ICC Commercial B2 cheat sheet

Permit required: new construction, alterations, repairs, demolition, and changes of occupancy require a permit unless the work is exempt under the code's minor-repair provisions.

Certificate of occupancy: issued after final inspection confirming the building complies with the approved plans for the intended occupancy group.

Occupancy classification: each space is assigned an occupancy group (A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U) based on the use and occupant load.

Mixed occupancy: when a building contains multiple occupancy groups, apply either the separated or non-separated occupancy provisions.

Construction type: classified as Type I through Type V, with subtypes A (protected) and B (unprotected) for Types I-IV; Type V has no fire-resistance rating requirement.

Fire-resistance ratings: expressed in hours and assigned to structural members, exterior walls, and floor/ceiling assemblies based on construction type and occupancy.

Building height and area: limited by construction type and occupancy group; allowable area may be increased by frontage and sprinkler provisions.

Referenced standards: the code incorporates standards such as NFPA 13 for sprinklers, ASTM E119 for fire tests, and ASME A17.1 for elevators.

Inspections: required at foundation, framing, and final stages; the building official may also require special inspections for high-risk structural elements.

Occupant load: calculated by dividing floor area by the occupant load factor for the use; the factor is typically 100 sq ft per occupant for business and 15 sq ft for assembly unconcentrated.

Egress width: the required width is based on occupant load; a minimum of 0.2 inches per occupant for level components and 0.15 inches per occupant for stairways.

Number of exits: at least two exits are required when occupant load exceeds 49 for most occupancies, or when travel distance exceeds 75 feet.

Travel distance: maximum travel distance to an exit varies by occupancy and sprinkler protection; common limits are 200 feet for nonsprinklered business and 300 feet for sprinklered business.

Dead-end corridors: limited to 20 feet in nonsprinklered buildings and 50 feet in sprinklered buildings for most occupancies.

Accessibility: accessible routes, parking, entrances, and toilet rooms must comply with ICC A117.1; the 2017 edition is commonly referenced.

Clear width: accessible routes must be at least 36 inches wide, with passing spaces at intervals not exceeding 200 feet.

Ramps: slope not steeper than 1:12, with landings at top and bottom and handrails on both sides if rise exceeds 6 inches.

Exit signs: required at exits and along egress paths; must be illuminated and visible from any point in the path.

Fire barriers: used to separate occupancy groups and to enclose exit stairways; required rating depends on occupancy and construction type, commonly 1 or 2 hours.

Fire partitions: separate dwelling units, guest rooms, and corridors; minimum 1-hour rating, with smoke partitions requiring a 1-hour rating in some cases.

Smoke barriers: required around atriums and certain occupancies; must limit smoke spread and have a minimum 1-hour rating.

Interior finish classes: Class A (flame spread 0-25), Class B (26-75), Class C (76-200); smoke-developed index is also limited.

Sprinkler systems: automatic sprinkler protection is required based on occupancy, height, and area; NFPA 13 is the referenced standard.

Fire-resistance-rated assemblies: tested per ASTM E119; ratings include structural elements, walls, and floor/ceiling assemblies.

Opening protectives: fire-rated doors and windows must be labeled and installed per NFPA 80; ratings range from 20 minutes to 3 hours.

Smoke detection: required in certain occupancies and corridors; must comply with NFPA 72 installation standards.

Interior finish application: finish classification limits apply to walls and ceilings in corridors and exitways; floor finishes have separate requirements.

Load combinations: use ASCE 7 load combinations for dead, live, wind, seismic, and snow loads; strength design uses factored loads.

Live loads: minimum uniformly distributed live loads are specified by occupancy, e.g., 100 psf for assembly areas and 50 psf for offices.

Foundation design: soil bearing capacity must be determined by geotechnical investigation; footings must extend below frost line.

Seismic design: structures assigned to Seismic Design Categories D, E, or F require special detailing and lateral-force-resisting systems.

Concrete: minimum compressive strength and reinforcement requirements per ACI 318; cover requirements vary by exposure.

Steel: structural steel design per AISC 360; connections must be designed for the required forces.

Wood: allowable stress design or load and resistance factor design per NDS; fire-retardant-treated wood may be required in certain applications.

Masonry: design per TMS 402/602; reinforcement and grouting requirements apply.

Special inspections: required for high-strength concrete, welding, and certain foundation elements; must be performed by approved agencies.

Energy code: the 2018 or 2021 IECC is commonly adopted; compliance via prescriptive, trade-off, or performance path.

Building envelope: thermal envelope requirements include insulation R-values, fenestration U-factors, and air leakage limits.

Fenestration: maximum window-to-wall ratio and solar heat gain coefficient limits apply by climate zone.

Air barriers: required to limit infiltration; must be continuous and sealed at joints and penetrations.

Special construction: includes atriums, covered mall buildings, high-rise buildings, and membrane structures, each with specific provisions.

Atriums: must have smoke control systems and a minimum 20-foot separation from adjacent spaces unless sprinklered.

High-rise buildings: defined as occupied floors more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department access; require additional fire protection and egress provisions.

Membrane structures: must comply with fire safety and structural requirements; limited in area and occupancy.

Solar energy systems: building-integrated photovoltaics and solar panels must comply with structural and fire provisions.