own building code with no references to any other building code

 

And then some provinces have their own version of that building code. It comes out every 5? years. And there is the National electrical code, and national plumbing code, and fire code

What would you place on your title sheet as the code list?

Can you post a screen shot?

Edited 5 hours ago by Joe_Carrick

[SHCanada2]

I'm not at my CA computer, but I provide a blanket caveat, because the time of the plans is not necessarily the time of the permit.

 

Where I do specify a particular code (energy compliance), I list out the sections, but now that you mention it, I should qualify it as which edition/year. It gets a little tricky sometimes because the govt will issue clarification bulletins post the issuance or the local jurisdiction will issue variances. In the variance case, I will stipulate the variance order #, but not always, if it is so widespread that everyone knows. 

 

ALL CONSTRUCTION MUST COMPLY WITH NATIONAL BUILDING CODE (ALBERTA EDITION) & CANADIAN ELECTRICAL CODE(CEC)  IN EFFECT AT TIME OF 
PERMIT
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT EXHAUSTIVE, BUT ARE PROVIDED FOR CONVENIENCE

 

NBC ALBERTA (2023) 

Division B, 9.9.4.2. Fire Separations for Exits - 2) Where an exit is located in a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, 
the exit shall be protected by a continuous smoke-tight barrier of not less than 12.7 mm thick gypsum board installed on a) both sides of walls 
separating the exit from the remainder of the building, and b) the underside of floor-ceiling framing separating the exit from the remainder of 
the building. (See Sentence 9.10.9.3.(2) for closures) 
Division B, 9.9.10.1. Bedroom windows shall provide a minimum unobstructed opening of 0.35 sq. m. (3.77 sq. ft.) with no dimension less
than 380mm (15"). Window shall be openable from the inside without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge and without the removal of 
sashes or hardware and maintain the required opening during an emergency without the need for additional support.  
Division B, 9.10.8.3. Fire-Resistance Ratings for Walls, Columns and Arches Light-frame walls, columns, arches and beams as well as 
loadbearing steel elements that support floors between dwelling units in a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall 
be protected by not less than 12.7 mm thick gypsum board. 
Division B, 9.10.9.3.(2) Openings to be Protected with Closures - Doors in smoke-tight barriers shall a) be solid-core, wood doors at least 45 
mm thick, and b) have a self-closing device. 
Division B, 9.10.9.14. Walls and floor-ceiling framing in a house with a secondary suite that separate dwelling units from each other or
dwelling units from ancillary spaces and common spaces to be protected by a continuous smoke-tight barrier of not less than 12.7 mm thick 
gypsum board installed on a) both sides of walls, and b) the underside of floor-ceiling framing. 
Division B, 9.10.10.4. Location of Fuel-Fired Appliances - 2) Except as required in the appliance installation standards referenced in 
Sentences 6.2.1.4.(1), 9.33.5.2.(1) and 9.33.5.3.(1), fuel-fired space-heating appliances, space-cooling appliances, service water heaters and 
laundry appliances need not be separated from the remainder of the building as required in Sentence (1), b) where the appliances i) serve a 
house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, and ii) are located in a service room where both sides of any wall assemblies 
and the underside of any floor-ceiling framing separating this room from both dwelling units or their common spaces are protected by a 
continuous smoke-tight barrier consisting of not less than 12.7 mm thick gypsum board. 
Division B, 9.10.19.1. Required Smoke Alarms - 1) Smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531, 'Smoke-Alarms,' shall be installed in c) 
ancillary spaces and common spaces not in dwelling units in a house with a secondary suite. 
Division B, 9.11.1.1. (2) Where a house contains a secondary suite, each dwelling unit shall be separated from every other space in the house 
in which noise may be transmitted by a) construction conforming to this article b) construction providing an STC rating of not less than 43, or 
c) a separating assembly and adjoining constructions, which together provide an ASTC rating of not less than 40. 
Division B, 9.32.3.9.(7) Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Where CO alarms are installed in a house with a secondary suite including their common 
and service spaces, the CO alarms shall be wired so that the activation of any one CO alarm causes all CO alarms within the house with a 
secondary suite including their common spaces to sound. 
Division B, 9.33.1.1.(3) Air duct distribution systems serving one of the dwelling units in a house with a secondary suite shall not be directly 
interconnected with other parts of the house. 
Division C, 2.2.10.9. Responsibility for Compliance 1) Neither the issuance of a permit nor inspections made by the authority having 
jurisdiction shall in any way relieve the owner of a building from full responsibility for carrying out the construction or having the construction 
carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Safety Codes Act and its Regulations, this Code, or the permit, including compliance 
with any special conditions required by the authority having jurisdiction.

[para-CAD]

W. WA state

I know you didn't need Design Criteria, but here it is anyway...........it varies slightly by AHJ here (snow loads and seismic mostly)

 

Edited 3 hours ago by para-CAD

[Joe_Carrick]

14 minutes ago, para-CAD said:

I know you didn't need Design Criteria, but here it is anyway...........it varies slightly by AHJ here (snow loads and seismic mostly)

Thanks. 

Live Loads and Design Criteria I handle separately (as Structural).  

My "Codes" macro will list the codes for Washington as you show - without the indication of what sections are not adopted.

[SteveNovato]

In the San Francisco Bay Area it seems that every city and county wants additional items from their jurisdiction. I finally added a line "any and all codes adopted by this jurisdiction". Seems to work so far...