Tech Today

In April, NRCA published Guidelines for Complying with Building Code Requirements for Roof Assemblies: International Building Code, 2012 Edition. This new document is intended to help you become knowledgeable of and interpret the roofing-related requirements of the current edition of the International Building Code® (IBC®).

IBC 2012

The International Code Council® (ICC) published the International Building Code, 2012 Edition (IBC 2012) in May 2011. ICC reports Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming, as well as a number of local jurisdictions, already have adopted IBC 2012. Additional state and local adoptions are expected during the coming months.

IBC 2012 contains a number of roofing-related changes from the code's previous editions. An overview of the changes in IBC 2012 is provided in "Changes in roofing requirements," December 2011 issue, page 36.

ICC also publishes separate codes addressing one- and two-family residential dwellings, energy conservation, fire protection, plumbing, existing buildings, fuel gas, and wildland-urban interface that include roofing-related provisions that may apply in specific instances.

Compliance guidance

NRCA developed and published Guidelines for Complying with Building Code Requirements for Roof Assemblies: International Building Code, 2012 Edition to help roofing professionals and code officials better understand the provisions of IBC 2012 and ICC's other codes. The document also addresses the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA's) NFPA 1: Fire Code, 2012 Edition (NFPA 1) and NFPA 241: Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, 2009 Edition (NFPA 241), which contain specific roofing-related provisions and apply in certain jurisdictions and situations.

The document is divided into three primary chapters addressing IBC 2012's roofing-related requirements. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction to IBC 2012. Chapter 2 provides code provisions that apply to all roof assemblies, including fire, impact and wind-uplift resistance requirements. And Chapter 3 provides roofing-related code provisions applicable to specific roof system types.

Each chapter is arranged with quotations of code text NRCA deems applicable to roof assemblies. For each code text quotation, a commentary-style explanation is provided, including explanations of the reference standards (such as ASTM International standards) contained in the code.

The document also includes 12 appendices addressing roofing-related provisions in ICC's other codes, NFPA 1 and NFPA 241. An appendix also details ICC's alternative acceptance requirements. This information will be useful for obtaining project-specific code acceptance of designs, products, materials and operations the code does not specifically permit.

ICC's involvement

NRCA actively sought ICC's input during the document's development, and ICC also agreed to co-brand the publication. With this arrangement, ICC is promoting and selling the document to its members, who are building code officials throughout the U.S. and world.

ICC's involvement in the document also provides additional credibility. This should be especially useful when you are communicating with building officials. You can refer to information that has been developed not only by NRCA but also ICC, the promulgator of IBC 2012.

Be more knowledgeable

Because IBC and other applicable codes provide the minimum legal requirements for building construction, including new construction roofing and reroofing, I encourage you to be aware of applicable code requirements.

Guidelines for Complying with Building Code Requirements for Roof Assemblies: International Building Code, 2012 Edition; NRCA's similar document based on IBC's 2009 edition; and Guidelines for Complying with Energy Code Requirements for Roof Assemblies: 2009 and 2012 Editions are available by accessing shop.nrca.net or contacting NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722).

Mark S. Graham is NRCA's associate executive director of technical services.