2012 BUILDING CODE

ADOPTION

ADOPTION OF THE 2012 BUILDING

CODES AND LOCAL AMENDMENTS

• Every three years the International Code Council (ICC) updates their Building Codes.

• Charles County has previously adopted the updated versions of the ICC in 2004, 2007 and 2010.

• In addition to the Building Codes we adopt local amendments to those codes for areas of the construction process that may be unique to our county.

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ADOPTION OF 2012

BUILDING CODES

• Currently all 50 states and the District of Columbia

have adopted the I-Codes at the state or

jurisdictional level.

• The ICC is an association at the forefront of

developing codes and standards dedicated to

building safety in residential and commercial

buildings, including homes and schools.

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ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING

CODES

• 2012 International Residential Code (IRC)

• 2012 International Building Code (IBC)

• 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

• 2012 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

• 2012 International Mechanical Code (IMC)

• 2012 International Plumbing Code (IPC)

• 2012 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

• 2012 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)

• 2011 National Electric Code (NEC) – State Electric Code

• 2012 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code – State Fire Code

• 2012 NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code – State Fire Code

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ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND

• Enabling legislation is found in COMAR 05.02.07 Maryland

Building Performance Standards

• The Maryland Codes Administration must adopt as part of

the Standard the IBC, IRC and the IECC within 12 months of

the issuance by International Code Council (ICC).

• Per §12-505, jurisdictions within Maryland must implement

and enforce the most current version of the standards with

any local amendments within 6 months after modifications

are adopted by the state.

• In accordance with the Annotated Code the Maryland

Codes Administration may not make an amendment that is

more stringent than the provisions found within the IBC

and IRC. However with the IECC any proposed modification

may not lessen any of the requirements.

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INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY

MAINTENANCE CODE (IPMC)

• In March 2012 the Property Standards Task Force

recommended adoption of the IPMC as part of their

briefing to the Commissioners.

• Action on non-rental properties that fall into

disrepair

• The IPMC is proposed to be adopted in its entirety

with the 2012 Code Adoption.

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2012 IECC CHANGES• Provisions of the 2012 IECC are intended to

increase energy efficiency a minimum of 15% of the

2009 IECC.

• Increased insulation and fenestration requirements

• Air leakage – Door Blower requirement for Use and

Occupancy

• Mechanical system piping insulation

• Equipment Sizing

• Additions to existing structures will be required to

be thermally isolated

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2012 BUILDING CODE

LOCAL PROPOSAL

• Automatic Residential Fire Sprinkler System will

not be required for residential additions or

alterations unless:

– The proposed addition will result in an increase of the

existing square footage of the structure by more than 50%.

– The proposed alteration will result in an increase of the

existing square footage by more than 70%.

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2012 BUILDING CODE –

LOCAL PROPOSAL

• Application date will become the “trigger” for new

code compliance.

• Permit applications submitted prior to the effective

date of the new codes, that have not been issued,

will be subject to a conformity review with all new

applicable codes as a condition of any extension

request.

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2012 BUILDING CODE –

LOCAL PROPOSAL

• Footing inspections proposed for all deck

applications. Currently this is only a requirement

in the “Area of Geo-Concern” in the Indian Head

and Bryans Road area.

• Preliminary Inspections proposed by the Building

Code Official for all fire, wind, water, earthquake

damage repairs.

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2012 BUILDING CODE –

LOCAL PROPOSAL

• Section R303.4 “Mechanical Ventilation” of the

2012 IRC, is being removed in its entirety without

replacement.

• For Mechanical Ventilation requirements refer to

Section R403.5 of the 2012 IECC.

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VACANT COMMERCIAL

STRUCTURES ORDINANCE

• Remaining in Local Amendments

• Has been used to bring nearly 50 properties into

compliance since July 2005.

• Staff will be able to use the IPMC as an added tool,

to assist them in certain VCS violation cases.

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MOVING FORWARD

• Next step in the 2012 Code Adoption is to

schedule a public hearing.

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Presented by:

Charles County GovernmentCodes, Permits and Inspection Services (CPIS)

Peter Aluotto, Director Planning Growth Management

Frank Ward, Chief CPIS

200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646-2150

301-645-0692

www.charlescounty.org

Mission Statement

The mission of Charles County Government is

to provide our citizens the highest quality

service possible in a timely, efficient, and

courteous manner. To achieve this goal, our

government must be operated in an open and

accessible atmosphere, be based on

comprehensive long- and short-term planning,

and have an appropriate managerial

organization tempered by fiscal responsibility.

Vision Statement

Charles County is a place where all people

thrive and businesses grow and prosper;

where the preservation of our heritage and

environment is paramount, where government

services to its citizens are provided at the

highest level of excellence; and where the

quality of life is the best in the nation.