Building Codes Intended to protect the public by establishing minimum standards of building safety.

Old National Codes  ICBO--Uniform Building Code --UBC written by International Conference of Building Officials  SBCCI—Standard Building Code—SBC written by Southern Building Code Congress International  BOCAI--Building Officials and Code Administrators International  CABO--Council of American Building Officials

International Building Code (IBC)  IRC---written by ICC an agency formed from the National Code makers: BOCAI, SBCCI, and ICBO (CABO).

Other Additional Codes  Each publish guidelines for minimum property standards for residential construction.  HUD—Department of Housing and Urban Development  FHA--Federal Housing Authority  ADA--Americans with Disabilities Act

Choosing the Right Code  Each municipality adopt all or portions of a code. This could be a state, national or International code  The architect or engineer are responsible for conforming to and ensuring that the structure complies with all required codes.  Major codes are divided into sections that specify regulations covering:  Fire and life Safety  Structural  Mechanical/Plumbing  Electrical

OLD Building Code Map

Habitable Space  Used for sleeping, living, cooking, or dining purposes.  Non Habitable Space  closets  pantries  baths  hallways  utility rooms  storage and garages

Doors Requirements  One door 3’-0” (36”) wide and 6’-8” high, usually the entry door  Egress--term used in most building codes to specify areas of access or exits.

Windows Requirements  Egress below 4th floor  Minimum height size 24”  50% must be operational  Sill height maximum 44”

Halls  Standard (minimum) 36” wide  Some cases halls are laid out to be 42” wide, usually in larger homes where extra space can be justified.

Stairs  Width--36” min, sometimes 42”  Headroom--6’-8” main stairs  Headroom—6’-4” basement  Common rise height  7”-7 1/2” (Max. 7 ¾”)  Common tread width  10”-10 1/2” (Min. 10”) IRC Max Common

Placement of doors at Stairways  Landing must be as long as stairs is wide  Door not to swing over stairs  First step not to exceed 7 ½” from floor

Wall Placement over Stairs  Wall and Floor must not extend into Minimum Headroom area

Room Dimensions  One room at least minimum of 120 sq ft (10’ x 12’)  Other habitable rooms (except kitchen) to have a minimum of 70 sq ft and not less than 7 feet in any direction.  Kitchens to be a minimum of 50 sq ft (CABO)

Ceiling Height of Habitable Rooms  50% of room with more than 7’-0” ceilings

Bathroom Space Requirements  Codes may differ  24” in front space (FHA)  21” in front space (Text)

Bathroom Space Requirements  Water Closet (Toilet) Space  30” width space minimum or 15” from center to each side  36” width preferred or 18” from center to each side 15”MINIMUM

Bathroom and Laundry Venting Requirements  Openable window or exhaust fan that can provide five air changes per hour.  Fans must be vented to outside air