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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Harmon, Sharon Koomen, 1964- author.
The codes guidebook for interiors/Sharon Koomen Harmon, IIDA ; Katherine E. Kennon, AIA — Sixth edition.
pages cm
Includes index.
Summary: “The Codes Guidebook for Interiors, Sixth Edition is the standards reference of choice for designers and architects, and the only guide devoted exclusively to codes applicable to interiors”— Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-118-80936-5 (hardback); 978-1-118-80979-2 (ebk.); 978-1-118-80987-7 (ebk.)
1. Building laws—United States. 2. Buildings—Specifications—United States. 3. Interior architecture—Specifications—United States. I. Kennon, Katherine E., author. II. Title.
KF5701.H37 2014
343.7307′8624—dc23
2014011433
This book is dedicated to the special men in my life: my husband,
James Kennon, Jr., and my sons Drake and Noel.
Codes and standards continue to change and evolve. Even federal regulations are amended and updated. Why does this seem like a never-ending process? Because the many organizations and individuals that develop the codes, standards, and federal regulations strive to make the built environment as safe as possible. We learn from recent events and apply this knowledge to our future buildings and spaces.
A wide variety of factors are taken into consideration. Recent building fires, natural disasters, and even acts of terrorism shed light on how building safety can be improved. Industry trends, such as new building products and improved technology, provide additional options for addressing building safety. Even the growing exchange of information worldwide has affected the concepts concerning building safety in recent years. For instance, performance codes were used in other countries before they were developed for use in the United States. In addition, we are already seeing sustainability and green practices incorporated into the codes, standards, and federal regulations—and at a much faster rate than originally anticipated. All of these influences continue to lead to new opportunities for collaboration between various organizations and future changes to the codes and standards. These ongoing changes challenge design professionals to stay up to date.
This book concentrates on the interior of a building because the codes, standards, and federal regulations affect projects on the interior of a building as much as the building shell. The goal is to make the codes user-friendly and to provide a good overall understanding of the various codes, standards, and federal regulations.
What sets this book apart is that it does more than just repeat the code requirements; it explains how various requirements and concepts work together to create building safety. This book considers the requirements from more than one specific code, and discusses the relationship of the various code publications and other related documents and how to incorporate the different requirements into a single project. Understanding the overall code process creates safer buildings. It also makes code research more efficient, which can save both time and money. This sixth edition of The Codes Guidebook for Interiors includes the most recent changes and updates to the codes, standards, and federal regulations. The following previews what is included.
Focuses on the most current and widely used building code, the 2012 International Building Code (IBC), as well as other related International Code Council (ICC) codes, such as the 2012 International Fire Code.
Discusses how to use the NFPA’s 2012 Life Safety Code (LSC) in conjunction with the IBC regarding the various code topics presented, ranging from selecting occupancy classifications to determining means of egress and fire resistant assemblies.
Incorporates information on the many standards referenced by the codes or used by the building and interior industry.
Discusses the relationship of the ICC accessibility standard (2009 ICC A117.1) and the 2010 ADA Standards and how to use them in conjunction with the codes. The differences between the original 1991 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the new 2010 ADA Standards are also explained.
Explains sustainability practices as they relate to the existing codes and newly developed green codes and standards, including the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) and the ASHRAE/USGBC/IES 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
Describes the relationship between the energy codes, such as the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), sustainability codes, and federal energy regulations, and the IBC.
Includes interior-related electrical code requirements based on the 2011 and 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC).
Explains plumbing codes (and plumbing fixtures), using the 2012 International Plumbing Code, and mechanical codes as they pertain to interior projects.
Discusses the newest information on finish and furniture standards and testing, including the most current sustainability and life safety issues.
Presents the role of alternative materials and methods and performance codes to allow creative options for meeting prescriptive code requirements.
Explains the terms, concepts, and requirements of the codes, standards, and federal regulations in a simple, organized format—explaining the differences, which codes to use, and how to use them together.
Includes multiple examples and sample floor plans covering a wide variety of building types and occupancy classifications.
Includes many diagrams combining code and accessibility- related requirements for items such as means of egress, toilet and bathing rooms, and finish- and furniture-related items.
Includes an updated checklist in each chapter.
Includes the latest information on working with code officials and documenting your projects using prescriptive, performance, and/or sustainability codes.
Addresses a variety of building and project types, both large and small, and includes information on existing buildings, historic buildings, and single-family homes.
Supplementing the information in this book, a Study Guide is also available. It is a valuable resource to test your understanding of the terms, concepts, and requirements presented in the Guidebook.I hope that this book is helpful to you.
Katherine E. Kennon, AIA
This book was originally conceived and developed by Sharon K. Harmon as part of her personal education and development as an interior designer. She invited me to become part of this journey starting with the second edition. We have been partners in this endeavor through the subsequent revisions and editions. Although for this sixth edition she officially handed me the torch to carry on this work, she continued to help me with the parts of the process that she had mastered to make this task and this edition possible. I appreciate her trust and her assistance.
In order for the book to continue to be relevant and accurate, having industry professionals give perspective on the content is essential. I luckily found people willing to take the time to read, comment and suggest on sections and chapters within their professional purview. I want to thank Kim Shinn (sustainability), Steve Kemp (various engineering disciplines), Richard Graham (electrical) and Scott Lunsford (communication) for their contribution to the content of this edition.
I want to thank the International Code Council (ICC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) who continue to allow the use of their source material and to clarify code requirements so that they can be accurately represented in this text.
I want to thank the building and associated industry representatives who continue to allow the use of their images and products such Viking Group, APCO Graphics, Steelcraft Manufacturing, Underwriters Laboratories, and ACT. They make it possible to give real examples and images of code related elements.
Even though this book is on its sixth edition, the creation of the final product is defined by new technologies, processes and people each time. For perspective, the submission process for the first edition that I worked on, involved a large amount of paper and shipping time for delivery of edited material: now, the process occurs almost instantaneously and completely through cyberspace. So, for my first solo mission on this edition, I uniquely appreciate those at John Wiley & Sons, Inc. who helped me through this process-sometimes step by step including Paul Drougas, Amy Odum and Lauren Poplawski. I also appreciate Lauren Olesky’s direction and encouragement for the added task to create supplementary resources, stretching this edition’s effectiveness beyond the book’s pages. I appreciate all those at John Wiley who continue to be advocates for this book, to value its unique place in the industry and have been integral to its development, past and present.
I would particularly like to thank the readers, who continue to buy and recommend the book. Whether you use this book as an educator or student or for your own personal professional development, your feedback and support of the book is what motivates me to keep this endeavor up to date and pertinent to the industry. I hope that this relationship continues to benefit the design community and safe building environments.