Significant changes to the 2018 I-Codes

The 2018 Significant Changes guides are available for the International Building, Residential, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes. This valuable series can help any code user save time by zeroing in on the most critical changes in the 2018 International Codes (I-Codes). The Code Council’s technical experts provide summaries, analysis and graphics for these changes making them clear and easy to understand.

2018 International Building Code

A modification to Section 903.3.1.1.2 (Omission of Sprinklers in Group R-4 Bathrooms) states that fire sprinkler requirements that previously extended to small bathrooms in Group R-4 occupancies have been deleted.

Historically, in residential occupancies the required sprinkler protection has typically not been mandated to extend to s mall bathrooms within such occupancies. However, the allowance has not previously applied to Group R-4 occupancies. These occupancies consist of dwelling space for 6 to 16 persons on a 24-hour basis and provide some type of custodial care, such as alcohol and drug centers, assisted living facilities, congregate care facilities, group homes, halfway houses, residential board and care facilities, and social rehabilitation facilities. Sprinklers are no longer required in small bathrooms in these occupancies in order to be consistent with the other Group R occupancies.

Click here to read the full significant change.

2018 International Fire Code

A modification to Section 907.5.2.2.4 (Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System Captions) requires large public venues to provide real-time captions that are integrated with the emergency voice/alarm communication system.

This revision adds language from Section 1108.2.7.3 in the International Building Code to correlate the accessibility provisions with the requirements in Chapter 9. IBC Section 1108.2.7.3 requires real-time captions of all audible public announcements. This revision affords the code official and designers to design and enforce the requirements for emergency voice/alarm communication systems and coordinate with the requirements for accessibility.

Click here to read the full significant change.

2018 International Residential Code

A modification to Section R317.3 (Fasteners in Treated Wood) states that staples in preservative-treated wood and fire-retardant-treated wood are now required to be made of stainless steel.

In the IRC, Table R602.3(1) lists fastener options for wood-to-wood connections. As an alternative, Table R602.3(2) Alternate Attachments to Table R602.3(1) lists additional connection options. Staples have been included in both tables as a fastener option for some connections. Fastener requirements for preservative-treated and fire-retardant-treated lumber are found in Sections R602.3 and R507 with additional requirements for the fasteners found in Section R317. Nails, nuts, washers, screws, bolts and timber rivets may be made of stainless steel, hot-dipped galvanized steel, silicon bronze or copper materials. In the 2018 IRC, stainless steel staples are added as an additional code accepted solution. This addition specifically limits staples to stainless steel when installed in preservative-treated lumber.

Click here to read the full significant change.

2018 International Plumbing Code

A modification to Section 305.6 (Protection against Physical Damage) states that for concealed piping installed through holes or notches, the minimum distance to the face of the framing member without protection has been reduced.

The minimum dimension from the face of a framing member has been reduced slightly to match the minimum distance permitted by the National Electrical Code for this same situation where wiring penetrates framing members in concealed locations. This will make it easier for inspectors to remember the minimum distance. Note that the International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code still require a minimum of 11/2 inches between the edge of the hole and the nearest edge of the framing member. The reduced dimension will make is easier to place piping in walls. For the common application of 1/2- inch gypsum board on framing members, the use of 11/2-inch long screws still offers sufficient leeway for a screw that might be slightly over driven without causing damage to the piping.

Click here to read the full significant change.