Chapter 2-6 RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODES AND PERMITS


Section 2-6-2 RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE AMENDMENTS

    

All building construction work and the inspections thereof shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Code and with the 2003 edition of the International Residential Code, with the exception of Chapters 12-42 but with Appendices F, G, H, J and K which is hereby adopted by the City, with the following specific deletions and additions:

Chapter 1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced to read as follows:

Unless any such code has been specifically adopted by the City, any reference to an (International Code), including without limitation the following, shall be deemed to refer to the equivalent code, if any that has been adopted by the City:

ICC Electrical Code
International Energy Conservation Code
International Existing Building Code
International Fuel Gas Code
International Mechanical Code
ICC Performance Code
International Plumbing Code
International Private Sewer Disposal Code
International Administrative Code
International Urban-Wildland Interface Code
International Zoning Code

Equivalent adopted versions include the:

2002 National Electrical Code
2003 Uniform Mechanical Code
2003 Uniform Plumbing Code
1997 Uniform Administrative Code
1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings

Section R202 Definitions is amended by adding three new definitions to read as follows:

    Sleeping Area.  Any area that includes one or more sleeping rooms that are located on the same floor and are not separated by another habitable room, such as a living room, dining room, or kitchen (but not a bathroom, hallway or closet).

    Sleeping Room.  Any bedroom or other room that is ordinarily used or intended to be used for sleeping purposes.  The term is deemed to include any room that contains a closet and that provides for occupant privacy.

    Temporary.  A defined time set by the Administrative Authority not to exceed 90 days. Extension of time may be granted upon written request.

Subsection R301.1.2   Construction Systems is amended by adding a new paragraph to read as follows:

    All plan (unreinforced) concrete, plan (unreinforced) masonry and rubble stone masonry construction is prohibited.  All tables, figures and references for these unreinforced systems are deleted.

Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria is amended to read as follows:

                TABLE R301.2(1)
    CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA



Ground Snow Load  


Wind Speed(e) (mph)  


SeismicDesign Category  
(g)  
SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM  


Decay (d)  


Weathering (a)  

Frost Line Depth(b)  

Termite(c)  
30#  
90  
D  
Severe  
30"  
Slight to Moderate  
None to Slight  


Winter Design  
(f)  

Ice Shield Under-Layment Required (k)  

Flood Hazard (sh)  

Air Freezing Index (j)  

Mean Annual Temp (k)  
-2  
Yes  
July 23, 1996  
1500  
45.9F  



For SI:  1 pound per square foot = 0.0479kN/m2, 1 mile per hour = 1.609km/h.
(a)    Weathering may require a higher strength concrete or grade of masonry than necessary to satisfy the structural requirements of this code.  The weathering column shall be filled in with the weathering index (i.e., "negligible," "moderate" or "severe") for concrete as determined from the Weathering Probability Map (Figure R301.2(3)). The grade of masonry units shall be determined from ASTM C 34, C 55, C 62, C73, C 90, C 129, C 145, C 216 or C 652.
(b)    The frost line depth may require deeper footings than indicated in Figure R403.1(1). The jurisdiction shall fill in the depth column with the minimum depth of footing below finish grade.
(c)     The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "very heavy," "moderate to heavy," "slight to moderate" or "none to slight" in accordance with Figure R301.2(6) depending on whether there has been a history of local damage.
(d)    The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "moderate to severe," "slight to moderate" or "none to slight" in accordance with Figure R301.2(7) depending on whether there has been a history of local damage.
(e)    The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with wind speed from the basic wind speed map (Figure R301.2(4)).  Wind exposure category shall be determined on a site-specific basis in accordance with Section R301.2.1.4.
(f)    The outdoor design dry-bulb temperature shall be selected from the columns of 97 1/2 -percent values for winter from Appendix D of the International Plumbing Code. Deviations from the Appendix D temperatures shall be permitted to reflect local climates or local weather experience as determined by the building official.
(g)    The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the Seismic Design Category determined from Section R301.2.2.1.
(h)    The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with (a) the date of the jurisdiction's entry into the National Flood Insurance Program (date of adoption of the first code or ordinance for management of flood hazard areas), (b) the date(s) of currently effective FIRM and FBFM, or other flood hazard map adopted by the community, as may be amended.  
(i)    In accordance with Sections R905.1.7.1, R905.4.3, R905.5.3, R905.6.3, R905.7.3 and R905.8.3, for areas where the average daily temperature in January is 25 degrees F (-4 degrees C) or less, or where there has been a history of local damage from the effects of ice damming, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES."
(j)    The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the 100-year return period air freezing index (BF-days) from Figure R403.3(2) or from the 100-year (99%) value on the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32 degrees F)" at www.ncdc.noaa.gov/fpsf.html.
(k)    The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the mean annual temperature from the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32 degrees F)" at www.ncdc.noaa.gov/fpsf.html.

Figure R307.2 Minimum fixture clearances is deleted in its entirety without replacement.

Figure R403.1(1) Concrete and Masonry Foundation Details is amended to delete each reference to 3.5 inches as the minimum slab thickness and replace it with a 4.0 inch minimum slab thickness.

Subsection R403.1.1 Minimum Size is amended to read as follows:

    R403.1.1 Minimum size. Minimum sizes for concrete and masonry footings shall be set forth in Table 403.1 and Figure R403.1(1).  The footing width, W, shall be based on the load-bearing value of the soil in accordance with Table R401.4.1.  Spread footings shall be at least 8 inches (203 mm) in thickness.  Footing projections, P, shall be at least 2 inches (51 mm) and shall not exceed the thickness of the footing.  The size of footings supporting piers and columns shall be based on the tributary load and allowable soil pressure in accordance with Table R401.4.1. Footings for wood foundations shall be in accordance with the details set forth in Section R403.2, and Figures R403.1(2) and R403.1(3).

Subsection R404.1.1 Concrete and Masonry Foundation Walls is amended to read as follows:

    R404.1.1 Concrete and masonry foundation walls. Concrete masonry and clay masonry foundation walls shall be constructed as set forth in Tables R404.1.1(2), R404.1.1(3) and R404.1.1(4) and shall also comply with the provisions of this section and the applicable provisions of Section R606, R607and R608.  In Seismic Design Categories D1 and D2, concrete masonry and clay masonry foundation walls shall comply with Section R404.1.4.  Rubble stone masonry foundation walls shall be constructed in accordance with Sections R404.1.8 and R606.2.2. Rubble stone masonry walls shall not be used in Seismic Design Categories D1 and D2.

Subsection R404.1.2   Concrete Foundation Walls is amended to read as follows:

    R404.1.2 Concrete foundation walls. Concrete foundation walls shall be constructed as set forth in Tables R404.1.1(2), R404.1.1(3) and R404.1.1(4), and shall also comply with the provisions of this section and the applicable provisions of Section R402.2.  In Seismic Design Categories D1 and D2, concrete foundation walls shall comply with Section R404.1.4.

Subsection R404.1.4 Seismic Design Categories D1 and D2is amended to delete in its entirety the second paragraph (following Items 1 through 5) and to replace it with a paragraph to read as follows:

    Vertical reinforcement for masonry stem walls shall be tied to the horizontal reinforcement in the footings.  Masonry stem walls located in Seismic Design Categories D1 and D2 shall have a minimum vertical reinforcement of one No. 4 bar located a maximum of 4 feet (1220 mm) on center in grouted cells.

Subsection R502.6.2 Joist Framing is amended to read as follows:

    R502.6.2 Joist framing.  Approved framing anchors shall support joists framed into the side of a wood girder.

Section R502.10 Framing of Openings is amended to read as follows:

    R502.10 Framing of openings. Openings in floor framing shall be framed with a header and trimmer joists.  When the header joist span does not exceed 4 feet (1219mm), the header joist may be a single member the same size as the floor joist.  Single trimmer joists may be used to carry a single header joist that is located within 3 feet (914mm) of the trimmer joist bearing.  When the header joist span exceeds 4 feet (1210mm), the trimmer joists and header joist shall be doubled and of sufficient cross section to support the floor joists framing into the header. Approved hangers shall be used for the header joist to trimmer joist connections when the header joist exceeds 6 feet (1829 mm).  Tail joists over 12 feet (3658mm) long shall be supported at the header by framing anchors.

Figure R606.10(3) Requirements for Reinforced Masonry Construction in Seismic Design Category D1 and D2.is amended to read as follows:

    The thickness of the footings as shown in this figure is 6 inches.  The thickness of the footing shown in the "Foundation for wood floor" detail and the "Foundation for concrete floor" detail is amended from 6 inches (152mm) to 8 inches (203mm).

    Detail "A" shall be amended to reflect that the Dowel and Rod detail are not 3/8 inch, but shall be a #4 reinforcing bar in accordance with Table R606.11.3.2.

Section R1007 Fireplace Requirement is added to read as follows:

    R1007 Fireplace requirements.  A gas or wood-burning fireplace installed within a dwelling unit shall comply with the following requirements:

    1.  The fireplace opening shall be provided with solid doors such as glass, solid steel or cast iron.

    2.  If the fireplace is located in a sleeping room or an adjacent bathroom, then a permanent unobstructed fresh air supply shall be provided directly from the exterior of the structure to the firebox.

    3.  When gas is piped to the fireplace, a caution sign shall be installed that states "Caution: Damper must be permanently blocked open if gas is supplied to this fireplace."  The letters on the sign must be a minimum of 3/8 inches in height.

Section AG105.2 Outdoor Swimming Pools  Item 1 is amended to read as follows:

    1.  The top of the barrier shall be at least 5 feet (1524mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.  The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches (51mm) measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.  Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an aboveground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure.  Where the barrier is mounted on the top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches (102m).


(Ord. 635, Amended, 08/23/2005, Prior Text; AB11, Amended, 09/25/2001, Effec 10-1-01:BOS to City Council, Prior Text; Res. 10-00, Amended, 05/23/2000, Adopted/Effective; 05-23-00 adopt 1997 Uniform Building Code, Prior Text; Res. 09-97, Amended, 03/25/1997, Effective/Adopted; 03-25-97, adopt uniform building code amendments, Prior Text; Res. 10-86, Amended, 06/10/1986, Adopted/Effective; 06-10-86, adopting uniform building code, Prior Text; Res. 03-80, Amended, 02/12/1980, Adopted/Effective; 02-12-80, adopted 1979 uniform building code, Prior Text)