Watch and learn how to inspect handrail heigh using different codes with InterNACHI’s Ben Gromicko.
Step 1: Open the newsletter.
Step 2: Scroll to the “Inspecting Handrail Height” video.
Step 3: Click it.
The best handrail height is common sense. Codes will never “fly” in a home inspection report.
Ben only mentioned basically 2 separate codes. Two versions of the IRC and the property maintenance code. I think he is being too generic. There are many states that have adopted their own edition of the IRC and IBC codes. I am from NJ and we have the IRC NJ edition. there are over 600 changes from the original IRC. When ordering a code book you have to be specific to what state edition or the basic edition. Also, as home inspectors, we are not code inspectors(at least in NJ) and should not quote codes or code sections. In NJ the code is also amended every year or so. Basically, a home built 2 years ago that met the code requirements in effect at time of construction, may not be in compliance today. This is why we don’t quote code(in NJ). I am not sure how other states handle this but I am just talking about NJ.
Base or local IPMC would probably be the best code to be referenced by the home inspectors, if any.
IPMC 101.3 Purpose.
The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of health, safety, property protection and general welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures and premises. Existing structures and premises that do not comply with these provisions shall be altered or repaired to provide a reasonable minimum level of health, safety and general welfare as required herein.
It also says this:
Section 301.2 Responsibility.
The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and exterior property in compliance with these requirements and the code under which the building was constructed, except as otherwise provided for in this code.
i would think it would be better to reference the one used by the jurisdiction you’re in or not at all rather than some arbitrary code i have never heard of. i mean it sounds like a decent reference, but i’d be hard pressed to find a use for it in wv. we use the irc 2017 with a very few amendments in the state. since i’m not a code inspector i have no idea which versions of any other codes we use. hell, we may use ipmc for something but it isn’t used for residential construction or remodeling from what i’ve seen.
i’ve been coding all morning. i made a script to find nefaious objects while browsing and found several on this site. about a dozen on the one robert linked to on that other thread about the wire guage tools.
The three common codes in use are the Residential (IRC) code, the Building (IBC) code, and the Maintenance (IPMC) code. Obviously there are others that pertain specifically to various systems in a property improvement.
The IRC deals with residential property construction and is required with amendments for each jurisdiction for NEW construction.
The IBC deals with commercial properties (including multi-family (3 or more) dwellings). Again it is required with amendments for NEW construction.
The IPMC is typically adopted by those municipalities that regulate rental properties and provides safety guidelines for property managers of rental properties even when the local jurisdiction has not mandated them.
my bad. time for confession now.
