The Codes Guidebook for Interiors

SHARON KOOMEN HARMON has more than twenty-five years experience in interior design and project management. Combining this with her strong interest in natural health, she now owns Life Design for Health, which helps people pursue a holistic approach to health and well-being. KATHERINE E. KENNON, AIA, is a professional architect, educator, and code consultant. She is an adjunct professor at Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film in Nashville, TN. She also conducts continuing education seminars on design, building codes, and accessibility issues for design students and professionals.

INSET INDEX XI PREFACE XIII ACKNOWLEDGMENTS XVII INTRODUCTION: HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 1 Definitions 2 Using Codes in the Design Process 3 Organization of the Book 5 Available Codes and Standards 6 Prescriptive and Performance 7 Accessibility Regulations 8 Sustainability Requirements 9 Figures in the Book 10 Getting Started 10 Minimum Requirements 11 CHAPTER 1: ABOUT THE CODES 13 A Brief History 14 Code Publications 15 Federal Regulations 35 Standards Organizations 43 State and Local Codes 53 Interior Codes Checklist 54 CHAPTER 2: OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATIONS AND LOADS 57 Understanding Occupancy Classifications 58 Comparing the Codes 61 Description of Occupancies 63 New versus Existing Occupancies 83 More Than One Occupancy Type 86 Accessibility Requirements 95 Determining Occupant Loads 99 Using the Occupant Load 110 Checklist 111 CHAPTER 3: CONSTRUCTION TYPES AND BUILDING SIZES 115 Understanding Construction Types 116 Comparing the Codes 119 Combustible versus Noncombustible 120 Determining Construction Types 122 Sustainability Considerations 129 Understanding Building Height and Area 131 Height and Area Limitations 136 CHAPTER 4: MEANS OF EGRESS 139 Comparing the Codes 140 Means of Egress Components 142 Exit Accesses 147 Exits 168 Areas of Refuge 174 Exit Discharges 178 Means of Egress Capacity 180 Arrangement of Exits 194 Signage 205 Emergency Lighting and Communication 209 Checklist 210 CHAPTER 5: FIRE AND SMOKE RESISTANT ASSEMBLIES 215 Comparing the Codes 217 Compartmentation in a Building 220 Fire Walls 221 Fire Barriers, Horizontal Assemblies, and Fire Partitions 222 Smoke Barriers and Smoke Partitions 241 Opening Protectives 244 Through-Penetration Protectives 257 Test Ratings 263 Using Rated Materials and Assemblies 265 Sustainability Considerations 269 Checklist 270 CHAPTER 6: FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS 275 Comparing the Codes 276 Detection Systems 279 Alarm Systems 284 Extinguishing Systems 290 Sustainability Considerations 304 Checklist 305 CHAPTER 7: PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS 309 Comparing Plumbing Codes 310 Number of Plumbing Fixtures 311 Plumbing Fixture Requirements 320 Toilet and Bathing Facilities 331 Plumbing Sustainability Considerations 348 Comparing Mechanical Codes 349 Mechanical Requirements 352 Mechanical Sustainability Considerations 359 Checklist 360 CHAPTER 8: ELECTRICAL AND COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS 365 Comparing Electrical Codes 366 Electrical Components and Devices 369 Grounding and Circuit Interrupters 382 Light Fixtures 386 Required Electrical Systems 391 Electrical Sustainability Considerations 394 Comparing Communication Codes 398 Communication Components and Devices 400 Types of Communication Systems 407 Communication Sustainability Considerations 415 Checklist 415 CHAPTER 9: FINISH AND FURNITURE SELECTION 419 Types of Finishes and Furnishings 420 Comparing the Codes 421 Standards and Testing 424 Determining Finish Classifications 450 Obtaining Test Results 456 Accessibility Requirements 462 Other Code Restrictions 468 Sustainability Considerations 472 Checklist 478 CHAPTER 10: CODE OFFICIALS AND THE CODE PROCESS 483 Authority Having Jurisdiction 484 Code Enforcement 488 The Code Process 490 Documentation and Liability 505 Future Technology 512 APPENDIX A: ACCESSIBILITY AND THE ADA 515 Places Requiring Accessibility 515 Original ADAAG 518 New ADA Standard 519 Level of Compliance 521 Regulation and Enforcement 524 Responsibility for Compliance 525 APPENDIX B: SUSTAINABILITY 527 Green Rating Systems 529 Sustainable Standards and Certification Programs 533 Life Cycle Assessments 537 Environmental Product Declarations 540 Additional Tools 540 APPENDIX C: EXISTING AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS 543 Existing Buildings 545 Historic Buildings 549 Sustainability Considerations 551 APPENDIX D: FAMILY RESIDENCES 553 Construction Types and Building Size 554 Means of Egress 554 Fire and Smoke Resistance 555 Fire Protection 556 Plumbing 557 Mechanical 558 Electrical and Communication 559 Finishes and Furniture 560 Accessibility Considerations 561 Sustainability Considerations 561 BIBLIOGRAPHY (BY TOPIC) 565 GLOSSARY 567 INDEX 583