DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2008 .

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIACONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2008DCMR 12A BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENTCHAPTER 1A ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENTDelete Chapter 1 in its entirety and substitute the following:SECTION 101A GENERAL101.1 The Construction Codes. The D.C. Construction Codes (2008), hereinafter referred to asthe "Construction Codes," shall consist of the Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code,Fuel Gas Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Property Maintenance Code, Fire SafetyCode, Energy Conservation Code and Existing Building Code, as defined in Sections 101.2through 101.4.8 of 12A DCMR, and shall include, as to any specific application, any waiversthereto authorized and duly granted by the code official, as define in Section 103.1 of theBuilding Code. The District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2008 (the“Construction Codes Supplement”) shall consist of the additions, insertions, deletions andchanges to the 2006 edition of the International Codes published by the International CodeCouncil (ICC) and to the National Electrical Code (2005) published by the National FireProtection Association (NFPA) (collectively the “International Codes”) which are adoptedpursuant to the provisions of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986,effective March 21, 1987 ( D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1401 et seq.).101.1.1 The Construction Codes Scope and Intent. Chapter 1A of 12A DCMR shallserve as the administrative and enforcement provisions for the Building Code, ResidentialCode, Electrical Code, Fuel Gas Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, EnergyConservation Code and Existing Building Code, except as otherwise provided herein.Administrative and enforcement provisions for the Property Maintenance Code and theFire Prevention Code are set forth in 12G DCMR, Chapter 1G and 12H DCMR, Chapter1H, respectively.101.2 D.C. Building Code. The D.C. Building Code (2008), hereinafter referred to as the"Building Code" shall consist of the International Building Code (2006) as amended by theConstruction Codes Supplement (12A DCMR Building Code Supplement).101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices of the International Building Code(2006) shall not apply unless specifically adopted.101.2.2 Administration and Enforcement Chapter 1 of the International BuildingCode (2006) is deleted in its entirety. The provisions of Chapter 1A of 12A DCMR shallapply to the Building Code and are incorporated by this reference.101.2.3 Scope. The provisions of the Building Code shall apply to the construction,alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, movement, enlargement,

occupancy and maintenance of all buildings and structures, appurtenances attached tobuildings or structures, signs, advertising devices and premises in the District ofColumbia and apply to existing or proposed buildings and structures; except as suchmatters are otherwise provided for in other ordinances or statutes, or in the rules andregulations authorized for promulgation under the provisions of the Building Code. Theseregulations establish minimum maintenance standards for all structures and premises forbasic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, space heating and sanitation; forsafety from fire; for space and location; for safe and sanitary maintenance of all structuresand premises now in existence; for minimum requirements for all existing buildings andstructures for means of egress, fire protection systems and other equipment and devicesnecessary for life safety from fire; for rehabilitation and reuse of existing structures, andconstruction and those for alterations and repairs.Exceptions:1.Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-familydwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane inheight with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures shallbe permitted to comply with the Residential Code listed in Section 101.3.2.Existing buildings undergoing repair, alteration, additions or change ofoccupancy shall comply with the Existing Building Code listed in Section101.4.8 or the current Construction Codes.101.2.4 Intent. The purpose of the Building Code is to establish the minimum standardsto safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare through structural strength,means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energyconservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to thebuilt environment and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders duringemergency operations.101.3 D.C. Residential Code. The D.C. Residential Code (2008), hereinafter referred to as the"Residential Code," shall consist of the International Residential Code (2006) as amended by theConstruction Codes Supplement (12B DCMR Residential Code Supplement).101.3.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices of the International Residential Code(2006) shall not apply unless specifically adopted.101.3.2 Administration and Enforcement. Chapter 1 of the International ResidentialCode (2006) is deleted in its entirety. The provisions of Chapter 1A of 12A DCMR shallapply to the Residential Code and are incorporated by this reference.101.3.3 Scope. The provisions of the Residential Code shall apply to the construction,movement, enlargement, replacement, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removaland demolition of detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more thanthree stories above-grade in height with a separate means of egress and their accessorystructures.101.3.4 Intent. The purpose of the Residential Code is to establish the minimum

standards to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare through affordability,structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light andventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and otherhazards attributed to the built environment and to provide safety to fire fighters andemergency responders during emergency operations.101.4 Referenced Codes. The codes listed in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.8 and referencedelsewhere in the Building Code shall be considered part of the requirements of the ConstructionCodes to the prescribed extent of each such reference.101.4.1 D.C. Electrical Code. The D.C. Electrical Code (2008) hereinafter referred to asthe "Electrical Code," shall consist of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)National Electrical Code (2005) as amended by the Construction Code Supplement(12C DCMR Electrical Code Supplement).101.4.1.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices of the NFPA NationalElectrical Code (2005) shall not apply unless specifically adopted.101.4.1.2 Administration and Enforcement. The provisions of Chapter 1A of12A DCMR shall apply to the Electrical Code and are incorporated by thisreference.101.4.1.3 Repeal. Article 90 of the National Electrical Code (2005) is deleted inits entirety.101.4.1.3.1 Mandatory Rules and Explanatory Material. Mandatoryrules of the National Electrical Code are characterized by the use of theword "shall." Explanatory material in the form of Fine Print Notes (FPN)is not mandatory.101.4.1.4 Scope. The provisions of the Electrical Code shall apply to the design,installation, maintenance, alteration, conversion, changing, repairing, removal,and inspection of electrical conductors, equipment, and systems in buildings orstructures and on private or public space within the District of Columbia, for thetransmission, distribution, and use of electrical energy for power, heat, light,radio, television, signaling, and for other purposes.Exceptions:1.Installations of communications equipment under the exclusivecontrol of communications utilities located outdoors or in buildingspaces used exclusively for such installations are not subject to theElectrical Code.2.Electrical installations, including associated lighting, under theexclusive control of electrical utilities for the purpose of

communications, metering, generation, control, transformation,transmission, or distribution of electricity, when such installationsare located in buildings used exclusively by utilities for suchpurposes, or outdoors on property owned or leased by the utility, oron or along public highways, streets, roads, and other public rightof-ways, or outdoors on private property by established rights suchas easements, such installations are not subject to the ElectricalCode.101.4.1.5 Intent. The purpose of the Electrical Code is to establish the minimumrequirements to safeguard persons and property from hazards arising from the useof electricity, and is not intended as a design specification or as an instructionmanual for untrained persons.101.4.2 D.C. Fuel Gas Code. The D.C. Fuel Gas Code (2008), hereinafter referred to asthe "Fuel Gas Code," shall consist of the International Fuel Gas Code (2006) asamended by the Construction Codes Supplement (12D DCMR Fuel Gas CodeSupplement).101.4.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices of the International Fuel GasCode (2006) shall not apply unless specifically adopted.101.4.2.2 Administration and Enforcement. Chapter 1 of the InternationalFuel Gas Code (2006) is deleted in its entirety. The provisions of Chapter 1A of12A DCMR shall apply to the Fuel Gas Code and are incorporated by thisreference.101.4.2.3 Scope. The provisions of the Fuel Gas Code shall apply to theinstallation of fuel gas piping systems, fuel gas utilization equipment, gaseoushydrogen systems, and related accessories, as follows:1.Gaseous hydrogen systems shall be regulated by Chapter 7.2.The regulations cover piping systems for natural gas with an operatingpressure of 125 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (862 kPa gauge) orless, and for LP-gas with an operating pressure of 20 psig (140 kPa gauge)or less, except as provided in Section 402.6.1. Coverage shall extend fromthe point of delivery to the outlet of the equipment shutoff valves. Pipingsystem requirements shall include design, materials, components,fabrication, assembly, installation, testing, inspection, operation, andmaintenance.3.Requirements for gas utilization equipment and related accessories shallinclude installation, combustion and ventilation air, and venting andconnection to piping systems.

4.The requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, alteration, andinspection of mechanical operating with fuels other than fuel gas shall beregulated by the Mechanical Code.101.4.2.3.1 Exempted Installations and Equipment. The Fuel Gas Codeshall not apply to the following:1.Portable LP-Gas equipment of all types that is not connected to afixed fuel system.2.Installation of farm equipment such as brooders, dehydrators,dryers and irrigation equipment.3.Raw material (feedstock) applications except for piping to specialatmosphere generators.4.Oxygen-fuel gas cutting and welding systems.5.Industrial gas applications using gases such as acetylene andacetylenic compounds, hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide,oxygen and nitrogen.6.Petroleum refineries, pipeline compressor or pumping stations,loading terminals, compounding plants, refinery tank farms andnatural gas processing plants.7.Integrated chemical plants or portions of such plants whereflammable or combustible liquids or gases are produced bychemical reactions or used in chemical reactions.8.LP-Gas installations at utility gas plants.9.Liquefied natural gas (LNG) installations.10.Fuel gas piping in power and atomic energy plants.11.Proprietary items of equipment, apparatus, or instruments such asgas generating sets, compressors and calorimeters.12.LP-Gas equipment for vaporization, gas mixing and gasmanufacturing.13.Temporary LP-Gas piping for buildings under construction orrenovation that is not to become part of the permanent pipingsystem.