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INTERNATIONAL CODES ®
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IRC
®
A Member of the International Code Family®
INCLUDES
Residential requirements from
NFPA 70: National Electrical Code® 2017
The electrical code designated for
use with the I-Codes®
INTERNATIONAL
RESIDENTIAL CODE for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
®
, 2018 International Residential Code®
First Printing: August 2017
ISBN: 978-1-60983-737-2 (soft-cover edition)
ISBN: 978-1-60983-736-5 (loose-leaf edition)
COPYRIGHT 2017
by
INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, INC.
Date of First Publication: August 31, 2017
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This 2018 International Residential Code® is a copyrighted work owned by the International Code
Council, Inc. Without advance written permission from the copyright owner, no part of this book may be reproduced, distributed
or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, without limitation, electronic, optical or mechanical means (by way of
example, and not limitation, photocopying or recording by or in an information storage retrieval system). For information on use
rights and permissions, please contact: Publications, 4051 Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478. Phone 1-888-ICC-
SAFE (422-7233).
Trademarks: “International Code Council,” the “International Code Council” logo, “ICC,” the “ICC” logo, “International Resi-
dential Code,” “IRC” and other names and trademarks appearing in this book are trademarks of the International Code Council,
Inc., and/or its licensors (as applicable), and may not be used without permission.
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
, PREFACE
Introduction
The International Residential Code (IRC) establishes minimum requirements for one- and two-
family dwellings and townhouses using prescriptive provisions. It is founded on broad-based princi-
ples that make possible the use of new materials and new building designs. This 2018 edition is fully
compatible with all of the International Codes (I-Codes) published by the International Code
Council (ICC), including the International Building Code, International Energy Conservation
Code, International Existing Building Code, International Fire Code, International Fuel Gas
Code, International Green Construction Code, International Mechanical Code, International
Plumbing Code, International Private Sewage Disposal Code, International Property Maintenance
Code, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, International Wildland-Urban Interface
Code, International Zoning Code and International Code Council Performance Code.
The I-Codes, including this International Residential Code, are used in a variety of ways in both
the public and private sectors. Most industry professionals are familiar with the I-Codes as the basis
of laws and regulations in communities across the U.S. and in other countries. However, the impact
of the codes extends well beyond the regulatory arena, as they are used in a variety of nonregula-
tory settings, including:
• Voluntary compliance programs such as those promoting sustainability, energy efficiency
and disaster resistance.
• The insurance industry, to estimate and manage risk, and as a tool in underwriting and rate
decisions.
• Certification and credentialing of individuals involved in the fields of building design, con-
struction and safety.
• Certification of building and construction-related products.
• U.S. federal agencies, to guide construction in an array of government-owned properties.
• Facilities management.
• “Best practices” benchmarks for designers and builders, including those who are engaged in
projects in jurisdictions that do not have a formal regulatory system or a governmental
enforcement mechanism.
• College, university and professional school textbooks and curricula.
• Reference works related to building design and construction.
In addition to the codes themselves, the code development process brings together building pro-
fessionals on a regular basis. It provides an international forum for discussion and deliberation
about building design, construction methods, safety, performance requirements, technological
advances and innovative products.
Development
This 2018 edition presents the code as originally issued, with changes reflected in the 2003 through
2015 editions and further changes approved by the ICC Code Development Process through 2017.
Residential electrical provisions are based on the 2017 National Electrical Code® (NFPA 70). A new
edition such as this is promulgated every 3 years.
Fuel gas provisions have been included through an agreement with the American Gas Associa-
tion (AGA). Electrical provisions have been included through an agreement with the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA).
2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE® iii
