Massachusetts Residential Code - 2011

2011·77.1 MB·English

by  State of Massachusetts

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NEWS & UPDATES
8th Edition MA Residential Code is Effective as of February 4, 2011
Building Related Fee Proposal
8th Edition MA Residential Code is effective as of February 4, 2011
The 8th edition residential code (for one and two family dwellings and townhouses three stories and less) became Vinyl Siding Advisory
effective with the February 4, 2011 Massachusetts Register. The 7th edition residential code will remain in effect News Release - Flood Clean up
concurrently with the new 8th edition until August 4, 2011. During the concurrency period a project can be designed
using either edition. The deadline for filing a permit application for projects designed using the 7th edition is August
OFFICIAL INTERPRETATION
3, 2011.
780 CMR 1-2010- -120.AA
The 8th edition residential code is comprised of the International Residential Code 2009 (IRC) and a separate package
FEMA Drying Out Your Home
with Massachusetts amendments. The IRC is sold by the International Code Council www.iccsafe.org and the
Massachusetts amendments package will be available at the State House Bookstore (617-727-2834).
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2009 InternationalResidential Code for One- andTwo-familyDwellings
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PREFACE
Introduction
Internationally,codeofficialsrecognizetheneedforamodern,up-to-dateresidentialcodeaddressingthedesignandconstruction
ofone-andtwo-familydwellingsandtownhouses.TheInternationalResidentialCodtfEJ, inthis2009edition,isdesignedtomeet
theseneedsthroughmodelcoderegulationsthatsafeguardthepublichealthandsafetyinallcommunities, largeandsmall.
Thiscomprehensive,stand-aloneresidentialcodeestablishesminimumregulationsforone-andtwo-familydwellingsandtown
housesusingprescriptiveprovisions.Itisfoundedonbroad-basedprinciplesthatmakepossibletheuseofnewmaterialsandnew
buildingdesigns.This2009editionisfullycompatiblewithalltheInternationalCode~(I-Codes®)publishedbytheInternational
Code Council® (ICC)®, including the International BUilding Cod~, International Energy Conservation Cod~, International
EXistingBUildingCod~, InternationalFireCode®, InternationalFuelGasCod~, InternationalMechanicalCode®,ICCPerfor
manceCode@,InternationalPlumbingCod~,InternationalPrivateSewageDisposalCod~,InternationalPropertyMaintenance
Code®, International Wildland-UrbanInterfaceCode™and InternationalZoningCod~.
TheInternationalResidentialCodeprovisionsprovidemanybenefits,amongwhichisthemodelcodedevelopmentprocessthat
offersaninternationalforumforresidentialconstructionprofessionalstodiscussprescriptivecoderequirements.Thisforumpro
videsanexcellentarenatodebateproposedrevisions.Thismodelcodealsoencouragesinternationalconsistencyintheapplication
ofprovisions.
Development
ThefirsteditionoftheInternationalResidentialCode(2000)wastheculminationofaneffortinitiatedin1996byICCandconsist
ingofrepresentativesfromthethreestatutorymembersoftheInternationalCodeCouncilatthetime,including:BuildingOfficials
andCodeAdministratorsInternational,Inc. (BOCA),InternationalConferenceofBuildingOfficials(ICBO) andSouthernBuild
ing Code Congress International (SBCCI), and representatives from the National Association ofHome Builders (NAHB). The
intentwastodraftastand-aloneresidentialcodeconsistentwithandinclusiveofthescopeoftheexistingmodelcodes.Technical
contentofthe1998InternationalOne- andTwo-FamilyDwellingCodeandthelatestmodelcodespromulgatedbyBOCA,ICBO,
SBCCIandICC wasusedasthebasisfor thedevelopment, followed bypublichearings in 1998and 1999to considerproposed
changes.This2009editionrepresentsthecodeasoriginallyissued,withchangesreflectedinthe2006edition,andfurtherchanges
developed through the ICC Code Development Process through 2008. Residential electrical provisions are based on the 2008
NationalElectricalCod~ (NFPA70). Aneweditionsuchasthisispromulgatedeverythreeyears.
FuelgasprovisionshavebeenincludedthroughanagreementwiththeAmericanGasAssociation(AGA).Electricalprovisions
havebeenincludedthroughanagreementwiththeNationalFireProtectionAssociation (NFPA).
Thiscodeisfoundedonprinciplesintendedtoestablishprovisionsconsistentwiththescopeofaresidentialcodethatadequately
protectspublichealth,safetyandwelfare; provisionsthatdonotunnecessarilyincreaseconstructioncosts; provisionsthatdonot
restricttheuseofnewmaterials,productsormethodsofconstruction;andprovisionsthatdonotgivepreferentialtreatmenttopar
ticulartypesorclassesofmaterials,productsormethodsofconstruction.
Adoption
TheInternationalResidentialCodeisavailableforadoptionandusebyjurisdictionsinternationally.Itsusewithinagovernmental
jurisdictionisintendedtobeaccomplishedthroughadoptionbyreferenceinaccordancewithproceedingsestablishingthejurisdic
tion'slaws. Atthetimeofadoption,jurisdictionsshouldinserttheappropriateinformationinprovisionsrequiringspecificlocal
information,suchasthenameoftheadoptingjurisdiction.Theselocationsareshowninbracketedwordsinsmallcapitallettersin
thecodeandinthesampleordinance.Thesampleadoptionordinanceonpagexiiiaddressesseveralkeyelementsofacodeadoption
ordinance, includingtheinformationrequiredforinsertionintothe codetext.
Maintenance
TheInternationalResidentialCodeiskeptup-to-datethroughthereviewofproposedchangessubmittedbycodeenforcingoffi
cials,industryrepresentatives,designprofessionalsandotherinterestedparties.Proposedchangesarecarefullyconsideredthrough
anopencodedevelopmentprocessinwhichallinterestedandaffectedpartiesmayparticipate.
The contentsofthisworkaresubjectto change boththrough the Code DevelopmentCyclesand the governmental bodythat
enactsthecodeintolaw. Formoreinformationregardingthecodedevelopmentprocess, contacttheCodeandStandardDevelop
mentDepartmentoftheInternationalCodeCouncil.
ThemaintenanceprocessforthefuelgasprovisionsisbasedupontheprocessusedtomaintaintheInternationalFuelGasCode,
in conjunctionwith the American Gas Association. The maintenance process for the electrical provisions is undertaken by the
NationalFireProtectionAssociation.
2009INTERNATIONALRESIDENTIALCODE® iii
WhilethedevelopmentprocedureoftheInternationalResidentialCodeassuresthehighestdegreeofcare, ICC, thefounding
membersofICC,itsmembersandthoseparticipatinginthedevelopmentofthiscodedonotacceptanyliabilityresultingfromcom
plianceornoncompliancewiththeprovisionsbecauseICCanditsfoundingmembersdonothavethepowerorauthoritytopoliceor
enforcecompliancewiththecontentsofthiscode. Onlythegovernmentalbodythatenactsthe codeintolawhassuchauthority.
Marginal Markings
Solidverticallinesinthemarginswithinthebodyofthecodeindicateatechnicalchangefromtherequirementsofthe2006edition.
Deletionindicatorsintheformofanarrow(.)areprovidedinthemarginwhereanentiresection,paragraph,exceptionortablehas
beendeletedoraniteminalistofitemsoratablehasbeendeleted.
Italicized Terms
SelectedtermssetforthinChapter2,Definitions,areitalicizedwheretheyappearincodetext.Suchtermsarenotitalicizedwhere
thedefinitionsetforthinChapter2doesnotimparttheintendedmeaningintheuseoftheterm.Thetermsselectedhavedefinitions
whichtheusershouldreadcarefullytofacilitate betterunderstandingofthecode.
iv 2009INTERNATIONALRESIDENTIALCODE®
Effective Use of the International Residential Code
TheInternationalResidentialCode® (IRC®)wascreatedtoserveasacomplete,comprehensivecoderegulatingtheconstructionof
single-familyhouses,two-familyhouses(duplexes)andbuildingsconsistingofthreeormoretownhouseunits.Allbuildingswithin
thescopeoftheIRCarelimitedtothreestoriesabovegradeplane.Forexample,afour-storysingle-familyhousewouldfallwithin
thescopeoftheInternationalBUildingCode® (IBC®),nottheIRC.Thebenefitsofdevotingaseparatecodetoresidentialconstruc
tionincludethefactthattheuserneednotnavigatethroughamultitudeofcodeprovisionsthatdonotapplytoresidentialconstruc
tioninordertolocatethatwhichisapplicable.Aseparatecodealsoallowsforresidentialandnonresidentialcodeprovisionstobe
distinctandtailoredtothestructuresthatfallwithintheappropriatecode'sscopes.
TheIRCcontainscoverageforallcomponentsofahouseortownhouse, includingstructuralcomponents,fireplacesandchim
neys, thermalinsulation, mechanicalsystems, fuel gassystems, plumbingsystemsandelectricalsystems.
TheIRCisaprescriptive-oriented(specification) codewithsomeexamplesofperformancecodelanguage.Ithasbeensaidthat
theIRCisthecompletecookbookforresidentialconstruction.SectionR301.1,forexample,iswritteninperformancelanguage,but
statesthattheprescriptiverequirementsofthecodewillachievesuchperformance.
Itisimportanttounderstand thatthe IRC containscoverageforwhatisconventionaland commoninresidentialconstruction
practice.WhiletheIRCwillprovidealloftheneededcoverageformostresidentialconstruction,itmightnotaddressconstruction
practicesandsystemsthatareatypicalorrarelyencounteredintheindustry.SectionssuchasR301.1.3,R301.2.2, R320.1,R322.1,
N1101.2,M1301.1,G2401.1,P2601.1andE3401.2refertoothercodeseitherasanalternativetotheprovisionsoftheIRCorwhere
theIRClackscoverageforaparticulartypeofstructure,design,system,applianceormethodofconstruction. Inotherwords, the
IRCismeanttobeallinclusivefortypicalresidentialconstructionanditreliesonothercodesonlywherealternativesaredesiredor
where the code lacks coverage for the uncommon aspect ofresidential construction. Ofcourse, the IRC constantly evolves to
addressnewtechnologiesandconstructionpracticesthatwereonceuncommon, butnowcommon.
TheIRCisuniqueinthatmuchofit,includingChapters3through9andChapters34through43,ispresentedinanorderedfor
matthatisconsistentwiththenormalprogressionofconstruction,startingwiththedesignphaseandcontinuingthroughthefinal
trim-outphase.Thisisconsistentwiththe"cookbook" philosophyoftheIRC.
TheIRCisdividedintoeightmainparts,specifically,PartI-Administration,PartII-Definitions,PartIII-BuildingPlanning
and Construction, Part IV-Energy Conservation, Part V-Mechanical, Part VI-Fuel Gas, Part VII-Plumbing and Part
VIII- Electrical.
Thefollowing providesabriefdescriptionofthe contentofeachchapterandappendixoftheIRC:
Chapter 1ScopeandAdministration.Thischaptercontainsprovisionsfor theapplication, enforcementandadministrationof
subsequentrequirementsofthe code. Inadditionto establishingthescopeofthecode, Chapter 1identifieswhichbuildingsand
structurescomeunderitspurview. Chapter1islargelyconcernedwithmaintaining"dueprocessoflaw"inenforcingthebuilding
criteriacontainedinthebodyofthecode.Onlythroughcarefulobservationoftheadministrativeprovisionscanthebuildingofficial
reasonablyexpecttodemonstratethat"equalprotectionunderthelaw" hasbeenprovided.
Chapter2Definitions.TermsdefinedinthecodearelistedalphabeticallyinChapter2.Itisimportanttonotethattwochaptershave
theirowndefinitionssections:Chapter24forthedefinedtermsthatareuniquetofuelgasandChapter35containingtermsthatare
applicabletoelectricalChapters34through43.InthecasewhereChapter2andanotherchapterbothdefinethesametermdiffer
ently,thedefinitionfoundinChapter24and/or35isintendedtoprevailwherethetermisusedinChapter24and/or35andthedefi
nitioncontainedinChapter2isintendedtoprevailwherethetermisusedinallotherlocationsinthecode.ExceptwhereChapter24
or35 hasadefinitionthatwillprevailtherein, thedefinitionsinChapter2areapplicablethroughoutthecode.
AdditionaldefinitionsregardingskylightsthatarenotlistedinChapter2arefound inSectionR308.6.1.
Whereunderstandingaterm'sdefinitioniskeytoornecessaryforunderstandingaparticularcodeprovision,thetermisshownin
italicswhereitappearsinthecode.Thisistrueonlyforthosetermsthathaveameaningthatisuniquetothecode.Inotherwords,the
generallyunderstood meaningofatermorphrasemightnotbesufficientorconsistentwiththemeaningprescribedbythecode;
therefore, itisessentialthatthecode-definedmeaningbeknown.
Guidanceregardingnotonlytense, genderandpluralityofdefinedterms, butalsotermsnotdefinedinthiscode, isprovided.
Chapter3BuildingPlanning.Chapter3providesguidelinesforaminimumlevelofstructuralintegrity,lifesafety,firesafetyand
livabilityforinhabitantsofdwellingunitsregulatedbythiscode.Chapter3isacompilationofthecoderequirementsspecifictothe
buildingplanningsectorofthedesignandconstructionprocess.Thischaptersetsforthcoderequirementsdealingwithlight,venti
1ation' sanitation, minimum room size, ceiling height and environmental comfort. Chapter 3 establishes life-safety provisions
includinglimitationsonglazingusedinhazardousareas,specificationsonstairways,useofguardsatelevatedsurfacesandrulesfor
meansofegress.Snow,windandseismicdesignandflood-resistantconstruction,aswellasliveanddeadloads,areaddressedinthis
chapter.
2009INTERNATIONALRESIDENTIALCODE® v
Chapter4Foundations.Chapter4providestherequirementsforthedesignandconstructionoffoundationsystemsforbuildings
regulatedbythiscode.Provisionsforseismicload,floodloadandfrostprotectionarecontainedinthischapter.Afoundationsystem
consistsoftwo interdependentcomponents: thefoundationstructureitselfandthesupportingsoil.
Theprescriptiveprovisionsofthis chapterproviderequirementsfor constructingfootings andwallsforfoundations ofwood,
masonry, concrete and precast concrete. In addition to a foundation's ability to support the required design loads, this chapter
addresses several otherfactors that can affectfoundation performance. These include controllingsurfacewaterand subsurface
drainage,requiringsoiltestswhereconditionswarrantandevaluatingproximitytoslopesandminimumdepthrequirements.The
chapteralsoprovidesrequirementsto minimizeadverseeffectsofmoisture, decayandpestsinbasementsandcrawlspaces.
Chapter5Floors.Chapter5providestherequirementsforthedesignandconstructionoffloorsystemsthatwillbecapableofsup
portingminimumrequireddesignloads.Thischaptercoversfourdifferenttypes:woodfloorframing, woodfloorsontheground,
cold-formedsteelfloorframingandconcreteslabsontheground.Allowablespantablesareprovidedthatgreatlysimplifythedeter
minationofjoist,girderandsheathingsizesforraisedfloorsystemsofwoodframingandcold-formedsteelframing. Thischapter
alsocontainsprescriptiverequirementsforattachingadecktothe mainbuilding.
Chapter6WallConstruction.Chapter6containsprovisionsthatregulatethedesignandconstructionofwalls.Thewallconstruc
tioncoveredinChapter6consistsoffivedifferenttypes:woodframed,cold-formedsteelframed,masonry,concreteandstructural
insulatedpanel(SIP).Theprimaryconcernofthischapteristhestructuralintegrityofwallconstructionandtransferofallimposed
loadstothesupportingstructure.Thischapterprovidestherequirementsforthedesignandconstructionofwallsystemsthatare
capableofsupportingtheminimumdesignverticalloads(dead,liveandsnowloads)andlateralloads(windorseismicloads).This
chaptercontainstheprescriptiverequirementsforwallbracingand/orshearwallstoresisttheimposedlateralloadsduetowindand
seismic. Chapter6also containsrequirementsfortheuseofvaporretardersformoisturecontrolinwalls.
Chapter6alsoregulatesexteriorwindowsanddoorsinstalledinwalls.Thechaptercontainscriteriafortheperformanceofexte
riorwindowsanddoorsandincludesprovisionsforwindowsillheight, testingandlabeling,vehicularaccessdoors, wind-borne
debrisprotectionandanchoragedetails.
Chapter7WallCovering. Chapter7containsprovisionsforthedesignandconstructionofinteriorandexteriorwallcoverings.
Thischapterestablishesthevarioustypesofmaterials,materialsstandardsandmethodsofapplicationpermittedforuseasinterior
coverings, including interior plaster, gypsum board, ceramictile, wood veneer paneling, hardboard paneling, wood shakes and
woodshingles.
Exteriorwallcoveringsprovidetheweather-resistantexteriorenvelopethatprotectsthebuilding'sinteriorfrom theelements.
Chapter7providestherequirementsforwindresistanceandwater-resistivebarrierforexteriorwallcoverings. Thischapterpre
scribestheexteriorwallcoveringsaswellasthewater-resistivebarrierrequiredbeneaththeexteriormaterials.Exteriorwallcover
ingsregulatedbythissectionincludealuminum,stoneandmasonryveneer,wood,hardboard,particleboard,woodstructuralpanel
siding,woodshakesandshingles, exteriorplaster,steel,vinyl, fibercementandexteriorinsulationfinishsystems.
Chapter8Roof-ceilingConstruction.Chapter8regulatesthedesignandconstructionofroof-ceilingsystems.Thischaptercon
tainstworoof-ceilingframingsystems:woodframingandcold-formedsteelframing. Allowablespantablesareprovidedtosim
plifytheselectionofrafterand ceilingjoistsizefor wood roofframing and cold-formedsteelframing. Chapter8also provides
requirementsfortheapplicationofceilingfinishes,theproperventilationofconcealedspacesinroofs(e.g.,enclosedatticsandraf
terspaces),unventedatticassemblies,atticaccessandtheproperclearanceofcombustibleinsulationfromheat-producingdevices.
Chapter9RoofAssemblies.Chapter9regulatesthedesignandconstructionofroofassemblies.Aroofassemblyincludestheroof
deck, vaporretarder,substrateorthermalbarrier, insulation,vaporretarderandroofcovering.Thischapterprovidestherequire
mentforwindresistanceofroofcoverings.
ThetypesofroofcoveringmaterialsandinstallationregulatedbyChapter9are: asphaltshingles, clayandconcretetile, metal
roofshingles,mineral-surfacedrollroofing,slateandslate-typeshingles,woodshakesandshingles,built-uproofs,metalroofpan
els, modified bitumen roofing, thermoset and thermoplastic single-ply roofing, sprayed polyurethane foam roofing and liquid
appliedcoatings.Chapter9alsoprovidesrequirementsforroofdrainage,flashing,abovedeckthermalinsulationandrecoveringor
replacinganexistingroofcovering.
Chapter10ChimneysandFireplaces.Chapter10containsrequirementsforthesafeconstructionofmasonrychimneysandfire
placesandestablishesthestandardsfortheuseandinstallationoffactory-builtchimneys, fireplacesandmasonryheaters. Chim
neysandfireplacesconstructedofmasonryrelyonprescriptiverequirementsforthedetailsoftheirconstruction;thefactory-built
typereliesonthelistingandlabelingmethodofapproval.Chapter10providestherequirementsforseismicreinforcingandanchor
age ofmasonryfireplaces andchimneys.
Chapter11EnergyEfficiency.Chapter11containstheenergy-efficiency-relatedrequirementsforthedesignandconstructionof
buildingsregulatedunderthiscode.Theapplicableportionsofthebuildingmustcomplywiththeprovisionswithinthischapterfor
energyefficiency.Thischapterdefinesrequirementsfortheportionsofthebuildingandbuildingsystemsthatimpactenergyusein
newconstructionandpromotestheeffectiveuseofenergy.Theprovisionswithinthechapterpromoteenergyefficiencyinthebuild
ingenvelope,theheatingandcoolingsystem,theservicewaterheatingsystemandthelightingsystemofthebuilding.Thischapter
alsoprovidesenergyefficiencyrequirementsforsnowmeltsystemsandpoolheaters.
vi 2009INTERNATIONALRESIDENTIALCODE®
Chapter12MechanicalAdministration.Chapter12establishesthelimitsofapplicabilityofthecodeanddescribeshowthecode
istobeappliedandenforced.Amechanicalcode,likeanyothercode,isintendedtobeadoptedasalegallyenforceabledocument
anditcannotbeeffectivewithoutadequateprovisionsforitsadministrationandenforcement.TheprovisionsofChapter12estab
lishtheauthorityanddutiesofthecodeofficialappointedbythejurisdictionhavingauthorityandalsoestablishtherightsandprivi
leges ofthe design professional, contractor and property owner. It also relates this chapter to the administrative provisions in
Chapter 1.
Chapter13GeneralMechanicalSystemRequirements.Chapter13containsbroadlyapplicablerequirementsrelatedtoappli
ancelistingandlabeling,appliancelocationandinstallation,applianceandsystemsaccess, protectionofstructuralelementsand
clearancestocombustibles,amongothers.
Chapter14HeatingandCoolingEquipment.Chapter14isacollectionofrequirementsforvariousheatingandcoolingappli
ances, dedicatedtosingletopicsbysection.Thecommonthemeisthatallofthesetypesofappliancesuseenergyinoneformor
another,andtheimproperinstallationofsuchapplianceswouldpresentahazardtotheoccupantsofthedwellings,duetoeitherthe
potentialforfireortheaccidentalreleaseofrefrigerants.Bothsituationsareundesirableindwellingsthatarecoveredbythiscode.
Chapter15ExhaustSystems.Chapter15isacompilationofcoderequirementsrelatedtoresidentialexhaustsystems,including
kitchensandbathrooms,clothesdryersandrangehoods.Thecoderegulatesthematerialsusedforconstructingandinstallingsuch
ductsystems.Airbroughtintothebuildingforventilation,combustionormakeuppurposesisprotectedfromcontaminationbythe
provisionsfound inthischapter.
Chapter16DuctSystems. Chapter 16providesrequirementsfortheinstallationofductsforsupply, returnandexhaustairsys
tems.Thischaptercontainsnoinformationonthedesignofthesesystemsfrom thestandpointofairmovement,butisconcerned
withthestructuralintegrityofthesystemsandtheoverallimpactofthesystemsonthefire-safetyperformanceofthebuilding.This
chapterregulatesthematerialsandmethodsofconstructionwhichaffecttheperformanceoftheentireairdistributionsystem.
Chapter17CombustionAir.Completecombustionofsolidandliquidfuelisessentialfortheproperoperationofappliances,con
trolofharmfulemissionsandachievingmaximumfuelefficiency.Ifinsufficientquantitiesofoxygenaresupplied,thecombustion
processwillbeincomplete,creatingdangerousbyproductsandwastingenergyintheformofunburnedfuel (hydrocarbons). The
byproducts ofincomplete combustionare poisonous, corrosive and combustible, and cancauseserious applianceorequipment
malfunctionsthatposefire orexplosionhazards.
ThecombustionairprovisionsinthiscodefrompreviouseditionshavebeendeletedfromChapter17infavorofasinglesection
thatdirectstheusertoNFPA31foroil-firedappliancecombustionairrequirementsandthemanufacturer'sinstallationinstructions
forsolidfuel-burning appliances. Iffuel gasappliancesareused, theprovisionsofChapter24mustbefollowed.
Chapter18ChimneysandVents.Chapter18regulatesthedesign,construction,installation,maintenance,repairandapprovalof
chimneys,ventsandtheirconnectionstofuel-burningappliances.Aproperlydesignedchimneyorventsystemisneededtoconduct
thefluegasesproducedbyafuel-burningappliancetotheoutdoors.Theprovisionsofthischapterareintendedtominimizethehaz
ardsassociatedwithhightemperaturesandpotentiallytoxicandcorrosivecombustiongases.Thischapteraddressesfactory-built
andmasonrychimneys,ventsandventingsystemsusedtoventoil-firedandsolidfuel-burningappliances.
Chapter19SpecialFuel-burningEquipment.Chapter19regulatestheinstallationoffuel-burningappliancesthatarenotcov
eredinotherchapters,suchasrangesandovens,saunaheaters,fuelcellpowerplantsandhydrogensystems.Becausethesubjectsin
thischapterdonotcontainthevolumeoftextnecessarytowarrantindividualchapters,theyhavebeencombinedintoasinglechap
ter.Theonlycommonalityisthatthesubjectsuseenergytoperformsometaskorfunction.Theintentistoprovideareasonablelevel
ofprotectionfortheoccupantsofthe dwelling.
Chapter20BoilersandWaterHeaters.Chapter20regulatestheinstallationofboilersandwaterheaters.Itspurposeistoprotect
theoccupantsofthedwellingfromthepotentialhazardsassociatedwithsuchappliances.Awaterheaterisanyappliancethatheats
potablewaterandsuppliesittotheplumbinghotwaterdistributionsystem.Aboilereitherheatswaterorgeneratessteamforspace
heatingandisgenerallyaclosedsystem.
Chapter21HydronicPiping.Hydronicpipingincludespiping,fittingsandvalvesusedinbuildingspaceconditioningsystems.
Applicationsincludehotwater,chilledwater,steam,steamcondensate,brinesandwater/antifreezemixtures.Chapter21regulates
installation,alterationandrepairofallhydronicpipingsystemstoinsurethereliability,serviceability,energyefficiencyandsafety
ofsuchsystems.
Chapter22SpecialPipingandStorageSystems.Chapter22regulatesthedesignandinstallationoffueloilstorageandpiping
systems. The regulations include reference to constructionstandardsfor above-ground and underground storagetanks, material
standardsforpipingsystems (bothabove-groundandunderground) andextensiverequirementsfortheproperassemblyofsystem
pipingandcomponents.Thepurposeofthischapteristopreventfires,leaksandspillsinvolvingfueloilstorageandpipingsystems,
whetherinsideoroutsidestructuresandaboveorunderground.
Chapter23SolarSystems.Chapter23containsrequirementsfortheconstruction,alterationandrepairofallsystemsandcompo
nentsofsolarenergysystemsusedforspaceheatingorcooling,anddomestichotwaterheatingorprocessing.Theprovisionsofthis
chapterare limitedtothosenecessarytoachieveinstallationsthatarerelativelyhazardfree.
2009INTERNATIONALRESIDENTIALCODE® vii
Asolarenergysystemcanbedesignedto handle 100percentofthe energyloadofabuilding, although this is rarelyaccom
plished.Becausesolarenergyisalow-intensityenergysourceanddependentontheweather,itisusuallynecessarytosupplementa
solarenergysystemwithtraditionalenergysources.
Asourworldstrivestofindalternatemeansofproducingpowerforthefuture,therequirementsofthischapterwillbecomemore
andmoreimportantovertime.
Chapter 24 FuelGas. Chapter 24 regulatesthe design and installationoffuel gasdistributionpipingand systems, appliances,
applianceventingsystemsandcombustionairprovisions. Thedefinitionof"Fuelgas" includesnatural, liquefiedpetroleumand
manufacturedgasesandmixturesofthesegases.
Thepurposeofthischapteristoestablishtheminimumacceptablelevelofsafetyandtoprotectlifeandpropertyfromthepoten
tialdangersassociatedwiththestorage,distributionanduseoffuelgasesandthebyproductsofcombustionofsuchfuels.Thiscode
alsoprotectsthepersonnelwhoinstall, maintain, serviceandreplacethesystemsandappliancesaddressedherein.
Chapter24iscomposedentirelyoftextextractedfromtheIFGC;therefore,whetherusingtheIFGCortheIRC,thefuelgaspro
visionswillbeidentical.Notethattoavoidthepotentialforconfusionandconflictingdefinitions,Chapter24hasitsowndefinition
section.
Chapter25PlumbingAdministration.TherequirementsofChapter25donotsupersedetheadministrativeprovisionsofChapter
1.Rather,theadministrativeguidelinesofChapter25pertaintoplumbinginstallationsthatarebestreferencedandlocatedwithin
theplumbingchapters.Thischapteraddresseshowtoapplytheplumbingprovisionsofthiscodetospecifictypesorphasesofcon
struction. This chapteralso outlinesthe responsibilities ofthe applicant, installerand inspectorwith regard to testingplumbing
installations.
Chapter26GeneralPlumbingRequirements.ThecontentofChapter26isoftenreferredtoas"miscellaneous,"ratherthangen
eralplumbingrequirements.Thisistheonlychapteroftheplumbingchaptersofthecodewhoserequirementsdonotinterrelate.Ifa
requirementcannotbelocatedinanotherplumbingchapter,itshouldbelocatedinthischapter.Chapter26containssafetyrequire
mentsfortheinstallationofplumbingsystemsandincludesrequirementsfortheidentificationofpipe,pipefittings,traps,fixtures,
materialsanddevicesusedinplumbingsystems.Ifspecificprovisionsdonotdemandthatarequirementbelocatedinanotherchap
ter, therequirementislocatedinthischapter.
Chapter 27 PlumbingFixtures. Chapter 27 requires fixtures to be ofthe proper type, approved for the purpose intended and
installedproperlyto promoteusabilityandsafe,sanitaryconditions. Thischapterregulatesthequalityoffixtures andfaucets by
requiringthoseitemstocomplywithnationallyrecognizedstandards.Becausefixturesmustbeproperlyinstalledsothattheyare
usablebytheoccupantsofthebuilding, thischaptercontainstherequirementsfortheinstallationoffixtures.
Chapter28WaterHeaters.Chapter28regulatesthedesign,approvalandinstallationofwaterheatersandrelatedsafetydevices.
Theintentistominimizethehazardsassociatedwiththeinstallationandoperationofwaterheaters.Althoughthischapterdoesnot
regulatethesizeofawaterheater,itdoesregulateallotheraspectsofthewaterheaterinstallationsuchastemperatureandpressure
reliefvalves,safetydrippansandconnections.Whereawaterheateralsosupplieswaterforspaceheating,thischapterregulatesthe
maximumwatertemperaturesuppliedtothewaterdistributionsystem.
Chapter29WaterSupplyandDistribution.Thischapterregulatesthesupplyofpotablewaterfrombothpublicandindividual
sourcestoeveryfixtureandoutletsothatitremainspotableanduncontaminatedbycrossconnections.Chapter29alsoregulatesthe
designofthewaterdistributionsystem,whichwillallowfixturestofunctionproperly.Becauseitiscriticalthatthepotablewater
supplysystemremainfreeofactualorpotentialsanitaryhazards,thischapterhastherequirementsforprovidingbackflowprotec
tiondevices.
Chapter30SanitaryDrainage.ThepurposeofChapter30istoregulatethematerials,designandinstallationofsanitarydrainage
pipingsystemsaswellastheconnectionsmadetothesystem.Theintentistodesignandinstallsanitarydrainagesystemsthatwill
functionreliably,areneitherundersizednoroversizedandareconstructedfrommaterials,fittingsandconnectionswhosequalityis
regulatedbythissection.Thischapteraddressestheproperuseoffittingsfordirectingtheflowintoandwithinthesanitarydrain
pipingsystem. Materialsandprovisionsnecessaryforservicingthedrainagesystemarealso includedinthischapter.
Chapter31Vents.Ventingprotectsthetrapsealofeachtrap.Theventsaredesignedtolimitdifferentialpressuresateachtrapto1
inchofwatercolumn (249Pa).Becausewasteflowinthedrainagesystemcreatespressurefluctuationsthatcannegativelyaffect
traps,thesanitarydrainagesystemmusthaveaproperlydesignedventingsystem.Chapter31coverstherequirementsforventsand
venting.Alloftheprovisionssetforthinthischapterareintendedtolimitthepressuredifferentialsinthedrainagesystemtoamaxi
mumof1inchofwatercolumn (249Pa) above orbelowatmosphericpressure (Le., positiveornegativepressures).
Chapter32Traps.Trapspreventsewergasfromescapingfromthedrainagepipingintothebuilding.Watersealtrapsarethesim
plestand mostreliable means ofpreventingsewergasfrom enteringthe interiorenvironment. This chapterlistsprohibitedtrap
typesaswellasspecifiesthe minimumtrapsizeforeachtypeoffixture.
Chapter33StormDrainage. Rainwaterinfiltrationinto theground adjacentto abuildingcancausethe interioroffoundation
wallstobecomewet.Theinstallationofasubsoildrainagesystempreventsthebuild-upofrainwaterontheexteriorofthefounda-
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