ICC R5 flashcards

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

IRC building scope

The IRC applies to detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane with a separate means of egress, plus accessory structures.

Permit exemption

Ordinary repairs, listed minor work, and certain accessory structures below the size threshold do not require a permit, but all work must still comply with the code.

Certificate of occupancy

Issued after the completed work is inspected and found to comply with the approved construction documents; it authorizes occupancy of the building or unit.

Permit lapse period

A permit becomes invalid if work does not start within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, unless the local ordinance states otherwise.

Board of appeals

A body appointed to hear appeals of the building official's interpretations and decisions; filing an appeal stays enforcement unless the official certifies an immediate hazard.

Habitable room glazing

Every habitable room must have aggregate glazing of at least 8 percent of the floor area and openable area of at least 4 percent for natural light and ventilation.

Minimum ceiling height

Habitable rooms, halls, and corridors need 7 ft clear; bathrooms, toilet rooms, and laundry rooms need 6 ft 8 in. clear, measured to the finished ceiling.

Emergency escape opening size

The net clear opening must be at least 5.7 square feet, or 5.0 square feet for openings at grade, with minimum width 20 in. and height 24 in.

Escape opening sill height

The sill of an emergency escape and rescue opening must be not more than 44 in. above the finished floor, so an occupant can reach and exit the opening.

Minimum footing dimensions

Footings are at least 12 in. wide and 6 in. thick, bear on undisturbed soil below the frost line, and project beyond the wall face only as limited by table.

Foundation grade slope

The ground within 6 in. of the foundation must slope away at not less than 6 in. of fall in the first 10 ft to drain water away from the footings.

Joist notch limit

Notches in floor joists are limited to one-sixth of the joist depth, and notches may not be located in the middle third of the span where tension stress is highest.

Joist bored hole limit

Hole diameter may not exceed one-third of the joist depth, and holes must be at least 2 in. from the top and bottom edges of the member.

Stud notch and bore limits

In exterior and bearing wall studs, notching is limited to 25 percent of the stud width and boring to 40 percent of the width, with edge distance limits.

Sill plate anchor bolts

Anchor bolts spaced not more than 6 ft on center, with at least two per plate section and at least 7 in. embedment in the foundation, anchor the sill to the foundation.

Rafter thrust restraint

Rafters must be tied with ceiling joists or a structural ridge to resist outward thrust at the walls; collar ties alone do not provide this restraint.

Truss alteration prohibition

Engineered trusses must be installed per the approved truss design drawings; cutting, notching, or altering any truss member is prohibited without the truss designer's approval.

Decay-resistant wood

Wood in contact with the ground or in crawl spaces must be naturally durable or preservative-treated, and fasteners must be compatible with the treatment to avoid corrosion.

Header bearing length

Headers and lintels over openings must bear at least 1 1/2 in. on wood or metal supports, with jack studs or approved hangers carrying the load.

Climate zone envelope

The energy chapter sets insulation R-values and fenestration U-factors by climate zone, so the same wall or window assembly has different requirements across zones 1 through 8.

Envelope air sealing

The building thermal envelope must be sealed at joints, seams, and penetrations; recessed luminaires in the envelope must be sealed and rated for insulation contact.

Whole-house ventilation

Where the envelope is tightened, the dwelling must have a whole-house mechanical ventilation system; exhaust fans must discharge outdoors, not into attics or crawl spaces.

Local exhaust requirement

Bathrooms, toilet rooms, and kitchens require local exhaust ventilation, and habitable rooms require natural or mechanical ventilation per the ventilation table.

Combustion air sizing

Fuel-burning appliances in a confined space need outdoor combustion air sized by the appliance input rating, or the space must be classified as unconfined.

Crawl space ground cover

Crawl spaces require a ground cover of at least 6-mil material to limit moisture migration into the dwelling, lapped and sealed at joints and edges.

Smoke alarm locations

Smoke alarms are required in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity, and on each additional story including basements, and must be interconnected.

Smoke alarm power source

Alarms must have primary power from the building wiring with battery backup, or be listed battery-only alarms where the code permits for existing or unremodeled dwellings.

Carbon monoxide alarms

CO alarms are required outside sleeping areas and on each story where the dwelling has a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, following the manufacturer's listing.

Garage fire separation

A one-hour fire-resistance rating is required between a dwelling unit and an attached private garage, with doors of at least 20-minute rating and self-closing hardware.

Egress door requirements

The required exit door must be side-hinged, at least 32 in. clear width and 6 ft 8 in. tall, and openable from the inside without a key or special tool.

Fireblocking locations

Fireblocking is required in concealed spaces, including between floor and ceiling, at the top and bottom of stair stringers, and at penetrations through wall and floor assemblies.

Draftstopping purpose

Draftstopping in concealed attic and floor spaces limits the horizontal spread of fire and smoke; the fire chapter specifies the maximum area of each draftstopped space.