2016 Utah Code
Title 15A - State Construction and Fire Codes Act
Chapter 3 - Statewide Amendments Incorporated as Part of State Construction Code
Part 2 - Statewide Amendments to International Residential Code
Section 202 - Amendments to Chapters 1 through 5 of IRC.

Effective 7/1/2016
15A-3-202. Amendments to Chapters 1 through 5 of IRC.

• (1) In IRC, Section R102, a new Section R102.7.2 is added as follows: "R102.7.2 Physical change for bedroom window egress. A structure whose egress window in an existing bedroom is smaller than required by this code, and that complied with the construction code in effect at the time that the bedroom was finished, is not required to undergo a physical change to conform to this code if the change would compromise the structural integrity of the structure or could not be completed in accordance with other applicable requirements of this code, including setback and window well requirements."

• (2) In IRC, Section 109:
  • (a) A new IRC, Section 109.1.5, is added as follows: "R109.1.5 Weather-resistant exterior wall envelope inspections. An inspection shall be made of the weather-resistant exterior wall envelope as required by Section R703.1 and flashings as required by Section R703.8 to prevent water from entering the weather-resistive barrier."
  • (b) The remaining sections are renumbered as follows: R109.1.6 Other inspections; R109.1.6.1 Fire- and smoke-resistance-rated construction inspection; R109.1.6.2 Reinforced masonry, insulating concrete form (ICF) and conventionally formed concrete wall inspection; and R109.1.7 Final inspection.

• (3) IRC, Section R114.1, is deleted and replaced with the following: "R114.1 Notice to owner. Upon notice from the building official that work on any building or structure is being prosecuted contrary to the provisions of this code or other pertinent laws or ordinances or in an unsafe and dangerous manner, such work shall be immediately stopped. The stop work order shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property involved, or to the owner's agent or to the person doing the work; and shall state the conditions under which work will be permitted to resume."

• (4) In IRC, Section R202, the following definition is added: "CERTIFIED BACKFLOW PREVENTER ASSEMBLY TESTER: A person who has shown competence to test Backflow prevention assemblies to the satisfaction of the authority having jurisdiction under Utah Code, Subsection 19-4-104(4)."

• (5) In IRC, Section R202, the definition for "CONDITIONED SPACE" is modified by deleting the words at the end of the sentence "being heated or cooled by any equipment or appliance" and replacing them with the following: "enclosed within the building thermal envelope that is directly heated or cooled, or indirectly heated or cooled by any of the following means:
  1. Openings directly into an adjacent conditioned space.
  2. An un-insulated floor, ceiling or wall adjacent to a conditioned space.
  3. Un-insulated duct, piping or other heat or cooling source within the space."

• (6) In IRC, Section R202, the definition of "Cross Connection" is deleted and replaced with the following: "CROSS CONNECTION. Any physical connection or potential connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas, or chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from one system to the other, with the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see "Backflow, Water Distribution")."

• (7) In IRC, Section 202, in the definition for gray water a comma is inserted after the word "washers"; the word "and" is deleted; and the following is added to the end: "and clear water wastes which have a pH of 6.0 to 9.0; are non-flammable; non-combustible; without objectionable odors; non-highly pigmented; and will not interfere with the operation of the sewer treatment facility."

• (8) In IRC, Section R202, the definition of "Potable Water" is deleted and replaced with the following: "POTABLE WATER. Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming to the Utah Code, Title 19, Chapter 4, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Title 19, Chapter 5, Water Quality Act, and the regulations of the public health authority having jurisdiction."

• (9) IRC, Figure R301.2(5), is deleted and replaced with Table R301.2(5a) and Table R301.2(5b) as follows:
  • "TABLE NO. R301.2(5a)
  • STATE OF UTAH - REGIONAL SNOW LOAD FACTORS
  • COUNTYP_oSA_o
  • Beaver43636.2
  • Box Elder43635.2
  • Cache50634.5
  • Carbon43635.2
  • Daggett43636.5
  • Davis43634.5
  • Duchesne43636.5
  • Emery43636.0
  • Garfield43636.0
  • Grand36636.5
  • Iron43635.8
  • Juab43635.2
  • Kane36635.7
  • Millard43635.3
  • Morgan57634.5
  • Piute43636.2
  • Rich57634.1
  • Salt Lake43634.5
  • San Juan43636.5
  • Sanpete43635.2
  • Sevier43636.0
  • Summit86635.0
  • Tooele43634.5
  • Uintah43637.0
  • Utah43634.5
  • Wasatch86635.0
  • Washington29636.0
  • Wayne36636.5
  • Weber43634.5
  • TABLE NO. R301.2(5b)
  • REQUIRED SNOW LOADS FOR SELECTED UTAH CITIES AND TOWNS^1,2
  • The following jurisdictions require design snow load values that differ from the Equation in the Utah Snow Load Study.
  • CountyCityElevationGround Snow Load (psf)Roof Snow Load (psf) ⁶
  • CarbonPrice³
    All other county locations⁵5550
    --43
    --30
    --
  • DavisFruit Heights³4500 - 48505740
  • EmeryGreen River³40703625
  • GarfieldPanguitch³66004330
  • RichWoodruff³
    Laketown⁴
    Garden City⁵
    Randolph⁴6315
    6000
    --
    630057
    57
    --
    5740
    40
    --
    40
  • San JuanMonticello³68205035
  • SummitCoalville³
    Kamas⁴5600
    650086
    11460
    80
  • TooeleTooele³51004330
  • UtahOrem³
    Pleasant Grove⁴
    Provo⁵4650
    5000
    --43
    43
    --30
    30
    --
  • WasatchHeber⁵------
  • WashingtonLeeds³
    Santa Clara³
    St. George³
    All other county locations⁵3460
    2850
    2750
    --29
    21
    21
    --20
    15
    15
    --
  • WayneLoa³70804330
  • ¹The IRC requires a minimum live load -- See R301.6.
  • ²This table is informational only in that actual site elevations may vary. Table is only valid if site elevation is within 100 feet of the listed elevation. Otherwise, contact the local Building Official.
  • ³Values adopted from Table VII of the Utah Snow Load Study
  • ⁴Values based on site-specific study. Contact local Building Official for additional information.
  • ⁵Contact local Building Official.
  • ⁶Based on C_e =1.0, C_t =1.0 and I_s =1.0"

• (10) IRC, Section R301.6, is deleted and replaced with the following: "R301.6 Utah Snow Loads. The snow loads specified in Table R301.2(5b) shall be used for the jurisdictions identified in that table. Otherwise, the ground snow load, P_g, to be used in the determination of design snow loads for buildings and other structures shall be determined by using the following formula: P_g = (P_o² + S²(A-A_o)²)^0.5 for A greater than A_o, and P_g = P_o for A less than or equal to A_o.
  WHERE:
  P_g = Ground snow load at a given elevation (psf);
  P_o = Base ground snow load (psf) from Table No. R301.2(5a);
  S = Change in ground snow load with elevation (psf/100 ft.) From Table No. R301.2(5a);
  A = Elevation above sea level at the site (ft./1,000);
  A_o = Base ground snow elevation from Table R301.2(5a) (ft./1,000).
  The building official may round the roof snow load to the nearest 5 psf. The ground snow load, P_g, may be adjusted by the building official when a licensed engineer or architect submits data substantiating the adjustments.
  Where the minimum roof live load in accordance with Table R301.6 is greater than the design roof snow load, such roof live load shall be used for design, however, it shall not be reduced to a load lower than the design roof snow load. Drifting need not be considered for roof snow loads less than 20 psf."

• (11) In IRC, Section R302.5.1, the words "self-closing device" are deleted and replaced with "self-latching hardware".

• (12) IRC, Section R302.13, is deleted.

• (13) In IRC, Section R303.4, the number "5" is changed to "3" in the first sentence.

• (14) IRC, Sections R311.7.4 through R311.7.5.3, are deleted and replaced with the following: "R311.7.4 Stair treads and risers. R311.7.5.1 Riser height. The maximum riser height shall be 8 inches (203 mm). The riser shall be measured vertically between leading edges of the adjacent treads. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).
  R311.7.5.2 Tread depth. The minimum tread depth shall be 9 inches (228 mm). The tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread's leading edge. The greatest tread depth within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 10 inches (254 mm) measured as above at a point 12 inches (305 mm) from the side where the treads are narrower. Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 6 inches (152 mm) at any point. Within any flight of stairs, the greatest winder tread depth at the 12-inch (305 mm) walk line shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).
  R311.7.5.3 Profile. The radius of curvature at the leading edge of the tread shall be no greater than 9/16 inch (14.3 mm). A nosing not less than 3/4 inch (19 mm) but not more than 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers. The greatest nosing projection shall not exceed the smallest nosing projection by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) between two stories, including the nosing at the level of floors and landings. Beveling of nosing shall not exceed 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). Risers shall be vertical or sloped from the underside of the leading edge of the tread above at an angle not more than 30 degrees (0.51 rad) from the vertical. Open risers are permitted, provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a 4-inch diameter (102 mm) sphere.
  Exceptions.
  1. A nosing is not required where the tread depth is a minimum of 10 inches (254 mm).
  2. The opening between adjacent treads is not limited on stairs with a total rise of 30 inches (762 mm) or less."

• (15) IRC, Section R312.2, is deleted.

• (16) IRC, Sections R313.1 through R313.2.1, are deleted and replaced with the following: "R313.1 Design and installation. When installed, automatic residential fire sprinkler systems for townhouses or one- and two-family dwellings shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904 or NFPA 13D."

• (17) In IRC, Section 315.3, the following words are added to the first sentence after the word "installed": "on each level of the dwelling unit and".

• (18) In IRC, Section R315.5, a new exception, 3, is added as follows:
  "3. Hard wiring of carbon monoxide alarms in existing areas shall not be required where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring, without the removal of interior finishes."

• (19) A new IRC, Section R315.7, is added as follows: " R315.7 Interconnection. Where more than one carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit in accordance with Section R315.1, the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm.
  Exception: Interconnection of carbon monoxide alarms in existing areas shall not be required where alterations or repairs do not result in removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes."

• (20) In IRC, Section R403.1.6, a new Exception 3 is added as follows: " 3. When anchor bolt spacing does not exceed 32 inches (813 mm) apart, anchor bolts may be placed with a minimum of two bolts per plate section located not less than 4 inches (102 mm) from each end of each plate section at interior bearing walls, interior braced wall lines, and at all exterior walls."

• (21) In IRC, Section R403.1.6.1, a new exception is added at the end of Item 2 and Item 3 as follows: "Exception: When anchor bolt spacing does not exceed 32 inches (816 mm) apart, anchor bolts may be placed with a minimum of two bolts per plate section located not less than 4 inches (102 mm) from each end of each plate section at interior bearing walls, interior braced wall lines, and at all exterior walls."

• (22) In IRC, Section R404.1, a new exception is added as follows: "Exception: As an alternative to complying with Sections R404.1 through R404.1.5.3, concrete and masonry foundation walls may be designed in accordance with IBC Sections 1807.1.5 and 1807.1.6 as amended in Section 1807.1.6.4 and Table 1807.1.6.4 under these rules."

Amended by Chapter 249, 2016 General Session