FS 16-15
705.8
Proponent: Ali Fattah, City of San Diego Development Services Department, representing City of San Diego
(afattah@sandiego.gov)
2015 International Building Code
Revise as follows:
705.8 Openings. Openings in exterior walls shall comply with Sections 705.8.1 through 705.8.6. For structures or portions of
structures not provided with surrounding exterior walls and with usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above, exterior wall shall mean the primary structural frame supporting the roof or floor above.
Reason: The proposed code change addresses exterior opening protection for structures and buildings, and portions thereof that do not include surrounding exterior walls.
The IBC does not address the protection of covered exterior portions of a building that cannot be classified as projections and that provide shelter for useable space. The useable space is included in building area and fire area where applicable however the code does not seem to regulate the proximity of the useable space relative to the lot line.
Projections appear to be elements attached to exterior walls that do not include useable space below.
Exterior balconies are not defined and appear to be the exception and seem to be regulated similar to eaves and cornices and it is implied that they cantilever from the wall of the building.
Table 601 footnote (f) referenced under primary structural frame requires that the fire resistance of the structural frame to comply with Section 704.10 in addition to Table 601. As a consequence the structural frame on the outside of a building or structure without a surrounding exterior wall is required to comply with Table 602 as if it were a wall. However since the primary structural frame does not comply with the definition for wall it is necessary to modify Section 705.8 to make clear that openings within the primary structural frame are regulated.
Some structures addressed by this code change may include canopies over gasoline pump islands; canopies over play grounds or picnic areas; useable areas under portions of buildings where the upper stories are larger than portions below and closer to a lot line, etc.
Most Building Officials will consider that the face of the building to be the structural frame and would regulate the percentage of exterior openings within, however the IBC as written does not support this interpretation.
Currently as written the IBC implies that if an exterior wall is not provided then the openings on the exterior perimeter are not regulated since they are not openings in an exterior wall. A written interpretation from ICC confirms this.
Cost Impact: Will increase the cost of construction The proposed code change is necessary for public safety and to provide more consistent application of the exterior wall opening protection requirements. The increased of construction will result is safer communities that are more resilient when faced with natural disasters that interrupt water supplies and power for extended periods of time since it ensures a protected building perimeter that can limit conflagration hazards.
https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/IBC-FireSafety.pdf