7/17/20 - Zoro Staff
The life of a contractor often revolves around codes. Following them is imperative. Any deviations and your project timeline is in jeopardy. That's why you must stay up to date on changes—mistakes are too costly.
Monitoring code changes is important to growing your construction business[1]. The reason for adjustments is usually due to improved construction methods. New safety guidelines can also impact codes.
To help you, we've put together this post. It includes the most recent International Code Council (ICC) building code changes. Then, we'll cover possible changes for 2021.
Key 2018 ICC Building Code Updates
States adhere to ICC standards. Each state, county, or city typically modifies these. The adoption of ICC standards varies by state. Some states may be using older versions while some are using the most current.
This makes code compliance tricky. That's due to constant changes and state and local interpretation as well as the different compliance methods, such as prescriptive compliance, performance compliance, or the work area method of compliance.
There is value in building codes. They offer a buffer of safety and encourage better building practices. Energy-efficiency is also a positive side effect.
ICC codes had an update in 2018[2]. These included International Building Code® (IBC) and International Residential Code® (IRC) updates.
IBC Update Summary
- Fire walls: There are new limitations on using fire walls as separators. It's now necessary for "permissible types" of construction. Another amendment is the minimum lateral load. The new rule for resistance is 5 lbs. per square foot.
- Occupant load factor: The provision now is 150 square feet for every one occupant.
- Deck and balcony live loads: Deck live load is now 1.5 times the live load of the service area.
- Trusses: For trusses that are 5' tall, permanent bracing is now necessary. The bracing also must undergo a special inspection for verification.
- Exit signs: Low-level exit signs in Group R-1 can now be placed at up to 18" above the floor.
IRC Key Changes
- Townhouse provisions: Builders can now use two separate fire-resistant rated walls or a common wall.
- Basement sleeping rooms: Emergency escape and rescue openings are no longer mandatory. This applies to a home with an automatic fire sprinkler system. The basement must have a second means of egress.
- Smoke alarms: The revision removes the exemption for interconnection of smoke alarms.
- Wood studs: A new table addresses wood stud heights and required numbers in high wind areas.
Upcoming Changes — ICC 2021
The next ICC publication of code updates will be in 2021. In 2019, the ICC heard final proposals to the 2021 codes. They encompass both building and energy conservation codes.
Proposal Summary
- Climate zone definitions: This modification impacts insulation and performance metrics. This is at the county level.
- Thermal envelope certificates: This update adds a requirement for physical thermal envelope certification. It would contain R-values of insulation and how to display them.
- Insulation thickness: The proposal impacts tapered and above-deck insulation. It seeks to clarify the calculation method for insulation thickness in these areas. It sets average thickness by images versus a volume measure.
- Slab foundations: This update would change the installation of perimeter foundation and slab-on-grade from prescriptive to mandatory.
- Roof replacement: Regardless of the method for determining envelope requirements in roof replacement, the reduction in R-value or increase in U-value won't occur.
- Roof reinstallation: Reinstallation of materials would include an existing ballast. It must be damage-free.
- Low-slope roof changes: Two sections address low-slope roofs. One adds a reference for design requirements. The other is specific to gutters and adding a description for securement.
- Single-ply roofing materials: This change adds a table with ASTM Standards references for all typical roof coatings.
- Structural design: Many sections should include an update to align with ASCE 7[3] for wind, snow, and rain loads.
- Air barrier compliance: New language would require testing air barriers during construction. This applies to Group R and I occupancies. Buildings with less than eight units would need to check all. A new section would also mandate building envelope performance verification. The only exception is Climate Zone 2B. A code official, registered design professional, or approved agency would verify this.
Stay Up to Date with Zoro
Once the 2021 building changes are effective, we'll update you. For more helpful content, check out our resource hub[4].
[1] https://www.zoro.com/resourcehub/the-smart-contractors-guide-to-growing-a-construction-business/
[2] https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2018
[3] https://www.asce.org/asce-7/
[4] https://www.zoro.com/resourcehub
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