International Building Code (IBC)
Building codes are regulations that set out the standards to which buildings and other structures must conform. The International Building Code (IBC) is one of the codes established in the US by the International Code Council (ICC) and is applied by most of the country’s jurisdictions as well as internationally, although it can be amended to reflect local conditions and legislation.
IBC can be applied to most types of new buildings and is intended to ensure efficient and flexible building designs that protect health and safety and encourage the use of technological advances.
It requires that buildings and structures are classified under two categories:
- Use and occupancy.
- Type of construction.
Under use and occupancy there are several groups and subgroups that define a building’s specific use and are numbered based on the perceived risk the building poses to its occupants (the lower the number, the higher the risk). They are defined as follows:
OCCUPANCY GROUP | SUBGROUPS | USES |
Assembly |
A-1 (theatres, halls for performing arts) A-2 (restaurants) A-3 (worship and other recreation) A-4 (indoor arena) A-5 (stadiums) |
Places used for people gathering. |
Business | B | Places used for providing services (e.g. banks, government buildings, police stations, offices). |
Educational | E | Schools and day care centres. |
Factory | F1 and F2 | Places used for manufacturing, packaging, repairing, etc. |
High Hazard | H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, and H-5 | Places involving hazardous materials (production, storage, etc.). |
Institutional | I-1, I-2, I-3, and I-4 | Places where people are unable to leave without assistance (e.g. hospitals, care homes, prisons), |
Mercantile | M | Commercial (e.g. shops, department stores, etc.). |
Residential | R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 | Places providing overnight accommodation (e.g. houses, hotels, apartments, hostels, etc.). |
Storage | S-1 and S-2 | Places where things are stored (e.g. warehouses, car parks, garages, etc.). |
Utility and miscellaneous | U | Accessory structures and others (e.g. towers, barns, cooling towers, stables, tanks, retaining walls, etc.). |
Buildings can also be classified as a mixed occupancy type if they are occupied by more than one group type, and the different parts must conform to the codes for those areas. For example, a shopping centre with an underground car park will need to conform to both Group M and Group S.
The type of construction identifies the type of materials utilised for constructing the building or structure and classifies the level of combustibility and fire resistance associated with its elements (including primary structural frame, exterior and interior load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, floor and roof). These are categorised as follows:
- Types I and II: Building elements are made of noncombustible materials.
- Type III: Exterior walls are made of noncombustible materials, the interior elements are made of any permissible material.
- Type IV: Exterior walls are made of noncombustible materials, interior elements are made of, or incorporate, timber.
- Type V: Structural elements comprise any permissible materials (A: Fire-resistance rated construction. B: Non fire-resistance rated construction).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building codes.
- Building inspector.
- Building official.
- Building regulations.
- Code of practice.
- Design review.
- Certificate of occupancy.
- International Code Council ICC.
- International Existing Building Code (IEBC).
- International Residential Code (IRC).
- International Zoning Code (IZC).
- Licensed contractors in the USA.
- Performance specification.
- Planning permission.
- Office of Construction Services.
- Structural engineering codes.
- The role of codes, standards and approvals in delivering fire safety.
- What approvals are needed before construction begins.
- Zoning in the United States.
Featured articles and news
What it is and how to use it.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.