Section 661.301.8. Residential construction requirements.

The provisions of the International Residential Code, 2015 edition, published by the International Code Council, 500 New Jersey Avenue NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, are hereby adopted by reference as the requirements for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures, with the following amendments:

Delete section R101.1.

Delete sections R103 to R114 and sections therein.

Note: The values for table R301.2(1) shall be determined by the location of the project and referenced footnotes from table R301.2(1).

Insert new Exception 5: “5. Exterior decks, exterior balconies, and exterior porches.”

Delete chapter 11 and insert in lieu thereof rule 661—303.2(103A).

Delete all references to the “International Plumbing Code” and insert in lieu thereof “state plumbing code.”

Delete all references to the “International Mechanical Code” and insert in lieu thereof “state mechanical code.”

Delete all references to the “International Fuel Gas Code” and insert in lieu thereof “rule 661—301.9(103A).”

Delete all references to the “International Building Code” and insert in lieu thereof “rule 661—301.3(103A).”

Delete all references to the “International Fire Code” and insert in lieu thereof “state fire code.”

Delete section R310.1 and insert in lieu thereof the following new section:

R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required. Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency and rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided, they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above an adjacent permanent interior standing surface. The adjacent permanent interior standing surface shall be no less than 36 inches wide and 18 inches deep and no more than 24 inches high. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with section R310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opening from the inside. Emergency escape and rescue openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with section R310.2. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

Exception: Basements used only to house mechanical equipment and not exceeding total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m2).

Delete section R313.1.

Note: Deletion of section R313.1, which would have required the installation of sprinklers in newly constructed townhouses, is consistent with 2010 Iowa Acts, Senate Joint Resolution 2009.

Delete section R313.2.

Note: Deletion of section R313.2, which would have required the installation of sprinklers in newly constructed one- and two-family residences, is consistent with 2010 Iowa Acts, Senate Joint Resolution 2009.

Amend section R322.1.7 by striking the words “Chapter 3 of the International Private Sewage Disposal Code” and inserting in lieu thereof “567 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 69.”

Delete chapter 24 and sections therein and insert in lieu thereof the following new section:

All fuel gas piping installations shall comply with rule 661—301.9(103A).

Delete chapters 25 to 33 and sections therein, except for section P2904, and insert in lieu thereof the following new section:

All plumbing installations shall comply with the state plumbing code as adopted by the state plumbing and mechanical systems board pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 105.

Exception: Factory-built structures, as referenced by Iowa Code section 103A.10(3), that contain plumbing installations are allowed to comply with either the state plumbing code or with the International Plumbing Code, 2015 edition, published by the International Code Council, 500 New Jersey Avenue NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001. The manufacturer’s data plate must indicate which plumbing code was utilized for compliance with this rule, as required by 661—paragraph 16.610(15)“e.”

Delete chapters 34 to 43 and sections therein and insert in lieu thereof the following new section:

The provisions of the state electrical code, as adopted and amended in 661—Chapter 504, are hereby adopted by reference as the requirements for electrical installations.

Delete appendices A through U of the IRC.

[ARC 8305B, IAB 11/18/09, effective 1/1/10 (See Delay note at end of chapter); ARC 8771B, IAB 5/19/10, effective 5/1/10; ARC 2492C, IAB 4/13/16, effective 5/18/16]