EXPANDED TALBE OF CONTENTS FOR

GUIDEBOOK

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION: HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Definitions
Using Codes in the Design Process
Organization of the Book
Available Codes and Standards
Prescriptive and Performance
Accessibility Regulations
Sustainability Requirements
Figures in the Book
Getting Started
Minimum Requirements

Chapter 1 ABOUT THE CODES

A Brief History
Code Publications

Expanded Table of Contents

Page 1 of 10

Building Codes
Performance Codes
Fire Codes
Life Safety Code
Plumbing Codes
Mechanical Codes
Electrical Codes
Energy Codes
Sustainability Codes
Residential Code
Existing Building Code
Federal Regulations
Americans with Disabilities Act
Fair Housing Act
Architectural Barriers Act
Energy Policy Act
Standards Organizations
American National Standards Institute
National Fire Protection Association
International Code Council
ASTM International
NSF International
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning
Engineers
Underwriters Laboratories
State and Local Codes
Interior Codes Checklist

Chapter 2 OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATIONS AND LOADS

Understanding Occupancy Classifications
Comparing the Codes
Description of Occupancies
Assembly (A) Occupancy
Business (B) Occupancy
Education (E) Occupancy
Factory (F) Occupancy
Hazardous (H) Occupancy
Institutional (I) Occupancy
Mercantile (M) Occupancy
Residential (R) Occupancy
Storage (S) Occupancy
Utility (U) Occupancy
New Versus Existing Occupancies
More than One Occupancy Type
Incidental Accessory Occupancies
Accessory Occupancies
Mixed Occupancies
Multiple Occupancies
Accessibility Requirements

Expanded Table of Contents

Page 2 of 10

Determining Occupant Loads

Occupant Load by Load Factor
Modifying the Occupant Load
Occupant Load for Primary and Secondary Spaces
Occupant Load for More than One Occupancy
Occupant Load for Fixed Seats
Occupant Load for Unusual Uses
Using the Occupant Load
Checklist

Chapter 3 CONSTRUCTION TYPES AND BUILDING

SIZES
Understanding Construction Types
The Code Table
Comparing the Codes
Combustible Versus Noncombustible
Determining Construction Types
Using the Table
Example
Mixed Construction Types
Occupancy Requirements
Sustainability Considerations
Understanding Building Height and Area
Comparing the Codes
The Code Table
Example
Height and Area Limitations

Chapter 4 MEANS OF EGRESS

Comparing the Codes
Means of Egress Components
Exit Accesses
Doorways
Stairways
Escalators and Moving Walks
Ramps
Corridors
Aisles and Aisle Accessways
Adjoining and Intervening Rooms
Exits
Exterior Exit Doors
Exit Stairs
Horizontal Exits
Exit Passageways
Elevators
Areas of Refuge
Exit Discharges

Expanded Table of Contents

Page 3 of 10

Main Lobby
Foyer or Vestibule
Discharge Corridor
Egress Court
Small Alley or Sidewalk
Means of Egress Capacity
Number of Exits
Exit Widths
Arrangement of Exits
Half Diagonal Rule
Travel Distance
Dead-End Corridors
Common Path of Travel
Signage
Exit Signs
Other Signs
Emergency Lighting and Communication
Checklist

Chapter 5 FIRE AND SMOKE RESISTANT ASSEMBLIES

Comparing the Codes
Compartmentation in a Building
Fire Walls
Fire Barriers, Horizontal Assemblies, and Fire Partitions
Fire Areas
Occupancy Separation
Tenant Separation
Dwelling and Sleep Unit Separation
Incidental Accessory Occupancies
Vertical Shaft Enclosures
Means of Egress Components
Smoke Barriers and Smoke Partitions
Smoke Compartments
Smokeproof Vertical Shafts
Vestibules
Opening Protectives
Rated Door Assemblies
Fire Windows Assemblies
Rated Glazing and Frames
Through-Penetration Protectives
Firestops and Smokestops
Fireblocks and Draftstops
Damper Systems
Test Ratings
Tests for Wall and Floor/Ceiling Assemblies
Tests for Opening and Through-Penetration Protectives
Using Rated Materials and Assemblies
Sustainability Considerations
Checklist

Expanded Table of Contents

Page 4 of 10

Chapter 6 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Comparing the Codes
Detection Systems
Smoke Detection
Heat Detection
Manual Fire Alarms
Alarm Systems
Visual and Audible Alarm Systems
Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication Systems
Accessible Warning Systems
Extinguishing Systems
Fire Extinguishers
Standpipes and Fire Hoses
Sprinkler Systems
Alternative Extinguishing Systems
Checklist

Chapter 7 PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL

REQUIREMENTS
Comparing Plumbing Codes
Number of Plumbing Fixtures
The Code Table
Accessibility Percentages
Plumbing Fixture Requirements
Water Closets
Urinals
Lavatories
Sinks
Drinking Fountains
Bathtubs
Showers
Dishwashers and Clothes Washers
Toilet and Bathing Facilities
Single-Toilet Facilities
Multiple-Toilet Facilities
Bathing Facilities
Finish Requirements
Grab Bars
Accessories
Signage
Plumbing Sustainability Considerations
Comparing Mechanical Codes
Mechanical Requirements
Mechanical Rooms
Cooling Loads
Zoning and Thermostat Locations

Expanded Table of Contents

Page 5 of 10

Exhaust Requirements
Ventilation Requirements
Plenum Requirements
Duct Requirements
Access Requirements
Mechanical Sustainability Considerations
Checklist

Chapter 8 ELECTRICAL AND COMMUNICATION

REQUIREMENTS
Comparing Electrical Codes
Electrical Components and Devices
Electrical Panels and Rooms
Electrical Cabling and Conduit
Circuitry
Electrical Boxes
Grounding and Circuit Interrupters
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
Art Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)
Light Fixtures
Types of Light Fixtures
Location of Light Fixtures
Required Electrical Systems
Emergency Power Systems
Standby Power Systems
Electrical Sustainability Considerations
Comparing Communication Codes
Communication Components and Devices
Communication Equipment and Rooms
Low Voltage Cabling
Types of Communication Systems Telecommunication Systems
Television and Radio Systems
Alarm and Voice Communication Systems
Audiovisual Systems
Security Systems
Communication Sustainability Considerations
Checklist

Chapter 9
SELECTION

FINISH

AND

FURNITURE

Types of Finishes and Furnishings

Comparing the Codes
Standards and Testing
Steiner Tunnel Test
Radiant Panel Test
Pill Test

Expanded Table of Contents

Page 6 of 10

Vertical Flame Tests

Room Corner Tests
Smolder Resistance Tests
Toxicity Test
Upholstered Seating Tests
Mattress Tests
Determining Finish Classifications
The Code Table
Example
Obtaining Test Results
Pretested Finishes and Furniture
Nontested Finishes and Furniture
Accessibility Requirements
Accessible Finishes
Accessible Furniture
Other Code Restrictions
Sustainability Considerations
Sustainable Standards
Product Certifications
Checklist

Chapter 10 CODE OFFICIALS AND THE CODE

PROCESS
Authority Having Jurisdiction
Code Jurisdiction
Code Department
Code Official
Code Enforcement
Local and State Agencies
Sustainability Programs
Federal Laws and Regulations
The Code Process
Code Research and Design
Preliminary Review
Appeals Process
Plan Review and Permit
Construction and Inspection
Final Inspection and Approval
Documentation and Liability
Construction Documents
Performance Design Documentation
Sustainability Design Documentation
Future Technology

Appendix A ACCESSIBILITY AND ADA

Places Requiring Accessibility
Original ADAAG
New ADA Guidelines

Expanded Table of Contents

Page 7 of 10

Level of Compliance
New Construction
Alterations
Existing Facilities
To the Maximum Extent Feasible
Regulation and Enforcement
Responsibility for Compliance

Appendix B SUSTAINABILITY
Green Rating Systems

LEED
Green Globes
Sustainable Standards and Certification Programs
Life Cycle Assessment
Environmental Product Declaration
Additional Tools
Appendix C EXISTING AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Existing Buildings
Repairs
Alternations
Change in Use or Occupancy
Additions
Accessibility Requirements
Historical Buildings
Sustainability Considerations

Appendix D FAMILY RESIDENCES

Construction Types and Building Size
Means of Egress
Fire and Smoke Resistance
Fire Protection
Plumbing
Mechanical
Electrical and Communication
Finishes and Furniture
Accessibility Considerations
Sustainability Consideratios

BIBLIOGRAPHY BY TOPIC
GLOSSARY
INDEX
INSET INDEX BY TOPIC

Accessibility Requirements Compared

ADA-ABA Guidelines Enforcement
Expanded Table of Contents

Page 8 of 10

Administration Chapter
Atriums and Mezzanines
Building Automation Systems
CAL 133-Tested Products
Carbon Monoxide Detection
Code and Standards Changes
Codes and Standards in Other Countries
Combustible Materials
Design Loads
Economic Options in Codes
Electrical Systems
Elevators
Federal Sustainability Certifications
Fire Development Stages
Fire Technology
Flame-Retardant Treatments
High-Rise Buildings
ICC Evaluation Services
Industry Standards
Integrated Alarms
ISO Standards for Sustainability
Low-Voltage Cabling Systems
Mechanical Systems
Performance Codes
Plastic Finishes
Plumbing Systems
Protected or Unprotected
Reviewing New Code Editions
Risk Factors and Hazards in Occupancies
Rooms and Spaces Defined
Smoke and How It Travels
Expanded Table of Contents

Page 9 of 10

Sound Transmission
Testing Agencies and Certification
Travel Distance Factors
UL Labels

Expanded Table of Contents

Page 10 of 10