Short story... two years ago I got the idea of putting a steel, wood burning fireplace in my house. I went to the municipal office and asked questions. They gave me a permit application and they said it would need to be inspected. I asked what code will be used for inspection and they said "basically, we follow the installation manual since manufacturers already did all the UL testing."
Fast forward to COVID furlough and I finally have time to do it. Stopped in for a permit application and they tell me that NOW, I have to conform to the 2015 IBC Chapter 10 (means of egress) parameters. I don't think I do. Short ceilings.
Fortunately, at this point I haven't done anything specific that isn't easy to undo... except purchasing the fireplace itself, but that's on me. I was working with old information.
Questions:
- first, when I read complex language like the IBC code, everything seems in conflict. I have spent over an hour reading relevant sections and one paragraph seems to tell me that I need one egress of not less than 78" height, then another paragraph tells me I can't even have occupancy of more than 3 because I don't have an automated sprinkler system. This type of legal reading interpretation is not my strong suit. Anyone familiar with Chapter 10? Can you maybe boil it down for me? I tried asking the building inspector and, of course, he just pretended like I was the worst hemorrhoid he'd ever had. Not to mention, actually getting him on the phone or to return an email is a multi-day process.
- I'm supposed to submit two construction drawings (no problem) with the permit app. Does the permitting process include any scrutiny? I'm saying - if I submit drawings with all the relative dimensions of my house that pertain to Chapter 10, will they not issue the permit if I don't comply? Or is the permit just a money thing, then I would get screwed during the inspection? I'm trying to figure out if my $12.50 permit application will cause a preliminary "yes you can, no you can't" process, or if they'll just issue it regardless of whether or not I actually comply.
This is a single-family R1 house.
1003.2 seems relevant. It excludes residential dwelling and sleeping units from the ceiling height requirement.
I think you are in the wrong book. There is a residential code for single family dwellings and a commercial code for commercial buildings. You are reading the commercial code book.
Oh. Ok. let me do some more googling. Be back soon.
Duke
MegaDork
8/28/20 8:55 a.m.
CURTIS:
You're in the wrong code. You want the 2015 IRC. Chapter 10 is Chimneys and Fireplaces.
That being said, it doesn't help all that much, since it's mostly centered around site-built masonry fireplaces and chimneys. What you're looking for really is Section R1004-R1005 which is about factory-built fireplaces and chimneys. Your stuff will have to comply with UL 127, UL 103, and UL 1618.
Whew.
Ok. looks like I'll be good. The township inspector specifically said IBC, but am I correct that the IBC further subdivided into ICC and IRC?
Reading through the IRC, it looks like I'm good.
Duke
MegaDork
8/28/20 9:07 a.m.
Yes, the International Code Council (ICC) is the over-arching body that writes consistent code documents. The codes are roughly broken into International Building Code (IBC) which governs commercial, institutional, large multi-family, and other public buildings. The International Residential Code (IRC) governs single- and smaller multi-family residential construction, and is typically much simpler.
You can access all the ICC codes here for free. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is a useful one, too, with good information about insulation and efficiency requirements.
Fireplace is UL127 for sure. Looks like I need the HT chimney which isn't a big deal. It's the same basic cost.... but hard to find in stock. Everything this manufacturer sells is UL103.
Thank you folks. Now to fill out the permit app.
I am disappointed in this thread.
Just a note on bureaucracy. Too often my Dad has gone to build something and been quoted a code or regulation only to do some digging and find out that the county doesn't actually require compliance with that code, but instead requires something completely different.
It may be worth digging into your municipality's statutes and laws to find out what is actually required.
I will do that, but PA is a regulatory state; meaning that the individual departments and governing bodies do not fall under the jurisdiction of the courts. For instance, if a state judge tells the DCNR (wildlife commission) that they violated the law and must re-issue a hunting license that they suspended, the DCNR takes it as a cute suggestion and makes their own decision.
Therefore we are one of those states in which the most stringent rule is followed. If the county says I don't need to follow IRC, it doesn't matter. My town does, so that is the governing entity.
In reading the IRC 10, I don't anticipate a problem. The installation instructions for the fireplace are even more specific than IRC 10, and in some cases the text is a direct copy/paste of it.
