2015 VirginiaVirginia ConstructionIndustrialized Code Building PartSafety I of the RegulationsVirginia Uniform Statewide Building Code Effective September 4, 2018 Cover art by Julia Lange, International Code Council, Inc. 08292018 PREFACE Introduction The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) is a state regulation promulgated by the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development, a Governor-appointed board, for the purpose of establishing minimum regulations to govern the construction and maintenance of buildings and structures. The provisions of the USBC are based on nationally recognized model building and fire codes published by the International Code Council, Inc.. The model codes are made part of the USBC through a regulatory process known as incorporation by reference. The USBC also contains administrative provisions governing the use of the model codes and establishing requirements for the enforcement of the code by the local building departments and other code enforcement agencies. In keeping with the designations of the USBC used previously, since the 2015 editions of the International Codes are incorporated by reference into this version of the USBC, it is known as the 2015 edition of the USBC. Arrangement The USBC is part of the Virginia Administrative Code (VAC), the official compilation of state regulations published under the authority and guidance of the Virginia Code Commission. Due to the difference in the section numbering system between the VAC and the model codes incorporated by reference into the USBC, the UBSC utilizes a dual section numbering system. In the USBC, the VAC section numbers are listed first, followed by a section number matching the model code system. In this printing of the USBC, the VAC section numbers are omitted and only the model code numbering system is utilized. The version of the USBC containing both the VAC section numbers and the model code numbering is available from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and may also be accessed through the website of the Virginia Code Commission or by subscription to the VAC. Overview The USBC is divided into three stand-alone parts. Part I contains regulations specific to the construction of new buildings and structures and is known as the Virginia Construction Code. Part II contains regulations specific to the rehabilitation of existing buildings, including repair, alterations, additions and change of occupancy in existing buildings and structures, and is known as the Virginia Existing Building Code. Part III of the USBC contains the regulations for the maintenance of existing structures which is enforced at the option of the local governments. It is known as the Virginia Maintenance Code. Codes Purchased from ICC The 2015 edition of the USBC is being made available in pamphlet form as in past editions of the USBC. In addition to the pamphlet form of the USBC published by DHCD, the International Code Council (ICC) publishes versions of the Virginia Construction Code, Virginia Existing Building Code, Virginia Maintenance Code and a series of Virginia specific trade codes. In the ICC published versions, marginal markings are provided to distinguish between text which is part of the International Codes and text which is part of the state regulations. Double vertical lines in the margins within the body of the codes indicate state amendments to the International Codes. As in the standard printings of the International Codes, a single vertical line in the margins within the body of the code indicates a technical change from the previous edition of the International Codes. Deletions from the previous editions of the International Codes are indicated in the form of an arrow ( ) in the margin where an entire section, paragraph, exception or table has been deleted or an item in a list of items or a table has been deleted. Technical Assistance The local building departments and enforcing agencies may be contacted for further information concerning the USBC. Contact information for DHCD is below. DHCD, Division of Building and Fire Regulation State Building Codes Office 600 East Main Street, Suite 300 Richmond, Virginia 23219 Phone: (804) 371-7150 – Email: [email protected] Website: www.dhcd.virginia.gov 2015 VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION CODE i TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 9 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ...................................... 89 Section CHAPTER 10 MEANS OF EGRESS .................... 95 101 General ............................................................ 1 CHAPTER 11 ACCESSIBILITY ........................ 101 102 Purpose and Scope .......................................... 2 103 Application of Code ........................................ 4 CHAPTER 12 INTERIOR 104 Enforcement, Generally .................................. 6 ENVIRONMENT ......................... 103 105 Local Building Department ............................. 6 CHAPTER 13 ENERGY EFFICIENCY ............. 105 106 Powers and Duties of the Building Official ................................... 7 CHAPTER 14 EXTERIOR WALLS ................... 111 107 Fees ................................................................. 8 108 Application for Permit .................................... 8 CHAPTER 15 ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND 109 Construction Documents ................................11 ROOFTOP STRUCTURES ....... 113 110 Permits ...........................................................12 CHAPTER 16 STRUCTURAL DESIGN ............ 115 111 Registered Design Professional Services .....................................13 CHAPTER 17 SPECIAL INSPECTIONS 112 Workmanship, Materials AND TESTS ................................. 117 and Equipment ...............................................13 113 Inspections .....................................................17 CHAPTER 18 SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS .......................... 119 114 Stop Work Orders ..........................................19 115 Violations .......................................................19 CHAPTER 23 WOOD .......................................... 121 116 Certificates of Occupancy ..............................20 117 Temporary and Moved Buildings CHAPTER 26 PLASTIC ...................................... 125 and Structures; Demolition ............................21 118 Unsafe Buildings or Structures ......................21 CHAPTER 27 ELECTRICAL ............................ 127 119 Appeals ..........................................................22 CHAPTER 28 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS ..................................... 129 CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS ................................25 CHAPTER 29 PLUMBING SYSTEMS .............. 135 CHAPTER 3 USE AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION ........................29 CHAPTER 30 ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS ........... 147 AMENDMENTS TO THE IRC .................................35 CHAPTER 31 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION. .... 149 CHAPTER 4 SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON CHAPTER 33 SAFEGUARDS DURING USE AND OCCUPANCY .............77 CONSTRUCTION ...................... 151 CHAPTER 7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES .........85 CHAPTER 35 REFERENCED STANDARDS ............................... 153 CHAPTER 8 INTERIOR FINISHES...................87 2015 VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION CODE ii CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION SECTION 101 and may mean a chapter in the USBC, a chapter in the IBC GENERAL or a chapter in a referenced code or standard, depending on the context of the use of the term. The term “chapter” 101.1 Short title. The Virginia Uniform Statewide is not used to designate a chapter of the Virginia Building Code, Part I, Construction, may be cited as the Administrative Code, unless clearly indicated. Virginia Construction Code or as the VCC. The term “USBC” shall mean the VCC unless the context in which 101.4 Arrangement of code provisions. The USBC is the term is used clearly indicates it to be an abbreviation comprised of the combination of (i) the provisions of for the entire Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code Chapter 1, Administration, which are established herein, or for a different part of the Virginia Uniform Statewide (ii) Chapters 2 - 35 of the IBC, which are incorporated by Building Code. reference in Section 101.2, and (iii) the changes to the text of the incorporated chapters of the IBC that are Note: This code is also known as the 2015 edition of specifically identified. The terminology “changes to the the USBC due to the use of the 2015 editions of the text of the incorporated chapters of the IBC that are model codes. specifically identified” shall also be referred to as the “state amendments to the IBC.” Such state amendments to 101.2 Incorporation by reference. Chapters 2 - 35 of the the IBC are set out using corresponding chapter and 2015 International Building Code, published by the section numbers of the IBC numbering system. In International Code Council, Inc., are adopted and addition, since Chapter 1 of the IBC is not incorporated as incorporated by reference to be an enforceable part of the part of the USBC, any reference to a provision of Chapter USBC. The term “IBC” means the 2015 International 1 of the IBC in the provisions of Chapters 2 - 35 of the Building Code, published by the International Code IBC is generally invalid. However, where the purpose of Council, Inc. Any codes and standards referenced in the such a reference would clearly correspond to a provision IBC are also considered to be part of the incorporation by of Chapter 1 established herein, then the reference may be reference, except that such codes