Deck Building Items in Consideration for the 2015 IRC

Code Development for Decking in the 2015 IRC

Potential changes in building codes may change the way deck builders are required to construct decks, and certainly something decking professionals should stay informed on. While many jurisdictions have yet to adopt the 2012 edition of the International Residential Code, development of the 2015 IRC is already underway.

The decking industry was represented by building inspector and NADRA advisor Glenn Mathewson at the committee hearings that took place in Dallas in April where nearly two dozen proposed changes that would affect the decking industry were presented. You can see details on the proposed changes at the NADRA website or read an interesting summary with Mr. Mathewson’s analysis on each proposed item in his article 2015 Deck Code Update on Professional Deck Builder.

Here is a quick summary of the status of the proposals affecting deck building for the 2015 IRC:

Comprehensive Proposals

RB264 and RB268 – include joist and beam span tables for wet-use environments, post sizing, framing connection and footing provisions.
Status: Disapproved (however, the committee encouraged stakeholders to modify for the final hearings)

Guards Deflection Limits

RB61-13 - limits guard-post deflection to about 3 inches and limits downward deflection of top rails to about 1 inch over 8 feet while under a maximum required design load of 200 pounds.
Status: Disapproved Height Above Seating

RB145-13 – would change current requirement to measure guards from fixed bench seating at bench level to deck level with built-in deck seating.
Status: Approved (an encouraging indication of common sense in the committee in realizing children can climb moveable deck furniture and allows built-in deck seating to return from virtual extinction!)

Deck Height Measurement

RB143-13 – would change height measurement from current 36 inch horizontal distance from edge of deck back to exact edge of deck in determining whether or not guards are required.
Status: Disapproved (committee agreed that people fall away from an open platform, not straight down….more common sense – go committee!)

Lateral Loads

RB260-13 – would require that the two hold-down tension devices permitted by the IRC be installed within 24 inches of each end of the deck ledger.
Status: Approved

RB261-13 – provides exception to the hold-down device provision for decks less than 30 inches above grade.
Status: Disapproved

RB262-13 – provides for a second lateral load connection method.
Status: Approved

RB263-13 – provides exception for decks not requiring guards.
Status: Approved

Other Structural Requirements

Blocking Over Beams

RB247-13 – would eliminate the requirement for blocking over a beam when joists cantilever 24 inches or less.
Status: Approved with modifications

 

Hangers on Beams and Ledgers

RB253-13 – would restrict design flexibility by such common practices as hanging 2x6 joists from the bottom portion of a 2x12 beam or ledger, with little evidence that minimal loads from conventionally sized lumber joists could split a supporting member.
Status: Disapproved

 

Setbacks

RB66-13 – would provide an exception to fire-resistive construction for decks that are more than 5 feet from the property line or dwelling.
Status: Disapproved

RB74-13 – would require exterior stairways to be at least 5 feet from lot lines and other building on the lot.
Status: Disapproved

RB75-13 – would require accessory structures such as patio covers and decks, whether attached or detached, to be at least 5 feet from lot lines.
Status: Disapproved

 

Other Proposals

RB102-13 – would eliminate all requirements for illumination of exterior stairways.
Status: Disapproved

RB129-13 – clarifies that stairways serving decks, porches, balconies and sunrooms are regulated the same as any other stairway.
Status: Disapproved

RB130-13 – would allow handrails to project up to 6 ½ inches into stairs as opposed to current maximum of 4 ½ inches.
Status: Disapproved

RB141-13 – would allow all ramps other than ones serving a required egress door to be a maximum slope of 1-in8 vs. current maximum of 1-in-12.
Status: Approved

RB142-13 – would require that the minimum width of landings for ramps be equal to the width of the ramp vs. the current 36 inches.
Status: Approved

RB187-13 – would require exterior stairways and ramps built in flood-hazard areas to be constructed in one of three specifically prescribed ways.
Status: Disapproved

RB115-13 – clarifies when safety glazing is required for windows or doors located underneath or at the bottom of a stairway.
Status: Approved

RB42-13 – included exception for decks, sunrooms and similar spaces to the requirement for protection of glazed openings in regions prone to wind-borne debris, provided some specifics regarding the wall of the home are satisfied.
Status: Disapproved

RB8-13 – would require contractors disturbing interior or exterior surfaces on homes built prior to 1978 to submit EPA certificates and a plan complying with 40 CFR745 to building officials for work on homes, even when building a deck.
Status: Disapproved

RB15-13 – restores previous definition of “balcony” and “decks” in the IRC.
Status: Disapproved

RB31-13 – adds a definition for ‘spiral stairway’ in the IRC that allows more freedom than the IBC definition does by omitting the center column from the description.
Status: Approved

RB58-13 – removes references to “guardrail” and replaces them with the IRC-defined term “guard”.
Status: Approved

RB60-13 – included “deck floors” in the floor description for allowable deflection.
Status: Disapproved

RB465-13 – requires that all swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs comply with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (this code has deck provisions not currently required by the IRC).
Status: Approved

 

Next Steps in 2015 IRC Code Development

While many of these current results demonstrate a realistic common sense approach and an adequate understanding of the practicalities of deck building practice, any of these results can be overturned at the final hearing. Glen Mathewson will continue to represent the decking industry at the final hearings which are scheduled for October 2013.

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