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 1807.2 (Retaining Walls) states that the requirement for consideration of a keyway in the sliding analysis of retaining walls has been deleted from Section 1807.2.

The application of soil pressure on both sides of a keyway is a recent addition to the model codes, and has caused concern and opposition from the geotechnical engineering community. The keyway concept is in conflict with accepted engineering practice and the principles of soil mechanics. 2015 IBC language was vague and ambiguous with respect to lateral soil pressures on the keyway.

As there has been ongoing confusion over the intent of consideration of lateral earth pressure on both sides of the keyway and confusion about the purpose of the keyway, in the 2018 IBC the requirement for a keyway is deleted. A keyway may still be used when designed using the principles of soil mechanics and accepted engineering practice.

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2018 International Fire Code

An addition to Section 2306.7.3.1 (Protection from Vehicle Impact) states that the fire code official has the authority to require additional vehicle impact protection at fuel dispensing facilities.

Fuel-dispensing facilities have changed over the past 10–20 years. Many facilities are larger than the previous generations of service stations and there is more on-site traffic because of dispensing operations being combined with mercantile operations. This has led to layouts that do not fit the traditional “wait in line” concept for fueling. The trend to self-service has prompted vehicles navigating through fueling areas, backing up into available fueling positions, and more traffic hazards. In these facilities, the fire code official is now authorized to require additional impact protection.

The IFC provides options on the method of vehicle impact protection. The designer has options of a 6-inch raised curb, guard posts, or other approved equivalent methods. The industry standard is to place impact protection at the end of a row of pumps or provide a 6-inch curb. The 6-inch raised dispenser mounting island provides protection for a parallel vehicle impact and pushes the tire away prior to impact. However, this does not protect against a perpendicular or angled vehicle impact to the island-type dispenser. Impacts from an angular strike are becoming more frequent resulting from jockeying for position.

The new section gives the fire code official the authority to require additional protection, but does not mandate it. There are often designs and layouts where additional protection would not be deemed necessary. The reference to Section 312 provides the flexibility to accept alternative methods of providing vehicle impact protection.

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2018 International Residential Code

A clarification to Section N1102.2.5 (Mass Walls) states that the mass wall provisions have been itemized in a numbered list to bring accuracy and clarity to the technical requirements.

The IRC provides prescriptive requirements for the construction of mass walls for conserving energy. Mass walls are built of dense materials, typically concrete, concrete masonry units and brick. Alternative materials used for mass walls include solid logs, adobe and rammed earth. Frame walls and mass walls perform very differently and require different amounts of insulation. Mass walls store heat and require less insulation than frame walls. When part of the building thermal envelope, the minimum insulation R-values in Table N1102.1.2 are applicable. The amount of insulation depends on the location of the insulation on the mass wall. If more than 50% of the insulation is on the interior (conditioned) side, it impairs the efficiency of the mass wall and significantly more insulation is required. A pointer to the mass wall provisions in Section N1102.2.5 has been added to the mass wall footnote in Table N1102.1.2. The provisions for mass walls in Section N1102.2.5 have been revised and itemized in a numbered list.

To be considered a mass wall component of the thermal envelope, the wall must meet one of two items in the list. These changes are primarily editorial and intend to identify mass walls used in the building thermal envelope in an objective, measurable way. Once determined to be a mass wall in accordance with this section, the designer and builder can apply the advantages of reduced R-values in Table N1102.1.2.

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2018 International Plumbing Code Code

A modification to Section 703.4 (Reuse of Buried Drain and Sewer Piping) states that the use of existing building sewers and existing building drains for new building plumbing system is clarified.

“Testing” of old, existing buried building drains or building sewers might not ever be successful, eliminating the possibility for their reuse. As such piping is non-pressurized gravity flow, a test means very little. What is important is a visual, internal examination (typically by video camera equipment) to make sure that the piping is viable for reuse. This is especially beneficial where the piping would be difficult to replace, such as where it crosses under parking lots and streets.

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