CityofAustin

SignificantChangestothe

2015IRCPresentation

Disclaimer• Thispresentationonlycoversaddedormodifiedcode

languagedeemedapplicabletotheAustinarea.Please

referencetheICCpublication,SignificantChangestothe

InternationalResidentialCode2015Edition, forthecomplete

text.

• Anycodesectionmodifiedpertheproposedlocal

amendmentsisnotcoveredinthispresentation.

LegendYellow=codemodification;addedtext

Greentext=addedcodesection

AboutUs

JenniferVerhulst,PEEngineerC• B.S.ArchitecturalEngineering- Universityof

TexasatAustin

• M.S.StructuralEngineering- Universityof

TexasatAustin

• RegisteredStructuralEngineerinTexas

• Experienceinforensicengineeringand

structuraldesign

MayraRivera,Assoc.AIAPlanReviewCoordinator

• B.A.EnvironmentalDesign– UniversityofPuerto

Rico

• MasterofArchitecture- UniversityofIllinoisat

Urbana-Champaign

• Experienceinresidential&institutional

architecture

TonyHernandezBldg InspectionsProgramManager

• ICCCertifications

• Experienceinresidentialconstruction

SusanBarr,AIA,LEEDAPBD+C,CDTResidentialInspectionsSupervisor

• B.S.ArchitecturalStudies- UniversityofIllinoisat

Urbana-Champaign

• MasterofArchitecture- UniversityofIllinoisat

Chicago

• RegisteredArchitectinIllinois&Texas

• Experienceincommercialandresidential

architecture

JamesonCourtney,CFMWatershedEngineering/FEMACRSCoordinator

• B.A.Geography– UniversityofTexasatAustin

(specializationinfluvialgeomorphology)

• CertifiedFloodplainManager

JohnMcDonaldResidentialReviewSupervisor

• B.S.inEnvironmentalScience,SFASU

R101.2,R202– AccessoryStructuresR101.2Scope.TheprovisionsoftheInternationalResidentialCodeforOne- andTwo-familyDwellingsshallapplytotheconstruction,alteration,

movement,enlargement,replacement,repair,equipment,useand

occupancy,location,removalanddemolitionofdetachedone- andtwo-

familydwellingsandtownhousesnotmorethanthreestoriesabovegrade

planeinheightwithaseparatemeansofegress

andtheiraccessorystructuresnotmorethanthreestoriesabovegrade

planeinheight.

SectionR202DEFINITIONSAccessoryStructure.Astructurenotgreaterthan3,000squarefeet(279m2)infloorarea,andnotmorethantwostoriesinheight,the

useofwhichthatiscustomarily accessorytoandincidentaltothatof

dwelling(s)andwhich thatislocatedonthesamelot.

R301.2.1.3Windspeedconversion.

CHANGESUMMARY:Ultimatedesignwindspeedvaluesreplacebasicwindspeedvaluesfor3-

secgustwindspeedsinSectionR301.2.1.Awindspeedconversiontablehasbeenaddedfor

conversionfromultimatedesigntonominaldesignwindspeeds.

Wherereferenceddocumentsarebasedonnominaldesignfastestmilewindspeeds

anddonotprovidethemeansforconversionbetweentheultimatedesignwind

speedsandthenominaldesignwindspeeds,theultimatedesignthree-second

gustbasicwindspeeds,Vult V3s,ofFigureR301.2(4)Ashallbeconverted

tonominaldesignfastestmilewindspeeds,Vasd Vfm,usingTableR301.2.1.3.

R301.2.1.1.1SunroomsShallcomplywithAAMA/NPEA/NSA2100.ForthepurposeofapplyingthecriteriaofAAMA/NPEA/NSA-2100basedontheintendeduse,sunrooms

shallbeidentifiedasoneofthefollowingcategoriesbythepermitapplicant,designprofessional,orthe

propertyownerintheconstructiondocuments.Componentandcladdingpressuresshallbeusedforthe

designofelementsthatdonotqualifyasmainwindforceresistingsystems.Mainwindforceresisting

systemspressuresshallbeusedforthedesignofelementsassignedtoprovidesupportandstabilityforthe

overallsunroom.

CategoryI:Athermallyisolatedsunroomwithwallsthatareopenorenclosedwithinsectscreening

or0.5mm(20mil)maximumthicknessplasticfilm.Thespaceisnonhabitableandunconditioned.

CategoryII:Athermallyisolatedsunroomwithenclosedwalls.Theopeningsareenclosedwith

translucentortransparentplasticorglass.Thespaceisnonhabitableandunconditioned.

CategoryIII:Athermallyisolatedsunroomwithenclosedwalls.Theopeningsareenclosedwith

translucentortransparentplasticorglass.Thesunroomfenestrationcomplieswithadditional

requirementsforairnfiltrationresistanceandwater-penetrationresistance.Thespaceis

nonhabitableandunconditioned.

CategoryIV:Athermallyisolatedsunroomwithenclosedwalls.Thesunroomisdesignedtobe

heatedorcooledbyaseparatetemperaturecontrolorsystemandisthermallyisolatedfromthe

primarystructure.Thesunroomfenestrationcomplieswithadditionalrequirementsforwater

penetrationresistance,airinfiltrationresistance,andthermalperformance.Thespaceis

nonhabitableandconditioned.

CategoryV:Asunroomwithenclosedwalls.Thesunroomisdesignedtobeheatedorcooledandis

opentothemainstructure.Thesunroomfenestrationcomplieswithadditionalrequirementsfor

water-penetrationresistance,airinfiltrationresistance,andthermalperformance.Thespaceis

habitableandconditioned.

R301.2.1.4WindExposureCategoryCHANGESUMMARY:WindExposureCategoryAisalegacycategorythatnolongerexistsintheIBCandASCE7,

whichisthebasisfordeterminationofwindexposurecategories.Inthe2015IRC,ExposureCategoryA

isdeleted.

Inthe2012IRC,WindExposureCategoryDappliedtoregionsadjacenttoopenwaterinnon-hurricane-prone

regions.WindExposureCategoryDnowappliestoopenwater,mudandsaltflats,andunbrokenicefields.

ExposureCategoryDalsoappliesinhurricane-proneregionstoresidencesonorneartheoceanshore.

12.ExposureB.Urbanandsuburbanareas,woodedareas,orotherterrainwithnumerouscloselyspaced

obstructionshavingthesizeofsingle-familydwellingsorlarger.ExposureBshallbeassumedunlessthesite

meetsthedefinitionofanothertypeexposure.

23.ExposureC.Openterrainwithscatteredobstructions,includingsurfaceundulationsorotherrregularities,havingheightsgenerallylessthan30feet(9,144mm)extendingmorethan1,500feet(457m)fromthebuilding

siteinanyquadrant.ThisexposureshallalsoapplytoanybuildinglocatedwithinExposureB–typeterrainwhere

thebuildingisdirectlyadjacenttoopenareasofExposureC–typeterraininanyquadrantforadistanceofmore

than600feet(183m).Thiscategoryincludesflat,opencountryandgrasslands.

34.ExposureD.Flat,unobstructedareasexposedtowindflowingoveropenwater,smoothmudflats,saltflats,

andunbrokeniceforadistanceofnotlessthan5,000feet(1,524m)1mile(1.61km).ShorelinesinExposureD

includeinlandwaterways,theGreatLakes,andcoastalareasofCalifornia,Oregon,WashingtonandAlaska.This

exposureshallapplyonlytothosebuildingsandotherstructuresexposedtothewindcomingfromoverthe

waterunobstructedarea.ExposureDextendsinlanddownwindfromtheshorelineedgeoftheunobstructed

areaadistanceof600feet(183m)1500feet(457m)or2010timestheheightofthebuildingorstructure,

whicheverisgreater.

Table301.2.1.5.1UltimateDesignwindSpeedModificationforTopographicwindEffecta,b

R301.3StoryHeight

CHANGESUMMARY:Storyheightofwoodandsteelwallframing,insulatedconcrete,

andSIPwallsmaynotexceed11feet,7inches.Masonrywallheightislimitedto13

feet,7inches.

1.Forwoodwallframing,thestoryheightshallnotexceed

11feet7inches(3531mm)andthelaterallyunsupported

bearingwallstudheightpermittedbyTableR602.3(5)plus

aheightoffloorframing

nottoexceed16inches(406mm).

Exception:Forwood-framedwallbuildingswith

bracinginaccordancewithTablesR602.10.3(1)and

R602.10.3(3),thewallstudclearheightusedto

determinethemaximumpermittedstoryheight

maybeincreasedto12feet(3658mm)without

requiringanengineereddesignforthebuilding

windandseismicforce-resistingsystemsprovided

thatthelengthofbracingrequiredbyTable

R602.10.3(1)isincreasedbymultiplyingbyafactor

of1.10andthelengthofbracingrequiredbyTable

R602.10.3(3)isincreasedbymultiplyingbyafactor

of1.20.Wallstudsarestillsubjecttothe

requirementsofthissection.

R302.2TownhouseSeparation

CHANGESUMMARY:Theprovisionsforseparatingtownhouseswithstructurallyindependentfire-resistant-ratedwallsinaccordancewithSectionR302.1havebeenremovedinfavorofthe

commonwallprovisionsofSectionR302.2.Commonwallsseparatingtownhousesmust

nowberatedfor2hourswhenanautomaticfiresprinklersystemisnotinstalledinthe

townhousedwellingunits.

R302.2Townhouses.Eachtownhouseshallbeconsideredaseparatebuildingandshallbeseparatedbyfire-resistanceratedwallassembliesmeetingtherequirementsofSectionR302.1forexteriorwalls.Commonwalls

separatingtownhousesshallbeassignedafireresistanceratinginaccordancewithSectionR302.2Item1or2.The

commonwallsharedbytwotownhousesshallbeconstructedwithoutplumbingormechanicalequipment,ducts,

orventsinthecavityofthecommonwall.Thewallshallberatedforfireexposurefrombothsidesandshallextend

toandbetightagainstexteriorwallsandtheundersideoftheroofsheathing.Electricalinstallationsshallbein

accordancewithChapters34through43.Penetrationsofthemembraneofcommonwallsforelectricaloutlet

boxesshallbeinaccordancewithSectionR302.4.

Exceptions:1.WhereafiresprinklersysteminaccordancewithSectionP2904isprovided,A the commonwallshallbenotless

thana 1-hourfire-resistance-ratedwallassemblytestedinaccordancewithASTME119orUL263. ispermittedfor

townhousesifsuchwallsdonotcontainplumbingormechanicalequipment,ductsorventsinthecavityofthe

commonwall.Thewallshallberatedforfireexposurefrombothsidesandshallextendtoandbetightagainst

exteriorwallsandtheundersideoftheroofsheathing.Electricalinstallationsshallbeinstalledinaccordancewith

Chapters34through43.PenetrationsofelectricaloutletboxesshallbeinaccordancewithSectionR302.4.

2.WhereafiresprinklersysteminaccordancewithSectionP2904isnotprovided,thecommonwallshallbenot

lessthana2-hourfire-resistance-ratedwallassemblytestedinaccordancewithASTME119orUL263.

R302.2TownhouseSeparation(cont)

R304.1MinimumHabitableRoomArea

CHANGESUMMARY:Therequirementforonehabitableroomwithaminimumfloorareaof120

squarefeethasbeenremovedfromthecode.

R304.1Minimumarea.Everydwellingunitshallhaveatleastonehabitableroomthatshallhave

notlessthan120squarefeet(11m2)ofgrossfloorarea.

R304.2Otherrooms.Other Habitableroomsshallhaveafloorareaofnotlessthan70square

feet(6.5m2).

Exception:Kitchens.

R305CeilingHeight

CHANGESUMMARY:Theminimumceilingheightforbathrooms,toiletrooms,andlaundryrooms

hasbeenreducedto6feet8inches.Theexceptionforallowingbeams,girders,ducts,orother

obstructionstoprojecttowithin6feet,4inchesofthefinishedfloorhasbeenexpandedtoinclude

basementswithhabitablespace.

R305.1Minimumheight.Habitablespace,hallways,bathrooms,toiletrooms,laundryrooms and

portionsofbasementscontainingthesespacesshallhaveaceilingheightofnotlessthan7feet

(2134mm).Bathrooms,toiletrooms,andlaundryroomsshallhaveaceilingheightofnot

lessthan6feet8inches(2032mm).

Exceptions:1.Forroomswithslopedceilings,therequiredfloorareaoftheroommusthavea

ceilingheightofnotlessthan5feet(1524mm)andnotlessthan50percentofthe

requiredfloorareashallhaveaceilingheightofnotlessthan7feet(2134mm). atleast

50percentoftherequiredfloorareaoftheroommusthaveaceilingheightofatleast 7

feet(2134mm)andnoportionoftherequiredfloorareamayhaveaceilingheightof

lessthan5feet(1524mm).

2.Bathroomsshallhaveaminimumceilingheightof6feet8inches(2032mm)atthe

centerofthefrontclearanceareaforfixturesasshowninFigureR307.1.Theceiling

heightabovebathroomandtoiletroomfixturesshallbesuchthatthefixtureiscapable

ofbeingusedforitsintendedpurpose.Ashowerortubequippedwithashowerhead

shallhaveaminimumceilingheightofnotlessthan6feet8inches(2032mm)above

anminimum areanotlessthan30inches(762mm)by30inches(762mm)atthe

showerhead.

R305CeilingHeight(cont)

3.Beams,girders,ducts,orotherobstructionsinbasementscontaininghabitablespace

shallbepermittedtoprojecttowithin6feet4inches(1931mm)ofthefinishedfloor.

R305.1.1Basements.Portionsofbasementsthatdonotcontainhabitablespace,or hallways,

bathrooms,toiletroomsandlaundryroomsshallhaveaceilingheightofnotlessthan6feet8inches

(2032mm).

Exception:At Bbeams,girders,ducts,orotherobstructions,theceilingheightshallbenot

lessthan mayprojecttowithin6feet4inches(1931mm)of from thefinishedfloor.

R308.4.2GlazingAdjacenttoDoors

CHANGESUMMARY:Glazinginstalledperpendiculartoadoorinaclosedpositionandwithin24inchesofthedooronlyrequiressafetyglazingifitisonthehingesideofanin-swingingdoor.

R308.4.2Glazingadjacenttodoors.Glazinginanindividualfixedoroperablepaneladjacenttoadoorshallbeconsideredtobeahazardouslocationwherethenearestverticaledgeoftheglazingis

withina24- inch(610mm)arcofeitherverticaledgeofthedoorinaclosedpositionandwherethe

bottomexposededgeoftheglazingislessthan60inches(1524mm)abovethefloororwalking

surfaceshallbeconsideredahazardouslocationanditmeetseitherofthefollowingconditions:

1.Wheretheglazingiswithin24inches(610mm)ofeithersideofthedoorintheplaneofthe

doorinaclosedposition,

2.Wheretheglazingisonawallperpendiculartotheplaneofthedoorinaclosedpositionand

within24inches(610mm)ofthehingesideofanin-swingingdoor.

Exceptions:1.Decorativeglazing.2.When Where thereisaninterveningwallorotherpermanentbarrierbetweenthedoorand

theglazing.

3.Glazinginwallsonthelatchsideofandperpendiculartotheplaneofthedoorinaclosedposition

43.Whereaccessthroughthedooristoaclosetorstoragearea3feet(914mm)orlessin

depth.GlazinginthisapplicationshallcomplywithSectionR308.4.3.

54. Glazingthatisadjacenttothefixedpanelofpatiodoors.

R308.4.2GlazingAdjacenttoDoors(cont)

R308.4.5GlazingandWetSurfaces

CHANGESUMMARY:Theexceptionfromthesafetyglazingrequirementsforglazingthatis60inches

orgreaterfromthewater’sedgeofabathtub,hottub,spa,whirlpool,orswimmingpoolhasbeen

expandedtoincludeglazingthatisanequivalentdistancefromtheedgeofashower,sauna,or

steamroom.

R308.4.5Glazingandwetsurfaces.Glazinginwalls,enclosures,orfencescontainingorfacinghottubs,spas,whirlpools,saunas,steamrooms,bathtubs,showers,andindoororoutdoorswimming

poolswherethebottomexposededgeoftheglazingislessthan60inches(1524mm)measured

verticallyaboveanystandingorwalkingsurfaceshallbeconsideredtobeahazardouslocation.This

shallapplytosingleglazingandallpanesinmultipleglazing.

Exception:Glazingthatismorethan60inches(1524mm),measuredhorizontallyandina

straightline,fromthewater’sedgeofabathtub,hottub,spa,whirlpool,orswimmingpoolor

fromtheedgeofashower,sauna,orsteamroom.

R311.7.10.1SpiralStairways

CHANGESUMMARY:Thecodeaddsadefinitionofspiralstairwaythatomitsanyrequirementfora

centerposttoallowfordesignflexibility.Thecodenowlimitsthesizeofspiralstairwaysby

restrictingtheradiusatthewalklinetoadimensionnotgreaterthan24.inches.Themethodof

measurementfortreaddepthnowmatchesthewinderprovisionsandmeasuresattheintersection

ofthewalklineandthetreadnosingsratherthanperpendiculartotheleadingedgeofthetread.

R311.7.10.1Spiralstairways.Spiralstairwaysarepermitted,

providedthat theminimum clearwidthatandbelowthe

handrailshallbeisnotlessthan26inches(660mm)with

andthewalkline radiusisnotgreaterthan24.inches(622

mm).eEach treadhaving shallhavea7½inch(190mm)

minimumtreaddepthat12inches(914mm)fromthe

narroweredgeofnotlessthan6½inches(171mm)atthe

walkline.Alltreadsshallbeidentical,andtheriseshallbe

notmorethan9½inches(241mm).Aminimum Headroom

shallbenotlessthan6feet,6inches(1982mm)shallbe

provided.

SectionR202Definitions

STAIRWAY,SPIRAL.Astairwaywithaplanviewofclosedcircularformanduniformsection-shapedtreadsradiating

fromaminimum-diametercircle.

R311.7.11,R311.7.12AlternatingTreadDevicesandShipLadders

CHANGESUMMARY:Alternatingtreaddevicesandshipladdershavebeenaddedtothestairprovisions.Neitherdeviceisapprovedforuseasameansofegress.

SectionR202Definitions

Alternatingtreaddevice.Adevicethathasaseriesofstepsbetween50and70degrees(0.87and1.22rad)fromhorizontal,usuallyattachedtoacentersupportrailinanalternatingmannersothat

theuserdoesnothavebothfeetonthesamelevelatthesametime.

R311.7.11Alternatingtreaddevices.Alternatingtreaddevicesshallnotbeusedasanelementofa

meansofegress.Alternatingtreaddevicesshallbepermittedprovidedtherequiredmeansofegress

stairwayorrampservesthesamespaceateachadjoininglevelorwhereameansofegressisnot

required.Theclearwidthatandbelowthehandrailsshallbenotlessthan20inches(508mm).

R311.7.10.11,R311.7.12AlternatingTreadDevicesandShipLadders(cont)

R311.7.11.1Treadsofalternatingtreaddevices.Alternatingtreaddevicesshallhaveatreaddepthofnotlessthan5inches(127mm),aprojectedtreaddepthofnotlessthan8.inches(216mm),a

treadwidthofnotlessthan7inches(178mm),andariserheightofnotmorethan9.inches(241

mm).Thetreaddepthshallbemeasuredhorizontallybetweentheverticalplanesoftheforemost

projectionsofadjacenttreads.Theriserheightshallbemeasuredverticallybetweentheleading

edgesofadjacenttreads.Theriserheightandtreaddepthprovidedshallresultinanangleofascent

fromthehorizontalofbetween50and70degrees(0.87and1.22rad).Theinitialtreadofthedevice

shallbeginatthesameelevationastheplatform,landing,orfloorsurface.

R311.7.11.2Handrailsofalternatingtreaddevices.HandrailsshallbeprovidedonbothsidesofalternatingtreaddevicesandshallcomplywithR311.7.8.2thruR311.7.8.4.Handrailheightshallbe

uniform,notlessthan30inches(762mm)andnotmorethan34inches(864mm).

R311.7.12Shipladders.Shipladdersshallnotbeusedasanelementofameansofegress.Ship

laddersshallbepermittedprovidedarequiredmeansofegressstairwayorrampservesthesame

spaceateachadjoininglevelorwhereameansofegressisnotrequired.Theclearwidthatand

belowthehandrailsshallbenotlessthan20inches.

R311.7.10.11,R311.7.12AlternatingTreadDevicesandShipLadders(cont)

R311.7.12.1Treadsofshipladders.Treadsshallhaveatreaddepthofnotlessthan5inches(127mm).Thetreadshallbeprojectedsuchthatthetotalofthetreaddepthplusthenosingprojectionis

notlessthan8.inches(216mm).Theriserheightshallbenotmorethan9.inches(241mm).

R311.7.12.2Handrailsofshipladders.HandrailsshallbeprovidedonbothsidesofshipladdersandshallcomplywithSectionsR311.7.8.2thruR311.7.8.4.Handrailheightshallbeuniform,notlessthan

30inches(762mm)andnotmorethan34inches(864mm).

R311.8Ramps

CHANGESUMMARY:Rampsthatdonotservetherequiredegressdoorarenowpermittedtohavea

slopenotgreaterthan1unitverticalin8unitshorizontal.

R311.8.1Maximumslope.Ramps servingtheegressdoorrequiredbySectionR311.2shallhavea

maximum slopeofnotmorethan1unitverticalin12unitshorizontal(8.3percentslope).Allother

rampsshallhaveamaximumslopeof1unitverticalto8unitshorizontal(12.5percentslope).

Exception:Whereitistechnicallyinfeasibletocomplybecause

ofsiteconstraints,rampsshallhaveamaximum slopeofnotmore

than1unitverticalin8units horizontal(12.5percentslope).

R312.1.2GuardHeight

CHANGESUMMARY:Theprovisionrequiringthattheguardheightbemeasuredfromthesurfaceof

adjacentfixedseatinghasbeenremovedfromthecode.

R312.1.2Height.Requiredguardsatopen-sidedwalkingsurfaces,includingstairs,porches,balconies,orlandings,shallbenotlessthan36inches(914mm)high inheightasmeasuredvertically

abovetheadjacentwalkingsurface,adjacentfixedseatingorthelineconnectingtheleadingedgesof

thetreads.

Exceptions:1.Guardsontheopensidesofstairsshallhaveaheightnotlessthan34inches(864mm)measuredverticallyfroma

lineconnectingtheleadingedgesofthetreads.

2.Wherethetopoftheguardalsoservesasahandrail

ontheopensidesofstairs,thetopoftheguardshallbe

notlessthan34inches(864mm)andnotmorethan

38inches(965mm)asmeasuredverticallyfromaline

Connectingtheleadingedgesofthetreads.

R314SmokeAlarmsCHANGESUMMARY:Battery-operatedsmokealarmsarepermittedforsatisfyingthesmokealarmpowerreq’ts when

alterations,repairs,andadditionsoccur.Householdfirealarmsystemsnolongerrequiremonitoringbyanapproved

supervisingstation.Newprovisionsaddresssmokealarmsinstallednearbathroomsandcookingappliances.

R314.1General.SmokealarmsshallcomplywithNFPA72andSectionR314.

R314.1.1Listings.SmokealarmsshallbelistedinaccordancewithUL217.Combinationsmokeandcarbonmonoxide

alarmsshallbelistedinaccordancewithUL217andUL2034.

R314.2Whererequired.Smokealarmsshallbeprovidedinaccordancewiththissection.

R314.2.1Newconstruction.Smokealarmsshallbeprovidedindwellingunits.

R314.3.1 R314.2.2 Alterations,repairs,andadditions.Wherealterations,repairs,oradditionsrequiringapermit

occur,orwhenoneormoresleepingroomsareaddedorcreatedinexistingdwellings,theindividualdwellingunitshall

beequippedwithsmokealarmslocatedasrequiredfornewdwellings. (Exceptionsnotshownforbrevityandclarity.)

R314.3Location.Smokealarmsshallbeinstalledinthefollowinglocations:

1. Ineachsleepingroom.

2.Outsideeachseparatesleepingareaintheimmediatevicinityofthebedrooms.

3.Oneachadditionalstoryofthedwelling,includingbasementsandhabitableatticsbutandnotincludingcrawl

spacesanduninhabitableattics.Indwellingsordwellingunitswithsplitlevelsandwithoutaninterveningdoor

betweentheadjacentlevels,asmokealarminstalledontheupperlevelshallsufficefortheadjacentlowerlevel

providedthatthelowerlevelislessthanonefullstorybelowtheupperlevel.

4.Smokealarmsshallbeinstallednotlessthan3feet(914mm)horizontallyfromthedooror

openingofabathroomthatcontainsabathtuborshowerunlessthiswouldpreventplacementofa

smokealarmrequiredbySectionR314.3.

R314SmokeAlarms(cont)

R314.3.1Installationnearcookingappliances.Smokealarmsshallnotbeinstalledinthefollowing

locationsunlessthiswouldpreventplacementofasmokealarminalocationrequiredbySection

R314.3.

1.Ionizationsmokealarmsshallnotbeinstalledlessthan20feet(6096mm)horizontallyfrom

apermanentlyinstalledcookingappliance.

2.Ionizationsmokealarmswithanalarm-silencingswitchshallnotbeinstalledlessthan10feet

(3048mm)horizontallyfromapermanentlyinstalledcookingappliance.

3.Photoelectricsmokealarmsshallnotbeinstalledlessthan6feet(1828mm)horizontally

fromapermanentlyinstalledcookingappliance.

R314SmokeAlarms(cont)R314.5 R314.4 Interconnection.Wheremorethanonesmokealarmisrequiredtobeinstalledwithin

anindividualdwellingunitinaccordancewithSectionR314.3,thealarmdevicesshallbe

interconnectedinsuchamannerthattheactuationofonealarmwillactivateallofthealarmsinthe

individualdwellingunit.Physicalinterconnectionofsmokealarmsshallnotberequiredwherelisted

wirelessalarmsareinstalledandallalarmssounduponactivationofonealarm.

(Some2012IRCprovisionsnotshownforbrevityandclarity.)

R314.5Combinationalarms.Combinationsmokeandcarbonmonoxidealarmsshallbepermittedto

beusedinlieuofsmokealarms.

R314.4 R314.6 Powersource.Smokealarmsshallreceivetheirprimarypowerfromthebuildingwiring

wheresuchwiringisservedfromacommercialsource,andwhereprimarypowerisinterrupted,shall

receivepowerfromabattery.Wiringshallbepermanentandwithoutadisconnectingswitchother

thanthoserequiredforovercurrentprotection.

Exceptions:1.Smokealarmsshallbepermittedtobebatteryoperated

wheninstalled

inbuildingswithoutcommercialpower.

2.SmokealarmsinstalledinaccordancewithSectionR314.2.2shallbepermittedtobe

batterypowered.(Removedtextnotshownforbrevityandclarity.)

R314SmokeAlarms(cont)R314.7Firealarmsystems.Firealarmsystemsshallbepermittedtobeusedinlieuofsmokealarmsand

shallcomplywithSectionsR314.7.1throughR314.7.4.

R314.2Smokedetectionsystems. R314.7.1General.Firealarmsystemsshallcomplywiththeprovisions

ofthiscodeandthehouseholdfirewarningequipmentprovisionsofNFPA72.Smokedetectorsshallbe

listedinaccordancewithUL268.(Removedtextnotshownforbrevityandclarity.)

R314.7.2Location.SmokedetectorsshallbeinstalledinthelocationsspecifiedinSectionR314.3.

R314.2Smokedetectionsystems. R314.7.3Permanentfixture.Whereahouseholdfirealarmsystemis

installedusingacombinationofsmokedetectorandaudiblenotificationdevice(s), itshallbecomea

permanentfixtureoftheoccupancyand,ownedbythehomeowner.(Removedtextnotshownforbrevity

andclarity.)

R314.7.4Combinationdetectors.Combinationsmoke/carbonmonoxide

detectorsshallbepermittedtobeinstalledinfirealarmsystems

inlieuofsmokedetectors,providedtheyarelistedinaccordancewith

UL268andUL2075.

R315CarbonMonoxideAlarmsCHANGESUMMARY:Carbonmonoxidealarmsnowrequireconnectiontothehousewiringsystem

withbatterybackup.Exteriorworksuchasroofing,siding,windows,doors,anddeckandporch

additionsnolongertriggerthecarbonmonoxidealarmprovisionsforexistingbuildings.An

attachedgarageisonecriterionforrequiringcarbonmonoxidealarms,butonlyifthegaragehasan

openingintothedwelling.Acarbonmonoxidealarmisrequiredinbedroomswhenthereisafuel-

firedapplianceinthebedroomoradjoiningbathroom.Carbonmonoxidedetectionsystemsonly

requiredetectorsinstalledinthelocationsprescribedbythecodeandnotthoselocations

describedinNFPA720.

R315.1General.CarbonmonoxidealarmsshallcomplywithSectionR315.

R315.1.1Listings.CarbonmonoxidealarmsshallbelistedinaccordancewithUL2034.

Combinationcarbonmonoxide/smokealarmsshallbelistedinaccordancewithUL2034andUL

217.

R315.2Whererequired.CarbonmonoxidealarmsshallbeprovidedinaccordancewithSections

R315.2.1andR315.2.2.

R315.1Carbonmonoxidealarms.R315.2.1Newconstruction. Fornewconstruction,anapprovedcarbonmonoxidealarmsshallbeinstalledoutsideofeachseparatesleepingareaintheimmediate

vicinityofthebedroomsindwellingunitswithinwhichfuel-firedappliancesare

installedandindwellingunitsthathaveattachedgarages.providedindwellingunitswhereeither

orbothofthefollowingconditionsexist.

R315CarbonMonoxideAlarms(cont)

1.Thedwellingunitcontainsafuel-firedappliance.2.Thedwellingunithasanattachedgaragewithanopeningthatcommunicateswiththe

dwellingunit.

R315.3Location.Carbonmonoxidealarmsindwellingunitsshallbeinstalledoutsideofeach

separatesleepingareaintheimmediatevicinityofthebedrooms.Whereafuel-burningappliance

islocatedwithinabedroomoritsattachedbathroom,acarbonmonoxidealarmshallbeinstalled

withinthebedroom.

R315CarbonMonoxideAlarms(cont)R315.4Combinationalarms.Combinationcarbonmonoxideandsmokealarmsshallbepermittedtobe

usedinlieuofcarbonmonoxidealarms.

R315.5Powersource.Carbonmonoxidealarmsshallreceivetheirprimarypowerfromthebuildingwiring

wheresuchwiringisservedfromacommercialsource,andwhereprimarypowerisinterrupted,shallreceive

powerfromabattery.Wiringshallbepermanentandwithoutadisconnectingswitchotherthanthose

requiredforovercurrentprotection.

Exceptions:1. Carbonmonoxidealarmsshallbepermittedtobebatteryoperatedwhereinstalledin

buildingswithoutcommercialpower.

2. CarbonmonoxidealarmsinstalledinaccordancewithSectionR315.2.2shallbepermittedto

bebatterypowered.

R315.6Carbonmonoxidedetectionsystems.Carbonmonoxidedetectionsystemsshallbepermittedto

beusedinlieuofcarbonmonoxidealarmsandshallcomplywithSectionsR315.6.1toR315.6.4.

R315.6.1General.HouseholdcarbonmonoxidedetectionsystemsshallcomplywithNFPA720.Carbon

monoxidedetectorsshallbelistedinaccordancewithUL2075.

R315.6.2Location.CarbonmonoxidedetectorsshallbeinstalledinthelocationsspecifiedinSectionR315.3.

TheselocationssupersedethelocationsspecifiedinNFPA720.

R315.6.3Permanentfixture.Whereahouseholdcarbonmonoxidedetectionsystemisinstalled,itshall

becomeapermanentfixtureoftheoccupancyandownedbythehomeowner.andshallbemonitoredbyan

approvedsupervisingstation.

R315.6.4Combinationdetectors.Combinationcarbonmonoxide/smokedetectorsshallbepermittedtobe

installedincarbonmonoxidedetectionsystemsinlieuofcarbonmonoxidedetectors,providedtheyarelisted

inaccordancewithUL2075andUL268.

R325Mezzanines

CHANGESUMMARY:NewprovisionsinSectionR325placelimitationsontheconstructionof

mezzaninesrelatedtoceilingheightandopennessconsistentwiththeInternationalBuilding

Code(IBC).

SectionR202Definitions

Mezzanine,Loft.Anintermediatelevelorlevelsbetweenthefloorandceilingofanystorywith

anaggregatefloorareaofnotmorethanone-thirdoftheareaoftheroomorspaceinwhich

thelevelorlevelsarelocated.

R301.2.2.3.1Heightlimitations.Wood-framedbuildingsshallbelimitedtothreestoriesabove

gradeplaneorthelimitsgiveninTableR602.10.3(3).Cold-formed,steel-framedbuildingsshall

belimitedtolessthanorequaltothreestoriesabovegradeplaneinaccordancewithAISIS230.

MezzaninesasdefinedinSectionR202thatcomplywithSectionR325shallnotbeconsidered

asstories.Structuralinsulatedpanelbuildingsshallbelimitedtotwostoriesabovegradeplane.

SectionR325Mezzanines

R325.1General.MezzaninesshallcomplywithSectionR325.

R325.2Mezzanines.Theclearheightaboveandbelowmezzaninefloorconstructionshallbe

notlessthan7feet(2134mm).

R325Mezzanines(cont)

R325.3Arealimitation.Theaggregateareaofamezzanineormezzaninesshallbenotgreater

thanone-thirdofthefloorareaoftheroomorspaceinwhichtheyarelocated.Theenclosed

portionofaroomshallnotbeincludedinadeterminationofthefloorareaoftheroomin

whichthemezzanineislocated.

R325.4Meansofegress.Themeansofegressformezzaninesshallcomplywiththeapplicable

provisionsofSectionR311.

R325.5Openness.Mezzaninesshallbeopenandunobstructedtotheroominwhichtheyare

locatedexceptforwallsnotmorethan42inches(1067mm)inheight,columns,andposts.

Exceptions:1.Mezzaninesorportionsthereofarenotrequiredto be

opentotheroominwhichtheyarelocated,providedthat

theaggregatefloorareaoftheenclosedspaceisnotgreater

than10percentofthemezzaninearea.

2.Inbuildingsthatarenomorethantwostoriesabove

gradeplaneandequippedthroughoutwithanautomatic

sprinklersysteminaccordancewithNFPA13RorNFPA13D,

amezzaninehavingtwoormoremeansofegressshallnot

berequiredtobeopentotheroominwhichthemezzanine

islocated.

R403.1.1MinimumFootingSize

Changesummary:Thiscodechangedividesminimumfootingsizeandthicknessintothree

expandedtablesbasedonthetypeofconstructionbeingsupported:lightframe,lightframe

withveneer,andconcreteormasonry.Thevaluesarealsobasedonthetypeoffoundation:

slabongrade,crawlspace,orbasement.

R403.1.1Minimumsize.The minimumsizes width,W,andthickness,T,forconcreteand

masonryfootingsshallbeassetforthinaccordancewithTablesR403.1(1)throughR403.1(3)

andFigureR403.1(1)orR403.1.3,asapplicable.Thefootingwidth,W,shallbebasedonthe

load-bearingvalueofthesoilinaccordancewithTableR401.4.1.Spreadfootingsshallbeat

least6inches(152mm)inthickness,T. Footingprojections,P,shallbeatleastnotlessthan2

inches(51mm)andshallnotexceedthethicknessofthefooting.Footingthicknessand

projectionforfireplacesshallbeinaccordancewithSectionR1001.2.Thesizeoffootings

supportingpiersandcolumnsshallbebasedonthetributaryloadandallowablesoilpressurein

accordancewithTableR401.4.1.Footingsforwoodfoundationsshallbeinaccordancewiththe

detailssetforthinSectionR403.2,andFiguresR403.1(2)andR403.1(3).

R403.1.1MinimumFootingSize(cont)

R403.1.1MinimumFootingSize(cont)

R403.1.6FoundationAnchorageChangesummary:Anchorboltsarenowrequiredtobeplacedinthemiddlethirdofthesillplate.Approved

anchorsmaybeusedinsteadof½-inchanchorbolts.

R403.1.6Foundationanchorage.WoodsillSill platesandwood wallssupporteddirectlyoncontinuous

foundationsshallbeanchoredtothefoundationinaccordancewiththissection.

Cold-formedsteelframingshallbeanchoreddirectlytothefoundationorfastenedtowoodsill

platesanchoredtothefoundation.Anchorageofcold-formedsteelframingandsillplatessupportingcold-

formedsteelframingshallbeinaccordancewiththissectionandSectionsR505.3.1orR603.3.1.

Woodsoleplatesatallexteriorwallsonmonolithicslabs,woodsoleplatesofbracedwallpanels

atbuildinginteriorsonmonolithicslabsandallwoodsillplatesshallbeanchoredtothefoundationwith

minimum1/2inch(12.7mm)diameteranchorboltsspacedamaximumof6feet(1829mm)on

centerorapprovedanchorsoranchorstrapsspacedasrequiredtoprovideequivalentanchorageto1/2-inch-

diameter(12.7mm)anchorbolts. Boltsshallbeatleast1/2inch(12.7mm)indiameterandshallextenda

minimumof7inches(178mm)intoconcreteorgroutedcellsofconcretemasonryunits.Theboltsshallbe

locatedinthemiddlethirdofthewidthoftheplate.Anutandwashershallbetightenedoneachanchor

bolt.Thereshallbeaminimumoftwoboltsperplatesectionwithoneboltlocatednotmorethan12inches

(305mm)orlessthansevenboltdiametersfromeachendoftheplatesection.Interiorbearingwallsole

platesonmonolithicslabfoundationthatarenotpartofabracedwallpanelshallbepositivelyanchored

withapprovedfasteners.Sillplatesandsoleplatesshallbeprotectedagainstdecayandtermiteswhere

requiredbySectionsR317andR318.Cold-formedsteelframingsystemsshallbefastenedtowoodsillplates

oranchoreddirectlytothefoundationasrequiredinSectionR505.3.1orR603.3.1.

R403.1.6FoundationAnchorage(cont)Exceptions:

1.Foundationanchorage,spacedasrequiredtoprovideequivalentanchorageto1/2-inch-diameter(12.7

mm)anchorbolts.

1.2.Walls24inches(610mm)totallengthorshorterconnectingoffsetbracedwallpanelsshallbe

anchoredtothefoundationwithaminimumofoneanchorboltlocatedinthecenterthirdoftheplate

sectionandshallbeattachedtoadjacentbracedwallpanelsatcorners,asshowninItem9ofTable

R602.3(1).

2.3.Connectionofwalls12inches(305mm)totallengthorshorterconnectingoffsetbracedwallpanels

tothefoundationwithoutanchorboltsshallbepermitted.Thewallshallbeattachedtoadjacentbraced

wallpanelsatcorners,asshowninItem9ofTableR602.3(1).

R404.4RetainingWalls

Changesummary:Retainingwalls,freestandingwallsnotsupportedatthetop,withmorethan

48inchesofunbalancedbackfillmustbedesignedbyanengineer.Retainingwallsresisting

additionallateralloadsandwithmorethan24inchesofunbalancedbackfillmustalsobe

designedinaccordancewithacceptedengineeringpractice.

R404.4Retainingwalls.Retainingwallsthatarenotlaterallysupportedatthetopandthatretaininexcessof24 48 inches(610 1219 mm)ofunbalancedfill,orretainingwallsexceeding

24inches(610mm)inheightthatresistlateralloadsinadditiontosoil,shallbedesigned

inaccordancewithacceptedengineeringpracticetoensurestabilityagainstoverturning,

sliding,excessivefoundationpressure,andwateruplift.Retainingwallsshallbedesignedfora

safetyfactorof1.5againstlateralslidingandoverturning. Thissectionshallnotapplyto

foundationwallssupportingbuildings.

TablesR502.3.1(1),R502.3.1(2)FloorJoistSpansforCommonLumberSpecies

Changesummary:ChangestoSouthernPine(SP),DouglasFir-Larch(DFL),andHemlockFir(HF)

lumbercapacitieshavechangedthefloorjoistspanlengthintheprescriptivetablesoftheIRC.

SpanlengthsforSouthernPinehavedecreased;lengthsforDFLandHFjoistshaveincreased.

R502.10FramingofFloorOpeningsChangesummary:Requirementsforheaderjoistandtrimmerconnectionsintheframingoffloor

openingshavebeendeleted.ThissectionconflictedwithSectionR502.6,whichcontainsminimum

bearinglengthsforalljoistsandheaders.

R502.10Framingofopenings.Openingsinfloorframingshallbeframedwithaheaderand

trimmerjoists.WhenWheretheheaderjoistspandoesnotexceed4feet(1219mm),theheader

joistmaybeasinglememberthesamesizeasthefloorjoist.Singletrimmerjoistsmaybeusedto

carryasingleheaderjoistthatislocatedwithin3feet(914mm)ofthetrimmerjoistbearing.When

theheaderjoistspanexceeds4feet(1219mm),thetrimmerjoistsandtheheaderjoistshallbe

doubledandofsufficientcrosssectiontosupportthefloorjoistsframingintotheheader.

Approvedhangersshallbeusedfortheheaderjoisttotrimmerjoistconnectionswhentheheader

joistspanexceeds6feet(1829mm).Tailjoistsover12feet(3658mm)longshallbesupportedat

theheaderbyframinganchorsoronledgerstripsnotlessthan2inchesby2inches(51mmby51

mm).

R507.1,R507.4Decking

Changesummary:Thecodesetsthemaximumallowablespacingfordeckjoistssupportingthe

varioustypesofcommondeckingmaterials.

R507.1Decks.Wood-frameddecksshallbeinaccordancewiththissectionorSectionR301for

materialsandconditionsnotprescribedherein.Wheresupportedbyattachmenttoanexteriorwall,

decksshallbepositivelyanchoredtotheprimarystructureanddesignedforbothverticalandlateral

loads.

Suchattachmentshallnotbeaccomplishedbytheuseoftoenailsornailssubjecttowithdrawal.

Wherepositiveconnectiontotheprimarybuildingstructurecannotbeverifiedduringinspection,

decksshallbeself-supporting.Fordeckswithcantileveredframingmembers,connectionsto

exteriorwallsorotherframingmembersshallbedesignedandconstructedtoresistupliftresulting

fromthefullliveloadspecifiedinTableR301.5actingonthecantileveredportionofthedeck.

R507.4Decking.Maximumallowablespacingforjoistssupportingdeckingshallbeinaccordance

withTableR507.4.Wooddeckingshallbeattachedtoeachsupportingmemberwithnotlessthan

(2)8dthreadednailsor(2)No.8woodscrews.

R507.2.4AlternativeDeckLateralLoadConnection

Changesummary:Whentheprescriptivedecklateralloadconnectionthathasappearedinthe

previouseditionsofthecodeischosenasadesignoption,thecodenowrequiresthetwohold-

downdevicestobewithin2feetoftheendsofthedeck.Anewlateralloadconnectionoption

prescribesfourhold-downsinstalledbelowthedeckstructure.

R507.2.3 R507.2.4 Decklateralloadconnection.ThelateralloadconnectionrequiredbySectionR507.1shallbepermittedtobeinaccordancewithFigureR507.2.3(1)orR507.2.3(2).Wherethe

lateralloadconnectionisprovidedinaccordancewithFigureR507.2.3(1),holddown

tensiondevicesshallbeinstalledinnotlessthantwolocationsperdeckwithin24inchesofeach

endofthedeck.Eachdeviceshallhaveanallowablestressdesigncapacityofnotlessthan1500

pounds(6672N).Wherethelateralloadconnectionsareprovidedinaccordancewith

FigureR507.2.3(2),thehold-downtensiondevicesshallbeinstalledinnotlessthanfourlocations

perdeck,andeachdeviceshallhaveanallowablestressdesigncapacityofnotlessthan750

pounds(3336N).

R507.5,R507.6,R507.7DeckJoistsandBeamsChangesummary:Newsectionsandtablesprovideprescriptivemethodsforjoistsandbeamsin

deckconstruction.SectionR507.5describesrequirementsfordeckjoists,SectionR507.6lists

requirementsfordeckbeams,andSectionR507.7describesminimumbearingrequirements

forjoistsandbeams.

R507.5Deckjoists.Maximumallowablespansforwooddeckjoists,asshowninFigureR507.5,

shallbeinaccordancewithTableR507.5.Deckjoistsshallbepermittedtocantileveramaximumof

one-fourthoftheactual,adjacentjoistspan.

R507.5.1Lateralrestraintatsupports.Joistendsandbearinglocationsshallbeprovidedwithlateralrestrainttopreventrotation.Wherelateralrestraintisprovidedbyjoisthangersorblocking

betweenjoists,theirdepthshallequalnotlessthan60percentofthejoistdepth.Wherelateral

restraintisprovidedbyrimjoists,theyshallbesecuredtotheendofeachjoistwithnotlessthan

(3)10d(3inchby0.128inch)(76mmby3mm)nailsor(3)No.10by3inch(76mm)longwood

screws.

R507.5,R507.6,R507.7DeckJoistsandBeams(cont)

R507.5,R507.6,R507.7DeckJoistsandBeams(cont)

R507.6DeckBeams.Maximumallowablespansforwooddeckbeams,asshowninFigureR507.6,

shallbeinaccordancewithTableR507.6.Beampliesshallbefastenedwithtworowsof10d(3

inchby0.128inch)(76mmby3mm)nailsminimumat16inches(406mm)oncenteralongeach

edge.Beamsshallbepermittedtocantileverateachenduptoone-fourthoftheactualbeamspan.

Splicesofmulti-spanbeamsshallbelocatedatinteriorpostlocations.

R507.7Deckjoistanddeckbeambearing.Theendsofeachjoistandbeamshallhavenotlessthan1½

inches(38mm)ofbearingonwoodor

metalandnotlessthan3inches(76

mm)onconcreteormasonryforthe

entirewidthofthebeam.Joist

framingintothesideofaledgerboard

orbeamshallbesupportedby

approvedjoisthangers.Joistsbearing

onabeamshallbeconnectedtothe

beamtoresistlateraldisplacement.

R507.5,R507.6,R507.7DeckJoistsandBeams(cont)

R507.7.1Deckposttodeckbeam.Deckbeamsshallbeattachedtodeckpostsinaccordance

withFigureR507.8.7.1orbyotherequivalentmeanscapableofresistinglateraldisplacement.

Manufacturedpost-to-beamconnectorsshallbesizedforthepostandbeamsizes.Allbolts

shallhavewashersundertheheadandnut.

Exception:Wheredeckbeamsbeardirectlyonfootingsinaccordance

withSectionR507.8.1.

R507.8DeckPosts

Changesummary:NewSectionR507.8establishesminimumsizesofwoodpostssupporting

wooddecksanddescribestherequirementsforconnectionofdeckpoststothefooting.

R507.8Deckposts.Forsingle-level,wood-frameddeckswithbeamssizedinaccordancewith

TableR507.6,deckpostsizeshallbeinaccordancewithTableR507.8.

R507.8.1Deckposttodeckfooting.PostsshallbearonfootingsinaccordancewithSectionR403andFigureR507.8.1.Postsshallberestrainedtopreventlateraldisplacementatthe

bottomsupport.Suchlateralrestraintshallbeprovidedbymanufacturedconnectorsinstalled

inaccordancewithSectionR507andthemanufacturers’instructionsoraminimumpost

embedmentof12inches(305mm)insurroundingsoilsorconcretepiers.

TableR602.3(1)FasteningSchedule–RoofRequirements

Changesummary:TheFasteningSchedulenowcontainsmultiplenailsizeoptions.Clarification

ofroofrafterconnectionsatridge,valley,andhipisadded.

TableR602.3(1)FasteningSchedule–WallRequirements

Changesummary:TheFasteningScheduleforStructuralMembersnowcontainsmultiplenail

sizeoptions.Clarificationofdoubletopplatesplicingisadded.Descriptionsareupdatedinthe

IRCandtheInternationalBuildingCode(IBC)forattachmentsinwallsaswell.

TableR602.3(1)FasteningSchedule–FloorRequirements

Changesummary:TheFasteningScheduleforStructuralMembersnowcontainsmultiplenail

sizeoptions.Clarificationofthejoist-to-bandjoist(rimboard)connectionisadded.

R602.3.1StudSize,HeightandSpacing

Changesummary:TableR602.3.1isdeletedandtheexceptionforwallsgreaterthan10feettallisaddedtothetextofSectionR602.3.1.IfstudsinatallwallmeetException2,theymeet

therequirementsoftheIRCanddonotneedengineeringoruseofanalternatestandard.

R602.3.1StudSize,Height,andSpacing.Thesize,height,andspacingofstudsshallbeinaccordancewithTableR602.3(5).

Exceptions:1.Utilitygradestudsshallnotbespacedmorethan16inches(406mm)oncenter,

shallnotsupportmorethanaroofandceiling,andshallnotexceed8feet(2438

mm)inheightforexteriorwallsandload-bearingwallsor10feet(3048mm)

forinteriornonload-bearingwalls.

2.Studsmorethan10feetinheightwhichareinaccordancewithTableR602.3.1.

Wheresnowloadsarelessthanorequalto25poundspersquarefoot(1.2kPa),and

theultimatedesignwindspeedislessthanorequalto130mph(58m/s),2-inchby

6-inch(38mmby140mm)studssupportingaroofloadwithnotmorethan6feet

(1829mm)oftributarylengthshallhaveamaximumheightof18feet(5486mm)

wherespacedat16inches(406mm)oncenter,or20feet(6096mm)wherespaced

at12inches(305mm)oncenter.StudsshallbeminimumNo.2gradelumber.

R602.3.1StudSize,HeightandSpacing(cont)

R602.7Headers

CHANGESUMMARY:ThegirderandheaderspantablesofChapter5havebeenmovedinto

Chapter6,totheheadersection.Multi-plyandsingleheadertablesarecombined.Anew

sectiondescribingrimboardheadersisadded.

R602.7Headers.ForheaderspansseeTablesR602.7(1),R602.7(2)andR602.7(3)R502.5(1),R502.5(2),andR602.7.1.

R602.7.1SingleMemberHeaders.Singleheadersshallbeframedwithasingleflat2-inch-

nominal(51mm)memberorwallplatenotlessinwidththanthewallstudsonthetopand

bottomoftheheaderinaccordancewithFiguresR602.7.1(1)andR602.7.1(2)andfacenailedto

thetopandbottomoftheheaderwith10dboxnails(3inchesx0.128inches)(76mmby3mm)

spaced12inches(305mm)oncenter.

R602.7.2RimBoardHeaders.Rimboardheadersize,material,andspanshallbeinaccordance

withTableR602.7(1)forrimboardheaders.Rimboardheadersshallbeconstructedin

accordancewithFigureR602.7.2andshallbesupportedateachendbyfullheightstuds.

Thenumberoffullheightstudsateachendshallbenotlessthanthenumberofstuds

displacedbyhalfoftheheaderspanbasedonthemaximumstudspacinginaccordancewith

TableR602.3(5).Rimboardheaderssupportingconcentratedloadsshallbedesignedin

accordancewithacceptedengineeringpractice.

R602.7Headers(cont)

R602.7Headers(cont)

R602.7.5Supportsforheaders.Headersshallbesupportedoneachendwithoneormorejack

studsorwithapprovedframinganchorsinaccordancewithTableR602.7(1)orR602.7(2).The

fullheightstudadjacenttoeachendoftheheadershallbeendnailedtoeachendofthe

headerwith4-16dnails(3.5inchesx0.135inches).Theminimumnumberoffullheightstudsat

eachendofaheadershallbeinaccordancewithTableR602.7.5.

TableR602.10.3(1)BracingRequirementsBasedonWindSpeed

CHANGESUMMARY:TablevaluesinTableR602.10.3(1)havechangedslightlyduetouseofultimatedesignwindspeedvaluestocalculaterequiredbracinglength.

TableR602.10.5ContributingLengthofMethodCS-PFBracedWallPanels

CHANGESUMMARY:Thecontributinglengthofcontinuouslysheathedportalframes(Method

CS-PF)inlow-seismicregionshasincreasedby50percent.

R602.10.6.2MethodPFH:PortalFramewithHold-Downs

CHANGESUMMARY:DuetorecenttestingofMethodPFH(PortalFramewithHold-downs),

theminimumrequiredcapacityofthehold-downsisloweredto3500lbsinthe2015IRC.

Additionally,thenewtestingconfirmsthattwosillplatesaresufficientundereachbracedwall

paneloftheportalframeratherthanthethreeplatesusedforMethodPFHforthe2012IRC.

R602.10.6.2MethodPFH:Portalframewithhold-downs.MethodPFHbracedwallpanelsshall

beconstructedinaccordancewithFigureR602.10.6.2.

R602.10.11CrippleWallBracing

CHANGESUMMARY:Areductionisnolongerrequiredindeterminingthemaximumdistance

betweenbracedwallpanelsinacripplewall.Referencestothebracinglengthadjustmenttables

clarifythatincreasedbracingisrequiredifgypsumwallfinishisnotappliedtothecripplewalls.

R602.10.11Cripplewallbracing.CripplewallsshallbeconstructedinaccordancewithSectionR602.9andbracedinaccordancewiththissection.Cripplewallsshallbebracedwiththelength

andmethodofbracingusedforthewallaboveinaccordancewithTablesR602.10.3(1)and

R602.10.3(3),andtheapplicableadjustmentfactorsinTablesR602.10.3(2)orR602.10.3(4),

respectively,exceptthelengthofthecripplewallbracingshallbemultipliedbyafactorof1.15.The

maximumdistancebetweenadjacentedgesofbracedwallpanelsshallbereducedfrom20feet

(6069mm)to14feet(4267mm).Wheregypsumwallboardisnotusedontheinsideofthecripple

wallbracing,thelengthadjustmentsfortheeliminationofthegypsumwallboard,orequivalent,

shallbeappliedasdirectedinTablesR602.10.3(2)andR602.10.3(4)tothelength

ofcripplewallbracingrequired.Thisadjustmentshallbetakeninadditiontothe1.15increase.

TableR602.12SimplifiedWallBracing

CHANGESUMMARY:Simplifiedwallbracingisnowallowedforone-tothree-storydwellings

andtownhousesinWindExposureCategoryBorCwithultimatedesignwindspeeds(Vult)of

130mphorless.

R602.12Simplifiedwallbracing.Buildingsmeetingalloftheconditionslistedbelowshallbe

permittedtobebracedinaccordancewiththissectionasanalternatetotherequirementsof

SectionR602.10.Theentirebuildingshallbebracedinaccordancewiththissection;theuseof

otherbracingprovisionsofR602.10,exceptasspecifiedherein,shallnotbepermitted.

1.Thereshallbenotmorethantwo three storiesabovethetopofaconcreteormasonry

foundationorbasementwall.Permanentwoodfoundationsshallnotbepermitted.

2.Floorsshallnotcantilevermorethan24inches(607mm)beyondthefoundationorbearing

wallbelow.

3.Wallheightshallnotbegreaterthan10feet(2743mm).

4.Thebuildingshallhavearoofeave-to-ridgeheightof15feet(4572mm)orless.

5.Exteriorwallsshallhavegypsumboardwithaminimumthicknessof1/2inches(12.7mm)

installedontheinteriorsidefastenedinaccordancewithTableR702.3.5.

6.Thestructureshallbelocatedwherethebasic ultimatedesignwindspeedislessthanor

equalto90 130 mph(40 58 m/s),andtheExposureCategoryisA,BorC.

7.ThestructureshallbelocatedinSeismicDesignCategoryofA,BorCfordetachedone- and

two-familydwellingsorSeismicDesignCategoryAorBfortownhouses.

8.Cripplewallsshallnotbepermittedintwo three-storybuildings.

R602.12SimplifiedWallBracing

TablesR802.4,R802.5CeilingJoistandRafterTables

CHANGESUMMARY:ChangestoSouthernPine,DouglasFir-Larch,andHemlockFircapacities

havechangedthemaximumspansforlumberintheceilingjoistandrafterspantablesofthe

InternationalResidentialCode.

THANKYOU

CityofAustinResidentialTeam:

SusanBarr,AIA,LEEDAPBD+C,CDT,ResidentialInspectionsSupervisor

susan.barr@austintexas.gov

JamesonCourtney,CFM,Floodplainjameson.courtney@austintexas.gov

TonyHernandez,InspectionsProgramManagertony.hernandez@austintexas.gov

JohnMcDonald,DevelopmentServicesManagerjohn.mcdonald@austintexas.gov

MayraRivera,Assoc AIA,ProjectCoordinatormayra.rivera@austintexas.gov

JenniferVerhulst,PE,EngineerCjennifer.verhulst@austintexas.gov