Building code to use. 4

[Steel007]

I am civil engineer, one friend of my asked me to design his a 2 floor single house in Los Angeles, California.
I went to the LA CITY WEB and its calls for the IBC 2002, and says that is based on the UBC 1997, can I use the UBC 1997 for the design?. I used this code many years ago, when I was woorking in this field, and I am very familiar with it, but I Change my field of work to civil road design. Is anybody knows if I have to use other or more recently code like IBC 2006 or I can use the 1997 UBC? Thank You.

 

[DonPhillips]

You have to use the code adopted by the jurisdiction of the project. I would contact the local building official to see what the current code is.



Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[DaveVikingPE]

There is no IBC 2002. there is an IBC 2000 and an IBC 2003. My understanding is that California uses the 1997 UBC, still. However, some of the CA engineers know better than I. What about IBC 2006?

 

[henri2]

The current code is the 2002 City of Los Angeles Building Code. It is based on the 2001 California Bldg Code (CBC) and the 1997 UBC. In addition numerous information bulletins, research reports etc may have to be utilized in design.

If this is not something you do on a regular basis, the hassle may not be worth it.

 

[Bagman2524]

Houses usually fall under IRC not IBC.

 

[DonPhillips]

Yes, IRC if adopted by the jurisdiction. Some states have state codes, some do not and it is up to the local jurisiction to adopt a code for 1 and 2 family dwellings. Sounds like the LA code is based on the 97 UBC with local amendments called the 2002 LABC.

To answer the original post, you have to design to the 2002 LA code, or at least, review the local amendments to see how the 97 UBC is modified.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com