Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 170-X-2 — Alabama State Building Code

170 State of Alabama Building Commission (Agency dissolved and Rules are located in Finance Department/Construction Management Div pursuant to Act 2015-435)

Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-2-.01 Adopted Standard Codes

(1) The minimum building standard codes adopted by reference and enforced by the Alabama Building Commission are all of the following:

(a) 2015 – International Building Code.

(b) 2015 - International Plumbing Code.

(c) 2015 – International Fuel Gas Code.

(d) 2015 - International Mechanical Code.

(e) 2014 - National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). (f) 2015 - International Fire Code.

(g) ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 – 2013 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low – Rise Residential Buildings

(h) 2010 – ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

(i) ABC Code Supplements.

(j) 2014 - ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters (ICC 500 – 2014)

(k) 2013 NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

(2) The requirements of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design supersede the handicapped requirements contained in the International Building Code.

History

• Author: Katherine Lynn
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§21-4-3, 41-9-161, 41-9-171.
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed August 29, 1997; effective October 3, 1997. Amended: Filed September 18, 2001; effective October 23, 2001; operative November 1, 2001. Amended: Filed October 16, 2003; effective November 20, 2003. Amended: Filed March 14, 2005; effective April 18, 2005. Amended: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007; operative October 1, 2007. Amended: Filed January 4, 2008; effective February 8, 2008. Amended: Filed November 13, 2008; effective December 18, 2008. Amended: Filed July 14, 2010; effective August 18, 2010. Amended: Filed March 14, 2011; effective April 18, 2011. Amended: Filed March 11, 2013; effective April 15, 2013. Amended: Filed May 12, 2016; effective June 26, 2016.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-2-.02 Official “Recommendations”

The Commission adopts by reference, as official “recommendations” rather than as mandated regulations, Chapter 5 of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB) publication; “Recommendations for Accessibility Standards for Children’s Environments”.

History

• Author: Stedmann B. McCollough, Director
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§21-4-3, 41-9-161.
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed August 29, 1997; effective October 3, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-2-.03 Obtaining The Adopted Codes

The Technical Staff shall publish in the Manual of Procedures the necessary information to obtain copies of the adopted codes and official recommendations.

History

• Author: Stedmann B. McCollough, Director
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§41-9-141, 41-9-161, 41-9-171.
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed August 29, 1997; effective October 3, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-2-.04 Applicability Of Adopted Codes

(1) Except as stated in paragraphs (2) and (3), the STATE BUILDING CODE applies only to the following construction in Alabama:

(a) STATE BUILDING and CONSTRUCTION: All buildings and other structures erected or acquired by or in behalf of the State of Alabama or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

(b) SCHOOLHOUSES: Any building or other structure erected or acquired by the public schools of Alabama and also shall mean any private building in which 25 or more persons are congregated regularly for the purpose of instruction in any branch of knowledge.

(c) HOTELS: Any public inn or lodging house of 15 or more bedrooms, in which transient guests are lodged for pay.

(d) MOVING PICTURE THEATERS: Any building in which moving pictures are featured regularly for charge of admission.

(2) The ALABAMA BUILDING ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE applies only to all buildings constructed or remodeled with state appropriated funds or funds from any other instrumentality of the state.

(3) The Commission’s responsibility to review plans and specifications for compliance with handicapped accessibility standards prescribed by the State Fire Marshal applies only to all buildings and facilities used by the public which are constructed in whole or in part by the use of state, county, or municipal funds, or the funds of any political subdivision of the state. (See §21-4-6 for shared jurisdiction.)

History

• Author: Stedmann B. McCollough, Director
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§21-4-4, 41-9-163, 41-9-171.
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed August 29, 1997; effective October 3, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-2-.05 Precedence Of Codes

(a) In case of conflict between the State Building Code, local codes, the Life Safety Code enforced by the State Fire Marshal, or other codes, the most stringent requirements shall prevail.

(b) All food preparation facilities, private water systems, and sewage disposal systems shall also meet the requirements of and be approved by the applicable county health department.

History

• Author: Stedmann B. McCollough, Director
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §41-9-141.
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed August 29, 1997; effective October 3, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-2-.06 Responsibility For Compliance

The compliance of plans and specifications with code requirements, is the responsibility of the primary design professional and the awarding authority and approval of these documents by the Technical Staff does not relieve the primary design professional or the awarding authority of this responsibility.

History

• Author: Stedmann B. McCollough, Director
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§41-9-141.
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed August 29, 1997; effective October 3, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-2-.07 ABC Code Supplements

To minimize reoccurring problems on public construction and improvement projects, from time to time the Commission will adopt and publish specific design and construction requirements or recommendations to supplement the State Building Code. The following requirements and recommendations are adopted and bound at the end of this chapter:

(a) ABC Code Supplement No. 1, LABELING OF FIRE DOORS AND FRAMES

History

• Author: Stedmann B. McCollough, Director
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§41-9-141, 41-9-161.
• Repealed and Replaced: Filed August 29, 1997; effective October 3, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-2-.07(a) Attachment

ABC CODE SUPPLEMENT No. 1

LABELING OF FIRE DOORS AND FRAMES

All door openings in fire resistive walls and partitions requiring a rating shall be protected by assemblies which include doors, frames, hardware, closing devices, anchorage, sills, etc., installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 80, Standard for “Fire Doors and Fire Windows” and the State Building Code.

To further clarify the basic requirements and/or the correct method of labeling that will be acceptable to the Alabama Building Commission, the labels shall include the following:

1. Accessibility: Each component shall bear a label located so as to be accessible after installation.

2. Permanence: Each component shall bear a label of a type of material and be so attached that the life of the label and the attachment thereof can reasonably be expected to equal the life of the component to which it is attached. Labels shall be raised or embossed on metal labels or stamped into metal frames. Plastic or paper labels are unacceptable.

3. Legibility: The label design shall be such that it can be visible and legible at all times and must be clean of any paint or other coverage making the label illegible.

4. Fire Resistance: All approved labels on doors and on frames shall include thereon the fire resistance rating in hours and/or minutes for which the door or frame is labeled. Labels on frames with transoms or sidelights must identify that the opening assembly includes same.

5. Other Requirements: The labels or stamps applied to frames must be provided by a manufacturer that has been approved by a laboratory or organization to provide testing and follow-up services for fire-rated opening assemblies.

History

• Author: Stedmann B. McCollough, Director
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§41-9-141; 41-9-161.
• New: Filed August 29, 1997; effective October 3, 1997.