Building Consistency Meeting
Residential
Date 03/07/2012 Recorder and minutes prepared by: Danny Wooten/Lon McSwain
Staff present: On File
Public present: There were 34 residential contractors present at the meeting a full
list is on file with this office.
Old
Business
4X4 deck
guardrail and
handrail posts
A reminder that 4X4 posts cannot be notched to be attached to the
deck band as guardrail supports, 6x6 post are allowed. This comes
from a ruling from DOI last year that a notched 4x4 would not be
capable of supporting the required live load on a guardrail system.
New
Business
Appendix M
The change to the Deck code appendix M allows stairs and roof loads to be
attached to cantilevered joists in compliance with chapter 5 for cantilevers
however no stair or roof load is allowed on a cantilevered area which is a
limited option.
Superior Wall
System
Superior Wall System (precast concrete foundation wall system) does
not have to be damp proofed or waterproofed when a Soil Engineer
provides a letter about soil conditions that identifies the specific site as
not having a high water table or other moisture issues as listed in
R406.2 and no dampproofing when they follow their ICC report. Both
the engineer’s letter and the ICC ER report needs to be furnished to
the inspector at foundation inspection.
Windows were the bottom of the opening is located 24” or less AFF
and 72” or more above outside grade must be equipped with a latch
that will restrict the opening to resist the passage of a 4” sphere or an
approved guard protection.
Requirements for retaining walls have been moved but remain the
same as in the 2009 code. Location may be an issue since they moved
several pages back to section R404.4.
New- 2012
Code item
R612.2
New location2012 Code
Retaining
walls
New- 2012
Code item
Attic Storage
New- 2012
Code item
Live/Work
Units
Changes2012 Code
Live Load
Tables
New- 2012
Code items
Section R302
Attics that have only a walkway to mechanical equipment and are not
specifically designed to carry attic loads must be permanently marked at
the access opening (NOT FOR STORAGE). This can be found in the
definition section under ATTIC STORAGE.
This is an exception found in Section R101.2 referring you to the
Building Code Section 419.5 for the construction of Live/Work Units.
These are typically townhouse style units and there are limitations in the
building code and units would have to have a sprinkler system as well.
Now have habitable attics listed for 30#/sq.ft. and decks and balconies @
40#/sq.ft. This information is listed in Table R301.5
Section R302 fire resistant construction has been rewritten. There is an
exception to the required wall protection for accessory structures on the
same lot however if closer than 3’ have to have ½” sheetrock on garage
side.
Change- 2012
Code item
Fire Stopping
R302.11 #4,
R302.11.1.3
Change- 2012
Code item
Exterior
Egress Door
R311.2
Change- 2012
Code item
Site Address
R319
New- 2012
Code item
Section R323
Change- 2012
Code item
Handrails
R311.7.7.1
Fiberglass loose fill insulation is no longer acceptable to use as fire
stopping unless specifically tested for that application. The material does
not have to meet ASTM 136 but must be an approved product for that
application. Code doesn’t reference what is approved however any fire
caulk or fire foam would be allowed.
One exterior door must have a 32” X 78” clear opening. This is a change
from the previous version that indicated 3-0x6-8 and has gone to a
specific net clear dimension required for that opening. This door still has
to be side hinged with special locking conditions and can be anywhere in
the home except through a garage.
Section requires that an address be posted on site for any required
residential permit and gives specific information like size to be 4” and
if an address is needed at the street.
New section on the requirements for storm shelters and safe rooms.
Handrails must now be mounted between 34” and 38” for stairs and
ramps this includes all stairs like interior stairways or exterior decks.
This is a significant change to the NC market since typically for more
than 20 years it has been 30”-38”. Word is going out to make sure that
this information gets to the field to stair companies and deck builders.
Approved By ___Lon McSwain_________ Date _____03/29/2012__