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The New Building Code by Paul Morin
Two years ago, this state adopted its first residential building code, the IRC 2000. Builders and building code officials applauded the move for the consistency and predictability it brought when every town is using the same playbook. Although some towns still adopt more stringent requirements, as is their right, the majority of building code regulation in
As of August 17, the code has been updated to the IRC 2006 with several changes that will impact the way we build. The most onerous of these changes and the one that is most likely to catch builders unaware is a new code dictating the height of your window sills from the finished floor. Write this down because you're going to need it. If your window is more than 72" from the finished grade or deck below, your window sill can be no less than 24" from the finished floor inside. For those of you who build colonial style homes (and who doesn't?), this means that your second floor egress windows probably won't make it. I used to use the Harvey Industries 2952E, which is 5'-5" tall. That won't meet code if I need a header and even if I changed the framing to make it all work, the windows will be 8 inches above the doors.
There is an exception for windows that open no more than 4 inches but you will need a special window guard that I have yet to locate anywhere.
There are several other changes and the Legislative Committee is currently working on a list to be distributed and published on our website. In addition, code books can be purchased at discount through the
Paul Morin is the Chair of the HBRANH's Government Affairs/Legislative Issues Committee. He is the owner of Tarkka Homes of
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