Chapter 42 Building Codes and Commercial Design Introduction

Chapter 42 Building Codes and Commercial Design

Introduction • Commercial drafting depends more on building codes – This means working with the International Building Code or a local code based on IBC • You must be able to properly use the code governing your area

Exploring Building Codes • International Building Code (IBC) – Published by the International Code Council (ICC) – Merger between: • Uniform Building Code (UBC) • National Building Code (NBC) • Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) • Standard Building Code (SBC)

Exploring Building Codes (cont’d. ) • International Building Code (cont’d) – Part of a family of codes • • • Structural Plumbing Mechanical Fire Residential – Several other International Codes published by the ICC (e. g. , fuel gas, sewage disposal, etc. )

Exploring Building Codes (cont’d. ) • Building codes influence every aspect of a construction project – Code book should be available and referred to frequently • Check with building department to determine the code for drafting project

Exploring Building Codes (cont’d. ) • Exploring the IBC – Each code consists of related books to regulate: • • • Design and structural Electrical and energy Fire Mechanical Plumbing Zoning – Construction types are numbered from I to V

Exploring Building Codes (cont’d. ) • Exploring the IBC (cont’d. ) – Additional considerations • Safety requirements • Building systems • Building materials

Determining Design Categories • Occupancy groups – Specifies by whom or how the structure will be used • Ten classifications, broken into sub classifications • Group R occupancy categories considerations

Design Categories (cont’d. ) • Type of construction – Five general types of construction • Represented by the Roman numerals I through V • Building area – Basic square-foot sizes • May be altered depending on construction techniques

Design Categories (cont’d. ) • Determining height – Occupancy and type of construction will determine maximum height • Building location and size – Impacted by zoning and the structures use • Increasing space between buildings lessens chance of additional fire damage and provides greater firefighting equipment access

Design Categories (cont’d. ) • Increasing the allowable floor area – Wood frames cannot be as large or tall as those built of noncombustible materials • Fire protected structural members may be larger and taller • Occupancy load – Determined by a ratio of room area to code specified area person

Design Categories (cont’d. ) • Exits – Exit paths • Mostly determined by number of occupants – Determining exits • Refer to text for calculations – Exit locations • If more than one exit is required, IBC requires at least two exits be separated by one-half of the diagonal of the area served

Design Categories (cont’d. ) • Accessibility requirements for type R occupancies – Type of living units based on level of accessibility provided • Type A or B

Design Categories (cont’d. ) • Accessibility requirements for type R occupancies – Additional considerations: • • • Accessible routes Operating controls Doorways Kitchens Toilet and bathing facilities

Using the Codes • Drafter must be aware of classifications – Many problems will need the code to solve • Requires knowledge of basic code limitations – Practice using tables in the text and similar tables of the code that govern your area