ICC 21 cheat sheet

IBC Chapter 1 establishes administration for permits, construction documents, inspections, certificates of occupancy, and boards of appeals.

The code applies to construction, alteration, enlargement, repair, movement, demolition, and changes of use or occupancy of buildings and structures.

A permit is required before construction, alteration, or demolition; ordinary repairs and minor work listed in Section 105.2 are exempt.

Construction documents must be sufficiently detailed to show compliance, including plans, elevations, sections, structural details, and MEP information.

A certificate of occupancy is required before a building may be used for its intended purpose; a temporary certificate may authorize partial occupancy.

Alterations, additions, and changes of occupancy in existing buildings must comply with the International Existing Building Code as referenced.

Referenced standards adopted in IBC Chapter 35 are enforceable as part of the code.

In flood hazard areas, permits require elevation, floodproofing, and anchoring documentation sufficient to show compliance with flood provisions.

Occupant load is the greater of the value computed from IBC Table 1004.5 floor area allowances or the actual number of occupants.

Allowable building height and area come from Tables 504.3, 504.4, and 506.2, with frontage increases calculated under Section 506.3.

Mixed occupancies may be designed as separated occupancies under Section 508.4 or nonseparated occupancies under Section 508.3.

Accessory occupancies are limited by area and must be ancillary to the principal occupancy; hazardous uses are restricted.

Exterior wall fire separation distance determines required wall fire-resistance ratings and limits on unprotected openings.

Guards are required at open-sided surfaces more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below and must be at least 42 inches high.

Sanitary facilities must be provided in the quantities and types required by the code and the International Plumbing Code.

The IBC classifies buildings by use into Groups A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, and U.

Construction Types I through IV have A and B subtypes with different fire-resistance requirements; Type V is the least restrictive.

Type I-A generally uses a 3-hour structural frame; Type V-B has an unprotected structural frame.

A high-rise building has an occupied floor more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Incidental uses listed in Table 509 must be separated from or protected relative to the main occupancy as specified.

Group H occupancy classification depends on the type and quantity of hazardous materials present.

Allowable height and area depend on occupancy group, construction type, sprinkler protection, and frontage.

Fire-resistance ratings are established by tested assemblies such as ASTM E119 or UL 263.

Fire barriers, fire partitions, and smoke barriers must be continuous through concealed spaces to maintain their required rating.

Opening protectives in rated walls require fire doors and fire windows rated according to IBC Table 716.1(2).

Penetrations and joints in rated assemblies must be protected with approved materials and systems under Chapter 7.

Shaft enclosures are required for vertical openings, subject to exceptions such as atriums and certain open parking structures.

Smoke barriers create smoke compartments; institutional occupancies require refuge areas of at least 30 net square feet per occupant unless excepted.

Fire dampers are required where ducts penetrate fire-resistance-rated assemblies, except where specific code exceptions apply.

Draftstopping is required in combustible concealed spaces to limit the spread of fire and smoke.

A means of egress consists of exit access, the exit, and exit discharge, forming a continuous path to the public way.

Egress width is determined from IBC Table 1005.3.2; unsprinklered stairways use 0.2 inch per occupant and other components use 0.15 inch per occupant.

Travel distance is measured along the natural path of travel and is limited by occupancy and sprinkler status.

Two exits are required where occupant load, common path, or travel distance exceeds the limits for a single exit.

Exit signs and means-of-egress illumination are required, and emergency illumination must be provided for 90 minutes.

Doors in a means of egress must provide a clear width of at least 32 inches, and accessible routes must be at least 36 inches wide.

Accessible ramps may not exceed a 1:12 slope and must have landings at the top and bottom.

Handrails must be 34 to 38 inches above the walking surface, and guards must be at least 42 inches high.

Structural loads and load combinations are determined under IBC Chapter 16 and ASCE 7.

Buildings are assigned Risk Categories I through IV based on occupancy and consequences of failure.

Seismic design category A through F is determined from mapped spectral accelerations, site class, and risk category.

Wind design uses basic wind speed maps and exposure categories B, C, or D based on surface roughness.

Live load reduction is permitted only where allowed by ASCE 7 and the member supports sufficient tributary area.

Deflection limits for structural members are specified in IBC Table 1604.3.

Special inspections and structural tests are required under IBC Chapter 17 where specified by the statement of special inspections.

Foundation design requires a geotechnical report or approved soil bearing values where required by the code.

Structural concrete is designed under ACI 318, masonry under TMS 402/602, structural steel under AISC 360/341, and wood under the NDS.

Footings must extend below the frost line or be designed to prevent frost heave.

Foundation design uses allowable bearing pressure from a geotechnical report or approved presumptive values.

Minimum concrete cover depends on member exposure, concrete strength, and whether the member is cast against earth.

Foundation walls below grade require dampproofing or waterproofing based on soil and groundwater conditions.

Termite protection is required in areas subject to termite infestation, using approved methods and materials.

Anchor bolts, connectors, and foundation anchorage must be designed and installed to resist applicable loads.

The building envelope separates interior and exterior environments and controls heat, air, and moisture movement.

Wall assemblies require flashing, weep holes, and a drainage plane to direct water out of the assembly.

Roof coverings are classified A, B, or C for resistance to external fire exposure, with Class A being the highest.

Vapor retarder location depends on climate and assembly design so that moisture is not trapped within the envelope.

Combustible exterior cladding is limited by Chapter 14 and may require NFPA 285 testing for multistory applications.

Fenestration must meet the U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient requirements of the applicable energy code.

Air leakage through the building envelope must be limited in accordance with the energy code and envelope requirements.

The International Energy Conservation Code governs energy efficiency for residential and commercial buildings.

Climate zones 0 through 8 are based on heating and cooling degree days, and envelope requirements vary by zone.

Compliance may be shown through prescriptive, trade-off, or performance paths.

Continuous insulation and assembly U-factor requirements are specified in the IECC tables for each climate zone.

Economizers are required for certain cooling systems based on climate zone, capacity, and exceptions.

Lighting controls include occupancy sensors, time switches, and daylight controls where required by the energy code.

Air barrier and commissioning requirements apply to envelope, mechanical, and lighting systems as specified.

The International Mechanical Code governs HVAC, exhaust, and ventilation; the International Plumbing Code governs plumbing systems.

Minimum outdoor air ventilation rates are specified in IMC Table 403.3.1.1 by occupancy.

Bathrooms and other rooms with contaminants require mechanical exhaust in accordance with the IMC.

Plumbing fixtures must be provided in the quantities required by IPC Table 403.1 and connected through fixture-unit sizing.

Each plumbing trap must maintain a water seal of at least 2 inches and not more than 4 inches.

Water heaters require a temperature-and-pressure relief valve with a discharge pipe installed to the code.

Fuel-burning appliances require combustion air and venting in accordance with the IMC and International Fuel Gas Code.

Duct penetrations of fire-resistance-rated assemblies require approved dampers and protection under the IBC and IMC.