Sign In or Register Here


5 minus four

Please enter your e-mail address below. We will email you a link to reset your password.

2 plus seven

To complete your registration, please verify your email address.

5 minus two

We have sent an email to the address you provided. Please click the link in the email to confirm your email address.

Your account has been marked for password reset. Please change your password.

6 minus two

Only registered ICC members have access to this article at this time.

Explore all the benefits that ICC Membership has to offer and become a member today to gain access to this exciting content.

If you're already an ICC member Sign In Now.


Can We Help?
  • Reset My Password
  • I Need More Help
  • Family of Solutions
  • ICCSafe
  • myICC
  • Digital Codes
  • cdpACCESS
  • Store
  • Support
Skip to Main Content
  • ICC Main
  • myICC
  • BSJ
  • Journal
  • Store
  • Store
  • cdpACCESS
  • cdpACCESS
  • Digital Codes
  • Help
  • Help
    • Family of Solutions
    • ICCSafe
    • myICC
    • Digital Codes
    • cdpACCESS
    • Store
    • Support
Building Safety Journal Homepage
Building Safety Journal Homepage
  • Archive
    • July, 2022 Articles
    • June, 2022 Articles
    • May, 2022 Articles
    • April, 2022 Articles
    • March, 2022 Articles
    • Febuary, 2022 Articles
    • 2022 Articles
    • 2021 Articles
  • Browse by Category
    • Deep Dives
    • Member News
    • Personal Perspectives
    • Quick Hits
    • Technical Topics
    • Press Releases
    • Sponsored Content
    • View All
  • Browse by Topic
    • Buildings, Construction, Architecture/Design
    • Fire, Wildland-Urban Interface
    • Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Pools/Spas
    • Energy, Solar, Green, Sustainability
    • Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Resiliency
  • Subscribe
    • Family of Solutions
    • ICCSafe
    • myICC
    • Digital Codes
    • cdpACCESS
    • Store
    • Support

Join today!

Keep up-to-date on crucial industry news, innovative training and expert technical advice with a free subscription to the award-winning Building Safety Journal.

Subscribe
  • Archive
    • July, 2022 Articles
    • June, 2022 Articles
    • May, 2022 Articles
    • April, 2022 Articles
    • March, 2022 Articles
    • Febuary, 2022 Articles
    • 2022 Articles
    • 2021 Articles
  • Browse by Category
    • Deep Dives
    • Member News
    • Personal Perspectives
    • Quick Hits
    • Technical Topics
    • Press Releases
    • Sponsored Content
    • View All
  • Browse by Topic
    • Buildings, Construction, Architecture/Design
    • Fire, Wildland-Urban Interface
    • Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Pools/Spas
    • Energy, Solar, Green, Sustainability
    • Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Resiliency
  • Subscribe
  • Archive
    • July, 2022 Articles
    • June, 2022 Articles
    • May, 2022 Articles
    • April, 2022 Articles
    • March, 2022 Articles
    • Febuary, 2022 Articles
    • 2022 Articles
    • 2021 Articles
  • Browse by Category
    • Deep Dives
    • Member News
    • Personal Perspectives
    • Quick Hits
    • Technical Topics
    • Press Releases
    • Sponsored Content
    • View All
  • Browse by Topic
    • Buildings, Construction, Architecture/Design
    • Fire, Wildland-Urban Interface
    • Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Pools/Spas
    • Energy, Solar, Green, Sustainability
    • Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Resiliency
  • Subscribe

Significant changes to the 2018 I-Codes

September 24th, 2018
by International Code Council
  • Technical Topics

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.

About the Author
International Code Council
The International Code Council is a nonprofit association that provides a wide range of building safety solutions, including product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification and training. It develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.
Submissions
Check out upcoming BSJ topics and send us articles for consideration:
Or send by email

Want to advertise in the BSJ?
Click Here

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

  • I-Code Essentials
    Purchase Now
  • Spanish I-Codes
    Purchase Now
  • 2021 I-Codes
    Purchase Now
  • Building Resilience General Code
  • Special Inspector Exam
Live Chat
Live Chat
ICC ICC

Subscribe to the Building Safety Journal

Subscribe

Connect with Us

    

ICC Family of Solutions

  • Privacy Policy
  • License Agreement
  • User Agreement
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Policy
aTVAc2QRCYq-vXE8Ch3LmPDMFi9j-O3u5sdcuXO8Q0s=.html