§ 3.102. Amendments to the International Residential Code, 2015 Edition.

(a)

In general.

(1)

As used in this section, the term "this Code" means the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2015 Edition.

(2)

As used in this Code, the term "Building Official" means the Director of the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits or the Director's authorized designee.

(3)

Where the name of the jurisdiction is to be indicated in any section of this Code, insert "Howard County".

(4)

As used in this Code, the term "Department of Building Safety" means the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.

(b)

Local amendments. The following amendments modify certain provisions of the adopted code.

(1)

Subsection R101.2 Scope.

Add the following at the end of the subsection:

R101.2.1 Subdivision and land development. If a site development plan is required by the Howard County Subdivision Regulations, a permit shall not be issued until the site development plan is approved unless authorized by the Director of Planning and zoning

R101.2.2 Site work and safeguards. The requirements of the International Building Code, Chapter 33, shall apply for site work and safeguards during construction.

(2)

Subsection R102.2 Other Laws.

Add the following to the end of this subsection:

R102.2.1 Residential sprinkler. Residential sprinkler systems installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 of the International Building Code, 2015 Edition, are allowed for townhouse sprinkler systems required by the fire laws contained in the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

R102.2.2 Industrialized (modular) construction. The construction standards of the Industrialized Building and Manufactured Homes Act, codified at Title 12, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland shall apply to industrialized (modular) buildings.

Exception: the Howard County Fire Prevention Code, Subdivision and Land Development Regulations, Zoning Regulations, and sediment and erosion control regulations apply to the construction of industrial (modular) buildings. The requirements of this Code shall apply to the foundation and site work associated with the installation of industrialized (modular) buildings.

R102.2.3 Manufactured housing. The construction standards of the Federal Mobile Home Act and the Industrialized Building and Manufactured Homes Act, codified at Title 12, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland shall apply.

Exception: the Howard County Fire Prevention Code, Subdivision and Land Development Regulations, Zoning Regulations, and sediment and erosion control regulations apply to the construction of manufactured homes. The requirements of Appendix E of this Code, for design and installation of footings, foundations, skirting and perimeter enclosures, exits, piers, and ground anchors shall apply for the siting of manufactured homes.

(3)

Subsection R102.4 Referenced Codes and Standards.

Add the following to the end of this Subsection:

R102.4.3 Whenever in this Code the term "NFPA 70 National Electrical Code " is used, it shall mean the Electrical Code for Howard County adopted pursuant to subtitle 2 of this title.

R102.4.4 Whenever in this Code the term " International Plumbing Code " is used, it shall mean the Plumbing and Gasfitting Code for Howard County adopted pursuant to subtitle 3 of this title.

R102.4.5 Whenever in this Code the term " International Fire Code " is used, it shall mean the Howard County Fire Prevention Code adopted pursuant to section 17.104 of the Howard County Code.

R102.4.6 Whenever in this Code the term " International Fuel Gas Code " is used, it shall mean the Plumbing and Gasfitting Code for Howard County adopted pursuant to subtitle 3 of this title.

R102.4.7 Whenever in this Code the term " International Private Sewage Disposal Code " is used, it shall mean Howard County water and sewer regulations adopted in title 18, subtitle 1, subtitle 12, and subtitle 15 and in title 12, subtitle 1 of the Howard County Code.

R102.4.8 Whenever in this Code the term " International Property Maintenance Code " is used, it shall mean the Howard County Property Maintenance Code for rental housing adopted pursuant to subtitle 7 of this title.

R102.4.9 Whenever in this Code the term " International Mechanical Code " is used, it shall mean the Mechanical Code of Howard County adopted pursuant to section 3.103 of this subtitle.

R102.4.10 Whenever in this Code the term " International Building Code " is used, it shall mean the Howard County Building Code adopted pursuant to this subtitle.

(4)

Subsection R102.7 Existing Structures.

In this subsection delete " International Property Maintenance Code or the International Fire Code " and substitute "Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing, Howard County Fire Prevention Code, and the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code".

(5)

Subsection R102.7.1 Additions, Alterations or Repairs.

Insert at the beginning of the first sentence:

"Unless excepted by the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code,".

(6)

Sections R103 Through R114.

Delete sections R103 through R114, inclusive and in their entirety, and substitute the following:

R103 Administration. Sections 103 through 118 of the International Building Code, 2015 Edition, as adopted and amended in this subtitle, shall govern the administration and enforcement of this Code.

(7)

Table R301.2(1) Climate and Geographical Design Criteria.

In Table R301.2(1) insert the following criteria:

(i)

In the column for "ground snow load", insert "25 lb";

(ii)

In the column for "wind design", insert "115" under "speed"; "no" under "topographic effects"; "no" under "special wind region"; and "no" under "wind-borne debris zone";

(iii)

In the column for "seismic design category", insert "A";

(iv)

In the column for "subject to damage from"; under "weathering" insert "severe"; under "frost line depth" insert "30"; and under "termite" insert "mod-heavy";

(v)

In the column for "winter design temp", insert "20";

(vi)

In the column for "ice barrier underlayment required", insert "yes";

(vii)

In the column for "floor hazards", insert "see flood maps";

(viii)

In the column for "air freezing index" insert "1500"; and

(ix)

In the column for "mean annual temp" insert "55".

(8)

Subsection R301.2.4 Floodplain Construction .

In this subsection, delete "ASCE 24" and substitute "section 3112, Floodplain, of the Howard County Building Code".

(9)

Subsection R301.2.4.1 Alternative Provisions.

Delete this Subsection.

(10)

Subsection R301.6 Roof Load.

After the first "load" delete the rest of the sentence and substitute "of 30 psf and no reduction for slope".

(11)

Table R301.6 Minimum Roof Live Loads.

Delete the table in its entirety.

(12)

Subsection R302.2 Townhouses.

Insert the following before the first sentence:

Each townhouse shall be considered a separate building and shall be separated by fire-resistance-rated wall assemblies meeting the requirements of section R302.1 for exterior walls.

(13)

Subsection R302.2.4 Structural Independence.

Delete exception number 5.

(14)

Subsection R308.4.3 Glazing in Windows.

In number 4, add exception number 4 as follows:

"Safety glaze film in accordance with ANSI Z97.1".

(15)

Subsection R311.7.8.3 Grip Size.

(i)

In number 1, delete "2¼ inches (57 MM)" and substitute " 3¼ inches"; and

(ii)

In number 2, delete "2¾ inches (70mm)" and substitute "3¼ inches".

(16)

Subsection R312.1.1 Where Required .

Add the following exception:

" Exception: Alternative designs may be approved by the Building Official."

(17)

Subsection R320.1 Scope.

Delete this subsection and substitute the following:

R320.1 Scope. Accessible dwelling units shall comply with the provisions of the Maryland Accessibility Code.

(18) Subsection R322.1 General.

In this subsection, delete "ASCE 24" and substitute "section 3112, floodplain, of the Howard County Building Code".

(19)

Subsection R326.1 General .

Delete "International Swimming Pool and Spa Code" and substitute with "in accordance with section 3109 of the International Building Code".

(20)

Section R327 Sound Transmission.

Add new section R327 after section R326 as follows:

R327 Sound transmission. The requirements of Appendix K shall apply to the construction of all new residential buildings.

(21)

Appendix K, Section AK102.1 General .

In the first sentence, delete "45" and substitute "50".

(22)

Appendix K, Section AK103.1 General .

In the first sentence, delete "45" and substitute "50".

(23)

Section R328 Radon Control.

Add new section R328 after section R327 as follows:

Section R328 Radon control. Radon control methods set forth in Appendix F, shall apply to the construction of new residential buildings.

(24)

Section R329 Manufactured Housing.

Add new section R329 after section R328 as follows:

Section R329 Manufactured Housing. Manufactured Housing used as dwellings shall comply with Appendix E.

(25)

Subsection R403.1.4.1 Frost Protection.

(i)

In exception No. 1, delete "600 square feet (52 m )" and substitute "400 square feet"; and

(ii)

Delete Exception No. 3.

(26)

Table R404.1.2(3) Minimum Vertical Reinforcement for 8-Inch Nominal Flat Basement Walls.

In the column titled "Minimum vertical reinforcement bar size and spacing", for the soil class "GM, GC, SM, SM-SC and ML":

a.

For maximum wall height of 8 feet and maximum unbalanced backfill height of 7 feet, change the minimum vertical reinforcement size and spacing, minimum nominal wall thickness from "6 @ 36" to "NR"; and

b.

For maximum wall height of 9 feet and maximum unbalanced backfill height of 7 feet, change the minimum vertical reinforcement size and spacing, minimum nominal wall thickness from "6 @ 35" to "NR"; and

(27)

Table R404.1.2(4) Minimum Vertical Reinforcement for 10-Inch Nominal Flat Basement Walls.

In the column titled "Minimum vertical reinforcement bar size and spacing", for the soil class "GM, GC, SM, SM-SC and ML": for a maximum wall height of 9 feet and a maximum unbalanced backfill height of 8 feet, change the minimum vertical reinforcement size and spacing minimum wall thickness from "6 @ 31" to "NR".

(28)

Table R404.1.2(8) Minimum Vertical Reinforcement for 6-, 8-, 10-Inch and 12-Inch Nominal Flat Basement Walls.

In the column titled "Minimum vertical reinforcement bar size and spacing", for the soil class "GM, GC, SM, SM-SC and ML":

(i)

In the sub-column titled "Minimum nominal wall thickness (inches)", for 8 inches:

a.

For maximum wall height of 8 feet and maximum unbalanced backfill height of 7 feet, change the minimum vertical reinforcement size and spacing, minimum nominal wall thickness from "5 @ 41" to "NR"; and

b.

For maximum wall height of 9 feet and maximum unbalanced backfill height of 7 feet, change the minimum vertical reinforcement size and spacing, minimum nominal wall thickness from "5 @ 37" to "NR"; and

(ii)

In the sub-column titled "minimal nominal wall thickness (inches)"; for 10 inches, for a maximum wall height of 9 feet and a maximum unbalanced backfill height of 8 feet, change the minimum vertical reinforcement size and spacing minimum wall thickness from "5 @ 37" to "NR".

(29)

Subsection R405.1 Concrete or Masonry Foundations.

Amend this subsection as follows:

(i)

Delete the exception to this subsection; and

(ii)

Add new subsection R405.1.2 after subsection 405.1.1 as follows:

R405.1.2 Foundation drains. Subsoil drains having a minimum 3 inch diameter or other approved drains of equivalent cross sectional area shall be provided around foundations enclosing usable spaces located below grade. Drains shall be installed on the exterior of the foundation or on the interior of the foundation with pipes of at least a 2-inch diameter leading to the exterior every 4 feet around the perimeter of the foundation. In each case, the top of the drain shall be below the bottom of slab. Drains for poured concrete foundation may be placed on top of the footing. Subsoil drains shall be covered with a minimum of a 4-inch depth of gravel or washed stone and building paper, filter cloth, or other approved material. The end of a subsoil drain shall discharge by gravity or by mechanical means to an approved drainage outfall.

(30)

Subsection R602.10.5 Minimum Length of a Braced Wall Panel.

After the first sentence insert the following:

WSP method is the preferred method of sheathing. If a method other than WSP method is used, then detailed site-specific plans showing the specific location, length, and nailing methods of panels and whether any specialized equipment/hardware, etc. will be required. Such detailed plans shall always be required, even if utilizing the WSP method, for walls with large-openings (e.g., sunroom/morning rooms and garage openings). In addition, all projects with site-specific detailed plans (i.e., all projects not braced in accordance with the WSP method and the portion of large-opening wall sections mentioned above) will require inspection prior to the installation of exterior wall weatherproofing (e.g., house wraps, siding, etc).

(31)

Subsection R802.10.2.1 Applicability Limits.

In the last sentence, delete ".7" and substitute "1.0".

(32)

Subsection M1401.1.1 HVAC Permit Required.

Add new subsection M1401.1.1 after subsection M1401.1 as follows:

M1401.1.1 HVAC permit required. A HVAC permit is required for every system installed in a new single family dwelling or new single family addition.

(33)

Subsection M1401.3.1 Plans and Information Required.

Add new subsection M1401.3.1 after subsection M1401.3 as follows:

M1401.3.1 Plans and information required. Each permit application shall be accompanied by a simplified, but accurate, plan drawn to scale which shall include:

(i)

An information block with the:

a.

Specific building address (not lot number);

b.

Name of the company or person doing work;

c.

Name of the licensee and their signature;

d.

State license registration number;

e.

Scale used; and

f.

North arrow;

(ii)

Rooms, windows, exterior doors, or other relevant construction features including, but not limited to, skylights, porches, or attic access to equipment that may affect the integrity of the HVAC system and its installation; and

(iii)

A line drawing of HVACR system components superimposed on the plan showing the location, dimension, and relevant elements, including, but not limited to:

a.

Interior or exterior HVACR equipment;

b.

Duct trunk lines and transitions;

c.

Branch ducts/run-outs, dampers, and registers with CFM ratings;

d.

Thermostats;

e.

Return ducts and grills;

f.

Duct insulation; and

(iv)

A summary of Manual J calculations for the proposed work.

(34)

Subsection M1503.1 General .

In the first sentence of the exception after the first "where" insert the following:

"An operable window located within 12 feet of the cooking surface is provided and".

(35)

Chapter 24 Through Chapter 43.

Delete these chapters, inclusive and in their entirety.

(C.B. 10, 2015, § 1)