ICC 21 flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Permit application contents

A permit application must include construction documents, a site plan, and information showing compliance with the International Building Code, including occupant load and construction type where applicable.

Certificate of occupancy

Issued after inspection confirms the building complies with the permit and code; it authorizes the stated use and occupancy before the building may be occupied.

Referenced standards

Standards adopted by reference in IBC Chapter 35, such as ASTM, AISC, ACI, and NFPA documents, are enforceable as requirements of the code.

Occupant load calculation

The occupant load is the greater of the number computed using Table 1004.5 floor area allowances or the actual number of occupants, and it establishes egress requirements.

Frontage increase

Allowable building area may be increased where the building has open frontage on public ways or yards, calculated under IBC Section 506.3 using frontage length and open space width.

Guard height

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

Occupancy groups

The IBC classifies buildings by use into Groups A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, and U, which control allowable height, area, and fire protection.

Construction types

Types I through IV have A and B subtypes with varying fire-resistance; Type V is wood or other combustible construction, with Type V-A protected and V-B unprotected.

High-rise building

A building with an occupied floor more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, triggering additional fire protection and egress requirements.

Fire barrier continuity

A fire barrier must be continuous from the floor slab to the underside of the floor or roof above, and through concealed spaces, to maintain its required fire-resistance rating.

Opening protective rating

Fire doors and fire windows installed in rated walls must have a fire protection rating determined from IBC Table 716.1(2) based on the wall rating and opening size.

Smoke compartment refuge area

In institutional occupancies, smoke compartments must provide a refuge area of at least 30 net square feet per occupant, unless the sprinklered building meets exceptions.

Means of egress components

A means of egress consists of exit access, the exit, and exit discharge, forming a continuous unobstructed path from any point in the building to the public way.

Egress width factor

Required egress capacity is calculated using IBC Table 1005.3.2; unsprinklered stairways use 0.2 inch per occupant, and other egress components use 0.15 inch per occupant.

Accessible route width

An accessible route must be at least 36 inches clear width, with passing spaces and turning spaces provided where required by ICC A117.1.

Ramp slope limit

Accessible ramps may not exceed a 1:12 slope, must have landings at top and bottom, and require handrails where the rise exceeds 6 inches.

Risk category

Buildings are assigned Risk Categories I through IV based on occupancy and consequences of failure; higher categories increase wind, snow, and seismic design loads.

Seismic design category

The seismic design category ranges from A to F and is determined from mapped spectral accelerations, site class, and risk category under ASCE 7.

Deflection limits

IBC Table 1604.3 sets maximum allowable deflections for structural members under dead, live, and wind loads to control cracking and serviceability.

Concrete design standard

Structural concrete must be designed and constructed in accordance with ACI 318, as referenced by IBC Chapter 19, including strength, durability, and detailing requirements.

Frost depth footing

Footings must extend below the frost line or be designed to prevent frost heave, using local frost depth data or an engineered foundation design.

Allowable bearing pressure

Foundation design uses the allowable soil bearing pressure established by a geotechnical report or approved presumptive values from IBC Table 1806.2.

Roof fire classification

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

Wall flashing function

Flashing directs water away from wall assemblies at roofs, windows, and penetrations, and weep holes allow drainage from the wall cavity.

Vapor retarder placement

A vapor retarder limits moisture diffusion through the building envelope; its location depends on climate, and it must not trap moisture inside the assembly.

Climate zone

The IECC divides the United States into climate zones 0 through 8 based on heating and cooling degree days, and envelope requirements vary by zone.

Energy compliance paths

The IECC permits prescriptive, trade-off, or performance compliance paths, each demonstrating that the proposed building meets the required energy efficiency level.

Economizer requirement

Mechanical cooling systems must include an economizer where required by the IECC based on climate zone, system capacity, and exceptions for space conditioning.

Outdoor air ventilation

The International Mechanical Code Table 403.3.1.1 specifies minimum outdoor air rates per person and per square foot for various occupancies.

Trap seal depth

A plumbing trap must maintain a water seal of at least 2 inches and not more than 4 inches to prevent sewer gas from entering the building.

Fixture unit

A fixture unit is a measure of the probable drainage load of a plumbing fixture, used with the International Plumbing Code to size drain and vent piping.

Combustion air supply

Fuel-burning appliances require combustion air from indoors or outdoors in accordance with the International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code.