Complying with the International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

The IEBC applies to the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings, and provides flexibility to permit the use of alternative approaches to achieve compliance with minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare.

Learning objectives:

• Recognize the limitations and extent of the codes related to existing buildings
• Determine adequate means of egress and required accessibility improvements
• Identify structural improvements and fire protection systems to be upgraded
• Utilize the alternative compliance methods for evaluating existing buildings

• Plan reviewers and code officials
• Architects and related professionals
• Engineers and safety technicians
• Consultants and project planners
• Facilities owner representatives
• Construction project managers

Welcome and Introductions 

Portfolio of Existing Buildings

• General data
• Dilapidated and abandoned buildings
• Societal and financial impacts

Introduction to the International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

• Historical perspective on the codes
• Fundamentals and principles of the 2015 IEBC
• Definitions and classification of work
• Differentiation from the International Building Code (IBC)
• Comparison to the International Residential Code (IRC)
• Integration with the International Fire Code (IFC)
• Provisions for all compliance methods – Chapter 3

Differences Between the Three Compliance Methods

• Prescriptive compliance method – Chapter 4
• Work area method – Chapters 5 – 13
  • Continued use of existing buildings
• Performance compliance method – Chapter 14
  • Structural comparison with new construction
  • Life safety tradeoffs to offset deficiencies
• Thresholds and triggers within the code
• Incentives for continued updating of buildings

Details of the Work Area Method

• Repairs
• Alterations
  • Level 1
  • Level 2 
  • Level 3
• Change of occupancy
• Additions
• Historic buildings
• Relocated buildings

Details of the Prescriptive Method

• Basic requirements
• Fire escapes
• Window replacement
• Accessibility
• Repairs, alterations and additions

Details of the Performance Method

• Building height and area
• Compartmentation, separation, and corridor walls
• Vertical openings
• Construction type and occupancy
• Fire alarm, sprinklers, standpipes, and smoke control systems
• Egress, dead-ends, and exit access travel distances
• Mandatory safety scores and evaluation

Structural Evaluation and Design Procedures

• Structural evaluation and design procedures
• Seismic evaluation
• Repairs
• Alterations
• Additions
• Change of occupancy
• Relocated buildings
• Historic buildings
• Performance compliance method

Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies

• Archaic materials
• Fire performance measures
  • Walls
  • Columns
  • Floor / ceiling assemblies
  • Beams
  • Doors
• Building evaluation
• Design approaches

2018 and 2021 IEBC and IBC Significant Changes 

• 2018 IEBC
  • Loads
  • Carbon monoxide monitors 
  • Emergency escape and rescue
  • Single exit buildings
• 2021 IEBC
  • Accessibility
  • Exterior walls
  • Loads
• 2018 IBC
  • Allowable height and area
  • Single exit buildings 
  • Loads
  • Maps
• 2021 IBC
  • RC III
  • Snow maps
  • Special inspection

"Improved my understanding of IEBC. Came away with the 'tools' needed for efficient code review of complicated alterations projects." 
–Apraham, Eppstein Uhen Architects, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"This course was very educational. It answered several questions and unknowns." 
–Dennis, City of De Pere, De Pere, Wisconsin

"Great experience with people of all different background. Very helpful." 
–Chris, UW-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

"Presenters were very knowledgeable and were able to convey the course material so it was understandable." 
–Paul, UW-Madison Facilities Planning and Management, Madison, Wisconsin

"There is so much to be interpreted, it was great to have such knowledgeable instructors, and a large group to roundtable ideas and scenarios." 
–Justin, Village of Shorewood, Shorewood, Wisconsin

"This course is great to promote discussion between designers, facilities managers/owner reps., and code officials." 
–Mark, City of Decatur, Decatur, Georgia

Sandra Hyde

Sandra Hyde, P.E. is the Managing Director of Product Development with the International Code Council (ICC) where, as part of the Product Development team, she develops technical resource materials in support of the structural provisions of the International Codes. Her role also includes review and technical editing of publications authored by ICC and engineering associations, and the presentation of technical seminars on the IRC and IBC structural provisions. Prior to joining ICC in 2010, Sandra worked in manufacturing and research engineered wood products. She is a Registered Civil Engineer in Idaho and California.

James Ryan

James T. (Tim) Ryan CBO, is currently the Executive Director of the International Association of Building Officials. Previously, he served the City of Overland Park, Kansas for almost 40 years in the Building Safety Division as a field inspector, plans examiner, field supervisor and as Code Administrator from 1998 until 2017. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management and Technology from Pittsburg State University and is certified in 15 separate categories of building code administration and management. Tim served on the BOCA Board of Directors, including as President of the Board; and on the ICC Board of Directors. He is currently serving as a presidential appointee to the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences; as appointed by President Obama. He is the only building official ever appointed to a position by a setting President of the United States. He is an experienced training instructor and public speaker. He serves on the ICC Codes and Standards Council, Code Correlation Committee and as a moderator for ICC’s code development hearings.