Construction codes have been part of our society for thousands of years; and while the purpose of building codes have always been to ensure and maintain our safety, learning and staying current with the codes that affect our industry can be a daunting task. Regardless of how time consuming it may be, taking the time to follow and master the changes to Pennsylvania’s construction codes is vital as even a minor unintentional violation of a building code can bring your construction project to a screeching halt.
The Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (Act 45) of 1999, also referred to as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), outlines the codes for commercial and residential construction in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Because Act 45 references and adopts many of the codes outlined in the International Code Series, which is produced by the International Code Council (ICC), PA’s Act 45 has been updated each time the ICC updates the International Code Series.
An amendment to Act 45, which became effective on December 31, 2009, adopted many of the changes to the International Building Codes that occurred in 2009, forcing code authorities, engineers, architects and owners to master these changes. Some of these key changes affect the following codes:
- The 2009 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
- The 2009 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
- The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
It is important to fully understand these changes, as they can greatly affect how your project is designed and could affect how much your project will cost to build.
The 2009 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
The following are some key mechanical code changes that engineers, architects, and owners should know about in order to minimize negative impacts on their current or future projects.
Section 306.5
Addresses the accessibility of equipment on rooftops and outlines when permanent ladders must be installed to make equipment readily accessible for service. This section states that access shall not require climbing over obstacles over 30 inches high and the 2009 revision identifies parapet walls as such an obstacle.
Section 403
Changes the means for calculating the outdoor air requirements to conform with ASHRAE Standard 62-2007. This is a significant revision that may increase the amount of outdoor air required compared to the 2006 IMC.
Section 506.4.2
Includes additional requirements for Type II exhaust outlets, which can restrict where a fan or discharge outlet from a Type II hood can be placed.
The 2009 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
The following are some key plumbing code changes that engineers, architects and owners should know about in order to minimize negative impacts to your current or future projects.
Section 412.2
Identifies additional requirements for floor drains and states that they must have ready access for servicing and cleaning. This section further stipulates that drains are not permitted to be installed underneath equipment in locations that would require the removal of an access panel. The intent of this revision is to ensure that floor drains are regularly maintained and operating properly.
Table 604.3
Outlines an increase in the minimum required water pressure for bathtubs, urinals, and water closets due to an increase in the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures. Many of the low-flow fixtures on the market require a higher pressure to operate properly, and this section further stipulates that if the water pressure available from the municipality cannot meet the minimum pressures of the code, a domestic water booster pump is required.
Section 1002.4
Outlines an additional requirement that clarifies that trap primers must connect to the trap above the trap water level. In the past, the code allowed trap primers to be connected to the trap in a submerged location; however, this becomes a problem as connections below the trap seal level can become plugged with unwashed drainage particles.
The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
The following are some key energy conservation code changes that engineers, architects and owners should know about in order to minimize negative impacts to your facility.
Section 502.2
Increased insulation requirements and details for opaque building elements including specific requirements for Group R occupancies.
Section 502.4
Limitation of hot gas bypass based upon unit size. The maximum hot gas bypass capacity for units greater than 20 nominal tons is now 25% and those less than 20 nominal tons is 50%.
Section 503.2
Increased minimum efficiency requirements for unitary air conditioners and condensing units, boilers and water chilling packages including full load and IPLV requirements.
Fan power limitations are provided based on application.
Section 505.2
Added section on treatment/requirements of daylighting applications including the requirement to have daylight zone control.
Section 505.5
Added exemptions for many specialty lighting applications (retail, medical, advertising, performance).
Taken together, these updates highlight how changes to construction codes can influence project design, equipment selection, building systems, and overall project costs. Staying familiar with current code requirements early in the planning and design process can help teams identify potential issues before they affect construction.
For more information or questions about these changes, review the applicable codes on the International Code Council (ICC) website or contact us to understand how these requirements may apply to your project.