Cal. Civ. Code § 110-11-1-.24
International Building Code (IBC), 2024 Edition with 2026 Georgia State Amendments
Operative Text
Cal. Civ. Code § 110-11-1-.24
GEORGIA STATE MINIMUM STANDARD BUILDING
CODE (INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE WITH GEORGIA STATE AMENDMENTS)
The INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, 2024 Edition,
published by the International Code Council, when used in conjunction with
these and any other Georgia State Amendments to the INTERNATIONAL BUILDING
CODE, 2024 Edition, shall constitute the officialGeorgia
State Minimum Standard Building Code.
GEORGIA STATE AMENDMENTS
CODE REFERENCE:
(a)
Replace all references to the ICC
Electrical Code with references to the Georgia State
Minimum Standard Electrical Code (National Electrical Code
with Georgia State Amendments).
(b)
Replace all references to the
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with references
to the Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code (IECC with Georgia
State Supplements and Amendments). The Georgia State Minimum
Standard Energy Code shall be used for efficiency and coefficient of
performance ratings of equipment.
(c)
By Georgia law, the International
Existing Building Code is a permissive or optional State Minimum
Standard Code. Consequently, the provisions contained in the
International Existing Building Code are not mandatory or
applicable unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance of local
governments or referenced by this code.
APPENDICES:
Appendices are not enforceable unless they are specifically
referenced in the body of the code or adopted by the Department of Community
Affairs or the authority having jurisdiction.
SCOPE:
The provisions of the Georgia State Minimum Standard
Building Code shall apply to the construction,
alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement,
repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance,
removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances
connected or attached to such buildings or structures.
Exception #1: Detached one- and two-family
dwellings and multiple single-family
dwellings (townhouses separated by a 2-hour
fire-resistance-rated wall assembly) not more than three
stories above grade plane in height with a
separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall
comply with the Georgia State Minimum Standard One-and Two-Family
Dwelling Code (International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
with Georgia State Amendments).
Exception #2: The following table titled 'Codes
Reference Guide' establishes specific primary and supplementary code
applications and is to be applied by the authority having jurisdiction.
CODES REFERENCE
GUIDE
Area
Primary
Supplement
Occupancy Classification
LSC
IBC
Building Construction Types including allowable
height, allowable building areas, and the requirements for sprinkler protection
related to minimum building construction types.
IBC
LSC
Means of Egress
LSC
NONE
Standpipes
IBC
IFC
Interior Finish
LSC
NONE
HVAC Systems
IMC
NONE
Vertical Openings
LSC
NONE
Sprinkler Systems minimum construction
standard
LSC
NONE
Fire Alarm Systems
LSC
NONE
Smoke Alarms and Smoke
Detection Systems
State Statute and LSC
NONE
Portable Fire Extinguishers
IFC
NONE
Cooking Equipment
LSC and NFPA 96
NONE
Fuel Fired Appliances
IFGC
NFPA 54
Liquid Petroleum Gas
NFPA 58
NFPA 54
Compressed Natural Gas
NFPA 52
NONE
*Revise the International Building Code, 2024
Edition, to read as follows:
CHAPTER 1
SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
*Delete Chapter 1 'Scope and Administration' entirely without
substitution. Chapter 1 to remain in the Code as a reference and guide for
local governments to use in the development of their own Administrative
Procedures.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
*Revise Definition for 'FLOOD HAZARD AREA' to read as
follows:
The greater of the following two areas:
1.
For Risk Categories II, III, and IV
structures, the Flood Hazard Area shall be the 500-year floodplain designated
as the Special Flood Hazard Area and the Shaded X-Zone. For Risk Category I
structures, the Flood Hazard Area shall be the 100-year floodplain designated
as the Special Flood Hazard Area.
2.
The area designated as a flood hazard area
on a community's flood hazard map, or otherwise legally designated.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 3
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND
USE
SECTION 308
INSTITUTIONAL GROUP I
*Add new Section 308.3.3 'Assisted living communities' to
read as follows:
308.3.3
Assisted living communities. Assisted living communities, licensed
by the State, housing twenty-five or more persons, meeting the Georgia State
Fire Marshal's Office Life Safety Code requirements shall be deemed as
equivalent compliance to the International Building Code Chapters 3, 4, 8, 9
and 10.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 4
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON
OCCUPANCY AND USE
SECTION 415
GROUPS H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 AND
H-5
*Revise Section [F] 415.9.2 'Liquefied petroleum gas
facilities' to read as follows:
[F]
415.9.2
Liquefied petroleum gas facilities. The
construction and installation of liquefied petroleum gas
facilities shall be in accordance with the requirements of
this code, the International Mechanical Code and NFPA 58 and
NFPA 54 both as adopted and amended by the Rules and Regulations of the Safety
Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-16, "Rules and Regulations for
Liquefied Petroleum Gases".(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 5
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND
AREAS
SECTION 504
BUILDING HEIGHT AND NUMBER OF
STORIES
*Revise Table 504.4 'Allowable Number of Stories Above Grade
Plane a, b' for the Occupancy Classification "I-1
Condition 2" as shown and add a new footnote "i" to read as follows:
TABLE 504.4
ALLOWABLE NUMBER OF STORIES ABOVE GRADE
PLANE a,b
OCCUPANCY
CLASSIFICATION
TYPE OF
CONSTRUCTION
SEE FOOT
NOTES
TYPE 1
TYPE II
TYPE III
TYPE IV
TYPE V
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
C
HT
A
B
I-1 Condition 2
NS d, e
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
S i
UL
10
3
2
2
1
7
4
1
2
2
1
i.
For all I-1
Condition 2, the building shall be protected throughout with an approved
automatic sprinkler system, installed in accordance with NFPA 13 as adopted by
the Rules and Regulations of the Safety Fire Commissioner. No increase in story
height shall be permitted.
(Remainder of table unchanged)
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 7
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION
FEATURES
SECTION 706
FIRE WALLS
*Revise Section 706.2 'Structural stability' to read as
follows:
706.2
Structural
stability. Fire walls shall be designed and constructed
to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall
under fire conditions and loading per Section 1607.16.2. Fire
walls designed and constructed in accordance with NFPA 221 shall be
deemed to comply with this section.
Exception: In Seismic Design Categories D
through F, where double fire walls are used in accordance with
NFPA 221, floor and roof sheathing not exceeding 3/4 inch (19.05 mm) thickness
shall be permitted to be continuous through the wall assemblies of light frame
construction.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Delete Exception to Section 706.3 'Materials' without
substitution.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 713
SHAFT ENCLOSURES
*Add new Section 713.14.1 'Designated floor lobbies for
elevator return' to read as follows:
713.14.1
Designated floor lobbies for
elevator return. New elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters and moving walks
shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of ASME A17.1, Safety
Code for Elevators and Escalators. The designated elevator lobby of the
designated floor and the designated alternate floor specified by ASME A17.1
Section 2.27.3 shall be separated from the remainder of the building by 1-hour
fire-rated construction. In buildings equipped with automatic sprinkler
protection, smoke partitions in accordance with the 'Rules and Regulations of
the Safety Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-3 Rules and Regulations for the
State Minimum Fire Safety Standards' may be used in lieu of 1-hour fire-rated
construction. Except health care occupancies, openings in the elevator lobby
shall be limited to those required for access to the elevators from exit access
corridors only. Elevator lobbies may be used as part of the means of egress
from the building.
Exceptions:
1.
Designated floor elevator lobbies are not
required within an atrium.
2.
Designated floor elevator lobbies are not required where elevators are
installed on open exterior walls.
3.
Designated floor elevator lobbies are not
required where elevators are installed in open air parking
structures.
4.
Designated floor
elevator lobbies are not required in buildings three stories or less with
vertical openings protected in accordance with the applicable occupancy
chapter.
5.
Existing installations
acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
6.
For existing buildings or existing
structures reference Section 3401.3 (GA Amendments).
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 9
FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
SECTION 901
GENERAL
*Revise Section 901.2 'Fire protection systems' to add new
statement to read as follows:
901.2
Fire protection systems.Section 901.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 901.3 'Modifications' to add new statement to
read as follows:
901.3
Modifications.Section 901.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 901.4 'Threads' to add new statement to read
as follows:
901.4
Threads.Section 901.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 901.5 'Acceptance tests' to add new statement
to read as follows:
901.5
Acceptance tests.Section 901.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 901.6 'Supervisory service' to add new
statement to read as follows:
901.6
Supervisory service.Section 901.6 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 901.6.1 'Automatic sprinkler systems' to add
new statement to read as follows:
901.6.1
Automatic sprinkler
systems.Section 901.6.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 901.6.2 'Fire alarm systems' to add new
statement to read as follows:
901.6.2
Fire alarm systems.Section 901.6.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 901.6.3 'Group H' to add new statement to
read as follows:
901.6.3
Group H.Section 901.6.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise section 901.7 'Fire areas' to add new statement to
read as follows:
901.7
Fire areas.Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 902
FIRE PUMP AND RISER ROOM
SIZE
*Revise Section 902.1 'Pump and riser room size' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
902.1
Pump and riser room size.Section 902.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 902.1.1 'Access' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F] 902.1.1
Access.Section 902.1.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 902.1.2 'Marking on access doors' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
902.1.2
Marking on access doors.Section 902.1.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 902.1.3 'Environment' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
902.1.3
Environment.Section 902.1.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 902.1.4 'Lighting' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
902.1.4
Lighting.Section 902.1.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 903
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
*Revise Section [F] 903.1 'General' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F] 903.1
General.Section 903.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.1.1 'Alternative protection' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.1.1
Alternative protection.Section 903.1.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2 'Where required' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2
Where required.Section 903.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1 'Group A' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F] 903.2.1
Group A.Section 903.2.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1.1 'Group A-1' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.1.1
Group A-1.Section 903.2.1.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1.2 'Group A-2' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.1.2
Group A-2.Section 903.2.1.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1.3 'Group A-3' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.1.3
Group A-3.Section 903.2.1.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1.4 'Group A-4' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.1.4
Group A-4.Section 903.2.1.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1.5 'Group A-5' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.1.5
Group A-5.Section 903.2.1.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1.5.1 'Spaces under grandstands or
bleachers' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.1.5.1
Spaces under
grandstands or bleachers.Section 903.2.1.5.1 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1.6 'Assembly occupancies on roofs'
to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.1.6
Assembly occupancies on
roofs.Section 903.2.1.6 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.1.7 'Multiple fire areas' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.1.7
Multiple fire areas.Section 903.2.1.7 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.2 'Group B' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F]
903.2.2
Group B.Section 903.2.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.2.1 'Ambulatory care facilities' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.2.1
Ambulatory care facilities.Section 903.2.2.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.2.2 'Laboratories involving
testing, research and development' to add new statement to read as
follows:
[F] 903.2.2.2
Laboratories involving testing, research and development.Section 903.2.2.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.3 'Group E' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F]
903.2.3
Group E.Section 903.2.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.4 'Group F-1' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.4
Group F-1.Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.4.1 'Woodworking operations' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.4.1
Woodworking operations.Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.4.2 'Group F-1 distilled spirits'
to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.4.2
Group F-1 distilled
spirits.Section 903.2.4.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.4.3 'Group F-1 upholstered
furniture or mattresses' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.4.3
Group F-1
upholstered furniture or mattresses.Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.5 'Group H' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F]
903.2.5
Group H.Section 903.2.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.5.1 'General' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.5.1
General.Section 903.2.5.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.5.2 'Group H-5 occupancies' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.5.2
Group H-5 occupancies.Section 903.2.5.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.5.3 'Pyroxylin plastics' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.5.3
Pyroxylin plastics.Section 903.2.5.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.6 'Group I' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F]
903.2.6
Group I.Section 903.2.6 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.7 'Group M' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F] 903.2.7
Group M.Section 903.2.7 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.7.1 'High-piled storage' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.7.1
High-piled storage.Section 903.2.7.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.7.2 'Group M upholstered furniture
or mattresses' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.7.2
Group M upholstered
furniture or mattresses.Section 903.2.7.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.7.3 'Lithium-ion or lithium metal
battery storage' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.7.3
Lithium-ion or lithium
metal battery storage.Section 903.2.7.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.8 'Group R' to add new line and new
exception to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.8
Group R. An
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with
a Group R fire area.
Exception: Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies which
meet the exceptions allowed by the 'Rules and Regulations of the Safety Fire
Commissioner Chapter 120-3-3 Rules and Regulations for the State Minimum Fire
Safety Standards' are exempt from this requirement.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.8.1 'Group R-3' to read as
follows:
[F] 903.2.8.1
Group
R-3. An automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with
Section 903.2.8.1 shall be permitted in Group R-3
occupancies.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.8.2 'Group R-4, Condition 1' to
read as follows:
[F]
903.2.8.2
Group R-4, Condition 1. An
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.2 shall be permitted in Group R-4, Condition 1 occupancies.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.8.3 'Care facilities' to read as
follows:
[F] 903.2.8.3
Care facilities. An automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be permitted in care
facilities with five or fewer individuals in a single-family dwelling.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.9 'Group S-1' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.9
Group S-1.Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.9.1 'Repair garages' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.9.1
Repair garages.Section 903.2.9.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.9.2 'Bulk storage of tires' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.9.2
Bulk storage of tires.Section 903.2.9.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.9.3 'Group S-1 distilled spirits or
wine' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.9.3
Group S-1 distilled
spirits or wine.Section 903.2.9.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.9.4 'Group S-1 upholstered
furniture or mattresses' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.9.4
Group S-1
upholstered furniture and mattresses.Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.10 'Group S-2 parking garages' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.10
Group S-2 parking
garages.Section 903.2.10 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.10.1 'Commercial parking garages'
to add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.10.1
Commercial parking garages.Section 903.2.10.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.10.2 'Mechanical-access enclosed
parking garages' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.10.2
Mechanical-access
enclosed parking garages.Section 903.2.10.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11 'Specific building areas and
hazards' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.11
Specific building areas
and hazards.Section 903.2.11 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.1 'Stories without openings' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.11.1
Stories without openings.Section 903.2.11.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.1.1 'Opening dimensions and
access' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.11.1.1
Opening dimensions and
access.Section 903.2.11.1.1 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.1.2 'Openings on one side only'
to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.11.1.2
Openings on one side
only.Section 903.2.11.1.2 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.1.3 'Basements' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.2.11.1.3
Basements.Section 903.2.11.1.3 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.2 'Rubbish and linen chutes' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.11.2
Rubbish and linen
chutes.Section 903.2.11.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.3 'Buildings 55 feet or more in
height' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.11.3
Buildings 55 feet or
more in height.Section 903.2.11.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.4 'Ducts conveying hazardous
exhausts' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.11.4
Ducts conveying
hazardous exhausts.Section 903.2.11.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.5 'Commercial cooking
operations' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.11.5
Commercial cooking
operations.Section 903.2.11.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.11.6 'Other required fire
protection systems' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.11.6
Other required fire
protection systems.Section 903.2.11.6 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.2.12 'During construction' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.2.12
During
construction.Section 903.2.12 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3 'Installation requirements' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3
Installation
requirements.Section 903.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1 'Standards' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.1
Standards.Section 903.3.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.1 'NFPA 13 sprinkler systems' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.1.1
NFPA 13 sprinkler systems.Section 903.3.1.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.1.1 'Exempt locations' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.1.1.1
Exempt locations.Section 903.3.1.1.1 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.1.2 'Bathrooms' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.1.1.2
Bathrooms.Section 903.3.1.1.2 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.1.3 'Lithium-ion or lithium metal
batteries' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.1.1.3
Lithium-ion or lithium
metal batteries.Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.2 'NFPA 13R sprinkler systems' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.1.2
NFPA 13R sprinkler
systems.Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.2.1 'Balconies and decks' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.1.2.1
Balconies and decks.Section 903.3.1.2.1 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.2.2 'Corridors and balconies in
the means of egress' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.1.2.2
Corridors and balconies
in the means of egress.Section 903.3.1.2.2 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.2.3 'Attics' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.1.2.3
Attics.Section 903.3.1.2.3 shall apply only as referenced by the
NFPA standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.1.3 'NFPA 13D sprinkler systems' to
read as follows:
[F]
903.3.1.3
NFPA 13D sprinkler systems.Automatic sprinkler systems installed in one- and two-family
dwellings; and townhouses separated by 2-hour
firewalls shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA
13D.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.2 'Quick-response and residential
sprinklers' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.2
Quick-response and residential sprinklers.Section 903.3.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.3 'Obstructed locations' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.3
Obstructed locations.Section 903.3.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.4 'Actuation' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.4
Actuation.Section 903.3.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.5 'Water supplies' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.5
Water supplies.Section 903.3.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.5.1 'Domestic services' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.5.1
Domestic services.Section 903.3.5.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.5.2 'Residential combination
services' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.5.2
Residential combination
services.Section 903.3.5.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.6 'Hose threads' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.6
Hose threads.Section 903.3.6 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.7 'Fire department connections' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.7
Fire department connections.Section 903.3.7 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.8 'Limited area sprinkler systems'
to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.8
Limited area sprinkler
systems.Section 903.3.8 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.8.1 'Number of sprinklers' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.8.1
Number of sprinklers.Section 903.3.8.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.8.2 'Occupancy hazard
classification' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.8.2
Occupancy hazard
classification.Section 903.3.8.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.8.3 'Piping arrangement' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.8.3
Piping arrangement.Section 903.3.8.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.8.4 'Supervision' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.8.4
Supervision.Section 903.3.8.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.8.5 'Calculations' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.3.8.5
Calculations.Section 903.3.8.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.3.9 'High-rise building floor control
valves' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.3.9
High-rise building floor
control valves.Section 903.3.9 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.4 'Sprinkler system supervision and
alarms' to add new statement to read as follows:
[A] 903.4
Sprinkler system supervision
and alarms.Section 903.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.4.1 'Electronic supervision' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
903.4.1
Electronic supervision.Section 903.4.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.4.2 'Monitoring' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
903.4.2
Monitoring.Section 903.4.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.4.3 'Alarms' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F] 903.4.3
Alarms.Section 903.4.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 903.5 'Inspection, testing and
maintenance' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 903.5
Inspection, testing and maintenance.Section 903.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 904
ALTERNATIVE AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTIGUISHING
SYSTEMS
*Revise Section [F] 904.1 'General' to add new statement to
read as follows:
[F] 904.1
General.Section 904.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.2 'Where permitted' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.2
Where permitted.Section 904.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.2.1 'Restriction on using automatic
sprinkler system exceptions or reductions' to add new statement to read as
follows:
[F] 904.2.1
Restriction
on using automatic sprinkler system exceptions or reductions.Section 904.2.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.2.2 'Commercial hood and duct
systems' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.2.2
Commercial hood and duct
systems.Section 904.2.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.3 'Installation' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
904.3
Installation.Section 904.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.3.1 'Electrical wiring' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.3.1
Electrical wiring.Section 904.3.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.3.2 'Actuation' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
904.3.2
Actuation.Section 904.3.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.3.3 'System interlocking' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.3.3
System interlocking.Section 904.3.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.3.4 'Alarms and warning signs' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.3.4
Alarms and warning signs.Section 904.3.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.3.5 'Monitoring' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
904.3.5
Monitoring.Section 904.3.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.4 'Inspection and testing' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.4
Inspection and
testing.Section 904.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.4.1 'Inspection' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F] 904.4.1
Inspection.Section 904.4.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.4.2 'Alarm testing' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.4.2
Alarm testing.Section 904.4.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.4.2.1 'Audible and visible signals'
to add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.4.2.1
Audible and visible signals.Section 904.4.2.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.4.3 'Monitor testing' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.4.3
Monitor testing.Section 904.4.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.5 'Wet-chemical systems' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.5
Wet-chemical systems.Section 904.5 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.6 'Dry-chemical systems' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.6
Dry-chemical systems.Section 904.6 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.7 'Foam systems' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
904.7
Foam systems.Section 904.7 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.8 'Carbon dioxide systems' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.8
Carbon dioxide systems.Section 904.8 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.9 'Halon systems' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.9
Halon systems.Section 904.9 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.10 'Clean-agent systems' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.10
Clean-agent systems.Section 904.10 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11 'Automatic water mist systems' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.11
Automatic water mist systems.Section 904.11 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.1 'Design and installation
requirements' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.11.1
Design and installation
requirements.Section 904.11.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.1.1 'General' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F] 904.11.1.1
General.Section 904.11.1.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.1.2 'Actuation' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.11.1.2
Actuation.Section 904.11.1.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.1.3 'Water supply protection' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.11.1.3
Water supply protection.Section 904.11.1.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.1.4 'Secondary water supply' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.11.1.4
Secondary water supply.Section 904.11.1.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.2 'Water mist system supervision
and alarms' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.11.2
Water
mist system supervision and alarms.Section 904.11.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.2.1 'Monitoring' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.11.2.1
Monitoring.Section 904.11.2.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.2.2 'Alarms' to add new statement
to read as follows:
[F]
904.11.2.2
Alarms.Section 904.11.2.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.2.3 'Floor control valves' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.11.2.3
Floor control valves.Section 904.11.2.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.11.3 'Testing and maintenance' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.11.3
Testing and
maintenance.Section 904.11.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.12 'Hybrid fire extinguishing
systems' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.12
Hybrid fire extinguishing
systems.Section 904.12 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.13 'Aerosol fire-extinguishing
systems' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.13
Aerosol fire-extinguishing
systems.Section 904.13 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.14 'Commercial cooking systems' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.14
Commercial cooking systems.Section 904.14 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.14.1 'Manual system operation' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.14.1
Manual system operation.Section 904.14.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.14.2 'System interconnection' to add
new statement to read as follows
[F]
904.14.2
System interconnection.Section 904.14.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.14.3 'Carbon dioxide systems' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.14.3
Carbon dioxide systems.Section 904.14.3 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.14.3.1 'Ventilation systems' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.14.3.1
Ventilation system.Section 904.14.3.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.14.4 'Special provisions for
automatic sprinkler systems' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.14.4
Special provisions for automatic sprinkler systems.Section 904.14.4 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.14.4.1 'Listed sprinklers' to add new
statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.14.4.1
Listed sprinklers.Section 904.14.4.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.15 'Domestic cooking facilities' to
add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.15
Domestic cooking
facilities.Section 904.15 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.15.1 'Protection from fire' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.15.1
Protection from fire.Section 904.15.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.15.1.1 'Automatic fire-extinguishing
systems' to add new statement to read as follows:
[F] 904.15.1.1
Automatic
fire-extinguishing system.Section 904.15.1.1 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section [F] 904.15.1.2 'Ignition prevention' to add
new statement to read as follows:
[F]
904.15.1.2
Ignition prevention.Section 904.15.1.2 shall apply only as referenced by the NFPA
standards.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 909
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
*Delete Section 909.21.1 'Pressurization requirements'
entirely and substitute to read as follows:
909.21.1
Pressurization
requirements. The system shall be designed such that the maximum
pressure differential shall not restrict or prohibit the free operation of the
elevated cab and all hoistway doors serving all levels of the building. The air
shall not be introduced into the hoistway in such a manner as to cause erratic
operation by impingement of traveling cables, selector tapes, governor ropes,
compensating ropes and other components sensitive to excessive movement or
deflection.
Exception: In existing buildings, when testing
existing elevator pressurization systems, they shall be certified to ensure a
minimum positive pressure, subject to the approval of the authority having
jurisdiction. This pressure shall be measured at the midpoint of each hoistway
door, with all elevator cars at the floor of recall and all hoistway doors on
the floor of recall open and all other hoistway doors closed. The opening and
closing of hoistway doors at each level must be demonstrated during this test.
The supply air intake shall be from an outside, uncontaminated source.
Refer to the applicable codes and standards adopted by the
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 11
ACCESSIBILITY
*Delete Chapter 11 'Accessibility' entirely without
substitution.
{Cross-reference in State law: Title 30, Chapter 3 of the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A) and the Rules and Regulations of
the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner.}
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 14
EXTERIOR WALLS
SECTION 1404
INSTALLATION OF WALL
COVERINGS
*Add new Section [BS] 1404.20 'Installation of wall
coverings' as follows:
[BS] 1404.20
Installation of wall coverings. Except masonry veneer, wall
cladding shall be installed a minimum of 6 inches above the finished earth
grade, or a minimum of 2 inches above paved areas to provide a clear, visible
inspection gap.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 16
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
SECTION 1609
WIND LOADS
*Revise Section 1609.1.1 'Determination of wind loads' to
read as follows:
1609.1.1
Determination of wind loads. Wind loads on every
building or structure shall be determined in
accordance with Chapters 26 to 30 of ASCE 7. Figure 1609.1 shall be used in
lieu of ASCE 7 Figure 30.3-3. The type of opening protection required, the
basic wind speed, V and the exposure category for a
site is permitted to be determined in accordance with Section
1609 or ASCE 7. Wind shall be assumed to come from any horizontal direction and
wind pressures shall be assumed to act normal to the surface considered.
Figure 1609.1 Components and cladding
[h<= 60 ft
(h<= 18.3 m)]: external pressure
coefficients,
(GCp), for
enclosed, partially enclosed, and partially open buildings, [THETA] <=
7°-stepped roofs.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 1612
FLOOD LOADS
*Revise Section 1612.2 'Design and construction' to read as
follows:
1612.2
Design
and construction. The design and construction of buildings and
structures located in flood hazard areas, including coastal high hazard areas
and coastal A zones, shall be in accordance with Chapter 5 of ASCE 7 including
Supplement 2, and ASCE 24. Elevators, escalators, conveying systems and their
components shall conform to ASCE 24 and ASME A17.1/CSA B44 as applicable.
Exception: Temporary structures complying with
Section 3103.6.1.3.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 1613
EARTHQUAKE LOADS
*Add new Section 1613.7 'Site-specific ground motion
procedures' to read as follows:
1613.7
Site-specific ground motion procedures. A site response analysis
in accordance with ASCE 7 Section 21.1 and a ground motion hazard analysis in
accordance with ASCE 7 Section 21.2 shall be performed for structures on site
class DE or E sites. The design response spectrum shall be determined in
accordance with ASCE 7 Section 21.3, the design acceleration parameters shall
be determined in accordance with ASCE 7 Section 21.4, and, if required, the
MCEG peak ground acceleration parameter PGAM shall be determined in accordance
with ASCE 7 Section 21.5.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 17
SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND
TESTS
SECTION 1701
GENERAL
*Add new Section 1701.2 'Construction documents' to read as
follows:
1701.2
Construction
documents. The construction documents for special
inspections shall include:
1.
The statement of
special inspections in accordance with 1704.3.
2.
The following statement: "Special
inspection reports and a final report in accordance with Section 1704.2.4 shall
be submitted to the building official prior to the time that phase of the work
is approved for occupancy."
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Add new Section 1701.3 'Guidelines' to read as
follows:
1701.3
Guidelines. The local building official or authority having
jurisdiction shall be authorized to use ACEC/SEAOG SI GL 01, Georgia Special
Inspections Guidelines, in part or in whole for the purposes of implementing
and enforcing the provisions of Chapter 17, 'Special Inspections and Tests',
and/or establishing a Special Inspections program for their jurisdiction.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 1704
SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS,
CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY AND STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION
*Add new Table 1704.2 "Minimum Special Inspector
Qualifications" to read as follows:
TABLE 1704.2 MINIMUM
SPECIAL INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
Category of Testing and
Inspection
Minimum Qualifications (refer to
key at end of Table)
Shop Testing or
Inspection
Field Testing or
Inspection
Review Testing, Certification
& Lab Reports
1705.1 Special Cases
Work of unusual or special nature
A, B, O
1705.2, 1705.11, 1705.13 & 1705.14 Steel
Construction
Verification of welding consumables, filler metals,
procedure specifications, procedure qualification records and personnel
performance qualification records
C, F
Nondestructive testing of welding
G
G
Inspection of welding
C, F
C, F
Verification of fabricator and erector documents as
listed in AISC 360, chapter N, paragraph 3.2
A, C
Material verification of weld filler
materials
C, F
Inspection of high strength bolting, steel frame
joint details, and metal building systems
A, C
Inspection of embedments
A, C, F
Inspection of steel elements of composite
construction
A, C, F
Verification of reinforcing steel, cold formed steel
deck and truss materials
A, C, F
Inspection of reinforcing steel, cold formed steel
deck and trusses
A, C
1705.3 Concrete Construction
Reinforcing placement, cast-in-place bolts, post
installed anchors concrete and shotcrete placement and curing operations.
Inspection of formwork for shape, location and dimensions
A, C, H
Pre-stressing steel installation
A, C, D, E
TABLE 1704.2 MINIMUM
SPECIAL INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
Category of Testing and
Inspection
Minimum Qualifications (refer to
key at end of Table)
Shop Testing or
Inspection
Field Testing or
Inspection
Review Testing, Certification
& Lab Reports
Erection of pre-cast concrete members
A, C, H
Concrete field sampling and field
testing
J
Concrete strength testing
P
Review certified mill reports
A, C
Verify use of required design mix
A, I, J, H, C
Pre-stressed (pre-tensioned) concrete force
application
A, C, E
Post-tensioned concrete force
application
A, C, D
Review of in-situ concrete strength, prior to
stressing of tendons in post-tensioned concrete and prior to removal of shores
and forms from beams and structural slabs
A, C, D, H
Reinforcing steel weldability, reinforcing welding,
weld filler material
C, F
Testing of welding of reinforcing
steel
G
1705.4 Masonry
Verification of f'm
and f'AAC
A, C, L, M
Mortar joint construction, grout protection and
placement, materials proportion, type/size/location of reinforcement,
structural elements, anchorage, and connectors
A, C, K
Sampling/testing of grout/mortar
specimens
A, C, L, M
Observe preparation of masonry prisms for testing of
compressive strength of masonry, f'm and
f'AAC
A, C, K, L, M
Inspection of welding of reinforcing
steel
C, F
Testing of welding of reinforcing
steel
G
1705.6 & 1804 Soils
Observe site preparation, fill placement testing of
compaction for compliance with the construction documents for the
project
A, C, I, N
Observe test bearing materials below shallow
foundations for ability to achieve design bearing capacity
A, C, N, I (Level III)
Review compaction testing for compliance with the
construction documents for the project
A
1705.5, 1705.11, 1705.12 & 1705.13 Wood
Construction
Observe structural panel sheathing, size of framing
members, nail or staple diameter and length, number of fastener lines, and
spacing of fastener lines and fasteners for compliance with construction
documents for the project
A
TABLE 1704.2 MINIMUM
SPECIAL INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
Category of Testing and
Inspection
Minimum Qualifications (refer to
key at end of Table)
Shop Testing or
Inspection
Field Testing or
Inspection
Review Testing, Certification
& Lab Reports
Observe temporary and permanent truss member
restraint/bracing, field gluing of elements. Observe bolting, anchoring or
other fastening of: shear walls, diaphragms, drag struts, braces and
hold-downs.
A
1705.7, 1705.8, 1705.9 & 1810 Pile and Pier
Foundations
Observe installation
A, N
Observe load tests
A
1705.11 Inspection of
Fabricators
Pre-cast concrete
A, C, E
Structural steel construction
C, F, G
Wood construction
A
Cold-formed metal construction
A
1705.12, 1705.13, Seismic and Wind
Resistance
Periodic inspection of fabrication, installation
and/or anchorage of building systems and components
A
1705.15 Sprayed Fire-Resistive
Materials
Observe surface conditions, application, average
thickness and density of applied material, and cohesive/adhesive
bond
A, C
1705.16 Intumescent fire-resistant
coatings
Observe application compliance with AWCI
12-B
A, C
1705.17 Exterior Insulation and Finish
Systems
Inspect EIFS systems
A, B, C, O
1705.18 Fire-Resistant Penetrations and
Joints
See Requirements of IBC Sections 1705.18.1
and 1705.18.2
1705.19 Smoke Control
See Requirements of IBC Section
1705.19.2
1705.20 Sealing of Mass
Concrete
A, C
KEY:
A. Georgia Professional Engineer (GA PE) competent in
the specific task area or graduate of accredited engineering/engineering
technology program under the direct supervision of a GA
PE.
B. Georgia Registered Architect (GA RA) or graduate
of accredited architecture/architecture technology program under the direction
of a GA RA.
C. International Code Council (ICC) Special Inspector
Certification specific to the particular material and testing methodology
applicable to each Category of Testing and Inspection listed in the
table.
D. Post-tensioning Institute (PTI) Certification,
Level 2, bonded or unbonded as applicable.
E. Pre-stressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Certified
Inspector.
F. American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding
Inspector (CWI) or AWS Certified Associate Welding Inspector working under the
direct on-site supervision of a CWI.
G. American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
Level II certification, or a Level III certification if previously certified as
a Level II in the particular material and testing methodology applicable to
each Category of Testing and Inspection listed in the table.
H. American Concrete Institute (ACI) Concrete
Construction Special Inspector.
I. National Institute for Certification in
Engineering Technologies (NICET) Level II or higher certification specific to
the particular material and testing methodology applicable to each Category of
Testing and Inspection listed in the table.
J. ACI Concrete Field-Testing Technician with Grade 1
certification.
K. Georgia Concrete and Products Association
(GC&PA) - Masonry Association of Georgia (MAG) Masonry Construction
Inspector Certification.
L. American Concrete Institute (ACI) Masonry Field
Testing Technician.
M. GC&PA - MAG Masonry Testing Technician
certification.
N. NICET Certified Engineering Technologist
(CT).
O. Other Qualified Special Inspector as approved by
the Building Official.
P. American Concrete Institute (ACI) Strength Testing
Technician
Notes:
1. The Special Inspector shall meet one of
the minimum qualifications listed for the applicable Category of Testing and
Inspection.
2. Materials testing shall be done by an
Approved Testing Agency meeting the requirements of IBC Section 1703 and ASTM E
329.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 1704.2 'Special inspections and tests' to
read as follows:
1704.2
Special inspections and tests. Where application is made to the
building official for construction, the owner
or owner's authorized agent, other than the contractor, shall
employ one or more approved agencies to provide
special inspections and tests during construction on the types
of work specified in Section 1705 and identify the approved
agencies to the building official. There
special inspections and tests are in addition to the
inspections by the building official.
Exceptions:
1.
Special inspections and
tests are not required for construction of a minor nature that does not require
the practice of professional engineering or architecture, as defined by Georgia
statutes and regulations governing the professional registration and
certification of engineers or architects or as warranted by conditions in the
jurisdiction as approved by the
building official.
2.
Unless otherwise required by the
building official, special inspections and
tests are not required for Group U occupancies that are accessory to a
residential occupancy including, but not limited to, those listed in Section
312.1.
3.
Special
inspections and tests are not required for portions of
structures designed and constructed in accordance with the
cold-formed steel light-frame construction provisions of
Section 2206.1.2 or the conventional light-frame construction
provisions of Section 2308.
4.
The
contractor is permitted to employ the approved agencies where
the contractor is also the owner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 1704.2.1 'Special inspector qualifications'
to read as follows:
1704.2.1
Special inspector
qualifications. Prior to the start of the construction, the
approved agencies shall provide written documentation to the
building official demonstrating the competence and relevant
experience or training of the special inspectors who will
perform the special inspections and tests during construction.
Experience or training shall be considered to be relevant where the documented
experience or training is related in complexity to the same type of
special inspection or testing activities for projects of
similar complexity and material qualities. The special inspector shall be
qualified in accordance with Table 1704.2. These qualifications are in addition
to qualifications specified in other sections of this code.
The registered design professional in responsible
charge and engineers of record involved in the design of the project
are permitted to act as an approved agency and their personnel
are permitted to act as special inspectors for the work
designed by them, provided they qualify as special
inspectors.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 1704.2.4 'Report requirement' to read as
follows:
1704.2.4
Report requirement.Approved agencies shall keep
records of special inspections and tests. The approved
agency shall submit reports of special inspections
and tests to the building official and to the
registered design professional in responsible charge at
frequencies required by the approved construction documents or
the building official. All reports shall describe the nature
and extent of inspections and tests, the location where the inspections and
tests were performed, and indicate that work inspected or tested was or was not
completed in conformance to approved construction documents.
Discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for
correction. If they are not corrected, the discrepancies shall be brought to
the attention of the building official and to the
registered design professional in responsible charge prior to
the completion of that phase of the work. A final report documenting required
special inspections and tests, and correction of any
discrepancies noted in the inspections or tests, shall be submitted to the
building official prior to the time that phase of the work is
approved for occupancy.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 1705
REQUIRED SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND
TESTS
*Revise Table 1705.3 'Required Special Inspections and Tests
of Concrete Construction' to read as follows:
TABLE 1705.3
REQUIRED SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
OF CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
TYPE
CONTINUOUS SPECIAL
INSPECTION
PERIODIC SPECIAL
INSPECTION
REFERENCED
STANDARDa
IBC REFERENCE
1.
Inspect reinforcement, including prestressing
tendons, and verify placement.
-
X
ACI 318: Ch. 20, 25.2, 25.3,
26.6.1-26.6.3
-
2.
Reinforcing bar
welding:
a. Verify weldability of reinforcing bars other than
ASTM A706.
-
X
AWS D1.4
ACI
318: 26.13.1.4
b. Inspect welding of reinforcement for special
moment frames, boundary elements of special structural walls and coupling
beams.
X
-
AWS D1.4
ACI 318: 26.13.3
-
c. Inspect welded reinforcement
splices.
X
-
-
d. Inspect welding of primary tension reinforcement
in corbels.
X
-
-
e. Inspect single pass fillet welds, maximum
5/16³.
-
X
AWS D1.4
ACI 318: 26.13.3
f. Inspect all other welds.
-
X
AWS D1.4
ACI 318: 26.13.3
3.
Inspect anchors cast in concrete.
-
X
ACI
318: 26.13.3.3
-
4.
Inspect anchors post-installed in hardened concrete
members.b
-
a. Adhesive anchors installed in horizontally or
upwardly inclined orientations to resist sustained tension
loads.
X
-
ACI 318:
26.13.3.2
b. Mechanical anchors and adhesive anchors not
defined in 4.a.
-
X
ACI 318: 26.13.3
5.
Verify use of required design mix.
-
X
ACI 318: Ch. 19, 26.4.3, 26.4.4
1904.1, 1904.2
6a.
Prior to concrete placement, fabricate specimens for
strength tests, perform slump or slump flow, air content tests, density and
determine the temperature of the concrete with all results included in the test
reports.
X
-
ASTM C31
ASTM C172
ACI 318: 26.5, 26.12
-
6b.
Verify that concrete specimens for strength tests are
maintained in the required initial curing and laboratory curing environment and
that the maximum and minimum temperatures during the initial curing period are
reported.
X
-
ACI 318 26.12
ASTM C31
-
7.
Inspect concrete and shotcrete placement for proper
application techniques.
X
-
ACI 318: 26.5
-
8.
Verify maintenance of specified curing temperature
and
-
X
ACI 318: 26.5.3
26.5.5
-
9.
Inspect
prestressed
a. Application of prestressing
X
-
-
b. Grouting of bonded prestressing
X
-
ACI 318: 26.10
10.
Inspect erection of precast concrete members.
-
X
ACI 318: 26.9
-
11.
For precast concrete diaphragm connections or
reinforcement at joints classified as moderate or high deformability elements
(MDE or HDE) in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F,
inspect such connections and reinforcement in the field
for:
ACI 318:
26.13.1.3
-
a. Installation of the embedded parts.
X
-
ACI 550.5
b. Completion of the continuity of reinforcement
across joints.
X
-
c. Completion of connections in the
field.
X
12.
Inspect installation tolerances of precast concrete
diaphragm connections for compliance with ACI 550.5.
-
X
ACI 318:
26.13.1.3
-
13.
Verify in-situ concrete strength, prior to stressing
of tendons in post-tensioned concrete and prior to removal of shores and forms
from beams and structural slabs.
-
X
ACI 318: 26.11.2
-
14.
Inspect formwork for shape, location and dimensions
of the concrete member being formed.
-
X
ACI 318:
26.11.1.2(b)
-
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
a.
Where applicable, see Section
1705.13.
b.
Specific requirements
for special inspection shall be included in the research report for the anchor
issued by an approved source in accordance with 26.13 in ACI 318, or other
qualification procedures. Where specific requirements are not provided, special
inspection requirements shall be specified by the registered design
professional and shall be approved by the building official prior to the
commencement of the work.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Add new Section 1705.3.3 'Testing agency' to read as
follows:
1705.3.3
Testing agency. The testing agency performing acceptance testing
shall comply with ASTM C1077.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Delete Section 1705.10 'Structural integrity of deep
foundation elements' without substitution.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 1708
IN-SITU LOAD TESTS
*Revise Section 1708 "In-situ load tests" to title change and
read as follows:
SECTION 1708
IN-SITU LOAD TESTS, STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF AS-BUILT
CONDITIONS, AND DEEP FOUNDATION STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY TESTS.
1708.1
General.
Whenever there is a reasonable doubt as to the stability or load-bearing
capacity of a completed building, structure
or portion thereof for the expected loads, an engineering
assessment shall be required. The engineering assessment shall involve either a
structural analysis or an in-situ load test, or both. Whenever there is a
reasonable doubt as to the structural integrity of a deep
foundation element, the engineering assessment shall include
structural integrity tests for structural defects conducted in accordance with
Section 1708.3. The structural analysis shall be based on actual material
properties and other as-built conditions that affect stability or load-bearing
capacity, and shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable design
standard. The in-situ load tests shall be conducted in accordance with Section
1708.2. If the building, structure or portion
thereof is found to have inadequate stability or load-bearing capacity for the
expected loads, modifications to ensure structural adequacy or
the removal of the inadequate construction shall be required.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Add new Section 1708.3 'Structural integrity of deep
foundation elements' to read as follows:
1708.3
Structural integrity of deep
foundation elements. Structural integrity tests of deep foundation
elements shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM D4945, ASTM D5882, ASTM
D6760, ASTM D7949, or other approved methods and shall be
supervised by a registered design professional.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 18
SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
SECTION 1810
DEEP FOUNDATIONS
*Revise Section 1810.3.2.6 'Allowable stresses' title to read
as follows:
1810.3.2.6
Allowable axial stresses. The allowable stresses for materials
used in deep foundation elements shall not exceed those
specified in Table 1810.3.2.6.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 29
PLUMBING SYSTEMS
SECTION 2902
MINIMUM PLUMBING
FACILITIES
*Delete [P] 2902.1.1 'Fixture calculations' Exception 2
without substitution.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Delete [P] 2902.2 'Separate facilities' Exception 6 without
substitution.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 30
ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING
SYSTEMS
SECTION 3001
GENERAL
*Revise Table 3001.3 'Elevators and Conveying Systems and
Components' under STANDARDS for Elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving
walks, and material lifts to add the following standards to read as
follows:
TABLE 3001.3
ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
AND COMPONENTS
TYPE
STANDARDS
Elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walks,
material lifts
ANSI/ASSE A10.4, ANSI/ASSE A10.5
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 3002
HOISTWAY ENCLOSURES
*Revise Section 3002.4 'Elevator car to accommodate ambulance
stretcher' to add a new Exception at the end of the section to read as
follows:
3002.4
Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher.Exception: Elevators with 50 feet or less of
travel serving only one residence of a one-or two-family dwelling or townhouse
shall be in compliance with ASME A17.1 as currently adopted and amended by the
Georgia Office of Safety Fire Commissioner.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 3005
MACHINE ROOMS
*Delete Section 3005.4 'Machine rooms, control rooms,
machinery spaces and control spaces' and substitute to read:
3005.4
Machine rooms, control rooms,
machinery spaces and control spaces. Elevator machine rooms and
machinery spaces shall be enclosed with fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The
fire- resistance rating shall be not less than two hours.
Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with
assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that
required for the hoistway enclosure doors.
Exception: Where machine rooms and machinery
spaces do not meet the required fire resistance rating, they
shall require sprinklers and shunt trip breaker in accordance with NFPA
72.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Revise Section 3005.5 'Shunt trip' to read as
follows:
3005.5
Shunt
trip. Where elevator hoistways, elevator machine rooms, control rooms
and control spaces containing elevator control equipment are protected with
automatic sprinklers, a means installed in accordance with Section 21.4 of NFPA
72 shall be provided to automatically disconnect the main line power supply to
the affected elevator prior to the application of water. If the means is
located in the affected elevator machine room, it shall be in a water-resistant
enclosure. This means shall not be self-resetting. The activation of automatic
sprinklers outside the hoistway, machine room, machinery space, control room or
control space shall not disconnect the main line power supply. Machine rooms
having a two- hour fire separation from the building and provided with smoke
detection interconnected to the building fire alarm system are not required to
be sprinklered.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 34
RESERVED
*Revise Title of Chapter 34 'Reserved' to 'Existing
Buildings':
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 34
EXISTING BUILDINGS
*Add new Section 3401 'General':
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 3401
GENERAL
*Add new Section 3401.1 'Scope' to read as follows:
3401.1
Scope. The
provisions of this chapter shall control the repair, alteration, change
of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings and
structures.
Exception: Detached one and two-family dwellings
and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall
comply with this chapter or the International Residential
Code.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Add new Section 3401.2 'Alternative compliance' to read as
follows:
3401.2
Alternative compliance. When approved by the
building official, work performed in accordance with the
International Existing Building Code shall be deemed to comply
with the provisions of this chapter.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Add new Section 3401.3 'Existing systems conformance' to
read as follows:
3401.3
Existing systems conformance. The extent to which the existing
mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life safety systems shall be made to
conform to the requirements of the State Minimum Standard Codes for new
construction shall be as follows unless otherwise required by this section:
1.
When the estimated cost of the new work is
less than fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost of the existing system,
the new work shall be brought into conformance with the requirements of the
State Minimum Standard Codes for new construction.
2.
When the estimated cost of the new work is
equal to or greater than fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost of the
existing system, the entire system shall be made to conform to the requirements
of the State Minimum Standard Codes for new construction.
3.
For essential service facilities Occupancy
Category IV type buildings as defined by Table 1604.5, when the estimated cost
of the new work is equal to or greater than thirty percent (30%) of the
replacement cost of the existing system, the entire system shall be made to
conform to the requirements of the State Minimum Standard Codes for new
construction.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 3402
DEFINITIONS
*Add new Section 3402.1 'Definitions' to read as
follows:
3402.1
Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated, words and terms
shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings shown in Chapter 2 of
the International Existing Building Code.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
SECTION 3403
PROVISIONS
*Add new Section 3403.1 'Applicability' to read as
follows:
3403.1
Applicability. The repair, alteration, change of
occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings and
structures shall comply with Chapters 3, 4, 5, 13, 14 and 16 of the
International Existing Building Code. Provisions in Appendices
A through E shall not apply unless specifically adopted or referenced.
Exception: Section 301.3.2 shall not apply
unless specifically adopted or approved.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Add new Section 3403.1.1 'Assisted living communities' to
read as follows:
3403.1.1
Assisted living communities. Existing buildings or portions of
buildings proposed as a change of occupancy to Assisted Living Communities,
licensed by the State, housing twenty-five or more persons, shall be allowed to
meet the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office Life Safety Code requirements for
primary equivalent compliance to the International Building Code Chapters 3, 4,
8, 9, and 10.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
*Add new Section 3403.2 'Construction safeguards' to read as
follows:
3403.2
Construction safeguards. Safety during construction and protection
of adjacent public and private properties shall comply with Chapter 33 of this
code.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
CHAPTER 35
REFERENCED STANDARDS
*Revise Chapter 35 'Referenced standards' to add the
following:
ACEC/GA
ACEG/SEAOG- SI GL 01-24
Georgia Special Inspections Guidelines
http://seaog.org/Special_Inspection_Documents
1704.2.1, GA Amendments
ACI
318-25
Building Code Requirements for Structural
Concrete
ASCE/SEI
7-22
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for
Buildings and Other Structures with Supplements 1 and 2
ASTM
C1077-17
Standard Practice for Agencies Testing
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates for Use in
Construction and Criteria for Testing Agency Evaluation.
1705.3.3, GA Amendments
E329-17
Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in
Construction Inspection, Testing or Special Inspection
1704.2.1, GA Amendments
ANSI/ASSE
A10.4-2016
Safety Requirements for Personnel Hoist and Employee
Elevators on Construction and Demolition Sites
Table 3001.3, GA Amendments
A10.5-2020
Safety Requirements for Material
Hoists
Table 3001.3, GA Amendments
(Effective January 1, 2026)
APPENDIX Q
*The Department of Community Affairs hereby adopts Appendix Q
'Disaster Resilient Construction' as optional. This document can be downloaded
at https://dca.georgia.gov/community-assistance/construction-codes.
(Effective January 1, 2026)
GEORGIA STATE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING
CODE APPENDIX Q DISASTER RESILIENT CONSTRUCTION
The INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, 2024 Edition,
published by the International Code Council, when used in conjunction with the
Georgia State Amendments to the INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, 2024 Edition and
Appendix Q Disaster Resilient Construction, shall constitute the
officialGeorgia State Minimum Standard Building
Code.
FORWARD
Introduction
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) was awarded a grant
through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop
Disaster Resilient Building Code (DRBC) Appendices for the International
Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). The DRBC
Appendices are optional regulations that local jurisdictions may adopt, in
whole or in part, through local ordinance. A task force of stakeholders was
appointed to look for opportunities to improve any code provisions relating to
damage from hurricane, flood, and tornado disasters. In addition to the
approved recommendations from the task force, the state has developed and will
conduct a comprehensive training program for code enforcement officials on the
importance, implementation and enforcement of the Disaster Resilient
Construction Appendices.
The meetings for the Disaster Resilient Building Code
Appendices Task Force were open to the public, interested individuals and
organizations that desired participation. The technical content of currently
published documents on flooding, high-wind construction, and storm shelters,
were used and referenced. Those publications included documents of the
International Code Council (ICC), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE),
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mitigation Assessment Team
(MAT) Program, Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA),
APA - The Engineered Wood Association, National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
National Science Foundation (NSF), The State of Florida, American Forest &
Paper Association's American Wood Council, Southern Forest Products
Association, NAHB Research Center, Insurance Institute for Business & Home
Safety, and the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.
Adoption
Local jurisdictions may adopt this entire appendix with
chosen options or specific sections that apply to their communities through a
local ordinance. The adopting ordinance must also be filed on record with DCA.
A sample ordinance has been included in this document to assist the local
jurisdictions with the adoption process. Recommended training is being offered
to assist code enforcement officials in the implementation and enforcement of
the appendices documents.
Contact DCA at (404) 679-3118 or
dca.georgia.gov for more
information.
Neither The Disaster Resilient Building Code Appendices Task
Force, its members nor those participating in the development of Appendix Q
Disaster Resilient Construction accept any liability resulting from compliance
or noncompliance with the provisions of Appendix Q Disaster Resilient
Construction.
The 2012 Disaster Resilient Building Code (DRBC)
Appendices Task Force was charged with the development of two
appendices. One appendix is for the International Residential Code and the
other appendix is for the International Building Code. These two appendices
look for opportunities to improve any provisions relating to hurricane, flood,
and tornado disasters. In addition to improving existing provisions in the
codes, the task force also developed new provisions to be included in the
appendices that address these issues. These appendices contain increased
construction requirements for disaster resilience and are intended to be made
available for adoption by local jurisdictions in the State of Georgia.
These appendices have reasonable and substantial connection
with the public health, safety, and general welfare. In addition, the financial
impact and costs associated with these appendices have been taken into
consideration.
Members:
Mr. Gregori Anderson, Chairman, States Codes
Advisory Committee
(SCAC) Mr. David L. Adams, Vice Chairman,
States Codes Advisory
Committee (SCAC) Mr. Bill Abballe, AIA,
American Institute of
Architects (AIA) - Georgia Chapter
Mr. John Hutton, P.E., S.E., American Council of
Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC/G)
Mr. Ron Anderson, Code Consultant
Mr. Lamar Smith, Home Builders Association of
Georgia
(HBAG) Mr. Thomas Harper, Georgia State
Inspectors
Association (GSIA) Mr. Tom Buttram, Building
Officials
Association of Georgia (BOAG)
Capt. Zane Newman, Georgia State Fire Marshal's
Office (Local Fire Official)
Mr. Terry Lunn, Georgia Emergency Management
Agency (GEMA)
Mr. Alan Giles, CFM, Georgia Department of
Natural Resources (EPD / Floodplain Management Unit)
Mr. Tony Hebert, HUD Georgia State
Representative (Region IV Office)
Mr. Jim C. Beck, Sr., Georgia Underwriting
Association
Mr. Tim Thornton, Georgia Association of
Realtors (GAR)
Mr. Steve Harrison, Building Owners and Managers
Association - Georgia (BOMA)
Mr. Tom Aderhold, Georgia Apartment Association
(GAA)
Mr. Tim Bromley, Accessibility Consultant -
Georgia State ADA Coordinator's Office
Mayor Mark Mathews, Georgia Municipal
Association (GMA)
Commissioner Jeff Long, Association of County
Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG)
Ad Hoc Subcommittee:
Mr. Tom Buttram, Chairman, DRBC Task Force
Liaison (BOAG)
Mr. Ron Anderson, Vice Chairman, Code
Consultant
Mr. Stephen V. Skalko, Concrete
Industry Mr. Jeffrey B. Stone, Wood
Industry (AWC) Mr. Robert Wills,
Steel Industry (AISC)
Mr. Tom Cunningham, PhD., Residential Building
Design
Mr. Duncan J. Hastie, P.E., Disaster Mitigation
DCA Staff:
Mr. Ted Miltiades, Director of Construction
Codes & Industrialized Buildings
Mrs. Deirdre "Dee" Leclair, DRBC Grant Project
Manager
Mr. Max Rietschier, Lead Codes Consultant
Mr. Bill Towson, 2012 International Residential
Code Task Force Liaison, Code Consultant
Mr. Calvin Jordan, 2012 International Building
Code Task Force Liaison, Code Consultant
How to UseAppendix Q Disaster
Resilient Construction
The appendix may be adopted in whole or in part by Local
Jurisdictions to fit the needs of their community. The following sample
ordinance has been provided to aid in the process of identifying Chapters and
Sections of the appendix that may be adopted. The format easily allows for
choosing to adopt, revise or delete individual Chapters and Sections. Download
the MS Word (.doc) version from the DCA website to take advantage of the
drop-down menu choices and edit ability features of the document. Note that in
Chapter 3, choose one of three options for flood elevation. Only one option may
be chosen and that option must be higher than what has been previously adopted
and enforced by the jurisdiction. Also note that in Chapter 4, choose one of
three options for increased wind load. Only one option may be chosen and that
option must be higher than what has been previously adopted and enforced by the
jurisdiction. The Sample Ordinance document takes into account the flood
elevation option in Chapter 3 and the wind load option in Chapter 4 of this
appendix.
SAMPLE ORDINANCE FOR ADOPTION
OF
GEORGIA STATE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING
CODE
APPENDIX Q
DISASTER RESILIENT
CONSTRUCTION
ORDINANCE NO.
_______________
An ordinance of the [JURISDICTION] adopting the
latest edition as adopted and amended by the Georgia Department of Community
Affairs of Appendix Q Disaster Resilient Construction
regulating and governing the mitigation of hazard to life and property from
natural weather related disasters, high-wind damages, flooding, and
establishing construction standards for storm shelters in the
[JURISDICTION]; providing for the issuance of permits and
collection of fees therefore; repealing Ordinance No. of the
[JURISDICTION] and all other ordinances or parts of the laws in
conflict therewith.
The [GOVERNING BODY] of the
[JURISDICTION] does ordain as follows:
Section 1.
That a certain document, three (3)
copies of which are on file in the office of the [TITLE OF JURISDICTION'S
KEEPER OF RECORDS] of [NAME OF JURISDICTION], being marked
and designated as Appendix Q Disaster Resilient Construction
to the International Building Code, the latest edition as adopted and amended
by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, be and is adopted as the
Appendix Q Disaster Resilient Construction of the
[JURISDICTION], in the State of Georgia for regulating and
governing the mitigation of hazard to life and property from natural weather
related disasters, high-wind damages, flooding, and establishing construction
standards for storm shelters; providing for the issuance of permits and
collection of fees therefore; and each and all of the regulations, provisions,
penalties, conditions and terms of said Appendix Q Disaster Resilient
Construction on file in the office of the [JURISDICTION]
are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in
this ordinance, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any
prescribed in Section 2 of this ordinance.
Section 2.
[NAME Of JURISDICTION] hereby:
Choose an item. CHAPTER AQ1 SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION Choose
an item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ101 ADMINISTRATION Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ101.1 Purpose Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ101.2 Objectives Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ101.3 Scope Choose an item.
AQ101.3.1 Insert [Name Of Jurisdiction] for [NAME OF
JURISDICTION].
Choose an item. AQ101.4 Violations Choose an item.
Insert [Name Of Jurisdiction] for [NAME OF
JURISDICTION].
Choose an item. SECTION AQ102 APPLICABILITY Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ102.1 General Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ102.2 Other laws Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ102.3 Referenced codes and standards Choose
an item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ103 POST DISASTER EVENT INSPECTIONS
GUIDELINES Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ103.1 Inspections Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ103.1.1 Right of entry Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ103.2 Types of inspections Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ103.3 Post disaster building safety
evaluation chart Choose an item.
Choose an item. Figure AQ103.3 Post Disaster Building Safety
Evaluation Chart Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ103.4 Evaluation Forms Choose an
item.
Insert [Name Of Jurisdiction] for [NAME OF
JURISDICTION].
Choose an item. AQ103.5 Placement and remove of placards
Choose an item.
Choose an item. CHAPTER AQ2 DEFINITIONS Choose an
item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ201 GENERAL Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ201.1 Scope Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ201.2 Terms defined in other codes Choose
an item.
Choose an item. AQ201.3 Terms not defined Choose an
item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ202 DEFINITIONS Choose an
item.
Choose an item. CHAPTER AQ3 FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
Choose an item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ301 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ301.1 Identification of flood hazard areas
Choose an item.
Insert [Name Of Jurisdiction] for [NAME OF JURISDICTION].
Insert [Date of Issuance] for [DATE OF ISSUANCE].
Choose an item. SECTION AQ302 SCOPE Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ301.1 Flood Loads Choose an item.
Choose an item. FLOOD ELEVATION OPTION Choose an item. Choose
an item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ303 FLOOD DAMAGE-RESISTANT
MATERIALS Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ303.1 Flood damage-resistant materials
Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ303.2 Location of flood damage-resistant
materials Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ303.3 Fasteners and connectors used for
flood-resistant materials Choose an item.
Choose an item. CHAPTER AQ4 HIGH-WIND RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
Choose an item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ401 GENERAL Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ401.1 Applications Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ401.2 Limitations Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ402 DEFINITIONS AND NOTATIONS
Choose an item. Choose an item. AQ403 WIND LOADS Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ403.1 Wind Directionality Factor Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ403.2 Exposure Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ403.3 Enclosure classification Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ403.4 Continuous operation of Risk Category
IV buildings Choose an item.
Choose an item. SECTION Choose an item. Choose an
item.
Choose an item. CHAPTER AQ5 STORM SHELTERS, SAFE ROOMS AND
BEST AVAILABLE REFUGE AREAS Choose an item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ501 GENERAL Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ501.1 General Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ501.2 Occupant load Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ501.3 Construction documents Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ501.4 Signage Choose an item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ502 DEFINITIONS AND NOTATIONS
Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ502.1 Definitions Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ502.2 Additional definitions Choose an
item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ503 BEST AVAILABLE REFUGE AREAS
Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ503.1 General Choose an item.
Choose an item. AQ503.2 Occupant Density Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ503.3 Identification of best available
refuge areas Choose an item.
Choose an item. SECTION AQ504 APPLICABILITY Choose an
item.
Choose an item. AQ504.1 Required storm shelters or safe rooms
Choose an item.
Section 3.
That Ordinance No. of [JURISDICTION] entitled [FILL IN HERE
THE COMPLETE TITLE OF THE LEGISLATION OR LAWS IN EFFECT AT THE PRESENT TIME SO
THAT THEY WILL BE REPEALED BY DEFINITE MENTION] and all other ordinances
or parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 4.
That if any section, subsection,
sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is, for any reason, held to be
unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this ordinance. The [GOVERNING BODY] hereby declares
that it would have passed this law, and each section, subsection, clause or
phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections,
subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared
unconstitutional.
Section 5.
That
nothing in this ordinance or in Appendix Q Disaster Resilient
Construction hereby adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or
proceeding impending in any court, or any rights acquired, or liability
incurred, or any cause or causes of action acquired or existing under any act
or ordinance hereby repealed as cited in Section 3 of this ordinance; nor shall
any just or legal right or remedy of any character be lost, impaired or
affected by this ordinance.
Section
6.
That the [JURISDICTION'S KEEPER OF RECORDS] is
hereby ordered and directed to cause this ordinance to be published. (An
additional provision may be required to direct the number of times the
ordinance is to be published and to specify that it is to be in a newspaper in
general circulation. Posting may also be required.)
Section 7.
That this ordinance and the rules,
regulations, provisions, requirements, orders and matters established and
adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force and effect [TIME
PERIOD] from and after the date of its final passage and
adoption.
Section 8.
Chapter AQ6
Resources, of this document is intended to be used by the building officials as
a resource guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER AQ1 Scope and Administration 8
Section
AQ101 Administration............... 8
AQ102 Applicability 8
AQ103 Post Disaster Event Inspections
Guidelines.......................................................... 9
CHAPTER AQ2 Definitions .........................
11
Section
AQ201 General ...............................................
11
AQ202 Definitions ..........................................
11
CHAPTER AQ3 Flood-resistant
Construction......12
Section
AQ301 Hazard Identification ..........................
12
AQ302 Scope
.................................................. 12
AQ303 Flood damage-resistant materials ........12
CHAPTER AQ4 High-wind Resistive
Construction...13
Section AQ401 General
...............................................13
AQ402 Definitions and Notations ............ 13
AQ403 Wind Loads ..........13
AQ404 Wind Load Option A .......................... 13
AQ405 Wind Load Option B ..........................14
AQ406 Wind Load Option C ..........................14
CHAPTER AQ5 Storm Shelters, Safe Rooms and Best
Available Refuge Areas .......................... 15
Section
AQ501 General ...... 15
AQ502 Definitions and Notations .................. 15
AQ503 Best Available Refuge Areas ............. 15
AQ504 Applicability
.......................................15
CHAPTER AQ6 Resources 16
Section
AQ601 Contacts
..............................................16
AQ602 Emergency Inspection Kit .................. 16
AQ603 Safety Tips ..........................................
17
AQ604 Major Disaster Process .......................
17
AQ605 Sample Evaluation Forms and Placards17
CHAPTER AQ7 References .........................
24
INDEX OF FIGURES...................................
24
APPENDIX Q
DISASTER RESILIENT
CONSTRUCTION
CHAPTER AQ1
SCOPE AND
ADMINISTRATION
SECTION AQ101
ADMINISTRATION
AQ101.1
Purpose. The scope of this appendix is to promote enhanced public
health, safety and general welfare and to reduce public and private property
losses due to hazards and natural disasters associated with flooding,
high-winds, and windborne debris above that which is provided in the general
provisions of this appendix.
AQ101.2
Objectives. The
objectives of this appendix are to:
1.
Protect human life, to minimize property loss and to minimize the expenditures
of public money associated with natural weather related disasters, including
flooding, tornadoes and other high-wind events.
2.
Establish enhanced design and construction
regulations consistent with nationally recognized good practices for the
safeguarding of life and property.
AQ101.3
Scope.
AQ101.3.1
The provisions of this appendix are
not mandatory unless specifically referenced in an adopting ordinance of
[NAME OF JURISDICTION]. If adopted, the provisions shall apply to
all new development and to substantial improvements to existing
development.
AQ101.3.2
The
provisions of this appendix supplement the jurisdiction's building and fire
codes to provide for enhanced provisions to mitigate the hazard to life and
property from natural weather related disasters, including flooding, tornadoes
and other high- wind events.
AQ101.3.3
The provisions of this appendix
establish design and construction standards for storm shelters.
AQ101.4
Violations. Any violation of a provision of this appendix or
failure to comply with a permit of variance issued pursuant to this appendix or
any requirement of this appendix shall be handled in accordance with the
ordinances of [NAME OF JURISDICTION].
SECTION AQ102
APPLICABILITY
AQ102.1
General. This appendix
provides enhanced minimum requirements for development of new construction and
substantial improvement of existing development above that contained in the
International Building Code (IBC).
AQ102.1.1
The provisions of this appendix
shall apply to all new construction and additions, and shall apply to
substantial alterations in flood hazard areas unless it is technically
infeasible or otherwise exempted in Section 3403.2 of the International
Building Code.
AQ102.1.2
Regardless of the category of work being performed, the work shall not cause
the structure to become unsafe or adversely affect the performance of the
building; shall not cause an existing mechanical or plumbing system to become
unsafe, hazardous, insanitary or overloaded; and unless expressly permitted by
these provisions, shall not make the building any less compliant with this
appendix or to any previously approved alternative arrangements than it was
before the work was undertaken.
AQ102.1.3
Where there is a conflict between a
requirement of the International Building Code and a
requirement of this appendix, the requirement of this appendix shall govern.
Where there is a conflict between a general requirement of this appendix and a
specific requirement of this appendix, the specific requirement shall govern.
Where, in any specific case, different sections of this appendix specify
different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most
restrictive shall govern.
AQ102.2
Other laws. The
provisions of this appendix shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of
local, state or federal law.
AQ102.3
Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced
in this appendix shall be those that are listed in Chapter AQ7 and such codes
and standards shall be considered as part of the requirements of this appendix
to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur
between provisions this appendix and referenced codes and standards, the
provisions of this appendix shall apply.
SECTION AQ103
POST DISASTER EVENT INSPECTIONS
GUIDELINES
AQ103.1
Inspections. The building official or agents shall inspect
buildings and structures to determine the habitability of each with the goal of
getting the community back into their residences quickly and safely.
Inspections shall always be performed by teams of at least two individuals,
also known as disaster assessment teams.
AQ103.1.1
Right of entry. Unless
permitted under the exigent circumstances provisions or from an order from
State or Federal Authorities, disaster assessment teams shall confirm the right
of Georgia International Building Code 2026 Amendments entry requirements with
the incident commander. Upon approval, the assessment teams shall be authorized
to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or perform
duties as provided by this code, provided that the structure or premises be
occupied, that credentials are presented, that entry is requested, and that
entry is granted by the owner or person having charge over the structure or
premises.
AQ103.2
Types of inspections.
AQ103.2.1
Rapid evaluation. Rapid evaluation is performed after a disaster
event to determine if a building is apparently safe or obviously unsafe. The
evaluation should last 10 to 30 minutes per building and shall be performed by
the building official and/or their designated responders. Evaluation shall
determine if a detailed evaluation is necessary. Placards are posted on
buildings indicating status as one of the following:
1.
INSPECTED
2.
RESTRICTED USE
3.
UNSAFE
See Section AQ605 for Placards that may be reproduced for use
in the field during evaluations. The jurisdiction shall alter placards to meet
the jurisdiction and building department's requirements.
AQ103.2.2
Detailed
evaluation. Detailed evaluation is a thorough visual examination of a
damaged building performed by a team of two, including an inspector and a
design professional. Evaluation should last 30 minutes to 4 hours per building.
Evaluation shall determine necessary restrictions on a damaged building's use,
the need for an engineering evaluation or to evaluate postings.
AQ103.2.3
Engineering
evaluation. When indicated by the building official as necessary,
engineering evaluations shall be completed by a registered design professional
hired by the building owner.
AQ103.3
Post disaster building safety
evaluation chart. See Figure AQ103.3 for Post Disaster Building Safety
Evaluation Chart.
AQ103.4
Evaluation Forms.ATC-45 Rapid Evaluation Safety
Assessment Form and ATC-45 Detailed Evaluation Safety
Assessment Form shall be used by [Name of Jurisdiction]'s
Building Official for post disaster inspections. See Section AQ605 for copies
of the Safety Assessment Forms.
AQ103.5
Placement and removal of
placards.
AQ103.5.1
Placement. Placards are to be posted in a clearly visible location
near the main entrance and shall be visible from the public right-of-way.
RESTRICTED USE or UNSAFE placards shall be placed at all entrances.
AQ103.5.2
Removal. Placards
shall not be removed or replaced, except by the authorized representatives of
the local jurisdiction.
Figure AQ103.3 Post Disaster Building Safety Evaluation
Chart a
(a)When Disaster
Strikes by the International Code Council, Inc., Seventh Printing:
November 2011, copyright 2007
CHAPTER AQ2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION AQ201
GENERAL
AQ201.1
Scope. Unless otherwise expressly stated the following words and
terms shall, for the purposes of this appendix, have the meanings shown in this
chapter.
AQ201.2
Terms
defined in other codes.Where terms are not defined in this appendix and are defined
in other International Codes, such terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to them as in those codes.
AQ201.3
Terms not defined. Where
terms are not de- fined through the methods authorized by this section, such
terms shall have their ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context
implies.
SECTION AQ202
DEFINITIONS
500-YEAR FLOOD. Flood having a 0.2% annual
probability of being equaled or exceeded.
ADVISORY BASE FLOOD ELEVATION (ABFE).
An advisory base flood elevation (BFE) issued by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that reflects post-storm conditions and
vulnerability to damages from future flooding.
BASE FLOOD. Flood having a 1% chance of being
equaled or exceeded in any given year, also referred to as the 100-year
flood.
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION (BFE). The elevation of
flooding, including wave height, having a 1% chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year established relative to the National Geodetic
Vertical Datum (NGVD), North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) or other datum
specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
BUILDING OFFICIAL. The officer or other
designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the
International Building Code, or the building Georgia
International Building Code 2026 Amendments official's duly authorized
representative.
DESIGN FLOOD. The greater of the
following two flood events:
(1)
The
base flood, affecting those areas identified as
special flood hazard areas on the community's FIRM;
(2)
The flood corresponding to the area
designated as a flood hazard area on a community's
flood hazard map or otherwise legally designated.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION (DFE). The elevation of
the design flood, including wave height, relative to the datum
specified on the community's legally designated flood hazard map. In areas
designated as Zone AQ, the design flood elevation shall be the
elevation of the highest existing grade of the building's perimeter plus the
depth number (in feet) specified on the flood hazard map.
FLOOD [DAMAGE]-RESISTANT MATERIAL. Any building
product [material, component or system] capable of withstanding direct and
prolonged contact with floodwaters without sustaining significant
damage.
FLOOD HAZARD MAP. Map delineating flood
hazard areas adopted by the authority having jurisdiction.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM). An official map
of a community on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has
delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk
premium zones applicable to the community.
FREEBOARD. A factor of safety expressed in feet
above a flood level for purposes of floodplain management.
FUTURE-CONDITIONS FLOOD. The flood having a 1%
chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year based on
future-conditioning hydrology. Also known as the 100-year future-conditions
flood.
FUTURE-CONDITIONS FLOOD ELEVATION. The flood
standard equal to or higher than the Base Flood Elevation. The future
conditions flood elevation is defined as the highest water surface anticipated
at any given point during the future conditions flood.
CHAPTER AQ3
FLOOD-RESISTANT
CONSTRUCTION
Forward: This appendix provides three different
options for increased freeboard. The jurisdiction may pick only one option that
is higher than previously adopted and enforced by the jurisdiction. The
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum standards reference Base Flood
Elevation without any freeboard in high-risk flood hazard areas. Due to the
flood damage prevention updates performed during the Map Modernization
initiative that led to flood risks being digitally identified in all 159
Georgia counties, all Georgia NFIP participating communities have freeboard
standards that meet or exceed the 1-foot standard used in the State model
ordinances for areas where BFEs have been established.
SECTION AQ301
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
AQ301.1
Identification of flood hazard areas. To establish flood hazard
areas:
(a)
flood hazard map adopted by
jurisdiction based on areas of special flood hazard as identified by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency in an engineering report entitled "The
Flood Insurance Study of [INSERT NAME OF JURISDICTION]," dated
[INSERT DATE ISSUANCE] and amended or revised with the
accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Boundary and Floodway
Map (FBFM) and related supporting data along with any revisions
thereto.
(b)
FIRM maps provided by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
SECTION AQ302
SCOPE
AQ302.1
Flood loads. Buildings
designed and constructed in flood hazard areas defined in IBC Section 1612.3.1
shall comply with the following:
AQ302.1.1
Flood hazard areas without base flood elevations. In flood hazard
areas without base flood or future-conditions flood elevation data, new
construction and substantial improvements of existing structures shall have the
lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement) elevated no less
than three (3) feet above the highest adjacent grade to the building
foundation.
OPTION A - FLOOD ELEVATION
AQ302.1.2
Increase to base flood
elevation requirements. Floors required by ASCE 24 to be built above
base flood elevations as follows:
The higher of:
(a)
Design flood elevation plus one (1) foot, or
(b)
Base flood elevation plus one (1) foot,
or
(c)
Advisory base flood
elevation, or
(d)
Future-conditions
plus one (1) foot, if known or
(e)
500-year flood, if known
OPTION B- FLOOD ELEVATION
AQ302.1.3
Increase to base flood
elevation requirements. Floors required by ASCE 24 to be built above
base flood elevations as follows:
The higher of:
(a)
Design flood elevation plus two (2) feet, or
(b)
Base flood elevation plus two (2) feet,
or
(c)
Advisory base flood
elevation, or
(d)
Future-conditions
plus one (1) foot, if known or
(e)
500-year flood, if known
OPTION C - FLOOD ELEVATION
AQ302.1.4
Increase to base flood
elevation requirements. Floors required by ASCE 24 to be built above
base flood elevations as follows:
The higher of:
(a)
Design flood elevation plus three (3) feet, or
(b)
Base flood elevation plus three (3) feet,
or
(c)
Advisory base flood
elevation, or
(d)
Future-conditions
plus one (1) foot, if known or (e) 500-year flood, if known
SECTION AQ303
FLOOD DAMAGE-RESISTANT MATERIALS
AQ303.1
Flood damage-resistant
materials. Flood damage-resistant materials comply with FEMA Technical
Bulletin 2, Table 2. Types, Uses, and Classifications of Materials.
AQ303.2
Location of flood
damage-resistant materials. Building components and materials located
below the increase to base flood elevation as determined by the local
jurisdiction in accordance with AQ302.1 shall be flood damage resistant as
defined by Section AQ303.1.
AQ303.3
Fasteners and connectors used for flood damage-resistant
materials. Fasteners and connectors used for flood damage resistant
materials to be made of stainless steel, hot-dipped zinc-coated galvanized
steel, mechanically deposited-zinc coated, silicon bronze or copper. Copper
fasteners shall not be permitted for use in conjunction with steel.
CHAPTER AQ4
HIGH-WIND RESISTIVE
CONSTRUCTION
SECTION AQ401
GENERAL
AQ401.1
Applications. Buildings,
and parts thereof shall be designed to withstand the minimum wind loads and
meet the opening protection requirements of IBC Section 1609 as modified in
this chapter. Wind Load Option A, B or C shall be selected. Table AQ401.1
may be used to assist in the selection of an appropriate Wind Load
Option.
AQ401.2
Limitations. The following limitations shall apply to the design
and construction of buildings with respect to winds.
AQ401.2.1
Empirical masonry. The
empirical masonry provisions in IBC Section 2109 or Chapter 5 of TMS 402/ACI
530/ASCE 5 shall not be permitted to be used for the wind load resisting
elements of buildings, or parts of buildings or other structures.
AQ401.2.2
Unreinforced (plain)
masonry. The unreinforced masonry provisions in IBC Section 2109 or
sections 2.2, 3.2 or 8.2 of TMS 402/ACI 530/ASCE 5 shall not be permitted to be
used for the wind load resisting elements of buildings, or parts of buildings
or other structures.
AQ401.2.3
Conventional light-frame construction. The conventional
light-frame construction provisions in IBC Section 2308 shall not be permitted
to be used for the wind load resisting elements of buildings, or parts of
buildings, or other structures.
Exception: Compliance with AF&PA WFCM shall
be permitted subject to the limitations therein and the limitations of this
appendix.
SECTION AQ402
DEFINITIONS AND NOTATIONS
AQ402.1
General. The following
terms are defined in Chapter 2 of the International Building Code:
CONVENTIONAL LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION.
MASONRY.
Unreinforced (plain) masonry.
WIND-BORNE DEBRIS REGION. WIND SPEED,Vult.
SECTION AQ403
WIND LOADS
AQ403.1
Wind Directionality
Factor. The directionality factor for Wind Option B and C shall be taken
as 1.0.
AQ403.2
Exposure. Wind pressures for Wind Option B and C shall be based on
exposure category C or D in accordance with IBC Section 1609.4 or ASCE 7.
AQ403.3
Enclosure
classification. The enclosure classification shall be determined in
accordance with ASCE 7 with the largest door or window on a wall that receives
positive external pressure considered as an opening.
AQ403.4
Continuous operation of Risk
Category IV buildings. When a building or an internal area within a
building in Risk Category IV is required to remain operational during a design
wind event (target performance level OB), that building or that internal area
shall be designed in accordance with ICC-500 or FEMA- 361.
SECTION AQ404
WIND LOAD OPTION A
AQ404.1
Basic wind speed. The
ultimate wind speed, Vult, for use in the design of buildings and structures
shall be obtained from IBC Section 1609.3.
AQ404.2
Debris Hazard and Protection of
Openings. Buildings shall be designed for impact resistance in
accordance with IBC Section 1609.2 or ASCE 7.
Exception:
1.
For Risk Category III buildings with a
Life Safety target performance level for the entire building, the exterior
glazing shall be impact resistant or be protected with an impact resistant
covering meeting the requirements of ASTM E1996.
2.
For Risk Category IV buildings with an
Immediate Occupancy target performance level for the entire building, the
exterior glazing shall be impact resistant or be protected with an impact
resistant covering meeting the requirements of ASTM E1996 for Enhanced
Protection.
SECTION AQ405
WIND LOAD OPTION B
AQ405.1
Basic wind speed. The
ultimate design wind speed, Vult, for use in the design of Risk Category I
buildings and structures shall be obtained from 0 Section 1609.3. The ultimate
design wind speed, Vult, for use in the design of Risk Category II buildings
and structures shall be obtained from IBC Figure 1609.3(1). The ultimate design
wind speed, Vult, for use in the design of Risk Category III and IV buildings
and structures shall be obtained from IBC Figure 1609.3(1) or 135 mph,
whichever is greater.
AQ405.2
Debris Hazard and Protection of Openings. Buildings shall be
designed for impact resistance in accordance with this Section in addition to
IBC Section 1609.2 or ASCE 7.
Exception:
1.
For Risk Category IV buildings, all
components of the exterior envelope shall be impact resistant or be protected
with an impact resistant covering meeting the requirements of ASTM E1996 for
Enhanced Protection.
SECTION AQ406
WIND LOAD OPTION C
AQ406.1
Basic wind speed. The
ultimate design wind speed, Vult, for use in the design of Risk Category I
buildings and structures shall be obtained from IBC Section 1609.3. The
ultimate design wind speed, Vult, for use in the design of Risk Category II
buildings and structures shall be obtained from IBC Figure 1609.3(1). The
ultimate design wind speed, Vult, for use in the design of Risk Category III
and IV buildings and structures shall be obtained from IBC Figure 1609.3(1) or
170 mph, whichever is greater.
AQ406.2
Debris Hazard and Protection of
Openings. Buildings shall be designed for impact resistance in
accordance with this Section in addition to IBC Section 1609.2 or ASCE 7.
Exception:
1.
For Risk Category IV buildings, all
components of the exterior envelope shall be impact resistant or be protected
with an impact resistant covering meeting the requirements of ASTM E1996 for
Enhanced Protection.
Table AQ401.1
WIND-LOAD OPTIONS: TARGET PERFORMANCE
LEVELS AND DESIGN CRITERIA4
OPTION
DESIGN WIND EVENT
Risk Category
II1
Risk Category
III1
Risk Category
IV1
Target Performance
Level2
Min Wind Speed
Vult
Wind-Borne
Debris
Target Performance
Level2
Min Wind Speed
Vult
Wind-Borne Debris
Target Performance
Level2
Min Wind Speed
Vult
Wind-Borne
Debris
A
EF0 & 1 Tornado - IBC level
Hurricane
CP3
IBC 1609.3
IBC 1609.2 or
ASCE 7
CP3
IBC 1609.3
IBC 1609.2 or
ASCE 7
CP3
IBC 1609.3
IBC 1609.2 or ASCE 7
LS
Glazing
IO5
Glazing
B
EF2 Tornado - Cat 3 Hurricane
CP3 for EF0-EF1-IBC
Hurricane for Risk Cat. III/IV
IBC 1609.3 for Risk Cat. III/IV
IBC 1609.2 or
ASCE 7
LS
145 mph
Req'd for glazing per IBC 1609.2 and ASCE
7
IO5
145 mph
Exterior
Envelope
C
EF3 Tornado - Cat 4 Hurricane
CP3 for EF0-EF1-IBC
Hurricane for Risk Cat. III/IV
IBC 1609.3 for Risk Cat. III/IV
IBC 1609.2 or
ASCE 7
LS
170 mph
Req'd for glazing per IBC 1609.2 and ASCE
7
IO5
170 mph
Exterior
Envelope
Notes:
1.
Risk Category per IBC Section 1604.5
2.
Performance Levels:
CP: Collapse Prevention
LS: Life Safety
IO: Immediate Occupancy
OB: Operational Building
3.
LS for occupants away from exterior
envelope. IO for storm shelters or safe rooms.
4.
See Section AQ401 and Section AQ403 for
additional limitations and criteria.
5.
OB for building or an internal area within
a building designed to ICC-500 or FEMA 361.
CHAPTER AQ5
STORM SHELTERS, SAFE ROOMS AND BEST
AVAILABLE REFUGE AREAS
SECTION AQ 01
GENERAL
AQ501.1
General. This section
applies to the location and construction of storm shelters and safe rooms when
constructed as separate detached buildings or as internal areas within
buildings for the purpose of providing safe refuge for storms that produce high
winds, such as tornados and hurricanes, and to the selection of best available
refuge areas. Storm shelters shall be designed and constructed in accordance
with IBC Section 423. Safe rooms shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with FEMA 361. Storm shelters, safe rooms, and best available refuge
areas shall be located on an accessible route.
Exception:Residential Safe
Rooms and safe rooms serving a Business Group B Occupancy and having
an occupant load not exceeding 16 persons may be constructed
in accordance with FEMA 320.
AQ501.2
Occupant load. The
occupant load for storm shelters and safe rooms shall be determined by ICC 500
and FEMA 361 respectively.
AQ501.3
Construction documents. Construction documents for buildings
containing a storm shelter or safe room shall include the information required
in ICC 500 or FEMA 361 respectively. Construction documents for buildings with
access to a remote community storm shelter or safe room shall indicate the
location of and access to the community storm shelter or safe room.
Construction documents for buildings not containing or without access to a
remote storm shelter or safe room, shall indicate the best available refuge
area.
AQ501.4
Signage.
The location(s) of storm shelters, safe rooms or the best available refuge
area(s) shall be clearly marked with a permanent sign.
BEST AVAILABLE REFUGE AREAS.
Areas in a building that have been deemed by a registered design professional
to likely offer the greatest safety for building occupants during a tornado or
hurricane. Because these areas were not specifically designed as storm shelters
or safe rooms, their occupants may be injured or killed during a tornado or
hurricane. However, people in the best available refuge areas are less likely
to be injured or killed than people in other areas of a building.
SAFE ROOM. A building, structure
or portions thereof, constructed in accordance with FEMA 361 and designed for
use during a severe wind storm event, such as a hurricane or tornado.
Community Safe Room. A safe room not defined as
a "Residential Safe Room" Residential Safe Room. A safe room
serving occupants of dwelling units and having an
occupant load not exceeding 16 persons.
SECTION AQ503
BEST AVAILABLE REFUGE AREAS
AQ503.1
General. Best available
refuge area occupants may be injured or killed during a tornado or hurricane.
However, people in the best available refuge areas are less likely to be
injured or killed than people in other areas of a building.
AQ503.2
Occupant Density. The
minimum required floor area per occupant for best available refuge area(s)
shall be determined in accordance with ICC 500 Table 501.1.1.
AQ503.3
Identification of best
available refuge areas. Best available refuge areas shall be identified
by a registered design professional in accordance with the Wind Hazard
Checklist of FEMA 361, Appendix B and FEMA P-431.
SECTION AQ502
DEFINITIONS AND NOTATIONS
AQ502.1
Definitions. The
following terms are
defined in Chapter 2 of the International
Building Code:
DWELLING UNITS.
OCCUPANT LOAD.
STORM SHELTER.
Community Storm Shelter.
Residential Storm Shelter.
AQ502.2
Additional
definitions.
SECTION AQ504
APPLICABILITY
AQ504.1
Required storm shelters or safe
rooms.
1.
All new kindergarten through
12th grade schools with 50 or more occupants in total, per school, shall have a
storm shelter or safe room.
2.
All
new 911 call stations, emergency operation centers, and fire, rescue,
ambulance, and police stations shall have a storm shelter or safe room.
CHAPTER AQ6
RESOURCES
SECTION AQ601
CONTACTS
Georgia Department of Community
Affairs (DCA) Construction Codes
Georgia State Amendments to the State Minimum Standard Codes
DCA.GEORGIA.GOV/COMMUNITY-assistance/construction-codes
Phone: 404-679-3118
Georgia Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) Floodplain
Management
4220 International Parkway, Ste. 101
Atlanta, GA 30354-3902
www.georgiadfirm.com
Phone: 404-675-1757
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)www.fema.gov;
www.floodsmart.gov
www.fema.gov/rebuild/buildingscience/
FEMA Publications and Technical Bulletins: (www.fema.gov/library/index.jsp)
(www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/techbul.shtm)
Georgia Emergency Management Agency
(GEMA)
Georgia Office of Homeland Security
P.O. Box 18055
Atlanta, GA 30316- 0055
www.gema.ga.gov www.ready.ga.gov
Phone: 404-635-7000
Georgia Association of Regional Commissions
(GARC)
www.garc.ga.gov
(http://garc.ga.gov/main.php?Regional-Commissions-2)
(for assistance in identifying Flood Hazard Areas)
International Code Council (ICC)
www.iccsafe.org
National Weather Service
www.weather.gov
State Fire Marshal's Office
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Suite 920 / West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
www.oci.ga.gov
Phone: 404-656-7087
SECTION AQ602
EMERGENCY INSPECTION KIT
b
[] Staff's disaster response management
plan
[] Sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater)
[] Camera
[] Team contact list
[] Black markers
[] Area maps
[] Official
identification
[] Pens & pencils
[] Personal
identification
[] Envelope for expense
receipts
[] Inspection forms and
placards
[] Compass, GPS unit
[] Communication
equipment
[] Backpack, waistpack
[] Clipboard
[] Flashlight and extra
batteries
[] Hard hat
[] Battery-operated radio
[] Orange safety vest
[] Duct tape
[] Dust mask
[] Staples & stapler
[] Work gloves
[] Staple gun
[] Steel toe and waterproof
boots
[] Calculator
[] Whistle
[] First aid kit
[] Tire repair kit
[] Latex gloves
Remember to grab:
[] Safety glasses
[] Personal identification
[] Sunglasses
[] Rain gear, extra clothing
[] Pocket knife
[] Water bottle
[] Matches
[] Prescription medication
[] Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based
hand sanitizer
[] Cell phone and charger
[] Cash for personal
expenses
[] Insect repellant ( w/ Deet or
Picaridin)
[] Toiletries
(b)
Disaster Mitigation: A Guide for
Building Departments by the International Code Council, Inc.,
copyright 2009
SECTION AQ603
SAFETY TIPS
a
1.
Always travel in teams of at least two people.
2.
Always wear a hard hat, gloves,
goggles, safety vest, and dust masks.
3.
Always wear safety shoes capable of
protecting the toes and bottom of the foot.
4.
Survey the building exterior
completely before entering.
5.
Enter building only if authorized
and if deemed safe to do so.
6.
Be alert for falling
objects.
7.
In case of
fire, injuries or victims, evacuate the area and alert the fire department
immediately.
8.
Avoid
downed power lines and buildings under them or water surrounding
them.
9.
In case of
gas leaks, shut off the gas (if possible) and report the leak.
10.
In a flood situation, have a
"walking stick."
(a)
When Disaster
Strikes by the International Code Council, Inc., Seventh Printing:
November 2011, copyright 2007
SECTION AQ604
MAJOR DISASTER PROCESS
(from link
https://www.fema.gov/disaster-declaration-process)
A Major Disaster Declaration usually follows these
steps:
Incident occurs and local government
responds, supplemented by neighboring communities and volunteer
agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for assistance;Generally the local government will issue a local state of
emergency
The State responds with state resources,
such as the National Guard and state agencies;*
Prior to committing state resources, the Governor will
declare a state of emergency in the counties impacted by the event for which
assistance is needed.
Damage assessment by local, state,
federal, and volunteer organizations determine losses and recovery
needs;Generally the locals will submit a preliminary damage
assessment to the state and the state will review and determine if state and/or
federal assistance is needed. If federal assistance is needed, the state will
request FEMA to perform a preliminary joint damage assessment. If the Governor
determines that the incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective
response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected local
governments then supplementary Federal assistance is requested (next
step).
A Major Disaster Declaration is requested
by the Governor, based on the damage assessment, and agreement to commit state
funds and resources to the long-term recovery;FEMA evaluates the request and recommends
action to the White House based on the disaster, the local community and the
state's ability to recover;The President approves the request or FEMA
informs the Governor it has been denied. This decision process could take a few
hours or several weeks depending on the nature of the disasterSECTION AQ605
SAMPLE EVALUATION FORMS AND INSPECTION PLACARDS
b (following pages)
Figure AQ605.1b
Figure AQ605.2
b
Figure AQ605.3
b
Figure AO605.4b
Figure AO605.5b
CHAPTER AQ7 REFERENCES
REFERENCED STANDARDS
ASCE Standards ASCE/SEI 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction
FEMA P-320, Fourth Edition / December 2014 Taking Shelter
From the Storm: Building a Safe Room For Your
Home or Small Business, Includes Construction Plans and Cost
Estimates
FEMA 361, Third Edition / March 2015 Design and Construction
Guidance for Community Safe Rooms
FEMA P-431, Second Edition/October 2009 Tornado Protection:
Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings
FEMA Technical Bulletin 2, Table 2. Types, Uses, and
Classifications of Materials
REFERENCED RESOURCES
a)
When Disaster Strikes by the
International Code Council, Inc., Seventh Printing: November 2011, copyright
2007
b)
Disaster
Mitigation: A Guide for Building Departments by the International Code Council,
Inc., copyright 2009INDEX OF FIGURES:
Figure AQ103.3 Post Disaster Building Safety
Evaluation Chart a
..................................................
10
Figure AQ605.1 ATC-45 Rapid Evaluation Form
..............................................................................
18
Figure AQ605.2 ATC-45 Detail Evaluation Form
..............................................................................
19
Figure AQ605.3 Inspected Placard
.......................................................................................................
21
Figure AQ605.4 Restricted Placard
......................................................................................................
22
Figure AQ605.5 Unsafe Placard
...........................................................................................................
23
INDEX B
Best available refuge
area
Chapter 5, AQ501.1, AQ502.2, AQ503
Connectors
.........................................
AQ303.3
Conventional Light-Frame
Construction
AQ401.2.3
E
Emergency operation centers
............
AQ504.1
Enclosure classification
......................
AQ403.3
Essential Facility
.................................
AQ103.3
Evaluation
Detailed ...............
AQ103.2.1, AQ103 3 2.2, AQ103.4
Engineering .....................
AQ103.2.2, AQ103 2.3, Figure 103.3
Rapid ........................
AQ103.2.1, AQ103.4, Figure AQ605.1
Exposure
.............................................
AQ403.2
F
Fasteners
............................................
AQ303.3
Flood
500-Year .......................
Chapter 2, AQ302.1.2, AQ302 1.3,
AQ302.1.4
Base
....................................
Chapter 2, AQ302.1.1
Design
..............................................
Chapter 2
Future-conditions .............
Chapter 2, AQ302.1.1, AQ302.1.2, AQ302.1.3,
AQ302.1.4
Flood Elevation
Advisory Base
................................
Chapter 2, AQ302.1.2, AQ302 1.3,
AQ302.1.4
Base
...............................................
Chapter 2, AQ302.1.2, AQ302 1.3,
AQ302.1.4
Design
........................................
Chapter 2, AQ302.1.2, AQ302 1.3,
AQ302.1.4
Futures-conditions
...........................
Chapter 2
Flood Hazard Area ..
AQ102.1.1, Chapter 2, AQ301.1, AQ302.1,
AQ302.1.1
Flood-(Damage)Resistant
Material
Chapter 2, AQ303
Freeboard
...............................
Chapter 2, Chapter 3
G
Grade Schools
......................................
AQ504
I
Impact Resistant .......
.AQ404.2, AQ405.2, AQ406.2
Inspections ........
AQ103.1, AQ103.2
M
Masonry
Empirical
........................................
AQ401.2.1
Unreinforced
...................................
AQ401.2.2
O
Opening Protection .....
AQ401.1, AQ404.2, AQ405.2, AQ406.2
P
Placards ....
AQ103.2.1, AQ103.5, Figure
AQ605.3-AQ605.5
S
Safe rooms
Community
.......................................
AQ502.2
Occupant
density..........................
AQ501.2, AQ503.2
Residential.............................
AQ501.1, AQ502, AQ502.2
Sample Ordinance
.......................
Page 2,3,and 4
Storm shelters ........
AQ101.3.3, Table AQ401.1, Chapter AQ5
Substantial alterations
....................
AQ102.1.1
Substantial improvements
..................
AQ101 3.1, AQ302.1.1
T
Table of Contents
..................................
Page 7
U
Ultimate design wind speed
.........
AQ404.1, AQ405.1, AQ406.1
V
Violations
............................................
AQ101.4
W
Wind Directionality Factor
..............
AQ403.1
Wind Load
.........................................
AQ401, AQ403, AQ404, AQ405, AQ406Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English
Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 110-11-1 § 110-11-1-.24 establishes the 2024 International Building Code, as modified by Georgia State Amendments effective January 1, 2026, as the official Georgia State Minimum Standard Building Code. The rule governs construction, alteration, repair, occupancy, and demolition of virtually all buildings and structures in Georgia, with specific exceptions for one- and two-family dwellings. It also replaces or redirects numerous IBC provisions to Georgia-specific codes and Safety Fire Commissioner standards, particularly for fire protection systems.
Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 27, 2026
Plain English — not legal advice.
For Property Managers
Property owners and managers overseeing commercial, multifamily, or institutional construction in Georgia generally ensure that all design, permitting, and construction work complies with the 2024 IBC as amended under § 110-11-1-.24, effective January 1, 2026. Compliant operators coordinate with licensed design professionals who reference Georgia-specific standards—such as the Safety Fire Commissioner's rules for sprinkler and fire alarm systems—rather than the unmodified IBC chapters that have been redirected by these amendments. Operators of Group R residential buildings also verify whether sprinkler exemptions under the Safety Fire Commissioner's Chapter 120-3-3 apply to their specific occupancy classification.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For Tenants
Tenants in Georgia residential buildings benefit from § 110-11-1-.24's fire safety and structural requirements, which set minimum standards for sprinkler systems, fire-rated construction, and elevator safety in multifamily and other Group R occupancies. If a building appears to lack required fire protection systems or safe egress, tenants may report concerns to the local building official or the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner's Office. Consulting a tenant-rights organization can help identify which agency handles a particular complaint.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 27, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
Current
Oct 27, 2026
Click on timeline segments to view historical versions.
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.
Related Rules
§ 8.54
§ 8.54 Notice.
§ 8.55
§ 8.55 Compliance information.
§ 200.937
§ 200.937 Supplementary specific procedural requirements under HUD building product standards and certification program for plastic bathtub units, plastic shower receptors and stalls, plastic lavatories, plastic water closet bowls and tanks.