Site, Building and Structure

The California Building Standards Code, Title 24 serves as the basis for the design and construction of buildings in California. Improved safety, sustainability, maintaining consistency, new technology and construction methods, and reliability are paramount to the development of building codes during each Triennial and Intervening Code Adoption Cycle.

The UMC established minimum requirements and standards for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. 101.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the addition to or erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, use, or maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems; incinerators; or other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances within this jurisdiction.

The UPC establishes minimum requirements and standards for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. 101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to, use, or maintenance of plumbing systems within this jurisdiction. The UPC covers potable water, building supply, and distribution pipes; all plumbing fixtures and traps; all drainage and vent pipes; and all building drains, and building sewers, including their respective joints and connections, devices, receptors, and appurtenances within the property lines of the premises and shall include potable water piping, potable water treating or using equipment, medical gas and medical vacuum systems, liquid and fuel-gas piping, and water heaters and vents for same.

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. Exception: 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 shall comply with the International Residential Code.

This code establishes regulations affecting or relating to structures, processes, premises and safeguards regarding: 1. The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; 2. Conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; 3. Fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation; 4. Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems; and 5.

The IMC regulates the design, installation, maintenance, alteration and inspection of mechanical systems that are permanently installed and utilized to provide control of environmental conditions and related processes within buildings. It also regulates those mechanical systems, system components, equipment and appliances specifically addressed herein. The installation of fuel-gas distribution piping and equipment, fuel gas-fired appliances and fuel gas-fired appliance venting systems shall be regulated by the International Fuel Gas Code.

The document provides seismic design recommendations for substations, including qualification of each equipment type. Design recommendations consist of seismic criteria, qualification methods and levels, structural capacities, performance requirements for equipment operation, installation methods, and documentation.

The standard establishes minimum requirements for the application of the process of commissioning buildings and systems, and criteria for code officials (authority having jurisdiction [AHJ]), owners, and agencies to implement the commissioning requirements.

A.1.1 The following is a suggested procedure for determining the Code requirements for a building or structure: (1) Determine the occupancy classification by referring to the occupancy definitions in Chapter 6 and the occupancy Chapters 12 through 42. (See 6.1.14 for buildings withmore than one use.) (2) Determine if the building or structure is new or existing. (See the definitions in Chapter 3.) (3) Determine the occupant load. (See 7.3.1.) (4) Determine the hazard of contents. (See Section 6.2.) (5) Refer to the applicable occupancy chapter of the Code, Chapters 12 through 42.

The National Building Code of Canada 2015 (NBC), published by NRC and developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, sets out technical provisions for the design and construction of new buildings. It also applies to the alteration, change of use and demolition of existing buildings. Over 360 technical changes have been incorporated in this new edition.