1 / 37

Construction Standards & Building Codes Seminar Overview

Get insights into residential building codes & standards; learn about space planning, stairs, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fireplaces, zoning basics, setbacks, and more. Understand the importance of local requirements and permits.

jbrazil
Download Presentation

Construction Standards & Building Codes Seminar Overview

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Case University presents: Building Codes Note: Review your local codes and requirements as they differ in every jurisdiction – this is meant as an overview/primer. November 10, 2006

  2. OVERVIEW • Why learn this? Risk, safety, professionalism. • Space planning • Stairs • Plumbing • Electrical • HVAC/venting • Fireplaces • Basics of Zoning • Setbacks • Projections/ porticos • Height limitations • Lot Coverage • Permit requirements

  3. Expectations/ Disclaimer • This seminar will not review established construction guidelines. • This seminar will not get into detailed/ obscure code requirements. • All jurisdictions differ in the application of the code. • For detailed information, consult the 2003 IRC Code Book, or each jurisdiction’s permit office. • This seminar will not explain wind shear code requirements.

  4. Construction Standards

  5. Building Codes

  6. The International Residential Code sets the parameters for the residential construction industry, both for new work and for remodeling. It puts forth definitions, addresses design issues and provides minimum standards to help ensure health, safety and good construction practices. The International Residential Code is our construction road map.

  7. Code Definitions

  8. Space Planning • Bedrooms: • Minimum size is 70 square feet • Shortest dimension allowed is 7 feet • Must have glazing no less than 8% of total square footage (Example: a 10’x12’ room= 120 s.f. x 8%= 9.6 s.f. of glazing= 30”x 48” window) • Garages cannot enter directly into a bedroom (carports may). • Halls and Exits: • Minimum width of a hallway is 36” • Minimum width of stairs is 36” wide • All bedrooms must have (2) means of egress: the bedroom door and window/door to the exterior. Egress windows must have a minimum 5.7 s.f. of clear opening (if on the ground level, opening size minimum is 5.0 s.f.). • Egress windows: Minimum width: 20”/ Minimum height: 24” • Habitable spaces (bedrooms) in basements must meet egress rule. The maximum sill height is 42” above the floor. • All homes must have at least one exit door that measures 36” wide x 80”high. • Doors cannot swing over stairs or open over a step, unless it is a screen/storm door.

  9. Ceiling heights may be lower than 5’, but they will not count towards the minimum floor area requirements.

  10. Stair Codes • B = < 4” • C = 6’ - 8” Minimum • N = >= 3/4”, <= 1-1/4” • T = >= 10” • R = <= 7-3/4” • SR = >= 34”, <= 38”

  11. Combustion Air • Any gas-fired or oil-fired appliance (furnaces, boilers) need combustion air for a safe, efficient operation. • Since most mechanical closets are not large enough to generate their own combustion air (50 cubic feet x each 1,000 BTUs), they must rely on adjoining rooms to receive the necessary air. • Prohibited sources of combustion air: sleeping rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. • Louvered doors or fixed metal grilles are required for air access. Two permanent openings shall be required, each within 12” from the ceiling and floor.

  12. Ranges: Need a vertical clearance above the cooking top of no less than 30” to unprotected combustible material. • Clothes dryer exhaust: The maximum length of a dryer vent duct is 25’. • For each 45 degree turn, deduct 2.5 feet • For each 90 degree turn, deduct 5 feet • Duct cannot be connected with sheet metal screws.

  13. Fireplaces • For woodburning fireplaces: • Hearth extension (front of opening): 20” deep • Hearth extension (each side of opening): 12” • Mantles must be a minimum 6” away from fireplace opening, and wood cannot project out more than 1/8” for every inch away from the opening (for any wood less than 12” away). • Chimneys: • Must project 36” above a roof. • Must be 24” higher than any roof within 10’ distance.

  14. Plumbing

  15. Zoning Setbacks Front yard setbacks/ Established Building Line Calculating height of structure (35’ restriction) Calculating 2 ½ stories (MD) Projections Front (porticos and bays) Sides (fireplaces, areaways, stoops) Decks (DC versus MD/VA)

  16. Permit Requirements • Montgomery County/ Fairfax County • Plans • Elevation • Section(s) - must show connection of new to existing structure • Foundation • Framing diagrams (floors, roof) • RES check • Wind bracing details or engineering stamps

More Related