Introduction to Building Codes

Introduction to Building Codes

Babylonian Code of Hammurabi

Purpose of Building Codes
Engineering Failures
US History of Building Codes
Building Officials and Code Administration
International Conference of Building Officials
Southern Building Code Conference
International Code Council
ICC Codes
International Residential Code
IRC Chapter 3 Building Planning

Babylonian Code of Hammurabi

1780 BC
If a builder build a house
for someone and does
not construct it properly,
and the house which he
built fall in and kill its
owner, then that builder
shall be put to death.

Purpose of Building Codes

Health, safety, and well-being of the public
Protection of human life
Professionals are licensed because the
publics safety is in their hands

Engineering Failures

2007 Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

US History of Building Codes

Fires in the 1800s
prompted insurance
companies to
demand building
codes for structures

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871

Building Officials and Code

Administration (BOCA)

The first major model-code group

Founded in 1915
Located in Country Club Hills, Illinois
Codes were adopted predominantly in the
north central and northeastern states

International Conference
of Building Officials (ICBO)
Formed in 1922
Located in Whittier, CA
First edition of the Uniform Building Code
published in 1927
Adopted by states west of the Mississippi
River

Southern Building Code

Conference

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama

Founded in 1940
Published the Southern Building Code
Widely accepted in the southeast

International Code
Council (ICC)
Uniform system of codes
was necessary
Representatives from each of the code
organizations formed the ICC in 1994
First edition of the International Building
Code published in 2000

ICC Codes

International Residential Code (IRC)

International Building Code (IBC)
International Mechanical Code
International Plumbing Code
International Energy Conservation Code
ICC Electrical Code
Others

International Residential Code for

One- and Two-Family Dwellings(IRC)
Addresses design and
construction of one- and twofamily dwellings and townhomes
Local municipalities can adopt
the IRC but may publish
modifications
Modifications and specifications
are generally published on the
Internet
for all to reference

International Residential Code

IRC applies to homes consisting of
three stories, or less, above grade
Covers conventional residential construction
Covers all home components and systems
Structural systems
Thermal insulation
Mechanical systems
Plumbing systems
Electrical systems
Fuel gas systems
Fireplaces and chimneys

International Residential Code

Chapter 3 Building Planning
Habitable Space: A space in a building for
living, sleeping, eating, or cooking.
Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls,
storage or utility spaces, and similar areas
are not considered habitable space.

International Residential Code

Chapter 3 Building Planning
Section R303 Light, Ventilation, and
Heating
Section R304 Minimum Room Areas
Section R310 Emergency Escape and
Rescue Openings
Section R311 Means of Egress

Introduction to Building Codes

Babylonian Code of Hammurabi

Purpose of Building Codes
Engineering Failures
US History of Building Codes
Building Officials and Code Administration
International Conference of Building Officials
Southern Building Code Conference
International Code Council
ICC Codes
International Residential Code
IRC Chapter 3 Building Planning

References
International Code Council (n.d). Retrieved on March 21,
2012 at http://www.iccsafe.org/Pages/default.aspx
Hooker, R. The code of Hammurabi (1996). Retrieved
March 21, 2012 at
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/CODE.HTM
International Code Council. 2009 international residential
code (2009). United States: International Code Council,
Inc.