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GO TO=> TABLE OF CONTENTS or PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Developed by: Pennsylvania Housing Research Center
Date: Last Updated => August 2003
1. The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (Act 45)
1.1
Enactment and Enforcement
1.2
Effective date of the UCC
1.3
Status of regulation development
1.4
Legislated exemptions and exclusions
1.5
Residential and non-residential separated (IRC & IBC)
1.6
Requirements for residential building and remodeling contractors
1.7
Enforcement options
1.8
Requirements for code officials
2. Administration
2.1
General purpose of building codes R101.3
2.2
Overview of the IRC
2.3
Scope of IRC R101.2
2.4
IRC Permit Exemptions R105.2
2.5
Overview of building regulations
2.6
Building permits
2.7
Inspections R109
2.8
Violations R113
2.9
Certificate of occupancy R110
2.10
Referenced standards R102.4
2.11
Definitions R202
2.12
Questions to ask your code official
3. Building Planning
3.1
Design criteria R301
3.2
Live loads, dead loads, snow loads
3.3
Location on and setback requirements R302
3.4
Lighting and ventilation requirements R303.1
3.5
Minimum room areas R304
3.6
Minimum ceiling heights and clearances R305
3.7
Sanitation and bathroom requirements R306 –
R307
3.8
Glazing R308
3.9
Garages and carports R309
3.10
Emergency escape and rescue openings R310
3.11
Means of egress R311
3.12
Smoke alarms R313
3.13
Foam plastic R314
3.14
Flame spread and smoke density R315
3.15
Insulation material R316
3.16
Dwelling unit separation R317
3.17
Moisture
vapor retarders R318
3.18
Protection against decay and termites R319 & R320
3.19
Flood-resistant construction R323
4. Energy Conservation
4.1
General requirements N1101
4.2
Pennsylvania climate zones
4.3
Building envelope N1102.1
5. Foundations
5.1
Soils
5.2
Footing requirements R403.1-R403.5
5.3
Anchor bolts and fasteners R403.1.6
5.4
Foundation walls R404
5.5
Drainage, dampproofing and waterproofing R405
5.6
Columns
5.7
Crawlspaces (under floor spaces) R408
5.8
Frost-protected shallow foundations R403.3
6. Floor
6.1
Lumber grading and sheet goods identification
6.2
Span Tables R502
6.3
Construction and Design Details R502.2
6.4
Draftstopping of floor systems R502.12
6.5
Floor sheathing R503
6.6
Concrete slabs (on ground) R506
7. Walls and Wall Coverings
7.1
Wood framing R602
7.2
Fireblocking requirements R602.8
7.3
Masonry
7.4
Exterior windows and glass doors R613
7.5
General—installation R701
7.6
Interior coverings R702
7.7
Exterior coverings R703
8. Roof-Ceiling
8.1
Wood roof framing R802
8.2
Trusses R802.10
8.3
Roof sheathing R803
8.4
Roof ventilation R806
8.5
Attic access R807
8.6
Roof classifications R902
8.7
Weather protection R903
8.8
Roof covering R905
8.9
Roof insulation R906
8.10
Requirements for “re-roofing” R907
9. Chimneys, Fireplaces, Mechanical Systems and Fuel Gas
9.1
Masonry chimneys R1001
9.2
Factory-built chimneys R1002
9.3
Masonry fireplaces R1003
9.4
Factory-built fireplaces R1004
9.5
Fireplace exterior air supply R1005
9.6
General mechanical system requirements M1301
9.7
Equipment access M1305
9.8
Appliance installation M1307
9.9
Heating and cooling equipment sizing and
installation M1401 - M1414
9.10
Exhaust system M1501-1505
9.11
Duct systems
9.12
Combustion air
9.13
Special fuel-burning equipment
9.14
Fuel gas Chapter 24
10. Plumbing
10.1
Compliance with international plumbing code
10.2
Plumbing administration general P2501
10.3
Plumbing fixtures and water heaters P2701
10.4
Water supply and distribution P2901
10.5
Sanitary drainage P3000
10.6
Vents and traps
11. Electrical
11.1
General provisions
11.2
Electrical service sizing – load calculations
E3502.2
11.3
Methods of installation
11.4
Power and lighting distribution
11.5
Clearances for overhead service E3504.1
11.6
Installation issues
11.7
Swimming pools, spas, hot tubs—equipment
locations and clearances E4103
Attachments
Plan Submittal Checklists Attachment A
Sample Plans Attachment B
Building Material Weight Attachment C
Sample Documentation (Alt. Materials or Designs) Attachment D
Sample Heating Cooling Load Calculations Attachment E
Residential builders, remodelers and subcontractors in Pennsylvania face interesting challenges over the next few years! For those who have never or rarely worked in municipalities with enforced building codes, passage of the Uniform Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999) means their business will become regulated in a number of ways that will require changes in how they operate --- from plan review and approval, through onsite inspections to occupancy permits.
The code that will become Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code—and will therefore govern the building of most houses and townhouses in Pennsylvania—is the International Residential Code (IRC). The IRC is published by the International Code Council (ICC) and is one of a family of codes that the Council produces.
The focus of this manual (and of this training program) is on the changes that the IRC introduces as well as the new requirements that Pennsylvanian builders, remodelers and subcontractors as well as building code officials need to know about.
The manual is not—and is not intended to be—a substitute for the IRC book. Participants in this training program need to have their own copy of the IRC book on hand to refer to throughout the program. Nor does the manual attempt to cover all topics, even briefly. Instead, it identifies the key changes and key new requirements and tells you exactly where to find the relevant sections in the IRC book. The Attachments contain additional information and examples that may be of use and interest to you.
We hope you will use the manual to improve your understanding of the Uniform Construction Code and the International Residential Code.
This project received financial and other support from the following:
· the Pennsylvania Builders Association;
· the individuals, associations, and corporations that are members of the PHRC;
· the Pennsylvania State University; and
· the U.S. Department of Energy.
This document was written by Robert Buddenbohn and Mark Fortney, Director of the PHRC and co-authored by Ken Sagan, Training, Education and Development Specialist of the PHRC. The assistance of Michelle McMullen and Angela Burnett in producing the final version of this report is appreciated. We would like to thank the following individuals for sharing their expertise and providing input and guidance throughout the development of this manual:
Larry D. Armanda
Lou Biacchi
Tim Britton
Robert Buddenbohn
Harry Burd, M.C.O.
Eric Burnett, P. Eng.
David J. Buskirk
Paul Campbell
Scott Cannon
Cindy Davis
Richard Druckenmiller
John M. Eastman, CRI
Chuck Farrell
Mark Fortney
Jeffrey A. Frazier
Jeffrey Gentile, P.E.
A. Sheldon Glahn
Lynn Hatton
George R. Jerus, P.E.
Fred Kinder
A. Clyde Kreider
Edward A. “Ned” Liggett
Jake Loyer
Joe Mackey
James Matscherz
Doug Meshaw
C. Lee Milligan, CBO
Gene Minnick
Merle Musick
Jim Royer
Rodney Sarver
Thomas E. Sauers, CBI/BO
Robert Smith
Jason Stevens
Don Surrena
Frank Thompson
Tom Woodson
The PHRC was responsible for initiating and producing this manual. Two of our more general objectives are to stimulate discussion about housing and to promote the development of better and more affordable housing in Pennsylvania. We therefore welcome questions or other feedback regarding this manual.