ICC 77 flashcards

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

Building official authority

The building official's enforcement power comes from statute or local ordinance adopting the code, not from the code text itself; the official reviews, permits, inspects, and enforces.

Stop-work order

A written order halting work that is contrary to the code or the permit. Work may not resume until the building official authorizes resumption in writing.

Right of entry

Inspectors may enter premises at reasonable times to inspect. If entry is refused, the official must obtain a warrant or other legal process instead of forcing entry.

Alternative materials approval

The official may approve materials and methods not specifically prescribed by the code when the proposed alternative is at least equivalent in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety.

Board of appeals role

The board hears appeals of the building official's interpretations and decisions. Appeals must be filed within the ordinance's time limit and do not stay enforcement unless the board orders a stay.

Permit lapse

A permit becomes invalid if work does not start within the ordinance period, commonly 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for the stated period after starting.

Certificate of occupancy

Issued after final inspection confirms the work complies with the permitted documents and code. A temporary certificate may be issued for a stated term with conditions.

Change of occupancy review

A change in use requires compliance with the new occupancy's requirements, including egress, fire separation, and applicable height and area limits for the construction type.

Required inspection stages

Typical required inspections are footing or foundation, framing, rough-in, insulation, and final. The permit holder must request each inspection when that stage is ready.

Occupancy group letters

Uses are classified as assembly A, business B, educational E, factory F, high-hazard H, institutional I, mercantile M, residential R, storage S, and utility U.

Construction Type I versus V

Type I is the most fire-resistive construction, with high ratings on structural elements. Type V is the least, and Type V-B is unprotected wood-frame construction.

Mixed occupancy methods

Mixed uses may be treated as accessory occupancies, nonseparated occupancies, or separated occupancies. Each method carries its own area, height, and fire-separation rules.

Frontage increase

Allowable building area may be increased where the building fronts a public way or open space. The increase is computed from the open perimeter and the code's frontage formula.

Incidental use separation

Small hazardous rooms such as boiler rooms, furnace rooms, and trash rooms require separation from the rest of the building by fire barriers with ratings from the incidental-use table.

Means of egress components

The means of egress consists of exit access, the exit, and exit discharge. Each component has separate requirements for width, protection, and travel distance.

Occupant load calculation

Occupant load equals floor area divided by the occupant load factor for the use. Fixed seating is counted by seat, and the calculated load may be increased where justified.

Egress width rule

Required egress width is based on occupant load, with different capacity per unit width for stairs versus level components. Width may not decrease along the path of travel.

Remote exits requirement

Where two exits are required, they must be separated by the code-specified distance so that a single fire cannot block both means of egress.

Door swing threshold

Egress doors must swing in the direction of travel where the occupant load is 50 or more, be side-hinged, and have panic hardware in certain assembly and educational occupancies.

Exit enclosure

An exit stair enclosure must be separated from the building by fire-resistance-rated construction and must discharge directly outside or through a protected exit passageway.

Sprinkler threshold table

The code's sprinkler threshold table shows where automatic suppression is required by occupancy, height, area, and construction type, and where it substitutes for fire resistance.

Fire wall function

A fire wall divides a building into separate buildings for area and height purposes. It must be structurally independent, and openings must have fire-rated protective assemblies.

Smoke barrier versus partition

Smoke barriers resist smoke migration and are required in institutional and some assembly occupancies. Smoke partitions have lesser requirements and serve different containment purposes.

Standpipe trigger

Standpipes are required where the highest occupied floor exceeds the code's height threshold and in certain large-area buildings, so hose lines can reach all floors.

Live load reduction limits

Live loads may be reduced only as the code permits, based on tributary area and number of floors supported. Reductions are not allowed for certain occupancies such as public assembly.

Accessible route

An accessible route must connect the site arrival point, building entrance, and all accessible spaces. Changes in level must be ramped or otherwise resolved within code limits.

Path of travel upgrade

Alterations and additions trigger accessibility upgrades to the path of travel serving the altered area, capped at a cost limit proportional to the project cost.

Special inspection trigger

The code requires special inspection and testing for specified elements such as high-strength bolting, welding, and certain foundations, performed by approved agencies.

Existing building work classes

Existing building provisions classify work as repair, alteration, addition, or change of occupancy. Each class sets the level of code compliance required for the work.

Energy code documentation

Energy compliance is shown by prescriptive or performance methods. The building official verifies that permit documents include the required compliance documentation before issuing the permit.

Partial occupancy approval

A portion of a building may be occupied before completion only where it meets all life-safety requirements, including egress, fire separation, and fire-protection systems.

Concealed work inspection

Work that will be concealed must be inspected and approved before it is covered. Approval of one stage does not relieve the permit holder of responsibility for overall compliance.