Introduction to Building Codes
PLTW Engineering
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Activity 2.3.3 Designing for the Client
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Introduction to Building Codes
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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
Climate Zones
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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.”
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Purpose of Building Codes
• Health, safety, and well-being of the public
• Protection of human life
• Professionals are licensed because the public’s safety
is in their hands
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Engineering Failures
2007 Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
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US History of Building Codes
Fires in the 1800s
prompted insurance
companies to demand
building codes for
structures
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871
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Building Officials and Code Administration
(BOCA)
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The first major model-code group
Founded in 1915
Located in Country Club Hills, IL
Codes were adopted predominantly in the north
central and northeastern states
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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
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Southern Building Code Conference
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Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama
Founded in 1940
Published the Southern Building Code
Widely accepted in the Southeast
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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
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ICC Codes
• International Residential Code for One- and Twofamily Dwellings (IRC)
• International Building Code (IBC)
• International Mechanical Code
• International Plumbing Code
• International Energy Conservation Code
• ICC Electrical Code
• Others
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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
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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
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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.
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International Residential Code
Chapter 3—Building Planning
• Section R303—Light, Ventilation, and Heating
• Section R304—Minimum Room Areas
• Section R305—Ceiling Height
• Section R307—Toilet, Bath, and Shower Spaces
• Section R310—Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings
• Section R311—Means of Egress
Chapter 11—Energy Efficiency
• Section N1101—General
• Section N1102—Building Thermal Envelope
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Climate Zones
Source: 2012 IRC, Figure N 1101.10 (R301.1). 2012 International Residential Code for One-and Two-family Dwellings, International Code Council, Inc., Washington,
D.C. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. www.iccsafe.org.
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Introduction to Building Codes
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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
Climate Zones
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References
Hooker, R. The code of Hammurabi (1996). Retrieved
March 21, 2012 at
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/CODE.HTM
International Code Council, Inc. 2012 International
residential code for one- and two-family dwellings
(2012). Washington, D. C. www.iccsafe.org
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