| name | country-usa |
| description | United States architectural code and regulatory reference. Covers the International Code Council (ICC) family of model codes adopted across most US jurisdictions (IBC 2024, IRC 2024, IECC 2024, IFC 2024, IMC 2024, IPC 2024, IFGC 2024, IEBC 2024), the National Fire Protection Association suite (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code 2024, NFPA 70 NEC 2023, NFPA 13 sprinklers, NFPA 72 detection, NFPA 285 wall assemblies, NFPA 5000), structural standards (ASCE 7-22 loads, ASCE 41-23 existing, ACI 318-19 concrete, AISC 360-22 steel, ANSI/AWC NDS 2024 wood, TMS 402/602 masonry), accessibility (ADA 2010 Standards, ANSI A117.1-2017, Fair Housing Act + HUD design manual, ABA Standards), energy (ASHRAE 90.1-2022, ASHRAE 62.1-2022, ASHRAE 55-2020, ENERGY STAR), and the major state amendments (California Title 24 Parts 1-12 with Part 6 Energy and Part 11 CalGreen, NYC Building Code 2022 + 1968 grandfathered + 2014 commercial, Florida Building Code 2023, Texas through state-by-jurisdiction adoption, Chicago Construction Codes, Massachusetts 9th Edition, Washington State Energy Code) plus zoning/planning realities (R/C/M zones, FAR, setback, height bonuses, LEED programs, AHJ -- Authority Having Jurisdiction).
|
Country: United States of America
Architectural code and regulatory reference for projects within any US state, territory, or D.C. Activate this skill on any US city/state reference, USD currency, square feet / imperial units, mention of "IBC"/"IRC"/"IECC"/"NFPA"/"ASCE 7"/"ADA"/"Title 24"/"CalGreen"/"NYC BC", state building department/AHJ references, or LEED/ENERGY STAR.
1. Regulatory Hierarchy
The US operates as Archetype B (National Model + State/Local Adoption) with significant local variation. There is no federal building code; the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) -- which may be the city, county, state, or special district -- decides which model code edition is in force and with what amendments.
1.1 Authority Stack
LEVEL 1 -- MODEL CODE PUBLISHERS (no enforcement authority)
International Code Council (ICC) -- IBC, IRC, IECC, IFC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC, IgCC, IWUIC
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) -- NFPA 101, 70, 13, 72, 285, 5000
ASHRAE -- 90.1, 62.1, 55, 169, 189.1
ASCE -- 7, 41
ACI -- 318, 530, etc.
AISC -- 360, 341, 358, 360
AWS -- D1.1, D1.5
AWC -- NDS, SDPWS
TMS -- 402/602 masonry
ANSI -- A117.1 accessibility, others
ASTM -- material/test standards
LEVEL 2 -- FEDERAL APPLICABILITY (specific contexts)
ADA 2010 Standards (Department of Justice) -- enforcement civil rights
ABA Standards (GSA) -- federal facilities + recipients of federal funds
Fair Housing Act design + construction (HUD) -- residential
HUD Section 504 -- recipients of HUD funds
IRS Energy Tax Credit (179D, 45L) -- referenced ASHRAE 90.1
GSA P100 -- federal facilities standard
DOD UFC -- military facilities
NPS -- National Park Service properties
LEVEL 3 -- STATE
State Building Code Council / DOR / Construction Department adopts model code edition
+ state amendments (e.g., California Building Standards Commission - Title 24)
State Energy Office -- often state energy code (e.g., WA Energy Code)
State Fire Marshal -- often state fire code
State Architectural Access Board (e.g., Massachusetts MAAB)
State Department of Health -- hospital codes (FGI Guidelines often adopted)
State Department of Education -- school facility codes (CHPS, varies)
LEVEL 4 -- LOCAL AHJ
City/County Building Department (Department of Buildings NYC, LADBS LA, etc.)
+ adopted code + local amendments
Fire Marshal
Public Works (right-of-way, utility connections)
Planning Department (zoning, design review)
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) -- if in historic district
LEVEL 5 -- SPECIAL DISTRICTS
School districts (own facility standards)
Transit authorities (own design criteria)
Universities/medical centers (often own building standards)
Master-planned communities (HOA design review)
Tribal authorities (sovereign on reservation land)
1.2 Code Adoption Status (Selected States, 2024-2025)
| State | IBC Adopted | IECC Adopted | Notable Amendments |
|---|
| California | 2021 (with CA Title 24) | Title 24 Part 6 (own energy code) | Title 24 Parts 1-12; CALGreen Part 11; Tier 1/2 reach codes; Strong fire (WUI); seismic Cat C+ |
| Texas | 2018-2021 varies by city (no statewide adoption) | 2015-2021 varies; mandatory through DSHS/SECO | Local amendments significant; Houston, Austin, Dallas distinct |
| Florida | FBC 2023 (own custom code; IBC 2021-derived) | FBC Energy Conservation 2023 | High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) for Miami-Dade/Broward; wind speeds 175 mph 0.4% |
| New York | NYS UBC 2020 + NYC has separate (NYC BC 2022 + 1968 grandfather + 2014 commercial) | NYS Energy Code 2020 (90.1-2019 + adds) | NYC has own zoning (Zoning Resolution 1961+amendments), NYC plumbing, NYC mechanical, NYC fuel gas |
| Illinois | No statewide; Chicago has Chicago Construction Codes 2019 (IBC-based) | -- | Chicago strict |
| Massachusetts | 9th Edition (2023, IBC 2021-derived) + amendments | Stretch Energy Code 2023 | Mass MAAB Accessibility ahead of ADA |
| Pennsylvania | UCC IBC 2018 (transitioning to 2021) | IECC 2018 (transitioning) | -- |
| Washington | WSBC 2021 (IBC 2021-derived) | WSEC 2021 (own, most stringent in US) | Seattle Energy Code stricter still |
| Oregon | OSSC 2022 (IBC 2021-derived) | Oregon Energy Code | -- |
| Colorado | No statewide; municipal | -- | Denver/Boulder strict |
| Arizona | No statewide; municipal | -- | -- |
| Georgia | IBC 2018 statewide | IECC 2015 (lags) | -- |
| Michigan | MBC 2015 (transitioning 2021) | MUEC 2015 | -- |
| Ohio | OBC 2017 (transitioning 2024) | -- | -- |
| North Carolina | NCBC 2018 + Local | NCECC | -- |
| Virginia | USBC 2018 (transitioning 2021) | VUSBC | -- |
ALWAYS verify current adoption status with the specific AHJ. ICC publishes a state-by-state matrix, but adoption can lag by years and local amendments significantly modify.
2. IBC 2024 Core Requirements
2.1 Occupancy Groups (IBC 2024 Ch. 3)
| Group | Description | Subdivisions |
|---|
| A | Assembly | A-1 (theatres, concert halls), A-2 (food/drink est), A-3 (worship, lectures, exhibits), A-4 (indoor sport), A-5 (outdoor) |
| B | Business | (offices, professional services, banks, post offices, etc.) |
| E | Educational | (through 12th grade -- university is B or A) |
| F | Factory/Industrial | F-1 (moderate hazard), F-2 (low hazard) |
| H | High Hazard | H-1 (detonation), H-2 (deflagration/accelerated burning), H-3 (oxidizers, combustibles), H-4 (toxic), H-5 (semiconductor fab) |
| I | Institutional | I-1 (supervised personal care), I-2 (hospitals/nursing), I-3 (detention -- I-3.1-5 by escape ability), I-4 (daycare) |
| M | Mercantile | (retail, shopping centers, etc.) |
| R | Residential | R-1 (transient -- hotel/motel), R-2 (multi-family >2 dwelling units, not transient), R-3 (1-2 family, not classified as R-1/2/4), R-4 (small assisted living 6-16 residents) |
| S | Storage | S-1 (moderate hazard), S-2 (low hazard) |
| U | Utility / misc | (sheds, fences, retaining walls, agricultural buildings) |
2.2 Construction Types (IBC 2024 Table 601)
| Type | Description | Frame Fire Rating | Ext. Bearing Walls | Floor | Roof |
|---|
| IA | Non-combustible fire-resistive | 3 hr | 3 hr | 2 hr | 1.5 hr |
| IB | Non-combustible fire-resistive | 2 hr | 2 hr | 2 hr | 1 hr |
| IIA | Non-combustible protected | 1 hr | 1 hr | 1 hr | 1 hr |
| IIB | Non-combustible unprotected | 0 hr | 0 hr | 0 hr | 0 hr |
| IIIA | Exterior non-combustible bearing + protected combustible | 1 hr | 2 hr | 1 hr | 1 hr |
| IIIB | Same as IIIA but unprotected | 0 hr | 2 hr | 0 hr | 0 hr |
| IV-HT | Heavy Timber (legacy, large members) | HT | 2 hr | HT | HT |
| IV-A | Mass Timber (new in IBC 2021) up to 18 storeys | 3 hr fully encapsulated | 3 hr | 2 hr | 1.5 hr |
| IV-B | Mass Timber up to 12 storeys, partial exposure | 2 hr partially encapsulated | 2 hr | 2 hr | 1 hr |
| IV-C | Mass Timber up to 9 storeys, fully exposed | 2 hr exposed | 2 hr | 2 hr | 1 hr |
| VA | Protected combustible (e.g., light wood frame) | 1 hr | 1 hr | 1 hr | 1 hr |
| VB | Unprotected combustible | 0 hr | 0 hr | 0 hr | 0 hr |
2.3 Height & Area (IBC Table 504.3, 504.4, 506.2)
A critical IBC table: maximum building height in storeys, height in feet, and area per storey by Occupancy Group + Construction Type. Sprinklers permit increases. Frontage area increase per Section 506.3. The table is too large to fully reproduce; key benchmarks:
| Combination | Max Storeys (sprinklered) | Max Ht (ft) | Max Area/Storey (sf) |
|---|
| B (office) Type IA | 12 (unlimited area) | unlimited | unlimited |
| B Type IB | 12 | 180 | unlimited |
| B Type IIA | 6 | 85 | 92,500 |
| B Type IIB | 5 | 75 | 69,000 |
| B Type IIIA | 6 | 85 | 57,500 |
| R-2 Type IIA | 5 | 75 | 36,000 |
| R-2 Type IV-A (mass timber) | 18 | 270 | 108,000 |
| R-2 Type IV-B | 12 | 180 | 72,000 |
| R-2 Type IV-C | 8 | 85 | 36,000 |
| M (mercantile) Type IIB | 5 | 75 | 87,500 |
2.4 High-Rise (IBC 2024 Section 403)
- Definition: a building > 75 ft (22.86 m) above lowest level of fire department vehicle access
- Requires: sprinklers throughout (NFPA 13), Class I standpipes, smoke control for high-rise lobbies/elevator hoistways, fire command centre, emergency power, voice/alarm communication system per NFPA 72, smokeproof enclosures for stair shafts (in some configurations), pressurized stairwells (variable per smoke management strategy)
- Bonus: with full sprinklers, 1-hour reduction permitted for many fire-resistance ratings
2.5 Egress (IBC 2024 Ch. 10)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Min corridor width (>=50 occupants) | 44 in (1118 mm) |
| Min corridor width (<50 occupants) | 36 in (914 mm) |
| Min stair width (occupant load > 50) | 44 in (1118 mm) |
| Stair capacity unsprinklered | 0.3 in/person (7.62 mm) |
| Stair capacity sprinklered | 0.2 in/person (5.08 mm) |
| Min door clear width | 32 in (813 mm) |
| Max travel distance (B sprinklered) | 300 ft (91.4 m) |
| Max travel distance (B unsprinklered) | 200 ft (60.96 m) |
| Max travel distance (I-2 sprinklered) | 200 ft (60.96 m) |
| Max common path of travel (B sprinklered) | 100 ft (30.48 m) |
| Max common path of travel (B unsprinklered) | 75 ft (22.86 m) |
| Max dead-end (B sprinklered) | 50 ft (15.24 m) |
| Max dead-end (R sprinklered) | 50 ft |
2.6 Means of Egress -- Number of Exits (IBC Table 1006.3.4)
- Most occupancies: 1 exit access OK if occupant load <= 49 AND common path <= limits AND a single exit on dwelling unit with proper provisions
- 2 exits: 50-500 occupants typical
- 3 exits: 501-1000
- 4 exits: >1000
3. Fire Code
3.1 IFC 2024 + NFPA 101
US uses both IFC (model fire code, ICC) and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code 2024 as supplementary. In some states, NFPA 101 is the primary (e.g., MA, hospitals nationally adopt NFPA 99 + 101). Check AHJ.
3.2 NFPA 13 (Sprinklers)
NFPA 13:2025 (or current adopted) -- the design standard for sprinkler systems. Hazard classes Light, Ordinary 1-2, Extra 1-2. Density-area method.
3.3 NFPA 285 (Wall Assemblies)
The test method for combustible components in non-combustible wall assemblies. Often required for foam-insulated walls of Type I-IV buildings. Post-Grenfell-like incidents in US (Chicago 2010s, Las Vegas) drove tightening.
3.4 Healthcare -- FGI Guidelines
Although not in IBC, the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals 2022 is adopted by most state health departments as enforceable for hospital projects. Critical for room sizes, clearances, infection control.
4. Energy Code
4.1 IECC 2024 + ASHRAE 90.1-2022
US uses two parallel energy code regimes:
- IECC 2024 Commercial Provisions OR ASHRAE 90.1-2022 (compliance via choice; ASHRAE permitted by IECC)
- IECC 2024 Residential Provisions for low-rise residential (3 storeys or less)
- States may adopt either; California has own Title 24 Part 6 (stricter than both)
4.2 ASHRAE 169 Climate Zones (US)
8 zones (1-8) + moisture sub-zones (A humid, B dry, C marine). Examples:
| Zone | City | Description |
|---|
| 1A | Miami | Very Hot Humid |
| 2A | Houston, Atlanta (margin), Orlando | Hot Humid |
| 2B | Phoenix, Tucson | Hot Dry |
| 3A | Memphis, Atlanta | Warm Humid |
| 3B | Los Angeles, Bakersfield | Warm Dry |
| 3C | San Francisco | Warm Marine |
| 4A | Washington DC, Philadelphia, NYC | Mixed Humid |
| 4B | Albuquerque | Mixed Dry |
| 4C | Seattle, Portland OR | Mixed Marine |
| 5A | Chicago, Boston, Detroit | Cool Humid |
| 5B | Denver | Cool Dry |
| 6A | Minneapolis | Cold Humid |
| 7 | International Falls MN, Anchorage | Very Cold |
| 8 | Fairbanks, Northern Alaska | Subarctic |
4.3 ASHRAE 90.1-2022 -- Indicative U-values (W/m2K)
| Zone | Wall (Non-Res) | Roof | Floor | Window U | Window SHGC |
|---|
| 1 | 0.81 | 0.27 | -- (no req for non-cond) | 5.0 | 0.25 |
| 2 | 0.66 | 0.22 | -- | 3.7 | 0.25 |
| 3 | 0.51 | 0.22 | 1.06 | 2.7 | 0.25 |
| 4 | 0.42 | 0.22 | 0.65 | 2.4 | 0.40 |
| 5 | 0.34 | 0.20 | 0.48 | 2.0 | 0.40 |
| 6 | 0.31 | 0.18 | 0.43 | 1.7 | 0.40 |
| 7 | 0.25 | 0.17 | 0.39 | 1.6 | NR |
| 8 | 0.20 | 0.15 | 0.35 | 1.4 | NR |
4.4 California Title 24 Part 6 (CEC, 2022 revision; 2025 next)
- Stringent: requires PV on new homes (2020 onwards), heat pump water heaters in many cases (2022)
- Zero Net Energy aspirations for residential, commercial
- 16 California climate zones (not ASHRAE), each with own targets
4.5 CALGreen (Title 24 Part 11)
Mandatory green building code for California. Categories include water reduction, low-VOC materials, construction waste diversion, EV charging readiness. Two voluntary tiers above mandatory baseline.
5. Accessibility
5.1 Federal Framework
- ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design -- mandatory for state/local government (Title II) and public accommodations + commercial facilities (Title III)
- ABA Standards (Architectural Barriers Act) -- federal facilities + federally-funded
- Fair Housing Act (FHA) Design and Construction Standards -- multi-family housing 4+ units
- HUD Section 504 Standards -- HUD-funded housing (UFAS-derived)
5.2 Model Code: ANSI A117.1-2017
Referenced by IBC Chapter 11. Most state codes apply ANSI A117.1-2017 (current edition; A117.1-2009 still in effect in some jurisdictions). 2017 edition adds Adult Changing Stations, expanded reach ranges.
5.3 Critical Dimensions
| Element | Dimension |
|---|
| Accessible route | 36 in (914 mm) clear; 60 in (1525 mm) passing space every 200 ft |
| Door clear width | 32 in (813 mm) |
| Ramp slope | 1:12 max (8.33%); 1:20 preferred (5%) for tactile contrast |
| Ramp landing | 60 in (1525 mm) square; every 30 in (762 mm) rise |
| Cross slope | 1:48 max (2%) |
| Lift cabin (passenger) | 51 x 68 in (1295 x 1727 mm) -- centred-opening Type B |
| Lift cabin (Type A side-opening) | 54 x 80 in (1372 x 2032 mm) |
| Accessible WC stall | 60 x 56 in (1525 x 1422 mm) wheelchair stall |
| Accessible WC water closet | side reach 16-18 in (406-457 mm), centerline 18 in from wall |
| Lavatory | knee clear 27 in (686 mm); rim 34 in (864 mm) max |
| Accessible parking | 8 ft (2440 mm) wide stall + 5 ft (1525 mm) aisle (standard); 11 ft + 5 ft (van) |
| Van-accessible parking | 8 ft (2440 mm) + 8 ft (2440 mm) aisle (alt config) |
| Reach -- forward unobstructed | 15 in (380) low, 48 in (1220) high |
| Reach -- side unobstructed | 15 in (380) low, 48 in (1220) high |
5.4 Provision Counts (ADA + IBC Ch. 11)
- Accessible parking: 1 per 1-25 stalls; 2 per 26-50; 3 per 51-75; etc. (IBC + ADA 208.2). 1 in every 6 must be van-accessible (or 1 in every 8 standard + 1 in every 8 van).
- Accessible rooms in hotels (R-1): 4% of first 50 + 2% of remainder, distributed across price points + bed configurations
- Accessible dwelling units (R-2): per IBC + Fair Housing Act (4+ units): 2% Type A (full mobility), 100% Type B (visitable -- covered routes, switches, doors)
- Assembly seating: 1% wheelchair + adjacent companion seats, distributed
- Drinking fountains: 1 high + 1 low (or single hi-lo unit) at each location
5.5 Fair Housing Act Design Manual (HUD)
For 4+ unit residential, FHA requires:
- Accessible building entrance (one per building min)
- Common-use areas accessible
- Doors wide enough (32 in clear)
- Accessible route through dwelling unit
- Light switches, outlets, thermostats at accessible heights
- Reinforced bathroom walls for future grab-bar installation
- Usable kitchens and bathrooms (clearances)
FHA covers all 4+ unit residential built for first occupancy after March 1991.
6. Structural Standards
6.1 Load Standards (ASCE 7-22)
The single most-referenced US structural standard. Maps for:
- Wind (3-second gust, Risk Categories I-IV)
- Seismic (Sds, Sd1; ASCE 7 Site Class A-E; Seismic Design Category A-F)
- Snow (ground snow load Pg)
- Flood loads
- Tsunami loads (added in ASCE 7-16+)
- Rain
- Ice (atmospheric)
- Tornado (Risk Cat III-IV, added formally in ASCE 7-22)
6.2 Concrete (ACI 318-19)
Current edition. Distinct chapters for SDC A-F detailing.
6.3 Steel (AISC 360-22)
Current AISC unified specification (ASD + LRFD).
6.4 Wood (AWC NDS 2024, SDPWS 2021)
National Design Specification (NDS) for wood construction. SDPWS for wood diaphragms/shear walls. Mass timber (CLT, GLT) provisions integrated.
6.5 Masonry (TMS 402/602-2022)
Current edition. Reinforced and unreinforced.
7. State Deep-Dives
7.1 New York City (NYC BC 2022 + 1968 Grandfather + 2014 Commercial)
NYC has its own building code (not IBC-derived directly; chapters renumbered). NYC BC 2022 is current new construction code. NYC BC 1968 still applies to many existing buildings. NYC BC 2014 retroactively applies for certain commercial.
NYC-specific:
- Local Law 11/98 (Facade Safety) -- exterior wall inspection every 5 years for buildings >6 storeys (FISP)
- Local Law 97 (Climate Mobilization Act) -- emissions limits + fines for buildings >25,000 sf starting 2024
- Local Law 84 (Energy Benchmarking) -- annual benchmarking for >25,000 sf
- Zoning Resolution 1961+amendments -- FAR by district (R1 0.5 - R10 10.0; M+C similar); special tools (height factor, R7-2 contextual, R10 Quality Housing)
- Construction Codes Chapter 33 -- adjacent property protection (Mt. Sinai/Lincoln Center type)
7.2 California (CBC 2022 + Title 24 Parts 1-12)
California Title 24:
- Part 1 -- Building Standards Administrative Code
- Part 2 -- California Building Code (IBC + CA amendments)
- Part 2.5 -- California Residential Code
- Part 3 -- California Electrical Code (NEC + CA)
- Part 4 -- California Mechanical Code
- Part 5 -- California Plumbing Code
- Part 6 -- California Energy Code (own)
- Part 7 -- Elevator Safety
- Part 8 -- Historical Building Code
- Part 9 -- California Fire Code
- Part 10 -- Existing Building Code
- Part 11 -- CALGreen
- Part 12 -- Reference Standards
California-specific:
- WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) Code (Ch. 7A) -- ignition-resistant construction in fire severity zones
- AB 38 -- defensible space + home hardening
- Seismic Cat C-D-E typical; Hospital seismic safety (OSHPD) -- now under HCAI
- Title 25 (DSA) accessibility stricter than ADA in many places
7.3 Florida (FBC 2023)
- High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) -- Miami-Dade + Broward; ASCE 7 mapped 175 mph 0.4% probability (3-sec gust); special impact-resistant glazing required, Notice of Acceptance (NOA) approval process for products
- All Florida: wind speed 130-180 mph design 0.4%
- Energy -- FBC Energy Conservation 2023 (own; IECC-aligned)
7.4 Chicago Construction Codes 2019 (IBC-aligned)
After being unique for many decades, Chicago harmonised in 2019. Still has Chicago-specific:
- Construction Type modifications
- Refuge area requirements
- Strong fire code
7.5 Massachusetts (9th Edition + MAAB 521 CMR)
- 9th Edition (2023, IBC 2021-derived)
- 521 CMR (MAAB) -- accessibility ahead of ADA in places (stronger residential)
- Stretch Energy Code 2023 -- optional reach code towns adopt; effectively mandatory in many municipalities
7.6 Washington (WSEC 2021)
Considered most stringent state energy code in the US. Many requirements at IECC 2027 level applied today.
8. Application Workflow
- Identify AHJ -- city, county, state, federal
- Identify in-force code editions (model code year + state/local amendments + transition status). ICC + state matrices help.
- Identify special applicabilities: ADA (any public accommodation), Fair Housing (4+ unit residential), Section 504 (HUD funds), historic district restrictions, WUI zones, flood zones
- Apply IBC + IECC + IFC (or state equivalents) for life-safety, energy, fire
- Apply ASCE 7 + ACI 318 + AISC 360 for structural
- Apply ADA 2010 + ANSI A117.1-2017 for accessibility (in addition to IBC Ch. 11)
- Confirm seismic / wind / flood requirements at the specific site
- Cite clauses: "IBC 2024 Section 1006.2.1, Table 1006.2.1", "ASCE 7-22 Section 26.5.1", "ADA 2010 Section 404.2.4", "ASHRAE 90.1-2022 Section 5.4", "NFPA 101-2024 Section 7.3"
9. Quick Numeric Reference
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|
| Floor-to-floor residential R-2 | 9-10 ft (2.74-3.05 m) | Industry practice |
| Floor-to-floor office | 12-14 ft (3.66-4.27 m) | Industry practice |
| Hotel ceiling clear (R-1) | 7.5 ft (2.29 m) min | IBC 1208.2 |
| Bedroom min ceiling | 7.0 ft (2.13 m) | IBC 1208.2 |
| Corridor width (>=50 occ) | 44 in (1118 mm) | IBC 1020.3 |
| Stair width (>=50 occ) | 44 in (1118 mm) | IBC 1011.2 |
| Riser height | 4 in min, 7 in max (R/A/B/E/I/M) | IBC 1011.5.2 |
| Tread depth | 11 in min | IBC 1011.5.2 |
| Travel distance B sprinklered | 300 ft (91.4 m) | IBC 1017.2 |
| Wall U-value (Zone 4 mass) | 0.42 W/m2K (R-13.0+R-3.8c.i.) | ASHRAE 90.1-2022 |
| Wind speed 0.4% (NYC) | 122 mph (54.6 m/s) | ASCE 7-22 |
| Wind speed 0.4% (Miami HVHZ) | 175 mph (78.2 m/s) | ASCE 7-22 |
| Wind speed 0.4% (Houston) | 124 mph (55.4 m/s) | ASCE 7-22 |
| Wind speed 0.4% (LA) | 96 mph (43 m/s) | ASCE 7-22 |
| Ground snow load (Boston) | 40-50 psf (1.9-2.4 kN/m2) | ASCE 7-22 |
10. Authoritative Sources
- International Code Council (ICC) -- iccsafe.org -- IBC/IRC/IECC/IFC/IMC/IPC/IFGC/IEBC suite
- NFPA -- nfpa.org -- NFPA 101, 70, 13, 72, 285 etc.
- ASHRAE -- ashrae.org -- 90.1, 62.1, 55, 189.1
- ASCE -- asce.org -- ASCE 7, ASCE 41
- ACI -- concrete.org -- ACI 318
- AISC -- aisc.org -- AISC 360, 341
- AWC -- awc.org -- NDS, SDPWS
- DOJ ADA -- ada.gov -- ADA Standards 2010
- HUD -- hud.gov -- FHA Design Manual + Section 504 + UFAS
- GSA -- gsa.gov -- P100 Federal Facilities Standard
- CA Building Standards Commission -- bsc.ca.gov -- Title 24
- NYC Department of Buildings -- nyc.gov/buildings -- NYC BC 2022
- Florida Building Commission -- floridabuilding.org -- FBC 2023
- CDC NIOSH -- workplace + healthcare facility guidance
- FGI -- fgiguidelines.org -- Guidelines for Design and Construction (hospitals + outpatient + residential health)
- ENERGY STAR -- energystar.gov
Cross-references: load building-codes for IBC fundamentals (US is IBC's home jurisdiction); fire-life-safety for NFPA 101 + IFC; accessibility-design for ADA + ANSI A117.1 + Fair Housing; building-sustainability for LEED + ENERGY STAR + Passive House comparison; structural-systems for ASCE 7 / ACI / AISC depth; building-services for ASHRAE detail.