Thread: date of code adoption

This is snipped from my 2006 IRC. I'm researching and issue with a townhome built in 1996.

Can someone please tell if the following was in effect in 1996? What year did it become an active rule in the IRC/

R317.2.2 Parapets.
Parapets constructed in accordance with Section R317.2.3 shall be constructed for townhouses as an extension of exterior walls or common walls in accordance with the following:
1. Where roof surfaces adjacent to the wall or walls are at the same elevation, the parapet shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) above the roof surfaces.
2. Where roof surfaces adjacent to the wall or walls are at different elevations and the higher roof is not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the lower roof, the parapet shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm)above the lower roof surface.
Exception: A parapet is not required in the two cases above when the roof is covered with a minimum class C roof covering, and the roof decking or sheathing is of noncombustible materials or approved fire-retardant-treated wood for a distance of 4 feet (1219 mm) on each side of the wall or walls, or one layer of 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board is installed directly beneath the roof decking or sheathing, supported by a minimum of nominal 2-inch (51 mm) ledgers attached to the sides of the roof framing members, for a minimum distance of 4 feet (1220 mm) on each side of the wall or walls.
3. A parapet is not required where roof surfaces adjacent to the wall or walls are at different elevations and the higher roof is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the lower roof. The common wall construction from the lower roof to the underside of the higher roof deck shall have not less than a 1-hour fire-resistence rating. The wall shall be rated for exposure from both sides.

Similar Threads:

• Change to NAHI Code of Ethics
• Help with Manufacture Date, please
• Code reference for b-vent support
• Code Change
• Need help with code reference

Originally Posted by John Dirks Jr

This is snipped from my 2006 IRC. I'm researching and issue with a townhome built in 1996.

Can someone please tell if the following was in effect in 1996? What year did it become an active rule in the IRC/

First, the IRC did not appear until 2000.

What code was in effect in your area in 1996? That would be the first question.

Next, similar requirements existed in the various codes which preceded the ICC codes, so similar requirements were like in effect at the time of construction.

I found this for 1996 in the county of the subject property. Unless I missed it, it does not mention roof sheathing specifically.

Anne Arundel County Fire Prevention Code - 1996

Originally Posted by John Dirks Jr

I found this for 1996 in the county of the subject property. Unless I missed it, it does not mention roof sheathing specifically.

Anne Arundel County Fire Prevention Code - 1996

John,

Unless I missed it, that link does not mention much specifically, it mainly includes identifying sections which were deleted or amended, and only gives the amended text, not the full text. You would need to refer to the referenced code(s) and compare the deletions and amendments to those referenced code(s) and what was left combined with the amendments is what is required, this is often a boring and painful task to do when trying to combine deletions and changes with a code they are based on.

Ok, thanks Jerry. It was BOAC for 1996 in the area of the subject property.

The original roof is still on the house so whats there was approved by the AHJ at the time. Its a inside townhome and has nothing but OSB as attic sheathing.

John, the 1996 BOCA code reads as follows;

705.6 Continuity of exterior walls: Exterior walls required to be fireresistance rated by Section 705.2 because of fire seperation distance, shall be continuous from the foundation to not less than 30 inches above the roof surfaces,

Exceptions
1) Where the roof deck or sheathing is constructed of approved noncombustible materials or of fireretardeant-treated wood or of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board supported directly beneath the underside of the roof sheathing or deck, using minmum 2-inch ledgers attached to the sides of the roof framing members for a minimum distance of 4 feet from the exterior wall, and where the roof covering has a minimum of a class C rating, the exterior wall shall be permitted to stop at the underside of the roof deck or sheathing.

2) Exterior walls in buildings not excedding 1000 square feet in area.

3) Exterior walls of occupancies in Use group R-3.

4) exterior walls of a building where the roof has an angle of more than 20 degrees with the horizontal.