2006 Houston Building Code Chapter 1
Houston Amendments to
the 2015 International
Building Code
Adopted by Ord. No. 201?-____
Passed __/__/201?
Effective ??/??/201?
CHAPTER 1
SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
PART 1-SCOPE AND APPLICATION
[A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the City of Houston Building Code of [NAME OF JURISDICTION], hereinafter referred to as "this code."
The City of Houston Construction Code collectively includes this volume and certain other codes, pamphlets, specifications and documents that are adopted in or by reference through the adopting ordinance, City of Houston Ordinance No. 2015-____[1], which appears in the preamble of this code. A predecessor document to this code was known as the City of Houston Building Code–General Provisions, and any reference to the City of Houston Building Code–General Provisions in other jurisdiction ordinances shall be construed to mean this code. In certain instances, references to the building code will be found in ordinances, contracts, and other documents of the jurisdiction. In any instance in which that reference was intended to encompass the codes that collectively constitute the City of Houston Construction Code, then it shall be so construed.
[A] 101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures, except work located primarily in a public way, public utility towers and poles, mechanical equipment not specifically regulated in this code, and hydraulic flood control structures.
Exception: Except as noted in Section 101.4.7, detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with the International Residential Code.
[A] 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted. Appendices F, J, K, N, and R, including any amendments thereto adopted by this jurisdiction, are hereby adopted and shall be incorporated into and made part of this code.
[A] 101.4 Referenced codes. The other codes listed in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.7 8 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
[A] 101.4.1 Gas. The provisions of the International Fuel Gas Plumbing Code, as defined in Chapter 2, shall apply to the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to inlet connections of appliances and the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories. This code includes numerous references to the International Fuel Gas Code. For the sake of convenience and cost savings to the public in the preparation of Houston Supplement pages to this code, those references have not been revised unless the text of the provision in which they appear has otherwise been revised by this jurisdiction. Any such references shall be regarded as references to the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction from time to time. This jurisdiction reserves the right to adopt codes based upon promulgations of organizations other than the International Code Council, including but not limited to the Uniform Series Codes, to the extent permitted by state law. Any reference to a specific chapter, section, or provision of a code that has not been adopted by this jurisdiction shall be construed to mean the corresponding provision of the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction.
Exception: Work governed by the Residential Code.
[A] 101.4.2 Mechanical. The provisions of the International Mechanical Code, as defined in Chapter 2, shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and/or appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators and other energy-related systems. This code includes numerous references to the International Mechanical Code. For the sake of convenience and cost savings to the public in the preparation of Houston Supplement pages to this code, those references have not been revised unless the text of the provision in which they appear has otherwise been revised by this jurisdiction. Any such references shall be regarded as references to the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction from time to time. This jurisdiction reserves the right to adopt codes based upon promulgations of organizations other than the International Code Council, including but not limited to the Uniform Series Codes, to the extent permitted by state law. Any reference to a specific chapter, section, or provision of a code that has not been adopted by this jurisdiction shall be construed to mean the corresponding provision of the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction.
Exception: Work governed by the Residential Code.
[A] 101.4.3 Plumbing. The provisions of the International Plumbing Code, as defined in Chapter 2, shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. The provisions of the International Private Sewage Disposal code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems. This code includes numerous references to the International Plumbing Code. For the sake of convenience and cost savings to the public in the preparation of Houston Supplement pages to this code, those references have not been revised unless the text of the provision in which they appear has otherwise been revised by this jurisdiction. Any such references shall be regarded as references to the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction from time to time. This jurisdiction reserves the right to adopt codes based upon promulgations of organizations other than the International Code Council, including but not limited to the Uniform Series Codes, to the extent permitted by state law. Any reference to a specific chapter, section, or provision of a code that has not been adopted by this jurisdiction shall be construed to mean the corresponding provision of the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction.
Exception: Work governed by the Residential Code.
[A] 101.4.4 Property maintenance. The provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code, as defined in Chapter 2, shall apply to existing structures and premises; equipment and facilities; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and structures. This code includes a number of references to the International Property Maintenance Code. For the sake of convenience and cost savings to the public in the preparation of Houston Supplement pages to this code, those references have not been revised unless the text of the provision in which they appear has otherwise been revised by this jurisdiction. Any such references shall be regarded as references to the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction from time to time. Any reference to a specific chapter, section, or provision of a code that has not been adopted by this jurisdiction shall be construed to mean the corresponding provision of the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction.
[A] 101.4.5 Fire prevention. The provisions of the International Fire Code, as defined in Chapter 2, shall apply to matters affecting or relating to structures, processes and premises from the hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; from conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; and from the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression, automatic sprinkler systems and alarm systems or fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation. This code includes numerous references to the International Fire Code. For the sake of convenience and cost savings to the public in the preparation of Houston Supplement pages to this code, those references have not been revised unless the text of the provision in which they appear has otherwise been revised by this jurisdiction. Any such references shall be regarded as references to the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction from time to time. This jurisdiction reserves the right to adopt codes based upon promulgations of organizations other than the International Code Council, including but not limited to the Uniform Series Codes, to the extent permitted by state law. Any reference to a specific chapter, section, or provision of a code that has not been adopted by this jurisdiction shall be construed to mean the corresponding provision of the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction.
101.4.6 Energy. The provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code, as defined in Chapter 2, shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency. This code includes a number of references to the International Energy Conservation Code. For the sake of convenience and cost savings to the public in the preparation of Houston Supplement pages to this code, those references have not been revised unless the text of the provision in which they appear has otherwise been revised by this jurisdiction. Any such references shall be regarded as references to the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction from time to time. This jurisdiction reserves the right to adopt codes based upon promulgations of organizations other than the International Code Council, including but not limited to the Uniform Series Codes, to the extent permitted by state law. Any reference to a specific chapter, section, or provision of a code that has not been adopted by this jurisdiction shall be construed to mean the corresponding provision of the corresponding code as adopted by this jurisdiction.
101.4.7 Existing buildings. The provisions of the International Existing Building Code, as defined in Chapter 2, shall apply to matters governing the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings.
101.4.8 Electrical. The provisions of the Electrical Code, as defined in Chapter 2, shall apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances thereto.
[A] 102.1 General. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Where, in any specific case, different sections provisions of the City Code, the Energy Conservation Code, the Residential Code, the Electrical Code, the Mechanical Code, the Plumbing Code, and this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. Where, in any specific instance, the applicable provisions of this code, the City Code, the Energy Conservation Code, the Residential Code, the Electrical Code, the Mechanical Code, or the Plumbing Code specify different materials, methods of construction, or other requirements than the Fire Code, and the building official and the Fire Marshal are unable to mutually reconcile the requirements by issuing a written interpretation, then either of them may refer the matter to the General Appeals Board created under this code, which shall conduct a review of the matter and issue a written code interpretation based upon the apparent intent of the codes involved. Notwithstanding any other provision, interpretations that are issued by the General Appeals Board shall not be subject to further appeal. Wherever in this code reference is made to an appendix, the provisions in the appendix shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
[A] 102.6 Existing and annexed structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as otherwise specifically provided in this code, the International Existing Building Code, the International Property Maintenance Code or the International Fire Code.
102.6.3 Existing structures. A building in existence within the jurisdiction at the time of the adoption of this code may have its existing use and occupancy continued if:
1. Such use or occupancy was legal at the time of the adoption of this code;
2. The building is in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Existing Building Code; and
3. The continued use and occupancy is not unsafe pursuant to the provisions of Section 116.
102.6.4 Annexed structures. Any building in existence prior to the annexation into the jurisdiction of the land on which it is situated may have its use and occupancy continued if:
1. Such use or occupancy was legal under the building design and construction codes and related laws applicable in the jurisdiction in which the building was situated at the time immediately prior to its annexation;
2. The building is in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Existing Building Code; and
3. The continued use and occupancy is not unsafe pursuant to the provisions of Section 116.
PART 2-ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 103
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING SAFETY CODE ENFORCEMENT BRANCH
[A] 103.1 Creation of enforcement agency. The Department of Building Safety Building Code Enforcement Branch is hereby created within the jurisdiction's Department of Building and Development Services, and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the building official.
[A] 103.3 Deputies. In accordance with the prescribed procedures of this jurisdiction and with the concurrence of the appointing authority, the building official shall have the authority to appoint a deputy building official, the related technical officers, inspectors, plan examiners and other employees. Such employees shall have powers as delegated by the building official. For the maintenance of existing properties, see the International Property Maintenance Code and Chapter 10, Article IX of the City Code.
[A] 104.2 Applications and permits. The building official shall receive applications, review construction documents and issue permits for the erection, and alteration, demolition and moving of buildings and structures, inspect the premises for which such permits have been issued and enforce compliance with the provisions of this code.