2009 International Building Code coming soon

Many changes to be adopted


Currently, Wisconsin uses the 2006 International Building Code (IBC) series for commercial buildings.  However, the adoption of the 2009 IBC series is well underway and slated for a January 1, 2012 effective date.  Reason for the change?  To ‘update the codes to keep them consistent with national construction and fire prevention standards and legislative initiatives enacted during the 2007-2008 session’ according to the Wisconsin Dept of Commerce website.

How will this change affect you?  The change is comprehensive and includes not only IBC changes but also changes to the Wisconsin modifications for Comm 61-66, affectionately known as ‘Wisconsinisms’.  Check out some of the highlights:

2006 to 2009 IBC modifications:

  • Defining and clarifying live/work unit provisions; IBC section 419.
  • Adding storm shelter provisions and references to ICC 500; IBC section 423.
  • Requiring the sprinkling of upholstered furniture stores; IBC section 903.
  • Deleting reduced egress width exception for buildings with automatic fire sprinkler systems; IBC section 1005.
  • Requiring new locking provisions for egress doors serving certain types of occupancies; IBC sections 1008.1.9.6, 1008.1.9.8 and 1008.1.9.9.
  • Clarifying accessibility provisions for live/work units are to be evaluated separately; IBC section 1103.2.13.
  • Requiring at least one lavatory with enhanced reach ranges in toilet rooms having 6 or more lavatories for accessibility purposes; IBC section 1109.2.3.
  • Providing specific provisions on tightness of buildings (air barriers); IECC section 402.4.2.
  • Requiring shutoff controls for snow/ice-melting systems serving residential occupancies; IECC section 403.8.
  • Specifying the heating of outside spaces to be radiant type and provided with efficiency controls; IECC section 503.2.11.
  • Revising the mechanical ventilation table to provide more detailed occupancy classifications that reflect ASHRAE standard 62 – Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality; IMC table 403.3.
  • Requiring that make-up air to be provided for domestic kitchen exhaust hoods with capacities of greater than 400 cfm be tied in to operation of hood; IMC section 505.2.
  • Eliminating details on combustion air from within the IMC by deferring to NFPA standard 31 for oil-fired appliances and the manufacturers’ recommendations for solid-fuel-fired appliances.
  • Expanding the provisions for the piping of hydronic heating systems to reflect newer materials and standards; IMC chapter 12.
  • Requiring thermal insulation below radiant floor heating systems; IMC sections 1209.5 to 1209.5.4.
  • Establishing bonding/grounding provisions specific to corrugated stainless steel gas tubing (CSST); IFGC section 310.1.1.
  • Prohibiting gas piping from entering/exiting a building below grade; IFGC section 404.4.
  • Requiring LP-Gas piping to be electrically isolated (dielectric fitting) where the underground piping comes above ground to enter the building; IFGC section 404.8.
  • Requiring gas clothes dryer exhaust ducts to be protected from penetration by nails/screws; IFGC section 614.6.3.
  • Specifying minimum vertical clearances between gas cooktops and materials or cabinets above; IFGC section 623.7.
  • Adding provisions associated with the use of used materials and equipment; IEBC section 104.9.1.
  • Clarifying that when undergoing a partial change of occupancy, accessibility will be driven by the alteration provisions found in IEBC sections 605 or 706; IEBC section 912.8.1.

‘Wisconsinism’ changes:

  • Eliminating the option to register the construction of a small building in lieu of the required plan submittal and approval when the building was designed by a registered architect or engineer but not otherwise required; s. Comm 61.30.
  • Modifying the definition of fire area so that it only includes enclosed spaces as it relates to fire protection; s. Comm 62.0902 (2).
  • Modifying the provisions for firewalls or division walls separating townhouses for the purpose of allowing sprinkler protection in accordance with NFPA standard 13D; s. Comm 62.0903 (5).
  • Extending a provision relating to a type of automatic sprinkler protection currently afforded small R-2 multifamily dwellings to other small residential buildings, such as cabins at summer camps; s. Comm 62.0903 (5) (d).
  • Revising the sprinkling requirements for townhouses with less than 20 units to reflect the changes in the latest edition of the International Residential Code®; s. Comm 62.0903 (5) (d).
  • Eliminating current Wisconsin exceptions resulting in fire suppression systems to be provided in enclosed parking garages serving other occupancies; s. Comm 62.0903 (8) to (10).
  • Eliminating the required international symbol accessibility signage for assigned parking serving a residential apartment building; s. Comm 62.1103.
  • Extending the modified uniform live loads for attics in townhouses to attics in all residential occupancies; s. Comm 62.1607.
  • Codifying additional criteria for ground improvement methods relating to foundations and floor slabs, such as for Geopier® systems; s. Comm 62.1804.
  • Reducing presumptive load-bearing values by ½ for saturated soils; s. Comm 62.1806.
  • Alerting building owners or occupants to the heating assumption for frost-protected shallow foundations; s. Comm 62.1809.
  • Requiring an elevator car that accommodates an ambulance stretcher for fire department emergency access in defined buildings; s. Comm 62.3002.
  • Exempting the need for economizers for package RTU’s 33,000 BTU/hr and larger; s. Comm 63.0503.
  • Clarifying the exemption of an economizer for a closed circuit cooling tower heat pump system; s. Comm 63.0503.
  • Clarifying maintenance requirements for smoke alarms; s. Comm 66.0503.


Read more about the changes to the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code.

 


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