Barker - Black & Decker Codes for Homeowners 4th Edition: Current with 2018-2021 Codes - Electrical - Plumbing - Construction - Mechanical

4th Edition

Electrical Plumbing Construction Mechanical
Current with 20182021 Codes

Bruce A. Barker

T he purpose of the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), and of all building codes for that matter, is expressed in IRC Section R101.3: The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health, and general welfare This statement provides important information about building codes and code inspections. Building codes are minimum requirements. A house built to minimum requirements is not necessarily a high-quality house built by craftsmen according to best practices. Code inspections are about safety and health. They are not about fit, finish, and other cosmetic issues. They are not even about functional issues that are not specifically addressed in the code. Understanding the purpose of building codes helps you set realistic expectations about the limits of building codes and code inspections.

Building codes change; most do so on a three-year cycle. Many code changes are little more than rewording or reorganization in an attempt to make code provisions easier to understand and easier to find. Many code changes and additions are substantive, and homeowners should be aware of these as they perform repairs and remodeling projects. Substantive additions and changes are the reasons for this updated edition of Codes for Homeowners.

Trying to condense a 900-page code book that is mostly text and tables in very small print into significantly fewer pages filled with pictures and illustrations is a challenge. We have not included many code provisions, because homeowners will not use them. The provisions we include have been simplified to make them easier to understand. This means that Codes for Homeowners is not your local building code. Your local building code, as interpreted by your building inspector, is the code with which you must comply. You must do so even if you do not obtain a building permit for your work. If you have any doubts or questions about how a building code provision applies in your area, you should ask your local building inspectors. In almost every case, if you approach them as a resource and not as an obstacle, you will find your local inspectors to be friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help.

I n just the United States you will find hundreds of code books describing thousands upon thousands of building code provisions. On top of this, there are even more books that look and feel like code books but are really only attempting to describe best practices. Almost all of these have their own inherent value. But almost none of them apply to a typical homeowner living in a typical single-family home. As a homeowner and DIYer, perhaps the hardest thing about building codes is learning how to tell which one applies to you and, if there is a disagreement, which takes precedence. As an introduction, here are some brief biographies of the more common codes and enforcement agencies youre likely to encounter.

The IRC 2018 is one of an extensive collection of model building codes published by the International Code Council (ICC). A model building code is a recommended building code developed by a national organization that specializes in writing building codes. When adopted by a government agency, the IRC regulates the construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair of buildings used as homes. The IRC, by itself, has no formal legal status. A government agency must first adopt the IRC before it has any legal status in a local area.

The International Residential Code has no jurisdiction of its own but is the basis for many state and local residential building codes.

State & Local Building Codes

Almost all areas of the United States have adopted some version of a building code. Some states, such as California, Florida, and New York, have a state building code. Some large cities, such as Chicago and New York City, have a city building code. Many of these state and local building codes are based on model building codes from the ICC.

Smaller cities and counties often use ICC model building codes, such as the IRC. Some rural areas may not have adopted a building code, but this is becoming a rare situation. If you do any work that is regulated by the local building code, you are responsible for knowing, or for hiring someone who knows, the applicable building code where the building is located. Ignorance of the code is no excuse.

Some states and cities have their own building codes.

Local Code Amendments

Most building departments that use the IRC adopt local changes to the IRC. Many of these changes are minor and help to adapt the IRC to local conditions and needs. Some of these changes can significantly alter IRC provisions. The building department should publish, in writing, any changes adopted by the local government. You are responsible for knowing and complying with all local changes. Ask the building official if there are any local code changes.

Most jurisdictions have their own code amendments. Your city or municipality likely maintains a website with building ordinances posted and updated regularly.

Other Building Codes

The IRC is not the only building code. Others commonly used include: The International Building Code (IBC), The International Mechanical Code (IMC), The International Plumbing Code (IPC), The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), The International Fuel Gas Code (IFG), The National Electrical Code (NEC), and The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Each of these building codes regulates a different aspect of building construction.