New in the 2012 IBC^®

Key changes include:

Nonstructural

• All definitions are included in Chapter 2.
• Classifications for a variety of health-care related facilities have been clarified.
• Covered- and open-mall provisions revised to fully address the construction of open malls.
• Clarified provisions for incidental-use rooms and spaces.
• Modified provisions addressing exterior wall projections.
• Reformatted requirements for protection of vertical openings through floors.
• Automatic sprinkler systems required where furniture and mattresses are manufactured or stored.
• Increased capacity for stairways and other egress components in buildings with sprinklers and an emergency communication system.
• Clarification of when unenclosed stairways can be used as a part of the means of egress system, including how travel distance is measured.
• In three- and four-exit buildings, some exits are now permitted to serve a portion of a story rather than an entire story.

Structural

• Wind design requirements extensively revised.
• Wind load maps are now based on ultimate design wind speeds.
• New terminology for wind speeds.
• Updated seismic ground motion maps.
• The term "occupancy category" changed to "risk category."
• Special inspection requirements for structural steel and masonry construction are now based on referenced standards.
• Penetration firestop and fire-resistant joint systems in high-rise buildings and in Risk Category III or IV structures require special inspection.
• Modifications to the seismic provisions of ACI 318 Appendix D.