Significant Changes from the 2009

ICC to 2012 ICC codes

In the following order:
IRC
IMC
NEC
IPC
IBC
IPMC

Stephen Adair and Phil Teeple

2012 INTERNATIONAL
RESIDENTIAL CODE

2-hour
Common wall
unless
structures are
Sprinklered

R302.2.2 Parapets (Townhouses)

Language was added to the section to

clarify that NO penetrations are allowed
in the four (4) foot area of Fire Rated
Sheathing when using a 2-hour rated wall
to the roofing materials in lieu of the
parapet for townhouses. (It should also be
noted that continuous ridge venting
across this area is also a violation of the
section)

R302.5
Dwelling/Garage opening/penetration protection

R302.5.1 Opening protection

Section calls for self-closing doors between garage
and dwelling units. This language has been deleted by
addendum. (20 minute or 1 solid door still
required)

R302.5.2 Duct Penetrations (garage)

 Duct penetrations between the garage and dwelling unit
should be made only with No. 26 gauge sheet steel and all
annular space shall be sealed to sufficiently prevent air transfer.
No opening in such ducts allowed within garage

5/8 sheetrock required on walls separating garage

from dwelling (by Addendum). All penetrations to be
sealed to prevent transfer of air.

R303.4 Mechanical Ventilation

Whole house mechanical ventilation is
required when tested by blower door
test if air changes per hour do not
exceed/meet parameters set forth by
Section M1507.3

Details will be discussed in the mechanical
section.

R308.4.5 Glazing and Wet Surfaces

A new section has been added to the

section concerning glazing in bathrooms.

R311.7.5 Stair treads and risers

Minimum tread depth is 10 measured
from nosing to nosing.

Maximum riser height is 7 7/8 by
addendum.

Exception by Addendum. Closed risers
are not required on exterior stairs where
the riser is less than 10 above grade.
(deck stairs)

Maximum riser
height:
7 7/8 by
addendum

Solid risers not

required on
exterior (Deck)
stairs less than
10 in height by
addendum

R314.5 Interconnection (Smoke and

CO alarms)

This section now allows smoke and CO

detectors to be interconnected via
wireless technology in lieu of hard wired
interconnection. Smoke alarms still must
be powered by the buildings wiring with a
battery back-up provided.

R312 Guards and window fall

protection

R312.1.1 Where required:

Add addendum to language providing
exception: Grassed or landscaped areas a
minimum of 3 wide behind retaining walls
shall not be deemed a walking surface.
 This addendum prevents retaining walls at
residential structures from requiring a guard unless
a paved area is closer than 3 to the edge creating a
walking surface.

R312 Guards and Window fall

protection

R312.2 Window fall protection

This section has been deleted in its entirety
by addendum
Can be retrofitted by home owner (same as
childproofing house)

R405.1 Foundation Drainage

R501.3 Fire protection of floors

R501.3 Fire protection of floors (cont.)

Installation of 1/2 gypsum board or other

approved membranes is now required on
the underside of floor assemblies of
structures using manufactured joist in
construction or dimensional wood 2x8 or
smaller
This change will require that the
manufactured joist in unfinished basements
to be protected for Fire personnel safety.
See all exceptions and provisions

R802.11 Uplift Resistance

Ceiling joist and rafter connections must
comply with table R802.11 or accepted
engineering practice.

There are many parameters involved in
determining this.

Rafter/joist o.c. spacing, roof pitch, roof span,

basic wind speed and exposure level.

R903.2.1 Roof Flashing

Kick out flashing now required.

R905.2.8.3 Sidewall Flashing

R905.2.8.5 Roof Drip Edge

Roof drip edge is now required expressly

in the code although common practice
and required by most installation
instructions.
This product is manufactured in various
configurations, but all serve to direct water
away from the face trim at the roof line.
Nails attaching such material shall be placed
no more than 12 o.c. along the perimeter
and all nailing locations shall be covered with
the underlayment

Chapter 11 Energy Efficiency

Adopted administrative provisions:

Reroofs where sheathing is exposed will require attics to
be insulated

Columbia is Zone 4
Slab homes require 24 of R-10 insulation. If
placed on exterior, install termite shield.
Walls R-20 (2x6 walls or 2x4 with spray
foam) or R-13 + 5 (2x4 walls with R-board)
Ceilings R-49. Must install insulation
markers.

Energy Efficiency (contd)

Duct sealing is mandatory.

Attic supply ducts require R-8, all other
ducts outside thermal envelope R-6

Duct test can be performed separately or
in conjunction with blower door test

Blower door test mandatory. Must be
less than 3 ACH @ 50 Pa

Table N1102.4.1.1 addresses 16 locations
for air barrier and insulation installation

Energy Efficiency (contd)

Hot water piping must be insulated per
N1103.4.2

Provide Manual S or Manual J calculations
(attach to furnace). Code no longer
allows you to oversize your
condenser/heat pump

75% of lamps shall be high efficiency

Fireplaces shall have gasketed doors

Dan Vande Voorde

2012 INTERNATIONAL
MECHANICAL CODE

FRESH AIR INTAKE

R303.4 MECHANICAL VENTILATION
The dwelling unit SHALL be provided with whole-house mechanical
ventilation in accordance with SECTION M1507.3 Alternatively an insulated
duct from the outside connected to the return air or HVAC unit AHEAD of
the filter with a balancing damper may be provided.
The duct SHALL be a 4 diameter for areas 1,500 S.F. or less.
6 diameter for areas over 1,500 S.F and less than or equal to 2,400 S.F.
8 diameter for areas over 2,400 S.F

Example of how the

fresh air ventilation
should be done

Gas line sediment trap length

G2419.4 Sediment trap
Change any length to 3 minimum length

NO GALVANIZED
PIPE!
TEE MUST
CHANGE
DIRECTION OF
GAS FLOW!

Building cavities used as return

plenums
N1103.2.3 (R403.2.3) Building cavities (Mandatory).
Building framing cavities shall not be used as ducts or
plenums

You have to DUCT

the return.

Programmable thermostat
N1103.1.1 Programmable thermostat. The thermostat
should initially be programmed with a temperature
set point no higher than 70F and a cooling
temperature set point no lower than 78F

Locking access port caps

M1411.6 Locking access port caps.
Refrigerant circuit access ports located outdoors
shall be fitted with locking-type tamper-resistant caps
or shall

be otherwise secured to
prevent unauthorized access

If the caps are behind

the cover, on a roof or
behind a locked fence
then they are not
required.

PVC venting for water heaters and

furnaces.
IFGC 503.4.1.1
Plastic vent joints.
Plastic pipe and fittings used to vent
appliances shall be installed in accordance
with the appliance manufacturers
installation instructions. Where a primer is
required, it shall be of a contrasting
color. Only PURPLE is acceptable. No
clear primer.

Side note: use primer

on condensate piping if
concealed

Required on both intake and

exhaust pipes

B-Vent piping for appliances

(503.7.5 & 503.10.2.2 IFGC)No single wall

pipe in unconditioned spaces.

(503.10.2.3 IFGC)All single wall pipe must

be .0018 thick (26 ga). That includes the
connector.

B-vent connectors

(504.3.2 IFGC) Connector lengths. The

maximum vent connector length
horizontal length shall be 1 feet for
each inch of connector diameter. ( 4 =
6) * there is an exception for longer
lengths (504.3.3), a reduction in capacity
takes place and you will be required to
show the math on it*

Common BB-vent codes

(503.6.9.2 IFGC) Anything less than a 45

angle is horizontal. On a single draft hood
appliance the total horizontal length of vent
AND connector cannot be more than 75%
of total height.
On a fan assisted appliance (furnace) the
horizontal length needs to be within the
sizing vent tables in (504.2(1) IFGC)
(504.3.5 IFGC) The common vent offset for
multiple appliances is the same as
connectors, horizontal length shall be 1
feet for each inch of common vent diameter.

Improper venting of
appliances lead to
life safety issues
down the road!

Curtis Lichty

2011 NATIONAL
ELECTRICAL CODE

NEC 110.24 Available Fault

Current
In other than dwelling units, service
equipment shall be legibly and durably marked
in the field with the maximum available fault
current.
The date at which the fault-current
calculation was performed shall be included.

NEC 210.8 GFCI Protection for

Personnel
GFCIs shall be installed in a readily accessible
location. Exception: GFCI-protected receptacles
located in exterior soffit areas and installed for
holiday lighting.
In dwelling units, GFCI-protection for 120-volt
receptacles is required where located within six
feet of any sink, not just kitchen or laundry sink.
--Important at multi-family kitchenettes, breakrooms,etc.
In other than dwelling units, GFCI-protection is
required for all 120-volt receptacles in the
following locations: indoor wet locations, locker
rooms with showering facilities, garages and
service bays utilizing portable equipment.

NEC 210.12.(A) - AFCI

AFCI protection is not required in

buildings that are regulated by the
International Residential Code (one and
two-family dwellings)

NEC 210.52(E)(3) Dwelling Unit

Receptacle Outlets at Balconies,
Decks, and Porches
A receptacle outlet is required at all
balconies, decks, and porches that are
accessible from inside of a dwelling unit,
regardless of square footage.

Added exception to not require at an
existing structure, e.g. reframing or
enlarging a deck.

NEC 210.52(I) Dwelling Unit

Receptacle Outlet, Foyers

Foyers greater than 60 square feet are

required to have receptacles located in
each wall space 3-feet or more in width.

NEC 220.10(J) BranchBranch-Circuit Load

Calculations for Dwelling
Occupancies
(1) In one and two-family dwellings, a 15-ampere rated generalpurpose circuit shall be limited to a maximum of 8 receptacle outlets
or openings or 8 lighting outlets.

(2) In one-and two-family dwellings, a 20-ampere rated generalpurpose circuit shall be limited to a maximum of 10 receptacle outlets
or openings or 10 lighting outlets.

(3) In one-and two-family dwellings, the small appliance circuits that
serve kitchen countertops shall be limited to not more than two
receptacle openings per circuit for the first two circuits serving the
countertop; the third and all succeeding small appliance circuits shall
be limited to not more than three receptacle openings per circuit.

(4) In one- and two-family dwellings, the microwave receptacle outlet
shall be an individual, dedicated circuit rated at 20-amperes, and shall
share with no other outlets.

NEC 225.27 Raceway Seal

Just as with service raceways, feeder and

branch-circuit underground raceways
entering a building from outside must be
sealed, to prevent unwanted
environmental air, vapor, or moisture.
Spare or unused raceways shall also be
sealed.

NEC 250.30 Grounding Separately

Derived AA-C Systems, Outdoors Source

Separately derived systems, such as backup generators, that are located outside
the building supplied, must have a
grounding electrode connection at the
system source location. In other words,
the neutral of a separately derived system
must be earthed by a nearby grounding
electrode.

NEC 250.92 (B) Method of Bonding

at the Service

Bonding jumpers, where required for

electrical continuity of raceways
containing service conductors, shall be
used at reducing washers

NEC 312.8 Cabinets. Switch and

Over--current Device Enclosures
Over
with FeedFeed-Through Conductors

A warning label that identifies the location

of the disconnecting means for any feedthrough conductors shall be attached to
the enclosure.

NEC 408.4 Field Identification

Required. (B) Source of Supply.

In other than one- and two-family

dwellings, all switchboards and
panelboards supplied by a feeder shall be
marked to indicate the device or
equipment where the power supply
originates.

NEC 680.26 Swimming Pools. Equipotential

Bonding (B)(7) Fixed Metal Parts

All fixed metal part within 5 feet

horizontally and 12 vertically of
permanently installed pools must be
bonded to the equipotential bonding grid.
This includes metal sheathed cables and
raceways, metal piping, metal awnings,
metal fences and metal door and window
frames.

NEC 680.73 Pools and Tubs for

Therapeutic Use. Accessibility

A receptacle for a cord-and plugconnected jetted bathtub, located under

the tub, must be installed so that the
receptacle face is within direct view from
the access opening and located not more
than 1 foot from the opening.

NEC existing requirements to be

enforced

Bundling non-metallic sheathed cable for longer than 24inches.

Bundles of cables in a single large romex connectors, e.g., 18
to 20 cables in a 2-inch cable clamp.
Nail-guards are required if:
Edge of drilled hole is within 1 of edge of framing
Cable run parallel to framing member is within 1 -inch
of framing edge, e.g., multiple cables run to a multi-gang
switch box. Cables must be supported inside the 1-inch
center of a 3 inch wide stud.
10 or more current-carrying conductors (e.g., five 14-2
cables) passing through a caulked hole must each have their
ampacity adjusted to 50 percent or less of their table
ampacity (NEC 310.16).

NEC existing requirements to be

enforced (contd)

NEC 408.4 (A) Circuit Directory or Circuit Identification.

Every circuit shall be legibly identified to clearly indicate its
specific purpose, with sufficient detail to clearly distinguish it
from all others.
All raceways, including service raceways, exposed to varying
temperatures must be sealed, to prevent the circulation of
warm air to a colder section of the raceway.
Lumber behind panels mounted to concrete (in a basement)
must be pressure treated wood.
Associated electrical equipment, troughs, large j-box, etc., is
not permitted to extend more than 6-inches into work
clearance space.
For other than 1- and 2-family dwellings, there must be a
concrete-encased electrode (sometimes called a Ufer
ground) located near the bottom of the footing.

Daryl Brown

2012 IRC (ONE AND TWO

FAMILY DWELLING)
PLUMBING CODE

P2603.4 -Pipes through foundation wall

A pipe that passes through a foundation
wall shall be provided with a relieving
arch, or a pipe sleeve shall be built into
the foundation wall. The pipe shall be two
pipe sizes greater than the pipe passing
through the wall.

Alternatively, the sleeve may be sized in
accordance with a sealing system
manufacturers published
recommendations.

P2905.9.1.3 - PVC Plastic Pipe

A purple primer that conforms to ASTM F 656 shall

be applied to PVC solvent-cemented joints. Solvent
cement for PVC plastic pipe conforming to ASTM D
2564 shall be applied to all joint surfaces.

Amendment shall read as follows:

A primer that conforms to ASTM F 656 shall be applied to
PVC solvent-cemented joints. Purple primer SHALL be
used below grade.
Solvent cement for PVC plastic pipe conforming to ASTM
D 2564 shall be applied to all joint surfaces. If purple
primer is used, section P2503 inspections and tests shall
not be required.

P3008.1 - Sewage Backflow

If flood rim of fixtures are below the
upstream manhole rim elevation, a
backwater valve is required

Code has been amended to not require
the fixtures with flood rims above the
upstream manhole be separated.

Phil Teeple and Nadine Davis

2012 INTERNATIONAL
BUILDING CODE

105.2 Fences exempt from

permits
Raises the height of fences that are
exempt from permits from 6 to 7.

Allows for variations in grade

303.3, 306.2 Occupancy

classification of commercial kitchens
More clearly states that kitchens
associated with restaurants are classified
as A-2.

Kitchens not associated with dining areas
are considered F-1.

308.2, 202 Definitions of care

facilities
Added definitions for 24 hour care,
custodial care, incapable of self
preservation, and medical care.

Requirements for group I occupancies can
vary significantly based on type of use
involved.

310.6 Group R
R--4 Occupancies

Group R-4 occupancies (group homes,

rehab facilities) with between five and 16
occupants are regulated by the IBC, not
IRC.

424 Childrens Play Structures

Previously these were only regulated if in

malls. Now any childrens play structure
over 10 feet high and over 150 square feet
must meet IBC requirements.

509 Incidental Uses

Clarifies difference between incidental
uses and mixed uses

Clearly requires fire sprinkler system,
before it said fire-extinguishing system

Removes fire pump rooms

703.7 Identification of fire and

smoke separation walls

Lettering must be 3 high and 3/8 thick

Located
within 15 of
each end of
wall and at
intervals of
30

712 Vertical openings

Changes shaft enclosure to vertical
openings

Shafts are one way of protecting vertical
openings

903.2.4 Furniture Storage and

Display
In groups F-1, M, and S-1 occupancies,
automatic sprinklers are required where
upholstered furniture or mattresses are
manufactured, stored, or displayed

2,500 SF for groups F-1 and S-1

5,000 SF for group M

903.2.11.1.3 Basements

In any basement where walls, partitions or

other obstructions are installed that
restrict the hose streams, the basement
must be sprinklered.

906.1 Portable fire extinguishers

In group R-2 occupancies, if portable fire

extinguishers are provided in the dwelling
unit they are not required in common
areas

907.2.3 EV/ACS required in Group

E occupancies
Now requires Emergency Voice / Alarm
Communication System based on
occupancy.

BCCC amended code so that occupant
loads 75 and under do not require
EV/ACS (30 is stated in the code).

908.7 Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide alarms are now
required in group R and I occupancies
when there is a fuel burning appliance or
attached garage

This makes the IBC and IRC conform

1013.1 Guards at Operable

Windows
For windows with a sill height over 72
above grade, a guard is required if the sill
height is less than 36 above finished
floor.

Several exceptions, such as sash limiters.

1109.2, 1109.5 Accessible

Childrens Facilities

Where toilet facilities are primarily for

children, the toilet, lavatory, etc. can be
mounted at heights for children.

1203.2 Ventilation of Attic Spaces

The net free ventilating area has doubled
to 1/150th of the area of the space
ventilated.

Can be reduced by installing vapor
barriers.

1403.5 Flame Propagation at

Exterior Walls

For Type I, II, III or IV construction greater

than 40 in height, the water-resistive
barrier must comply with NFPA 285.

1609 Determination of Wind

Loads
Wind loads are now given as ultimate
wind loads with reductions to convert to
nominal design wind speeds.

Not a significant change for Category II
buildings

Could be significant for Category III and
IV buildings

1704.3 Statement of Special

Inspections
Section has been reorganized and
clarified.

City requires a final statement of special
inspections (letter of conformance) from
testing agencies identifying which items
they inspected and that all deviations
were corrected.

2902.2 Single User Toilet Facilities

Where separate gender toilet facilities are

required and only one water closet is
required, they may be signed as
family/assisted-use and do not have
identified by specific gender.

Retaining Walls
City previously had amendment regarding
retaining walls. Amendment has been
deleted as code adequately covers design
and construction requirements.

Any wall over 4 in height (from top of
wall to bottom of footing) must be
engineered and inspected.

Commercial Energy Efficiency

Kept 2009 IECC and City amendments

Phil Teeple

2012 INTERNATIONAL
PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE CODE

Changes to the International

Property Maintenance Code
304.15 Doors adds that operator systems, if
provided shall be maintained in good condition

304.19 Gates: All exterior gates shall be
maintained in good condition.

404.4.1 Room area The changes require
bedrooms to be 70 sq. ft. for each occupant and for
bedrooms with two or more occupants bedrooms
shall be 50 sq. ft. for each occupant thereof.

404.5 Overcrowding: The code adds specificity to
the minimum square footage for living rooms and
dining rooms and these areas shall not be included as
a sleeping area.

Changes to the International

Property Maintenance Code
404.6 Efficiency Units The changes are less restrictive
than previously adopted. Specifies that a unit occupied by
not more than one occupant shall have a minimum floor
area of 120 square feet.

602.2 Residential Occupancies added that cooking
appliances and unvented fuel-burning space heaters shall not
be used for required heating.

605.2 Receptacles requires an appropriate face plate.

605.3 Luminaires Pool and spa luminaires over 15 V
shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection.

605.4 Wiring Flexible cords shall not be used for
permanent wiring.

Changes to local amendments to

the IPMC:
304.18.1 This amendment exempts fully
enclosed attached garages from having a
deadbolt into the dwelling unit. If this
requirement changes for new construction a
change be considered for property
maintenance.

Changes to local amendments to

the IPMC:
702.4.1 Requires basement sleeping
rooms to have one openable window or
exterior door or not less than two
approved independent exits. Exception
2, c should be amended as follows: c.
All smoke detectors, if such exist, shall
be interconnected such that the
actuation of one alarm will actuate all
the alarms throughout the structure.
in the shafts and corridors.