ICC: International Code Council

ICC, the International Code Council, is a nonprofit organization that develops and publishes standards related to building safety and fire prevention. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, ICC standards have been codified and enforced in all 50 American states, as well as in various foreign countries. With nearly 340 chapters worldwide, each with many members, ICC building safety standards are used everywhere. Standards from ICC are available both individually, directly through the ANSI webstore, and as part of a Standards Subscription. If you or your organization are interested in easy, managed, online access to standards that can be shared, a Standards Subscription may be what you need - please contact us at: [email protected] or 1-212-642-4980 or Request Proposal Price.

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ICC A117.1-2017

Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

Provides technical criteria for making sites, facilities, buildings and elements accessible.

ICC IBC-2021

2021 International Building Code

This code applies to all buildings except detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories. The 2021 IBC contains many important changes such as: Puzzle rooms (escape rooms) are now defined and regulated as special amusement areas, requiring compliance with Section 411 and special means of egress requirements. For the purposes of determining the allowable number of control areas in a building, each portion separated by one or more fire walls is now considered as a separate building. In Group E occupancies, enhanced classroom acoustics in compliance with ICC A117.1 are to be provided in all classrooms having of volume of 20,000 cubic feet or less. The requirements for metal composite materials and systems (MCM) installed on the exterior walls of Types I, II, III and IV construction were simplified and sprinkler allowances were deleted The use of intermodal shipping containers as buildings is now specifically addressed through provisions intended to supplement existing applicable IBC requirements. Automatic sprinkler protection is now required in Group S-2 open parking garages where any fire area exceeds 48,000 square feet. The 2017 edition of ICC A117.1 was adopted. Parapets of a minimum height are now required for aggregate-surfaced roofs to prevent blow-off. Mixed occupancy buildings with assembly spaces are placed in Risk Category III when the total public assembly occupant load is greater than 2500 people. The 2021 IBC snow map is updated to match ASCE 7-16 snow maps by adding a reference to ASCE 7 snow tables in states with large case study areas. Secondary rain loads are updated to be consistent with ASCE 7. Special inspection requirements were added to address the anchorage and connection of mass timber structural elements. Installation of firestop, fire-resistant joint systems and perimeter fire barrier systems in residential-use buildings now requires special inspection in Group R fire areas having an occupant load exceeding 250 people. Frost protection for egress doors was added to the foundation requirements. ACI standards ACI 117 and ITG 7 were added by reference to provide acceptable tolerances for concrete construction. Three new types of construction (Types IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C) allow mass timber buildings of taller heights, more stories above grade, and greater allowable areas compared to existing provisions for heavy timber buildings.

ICC 300-2017

Standard for Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating and Grandstands

The purpose of this standard is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, and safety to life and property relative to the construction, alteration, repair, operation and maintenance of new and existing temporary and permanent bench bleachers, folding and telescopic seating and grandstands. This standard is intended for adoption by government agencies and organizations setting model codes to achieve uniformity in technical design criteria in building codes and other regulations.

ICC IBC-2018

2018 International Building Code

The scope of the International Building Code® (IBC®) includes all buildings except detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories. For the most current adoptions details go to International Code Adoptions  The 2018 IBC contains many important changes such as:  Accessory storage spaces of any size are now permitted to be classified as part of the occupancy to which they are accessory. New code sections have been introduced addressing medical gas systems and higher education laboratories. Use of fire walls to create separate buildings is now limited to only the determination of permissible types of construction based on allowable building area and height. Where an elevator hoistway door opens into a fire-resistance-rated corridor, the opening must be protected in a manner to address smoke intrusion into the hoistway. The occupant load factor for business uses has been revised to one occupant per 150 square feet. Live loads on decks and balconies increase the deck live load to one and one-half times the live load of the area served. The minimum lateral load that fire walls are required to resist is five pounds per square foot. Wind speed maps updated, including maps for the state of Hawaii. Terminology describing wind speeds has changed again with ultimate design wind speeds now called basic design wind speeds. Site soil coefficients now correspond to the newest generation of ground motion attenuation equations (seismic values). Five-foot tall wood trusses requiring permanent bracing must have a periodic special inspection to verify that the required bracing has been installed. New alternative fastener schedule for construction of mechanically laminated decking is added giving equivalent power-driven fasteners for the 20-penny nail. Solid sawn lumber header and girder spans for the exterior bearing walls reduce span lengths to allow #2 Southern Pine design values.

ANSI A117.1-1986

Buildings and Facilities - Providing Accessibility and Usability for Physically Handicapped People

The specifications in this standard are intended to make buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by people with such physical disabilities as the inability to walk, difficulty walking, reliance on walking aids, blindness and visual impairment, deafness and hearing impairment, incoordination, reaching and manipulation disabilities, lack of stamina, difficulty interpreting and reacting to sensory information, and extremes of physical size.

ICC IRC-2018

2018 International Residential Code

This comprehensive code comprises all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and electrical requirements for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories. For the most current adoptions details go to International Code Adoptions  The IRC contains many important changes such as:  An updated seismic map reflects the most conservative Seismic Design Category (SDC) based on any soil type and a new map reflects less conservative SDCs when Site Class A, B or D is applicable. The townhouse separation provisions now include options for using two separate fire-resistant-rated walls or a common wall. An emergency escape and rescue opening is no longer required in basement sleeping rooms where the dwelling has an automatic fire sprinkler system and the basement has a second means of egress or an emergency escape opening. The exemption for interconnection of smoke alarms in existing areas has been deleted. New girder/header tables have been revised to incorporate the use of #2 Southern Pine in lieu of #1 Southern Pine. New tables address alternative wood stud heights and the required number of full height studs in high wind areas.

ICC A117.1-2009

Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

This standard provides technical criteria for making sites, facilities, buildings, and elements accessible.ICC A117.1-2009

ICC IECC-2018

2018 International Energy Conservation Code

The IECC addresses energy efficiency on several fronts including cost savings, reduced energy usage, conservation of natural resources and the impact of energy usage on the environment. For the most current adoptions details go to International Code Adoptions  Key changes include:  Log homes designed in accordance with the standard ICC 400, Standards on the Design and Construction of Log Structures, are exempt from the building thermal envelope requirements of the IECC. The maximum allowable fenestration U-factors in Table R402.1.2 (for the prescriptive compliance path) for climates zones 3 through 8 have been reduced from the values in the 2015 edition. The ICC/RESNET 380 standard has been included as one of standards that can be used for determining the air leakage rate of a building or dwelling unit. The Energy Rating Index compliance alternative index values have been increased slightly however, the method for determining an index is now required to be in accordance with standard ICC/RESNET 301. Revisions to interior and exterior lighting power budgets and better clarity for lighting controls. Clarity that regardless of design methodology, system commissioning is required. New limits on heated or cooled vestibules. Mechanical provisions reorganized based on equipment type rather than design methodology.

ICC IBC-2015

2015 International Building Code

The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures. Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with the International Residential Code.

ICC IFC-2021

2021 International Fire Code

The 2021 IFC contains regulations to safeguard life and property from fires and explosion hazards. Topics include general precautions, emergency planning and preparedness, fire department access and water supplies, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, special hazards, and the storage and use of hazardous materials. Key changes to the IFC include: Requirements for Additive Manufacturing (3-D Printing) equipment and operations for both non-industrial and industrial applications are now provided. Flame propagation performance of permanently installed artificial combustible vegetation is required to be verified when exceeding certain heights located on roofs or in close proximity to buildings. Provisions for emergency responder communication were revised to reflect the expansion of such systems beyond radios and the need for increased performance of such systems. Sprinkler requirements for the storage, manufacture and sale of upholstered furniture and mattresses were updated and clarified. Part of this update is a new exception for single-story self-storage facilities accessed directly from the exterior. An automatic sprinkler system is now required for open parking garages exceeding a certain fire area threshold. The requirements for energy storage system (ESS) were further refined to reflect the variety of new technologies and applications (in building and standalone) and the need for proper commissioning and decommissioning of such systems. A new chapter was added that provides clarification and specific requirements for the storage of distilled spirits and wines in barrels and casks. The provisions for construction fire safety were reorganized and expanded with an emphasis on the owner’s responsibilities. The new language requires a site safety plan and designation of a site safety director.