1) Rise and run of stairs - Maximum allowable rise is 7¾ inches, minimum allowable run is 10 inches - existing stairs can be replaced in kind in some circumstances. (The current code allows 8" maximum rise, 9" minimum run.) (Sec. 1009.3)

2) Projections into required stairway are allowed up to 4 ½", below the handrail. (Current code allows only 2½ inches.) (Sec. 1012.7)

3) Guards (formerly guardrails) are required to be 42" high in all occupancies. On the open side of stairs, a 34-38" high guard is allowed when the top rail also serves as a handrail. (The current code allows 36" high guardrails.) (Sec. 1013.1)

4) Spiral stairs may be used as a second exit within dwelling units without limitation to size of floor area served. (Existing code limited floor area served to 400 square feet.) (Sec 1009.80)

5) Light and ventilation requirements are reduced - Required light is now based on 8% of the floor area; required ventilation is based on 4% of floor area. Mechanical ventilation is permitted in lieu of natural ventilation. (The current code requirement is 10% for natural light and 5% for natural ventilation.) (Sec. 1205.2 and 1203.4)

6) Minimum heating requirement is now 68 degrees at a point 3' above the floor. (Current code is 70 degrees). (Sec. 1204.1)

7) Required minimum distance for un-rated walls and unprotected openings from property line is now 5 feet or more. If closer than 3', walls are required to be one hour and no openings are permitted. When the wall is located between 3' - 5' to the property line, protected and unprotected openings of up to 25% of the area of the wall are allowed. Openings are required to be protected with a ¾ hour rated assembly. Openings less than 1296 square inches, and height and width less than 54" respectively, may be protected with steel frames with ¼ inch wired glass. (Tables 704.8 and 715.5)

8) Emergency Egress and rescue window - Minimum required square footage for the window is reduced from 5.7 square feet to 5.0 square feet for grade floor openings. All other required dimensions are the same as current code. (Sec. 1026.2)

9) Doors - The minimum clear width for required egress doors is 32" with a height of 80". (Clarifies current code requirement.) (Sec. 1008.1.1)

10) Required wall rating between the garage and living space may be protected with ½" Type X drywall. (Current code requires 5/8"type X drywall.) (Sec. 406.1.4)

11) Minimum kitchen gross floor area is now 50 sq. ft. with a minimum clearance of 3' between counters and appliances or counters and walls. (Current code has no minimum floor area or clearance). (Sec. 1208.3 and 1208.1)

12) Attic access opening - Minimum dimensions reduced to 20" x 30" net clear opening. (Current code requires 22" x 30" opening.) (Sec. 1209.2)

13) Exit from 3rd story no longer required (R-3 only) - Only one exit required regardless of the number of stories or how many square feet per story. (Current code requires 2nd exit for 3rd story over 500 sq. ft.) (Sec. 1019.2 #2)

14) Minimum ceiling heights for storage and laundry rooms have been established at 7'0", the same as for kitchens and bathrooms. Ceiling heights for occupiable and habitable spaces remains at 7'6". (Current code is silent on storage and laundry rooms). (Sec. 1208.2)

Commercial Buildings

1) Sprinklers - Can be used in more situations • For both height and area increases. (Current code can be used for either height or area increase, but not both). (Chapter 5) • In lieu of rated corridors when building is fully sprinklered. (Table 1017.1) • To reduce exit separation to 1/3rd of the diagonal distance of the area served (Table 704.8) 3

2) Height of multi-story wood frame buildings - Depending upon site conditions, wood frame buildings could be constructed up to 70 feet in height. (Current code limits the height to 50 feet). The allowable number of stories remains at four. (Chapter 5)

3) Area of multi-story wood frame buildings - Allowable area provisions have been made less restrictive. (Chapter 5)

4) Exterior wall openings - major changes, allowing combination of protected and unprotected openings depending on the actual area of openings and fire separation distance. (Table 704.8) *Effective January 1, 2008. This list does not constitute a complete list of all the code changes. The above information is provided as a tool to assist homeowners, contractors and others in becoming aware of some of the most frequently encountered changes. Further Assistance: Go to our website for a 43 page cross-reference listing of many of the changes from the 1997 UBC to the 2007 IBC. The list does not include the California amendments, which can be found on the websites of the adopting agencies of the State of California. Publications: Codes and related publications may be purchased at many booksellers and online, including the International Code Council at http://www.iccsafe.org/ or Builders Booksource 1817 4th Street, Berkeley or online at http://www.buildersbooksource.com/ Training: Professional organizations such as California Building Officials, International Code Council, American Institute of Architects, Structural Engineers Association of Northern California and some local community colleges provide seminars or classes to assist the design and construction community in learning the new code requirements. Industry professionals, including licensed architects, contractors, registered engineers, plan checkers and inspectors have a professional and legal obligation to learn code requirements. G:\CODES\FORMS\2008 California Building Codes some changes.doc 4

General Provisions

1) Occupancy Classifications - Classifications have been renamed, deleted, added. (Chapter 3)

2) Construction Types - Have been renamed and revised. (Chapter 6)

3) Allowable Areas & Heights - Have been substantially revised. (Chapter 5)

4) Fire/Life Safety Provisions - Have been substantially revised including substantial changes in terminology.

5) 2-Volume Code - Volume 1, Chapters 1-15; Volume 2, Chapters 16-35 and Appendices.

6) New structural provisions - The current 2001 California Building Code, which is based on 1997 Uniform Building Code, contains complete structural design provisions for concrete, masonry, steel, and wood structures. The 2007 California Building Code that becomes effective on January1, 2008, and is based on 2006 International Building Code, relies on adoption by reference to national standards, such as ASCE 7-05, for load determination and material-specific design requirements. All standards referenced in the 2007 CBC are listed alphabetically in Chapter 35 and are considered part of the code. 2007 CBC is geared towards Load and Resistance Factor Design (LFRD). The main changes are in steel and wood design. For steel construction 2007 CBC relies upon AISC 360-06 National Standard, which combines LRFD and ASD (Allowable Stress Design) into a single unified steel design specification. For wood construction 2007 CBC relies upon NDS-05, which also combines LRFD and ASD into a single unified wood design specification. Technical provisions for wind and seismic load design have been completely rewritten, removed from 2007 CBC, and are located in ASCE 7-05. 1

7) References - No references are reproduced or restated in the code. All references are in separate publications and conforming to national standards from a variety of organizations including ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction), NDS (National Design Specification for wood construction), ACI (American Concrete Institute), MSJC (Masonry Standards Joint Committee), ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials), etc. (Chapter 35 contains the Referenced Standards).

8) Design Professional of Record. New definition of Registered Design Professional has been established in Chapter 2. The responsibilities of the Design Professional in Responsible Charge are defined in Section 106.3.4 of the Appendix Chapter 1.