The 2009 updates to the International Building Code requirements are now being implemented throughout the country. While some states (such as South Carolina) will be implementing the changes slowly over the coming years, other states (such as Virginia) have already adopted the new standards. This makes it a perfect time to examine some of the major differences between IBC 2009 and its predecessor, IBC 2006.
Over the next two months, F&R will be providing you, our loyal newsletter readers, with an overview of these changes in an effort to help professionals in the design and construction community become more familiar with the requirements of the new code.
Some of the more significant changes to the code deal with issues such as…
High Rise Buildings – One of the new definitions listed in section 202 defines a “high rise building” as a building with an occupied floor located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. This subject is discussed in more detail in Section 403 of IBC 2009 which sets forth application criteria.
Occupancy Categories – Table 1604.5 (Chapter 16) lists the occupancy category of buildings and other structures includes significant changes in category III (nonessential facilities) and category IV (essential facilities). Group I-2 and I-3 facilities are listed specifically in category III and Group I-2 occupancies having surgical and emergency treatment facilities are listed specifically in category IV.
Retaining Walls, Load Combinations, and Safety Factors – These are discussed in IBC 2009, Section 1605.1.1 and 1807.2.3. This new language is intended to clarify the existing code language regarding stability of retaining walls when using factored loads versus unfactored loads.
Basement Walls vs. Foundation Walls – Code verbiage related to the design of foundation walls is addressed in IBC 2009, Section 1610.1 and 1807. The words “basement walls” have been replaced with the words “foundation walls.” The scoping language of the exception in Section 1610.1 has been revised to be consistent with the sections pertaining to foundation walls in Chapter 18. The key condition is that walls are “laterally supported at the top”, not that the walls are “supporting” a floor.
Special Inspections (General) – The requirements pertaining to special inspector qualifications have been clarified. Furthermore, the special inspection exemption for Group R-3 (child care and adult care facilities) occupancies has been deleted from IBC 2009, Section 1704.1. This section calls for special inspections of some of the more complex building systems such as steel moment frames, high strength bolting, complete penetration welds, engineered masonry systems, deep foundations, etc.
Steel – The required special inspections required during steel construction and listed in Table 1704.3 have been updated and includes about 33% more tabular information regarding steel special inspections. Some of the new code verbiage includes the inspection requirements of snug-tight bolted connections, welding reinforcing steel, cold-formed steel, cold-formed steel trusses, bracing, etc.
Concrete – The required concrete special inspections listed in Table 1704.4 had added a new line item (#4) which requires periodic inspection of anchors installed in hardened concrete. This inspection was not required during the last code cycle (IBC 2006).
Masonry – Table 1704.5.1 (often referred to as Level 1 inspection) sets forth a tabular list of special inspections related to masonry construction. The new code (IBC 2009) has expanded this tabular list and approximately 33% more inspection tasks are mentioned. The most significant changes are inspection tasks #1 and #2. Task #1 highlights provisions of the construction documents and requires verification of the approved submittals. Task #2 requires verification of f’m prior to construction as well as tests and inspection related to the unit strength method.
Table 1704.5.3 (often referred to as Level 2 masonry inspection) has extensive changes, particularly in the criteria reference code columns which have been updated to coincide with ACI 530-08 and ACI 30.1-08. One of the major changes this code cycle is the fact that the special inspector must review all of the approved submittals (certificates of compliance).
The enforcer masonry code for IBC 2009 is ACI 530-08 and ACI 530.1-08 and this code should be reviewed due to the fact that many changes are evident. Within this masonry code, Tables 3, 4, and 5 sets forth the various inspection tasks that comprise minimum special inspection requirements and lots of changes are noted including good tabular inspection requirements for Level A, B, and C quality assurance.
In next month's newsletter, we shall investigate how IBC 2009 is dealing with issues such as soils, foundations, seismic resistance, geotechnical engineering, sprayed fire-resistant materials, and wind exposure.
Sipher Named President of ACEC Virginia
F&R Vice President Donald J. Sipher, PE has been named the President of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia. His term will expire in the summer of 2012.
In this position he will help to oversee the operations of this important trade association which represents more than 100 independent engineering firms employing over 4,000 professionals throughout Virginia.
Sharon Latz, PG, RSM to Lead F&R Asheville's Environmental Group
F&R is pleased to announce that Sharon Latz, PG, RSM has joined F&R as the Environmental Group Manager for our Asheville, North Carolina office. With over 20 years of environmental project experience, Sharon will be responsible for providing the leadership needed to ensure that all of F&R Asheville's environmental clients receive the high quality support they deserve.
Sharon possesses extensive experience involving Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, Brownfields work, contamination assessments of petroleum and hazardous waste impacts to soil and groundwater (e.g., LNAPLs, DNAPLs, PCBs, lead, and others). She also has extensive experience in the areas of remediation activities, for which she has provided direction and coordination of bid packages, permit acquisition, and system startup oversight (e.g., pump and treat, AS/SVE).
Prior to joining F&R, Sharon was a Senior Geologist with Martin & Slagel GeoEnvironmental Associates, LLC in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Please feel free to contact Sharon and discuss how she can be of service to you.
Three F&R Professionals Earn their PEs
In the past month, three F&R professionals have earned their Professional Engineering licenses. These individuals are:
Victoria Bremseth, PE, the CMT Manager in our Baltimore, Maryland operations center -- Victoria has worked for F&R for nearly ten years, and currently manages and coordinates the construction materials testing services of soil, asphalt, and concrete on numerous construction projects throughout the DC Capital Region. Her project scope includes conventional spread foundations, structural fill, concrete, and reinforcing steel. She also serves as a project manager for construction materials testing projects.
Paul Bryan, PE, Business Development Manager in our Roanoke, Virginia office -- Paul served as a staff engineer from 2004 to 2008 before taking over business development responsibilities for the Roanoke office.
Rachel Oleski, PE, a Staff Engineer in our Roanoke, Virginia office -- Rachel has served as a staff engineer with the office for three years.