Oregon Building Code Updates
Code Changes, Summer 2010
I’m back. Actually I never left, it’s just that after 25+ years of Code changes, I got tired of writing about Code stuff. I had considered passing on this year’s Code change [2009 IBC, July 1, 2010], however, the economy overruled that idea.
For those of you not familiar with my Code Updates, I have in the past written them at irregular intervals; highlighting, on something less than two pages, significant changes in the Code. Much of my work as a consultant involves Life Safety Summaries for existing buildings, however, I also do preliminary plan review for new construction, typically for multi-story, mixed-use buildings and schools. Since Portland’s Bureau of Development Services has significantly reduced it’s available hours for Code questions, I suppose I have a larger area of service available; however, my viewpoint on the Code has broadened, compared with the City’s; based on the last 12+ years of seeing what really happens in the field.
OSSC Chapter 10
The Code promulgating authorities never seem to tire of tweaking the requirements for stairs and railings; making life difficult for all of the designers and contractors. However, the Code giveth and the Code taketh away…
1012.3 We now have new handrail requirements that have caught up with the industry; in that there are now two Types of handrail, based on cross-section.
Type I handrails have a ‘uniform’ cross-section- circular, rectangular, etc. that are required to fit the dimensional requirements of [1012.3.1].
Type II handrails could be described as decorative; and include the profiles shown in this detail from the ICC:
This detail is not included in the Code, so other profiles are possible, but they may need to be justified by detail drawings.
1009.12 A new exception [5] permits, within dwelling and sleeping units in R2 and R3 Occupancies, stairways with three or fewer risers to be constructed without handrails. In other words, if the stairway is within an R2 or R3 unit, and has 1-3 risers, it does not require handrails. Stairways in the public portions of the building still require handrails, regardless of the number of risers.
1013.3 Opening Limitations. Again, another change. The Code now permits guardrail openings between 36" and 42" above the walking surface to have an opening dimension of 43/8" instead of 4". This permits a 15/8" diameter railing to have one horizontal rail with the top at 42". Why this is important is beyond me.
1014.3 Common Path of Egress Travel in Group R2. CPET can be a really annoying section of the Code; however it sometimes gets better.
For sprinklered apartment buildings, CPET has been increased to 125ft for both NFPA13 and NFPA13R systems.
1015.1 A new Exception, located in condition [1] permits a single Means of Egress from individual dwelling units with a maximum Occupant Load of 20. In other words, an apartment unit of 4000sf is permitted to have a single Exit door.
"Although the new exception also includes a reference to Group R3 occupancies, the requirements of Section 1015.1 are superceded by those of 1021.2 regulating single-exit buildings. Section 1021.2 establishes that Group R-3 occupancy buildings are permitted to have a single exit with no limitation on occupant load or common path of egress travel; therefore a single-exit Group R3 occupancy many have an occupant load exceeding 20." Significant Changes to the IBC 2009 Edition
1016.1/1020.1 This is complicated. The Code has always permitted an unenclosed opening between two floor levels, provided that each of the floor levels is not open to another floor level. Consequently, the Code has permitted unenclosed stairways between floor levels. In the 2006 IBC, this provision was located in the Section regarding Vertical Exit Enclosures; this provision has now been moved to Section 1016, Exit Access Travel Distance.
"Exceptions 8 and 9 of 2006 IBC... have been relocated and revised to address travel distance limitations rather than fire-resistance-rated enclosure. The intent is to clarify that unenclosed stairways are permitted as part of the exit access travel distance when connecting two stories, provided that the conditions of the exceptions are met. Although the exceptions are no longer located in Section 1022 regarding vertical stair enclosures, they continue to indicate that the enclosure of such stairways by fire barriers and/or horizontal assemblies is not required..." Significant Changes to the IBC 2009 Edition
It won’t always be interpreted in that manner, as I’ve already discovered.
More in later editions…
