ICC 64 cheat sheet

The International Building Code (IBC) is organized by chapter: Ch. 3 occupancy classification, Ch. 5 height and area, Ch. 6 types of construction, Ch. 7 fire-resistance-rated construction, Ch. 10 means of egress.

ICC codes are model codes; they become enforceable only when adopted by a jurisdiction, and local amendments control over the model text where they conflict.

Definitions in Chapter 2 control interpretation throughout the code; terms not defined there take their ordinarily accepted meaning.

Referenced standards (e.g., ASTM E119, NFPA 13, ASCE 7) are adopted by reference and carry the same force as the code text for the subjects they cover.

Code sections are cited as chapter.section, e.g., Section 1005.3.2; a leading number identifies the chapter, and exceptions follow the main rule and modify it.

The IBC family includes the International Residential Code (IRC) for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses; the IBC governs most other buildings.

Performance vs. prescriptive: most IBC provisions are prescriptive, but Chapter 5 alternatives and Section 104.11 allow approved alternative materials and methods meeting the code's intent.

The code is a minimum standard; compliance with the code does not guarantee safety beyond the assumed hazards and design conditions it addresses.

Occupancy groups: A (assembly), B (business), E (educational), F (factory), H (high hazard), I (institutional), M (mercantile), R (residential), S (storage), U (utility); subcategories follow the hazard level (e.g., A-1 through A-5, H-1 through H-5).

An occupancy is classified by the purpose for which a space is used, not by the building's name; a space with multiple uses may require separate classifications or a mixed-occupancy approach under Section 508.

Assembly Group A requires occupancy load of 50 or more occupants for A-3 spaces such as worship, or 75 or more for certain A-2/A-3 uses; below those thresholds the space is often Group B.

Accessory occupancy: a subordinate use that is ancillary to the main occupancy and does not exceed 10% of the floor area of the story may be classified as part of the main occupancy.

Incidental uses (Section 509) are hazardous functions within another occupancy (e.g., a boiler room, storage of combustibles) that are required to be separated per Table 509 rather than creating a separate occupancy.

Mixed occupancy options under Section 508: nonseparated (no fire separation, subject to height/area limits), separated (fire barriers per Table 508.4), or accessory.

Height and area limits come from Table 503, adjusted by frontage increase (Section 506) for open perimeter and by automatic sprinkler increases (Section 504/506).

Type of construction (I through V, with A and B subtypes) is determined by the required fire-resistance of structural elements, not by material alone; Type IV is heavy timber, Type V is wood-frame.

Means of egress components: exit access, exit, and exit discharge; every occupied space needs a continuous and unobstructed path to the public way.

Occupant load is computed from Table 1004.1.2 (e.g., 100 gross sq ft per occupant for business, 15 net for assembly concentrated seating) and drives egress width, exits, and fixtures.

Egress width: Section 1005 requires capacity based on occupant load, typically 0.2 inch per occupant for level components and 0.15 inch for stairs, with a minimum clear width of 36 inches for corridors serving fewer than 50 occupants.

Two exits are generally required when occupant load exceeds the limits in Table 1015.1 (e.g., 49 for business, 49 for assembly without sprinklers in many cases); exit remoteness rules require separation per Section 1007.1.

Travel distance limits vary by occupancy and sprinkler protection: for example, Group B is 200 ft unsprinklered and 300 ft sprinklered; Group A and E have shorter limits.

Fire-resistance ratings for structural elements are found in Table 601 and are a function of construction type; opening protectives (doors, windows) are rated per Table 716.

Fire barriers, fire partitions, and smoke barriers have distinct purposes: fire barriers separate occupancies and exit enclosures, fire partitions separate dwelling units and corridors, smoke barriers resist smoke migration.

Automatic sprinkler systems are required by Section 903 for many occupancies above certain heights or occupant loads (e.g., Group R above 3 stories, certain assembly and high-rise conditions).

Fire alarm and detection requirements are in Chapter 9; manual fire alarm boxes, automatic detection, and notification are triggered by occupancy and occupant load thresholds.

Loads are defined in Chapter 16 and ASCE 7: dead, live, roof live, snow, wind, seismic, and rain loads; design must consider applicable combinations.

Live load minimums come from Table 1607.1 (e.g., 40 psf for residential floors, 50 psf for office floors, 100 psf for corridors and exit ways in some cases).

Deflection limits for structural members are in Table 1604.3 and are expressed as a fraction of span (e.g., L/360 for floors under live load).

Seismic design category (A through F) is determined from the mapped spectral accelerations and the occupancy/risk category; it drives detailing requirements in Chapters 17–18.

Risk categories I–IV reflect consequence of failure; essential facilities (hospitals, fire stations) are Category IV, and ordinary buildings are Category II.

Nonstructural components (ceilings, partitions, mechanical equipment, cladding) must be anchored and braced for seismic forces per Chapter 13 of ASCE 7 and IBC Chapter 16.

Structural observation and special inspection requirements (Chapter 17) apply based on occupancy category, construction type, and seismic design category.

Glass and glazing must comply with Chapter 24; safety glazing is required in hazardous locations such as doors, sidelights, and glazing near walking surfaces.

A permit is required for construction, alteration, and certain repairs; Section 105.2 lists exemptions (e.g., minor cosmetic work, some fences under 6 ft, certain temporary structures).

The building official has authority to interpret the code, approve alternative methods (Section 104.11), and issue notices of violation and stop-work orders.

Plan review precedes permit issuance; the applicant submits construction documents prepared by a registered design professional where required by law.

Inspections are required at defined stages: footing/foundation, framing, rough-in (electrical, mechanical, plumbing), insulation, and final; the permit holder must request inspections.

A certificate of occupancy (or completion) is issued after final inspection confirms the building complies with the approved plans and code; it states the occupancy classification and use.

Work without a permit or in violation of an approved plan can result in stop-work orders, notices of violation, and penalties; the building official may require correction or removal.

Appeals of building official decisions go to the board of appeals established by the jurisdiction; the board may affirm, modify, or reverse the decision.

Temporary structures and uses require permits and are subject to special provisions (Chapter 31); they must be removed or brought into compliance within the stated time.

Chapter 1 administration, Chapter 2 definitions, Chapter 3 occupancy, Chapter 4 special detailed requirements, Chapter 5 height and area, Chapter 6 construction types.

Chapter 7 fire-resistance, Chapter 8 interior finishes, Chapter 9 fire protection systems, Chapter 10 means of egress, Chapter 11 accessibility.

Chapter 12 interior environment, Chapter 13 energy efficiency, Chapter 14 exterior walls, Chapter 15 roof assemblies, Chapter 16 structural design.

Chapter 17 special inspections, Chapter 18 soils and foundations, Chapter 19 concrete, Chapter 20 aluminum, Chapter 21 masonry, Chapter 22 steel, Chapter 23 wood.

Chapter 24 glass and glazing, Chapter 25 gypsum, Chapter 26 plastics, Chapter 27 electrical, Chapter 28 mechanical, Chapter 29 plumbing, Chapter 30 elevators, Chapter 31 special construction.

Chapter 32 encroachments, Chapter 33 safeguards during construction, Chapter 34 existing structures, Chapter 35 referenced standards.

The code uses mandatory language ('shall') for requirements and permissive language ('may') for options; 'shall not' indicates a prohibition.

Appendices are part of the code only when the jurisdiction adopts them; they are not enforceable by default.

Nonseparated occupancies: no fire barriers between uses, but the most restrictive height and area limits from all occupancies apply to the whole building.

Separated occupancies: fire barriers per Table 508.4 separate occupancies, and each occupancy is evaluated against its own height and area limits.

Accessory occupancy is limited to 10% of the story's floor area and must be ancillary to the main use; exceeding the limit requires separate classification.

Incidental uses per Table 509 require separation and/or protection even when the use is small (e.g., furnace rooms, paint shops, laundry rooms).

Occupant load for mixed uses is computed separately per area and then summed for egress design.

Assembly occupancies with occupant loads under 50 are frequently classified as Group B, but the actual use and hazard still govern the classification.

High-hazard Group H is subdivided H-1 through H-5 by material quantity and hazard; H-1 is the most restrictive.

Institutional Group I is subdivided I-1 through I-4; I-2 is medical care, I-3 is restrained, I-4 is day care for more than 5 children under 2.5 years.

Exit access travel distance is measured along the path of egress travel from the most remote point to the nearest exit; it does not include the exit or exit discharge.

Common path of egress travel limits are in Table 1006.2.1 and are generally shorter than total travel distance limits.

Exit access doorway and corridor width are based on occupant load served, with minimums; corridors serving 50 or more occupants must be at least 44 inches wide.

Exit signs and means of egress illumination are required where the path is not obvious; illumination must be at least 1 footcandle at the floor along the path.

Panic hardware is required on egress doors in Group A and E occupancies where the occupant load is 50 or more.

Stairway requirements: minimum 36-inch width generally, 7-inch maximum riser, 11-inch minimum tread, and handrails on at least one side.

Exit discharge must lead directly to a public way or through a path that is protected and unobstructed; it must be at least the width of the exits served.

Fire-resistance-rated corridors and exit enclosures must maintain the rating; penetrations and opening protectives must comply with the rating.

Load combinations are in Section 1605 and ASCE 7 Chapter 2; strength design uses factored combinations, allowable stress design uses service combinations.

Dead load includes the weight of all permanent construction, including finishes, partitions, and fixed equipment.

Live load reduction is permitted per Section 1607.11 for members supporting large tributary areas, subject to limits.

Wind loads depend on basic wind speed, exposure category, and building height; ASCE 7 Chapter 26–30 provides the methods.

Seismic base shear is computed per ASCE 7 Chapter 12; the seismic force-resisting system must match the selected system in Table 12.2-1.

Special inspection is required for certain high-strength bolted connections, welds, concrete placement, and masonry, per IBC Chapter 17.

Nonstructural seismic bracing must consider component importance factor, component amplification factor, and response modification factor.

Foundation design must consider soil bearing capacity and the geotechnical report; Chapter 18 governs foundation and soils requirements.

Construction documents must be of sufficient clarity to show the location, nature, and extent of the work and must be prepared by a registered design professional where required.

The building official may require additional information or tests to determine compliance; the applicant bears the cost.

A stop-work order may be issued for work contrary to the code or the approved plans; work may not resume until the order is lifted.

The building official may revoke a permit where the work is not commenced within the stated period or where false statements were made in the application.

Final inspection and certificate of occupancy are required before occupancy; a temporary certificate may be issued for a portion of the building.

The board of appeals hears appeals of orders, decisions, and determinations; appeals must be filed within the time specified by the jurisdiction.

The building official may accept approved testing and evaluation reports (e.g., ICC-ES evaluation reports) as evidence of code compliance for alternative materials.

Records of permits, inspections, and certificates must be maintained by the jurisdiction and are public records.