Significant changes to the 2018 International Building Code

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. 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.

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