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Posted by Plan Review Section on August 9, 2006, 5:32 pm
Local building codes are based on "model codes". Up through the 1990's there
were three major building codes, BOCA (Midwest and eastern states), SBCCI
(southern states) and ICBO (UBC for the western states). In 2000 they
finally merged into one code called the IBC or International Building Code
(for commercial buildings) and IRC or International Residential Code (for
One Two Family Detached Dwellings and Townhouses, including apartments and
condo's if they qualify, three stories max, separate entries, two sides
open, etc.).
None of the older codes are published any more (the three organizations
merged and changed their business. Only the ICC publishes a current building
code (with some minor exceptions such as NFPA which is riddled with errors,
and a few others which are not going anywhere. Mostly a case of 'sour
grapes' on their part.)
Anyway, the current version is the 2006 IRC, but so far the states are
mostly on the 2003 version (it takes time to adopt new codes and about this
time next year we'll start seeing the states using the 2006.)
If your interested in purchasing a copy, go to www.iccsafe.org and click on
"icc store". The current cost is $68 for nonmembers but you might find a
better price on eBay. If your not in the industry, it might be desirable to
purchase the IRC commentary instead. This is a full copy of the IC but
offers explanation for almost every item in the code; a handbook in other
words. Current cost is (for the 2003) is $136.75 and is well worth it if
your associated with the residential building industry.
One other thing to know is that most states adopt the code and then amend
certain sections to satisfy a special interest such as a plumbing union or
the like. Some amendments are good and some are .............. questionable.
>> If you access it the IRC, the requirements for sheathing paper are in
>> Table
>> R703.4.
>
> Thanks for the info. What's the IRC?
>
> I see lots of different acronyms for things that (in context)
> sound like building codes. But I don't know what any of them are
> nor where I'd go to look at them if I needed to. Any pointers on
> where I might go to look at these different codes?
>
> Thanks.
> - Mark
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