Non-Rule Policy Documents/Interpretations of the Commission's Rules
Written Interpretations
Any person involved in a dispute with a county or municipality regarding the interpretation of a building or fire safety law may request that a written interpretation be issued by the State Building Commissioner. Pursuant to Indiana Code 22-13-5-2, the State Building Commissioner shall issue a written interpretation of a building or fire safety law upon the written request of an interested person. A written interpretation issued under Indiana Code 22-13-5-2 binds the interested person and the county or municipality with whom the interested person has the dispute. Those written interpretations are listed below.
To request an interpretation, complete the form at the Request for Written Interpretation page.
Indiana Code
- IC 22-12-1-4 - Live fire training facilities
- IC 22-12-1-4 - Class 1 structure Agricultural Purpose Exemption (IDHS Guidance Doc.)
- IC 22-12-1-4(a)(1) - Whether stables are Class 1 structures
- IC 22-12-1-5 - Calculating stories for Class 2 structures
- IC 22-12-1-5 - Regular use of a one or two dwelling unit structure by 3 or more tenants
General Administrative Rules
- Meeting agenda deadline
- Scope of IDHS construction and maintenance inspection programs
- 12-1.1-4(g) (and IC 22-12-1-5) - Tourist cabins as Class 2 structures
- 12-4-9 - Maintenance of buildings and structures
- 12-4-9 - Application to project undergoing an alteration
- 12-4-9 and 12-6-4 (b)(3)(G) - Maintenance of buildings and structures, and exemptions from design release equipment
- 12-4-9(d) - Removal of building components required by code of record
- 12-4-11(a) - Existing buildings
- 12-4-11(b)(2)(B) - Change of occupancy
- 12-4-12(b)
- 12-4-12(b) - Balcony additions and sprinkler systems
- 12-4-12(j) - Energy Conservation Code exemptions
- 12-5-6 - Variance deadline and late filing policy
- 12-6-7(g)(15) - When a ComCheck or documentation from similar software is not required to be filed with state Plan Review
- 12-6-7(g)(15) and 675 IAC 19-4-2(3) - When ComCheck or documentation from similar software is required to be filed with state Plan Review for a building or structure that is neither heated nor cooled
Industrialized Building Systems
2005 Indiana Residential Code
- Sections R106 and R403.1.1, Table R403.1 - Minimum footing widths
- Sections R202, R302.2, R317.2.4, M1401.2 and M1602.2 - Utility lines for townhouses - Not in effect after June 30, 2014
- Section R311.4.3.2 - Landings at non-required exterior doors
- Section R403.1.6 - Anchor bolts at interior load-bearing walls
- Section R602.8 - Applicable test standard for fireblocking
- Section R602.10.5 - Wall sheathing
- Section R905.2.1 - Sheathing requirements
- Section N1106 - Requirement of registered design professionals
- Section P2719.1
- Section P3007.1 - Sewage ejectors or sewage pumps
- Table E3704.1 - NM cable in wet locations exposed to sunlight or damp locations
2008 Indiana Building Code
2008 Indiana Fire Code
- Section 807 - Decorative materials in classrooms and corridors of educational ("E") occupancies
- Section 2206.2.3(2)1 - Flammable liquids storage tanks-UL 2085 requirements
2009 Indiana Electrical Code
- Section 210.80 - GFCIs in closets accessed through a bathroom
- Section 210.11(C)(1) - Application of small-appliance branch circuit requirement to residential units
- Section 230.50
- Section 230.70
- Section 250.56 - Resistance of rod, pipe, and plate electrodes
- Section 300.15 - Whether junction boxes are required for planned future installations
- Section 334.12(B)(4)
- Section 410.36(B)
- Section 422.31(B) - Lock location
- Section 517.13 - Application to facilities providing psychological treatment and services
2010 Indiana Energy Conservation Code
- Sections 3.2 and 5.8.1.2, Tables 5.5-4 and 5.5-5
- Sections 4.1.1.2 and 4.1.1.3 - Regulated construction
- Section 5.4.3.4 - Air curtains are not permitted in lieu of vestibules
- Sections 5.7.1 and 5.7.2
- Section 9.4.1.1 - Daycare facilities are not exempt from requirement for automatic lighting control devices
2010 Indiana NFPA 13
2012 Indiana Plumbing Code
- Section 202 - Definition of public or public utilization
- Section 405.3.2 - Requirement for single user children's toilet rooms to have lavatory in same room as water closet
- Section 419.3 - Surrounding material
- Section 420.3 - Water closet seats
- Section 305.6.1 - Installation of water lines in unconditioned spaces
- Section 708.2 - No prohibition of pinned cleanout plugs
- Section 708.3.3
- Section 1003.3.1 - Grease interceptors and automatic grease removal devices required
2014 Indiana Building Code
- ICC A117.1-2009, Section 904 - Sales and service counters
- Section 202 - Definitions - Fire area
- Section 202 - Definitions - High-rise building
- Section 202 - Definitions - employee work areas
- Section 302.1 - Occupancy classification of toilet rooms and hallways
- Section 310.1 - Residential Group R
- Section 406.6 - Sprinkler requirement for S-2 parking structure
- Section 414.1.3 - Application to storage of consumer fireworks
- Table 415.5.2 - Application to consumer fireworks
- Section 504.2 - Automatic sprinkler system increase
- Section 508.3 - Nonseparated occupancies
- Section 602.1 - Limitation to one construction type
- Section 603.1 - Combustible exterior wall coverings in type I or II construction
- Section 603.18 - Does remote damper control device satisfy the access requirement
- Section 705.6 - Fire resistance rating of exterior walls in space between floor and roof assemblies
- Section 713.8.1 - Prohibited [shaft] penetrations
- Section 714.3.2 - Membrane penetrations
- Section 714.4.1.2 - Membrane penetrations
- Section 717.5.5 - When is a smoke compartment "protected throughout"?
- Section 903.2.9 - Sprinkler requirement, under condition 5, in S-1 retail self-storage facilities
- Section 903.2.9 - Sprinklers not required for incidental overnight parking
- Section 903.3.1.1.1 - Sprinklers in elevator hoistways
- Section 903.3.1.1.1 - Omission of sprinklers in electrical equipment space
- Section 903.3.1.2.1 - Balconies and decks
- Section 903.4 - Sprinkler system supervision and alarms
- Section 905.3.1 - How to measure height above lowest level of fire department vehicle access
- Section 907.5 - Occupant notification in S-1 occupancy upon activation of waterflow device
- Section 907.5.2.3.1 - Visible alarm notification appliances in hospital patient treatment and sleeping rooms
- Section 907.5.2.3.1 - Visible alarm notification appliances in public and common areas
- Section 907.5.2.3.1 - Visible alarm notification appliances in public and common areas exterior to the building
- Section 910.4 – Mechanical smoke exhaust
- Section 1003.2 - Allowance for reduced ceiling height is not applicable to all floor areas
- Section 1003.3.3 - Restriction on projections
- Table 1004.1.2 - Maximum floor area allowances per occupant
- Section 1006.3 - Emergency power not required to provide egress illumination in all occupied areas of the building
- Section 1007.1 - No requirement that all means of egress are accessible
- Section 1009.8 - Stairway landings
- Section 1009.9.3 - Enclosures under interior stairways
- Section 1011.1 - Exit signs not required in spaces that require only one exit
- Section 1013.2 - Requirement for guards in elevated, open-sided hitting bays
- Section 1014.2 - Egress through intervening spaces not prohibited in B occupancy structure
- Section 1015.2.1 - Two exits or exit access doorways
- Section 1018.1 Exc 1 - Break rooms are not rooms used for assembly purposes
- Section 1021.2 Exception 1 - Exits from stories
- Section 1022.5 - Penetrations in exit access stairs
- Section 1027.1 - Exit discharge - General
- Section 1027.5 - Access to a public way
- Section 1029.1 - Emergency escape and rescue openings in R-2 occupancies
- Section 1029.1 - Emergency escape and rescue openings in fire station sleeping rooms
- Section 1103.1 - Where required
- Section 1103.2.3 - Areas used exclusively for hired entertainers' performances are employee work areas
- Section 1104.4 Exception 1 - Elevator exemption
- Sections 1107.6.1.1 and 1107.6.2.1- Type A dwelling units in R-2 apartments, monasteries, and convents
- Section 1109.5.1 - Drinking fountains - Minimum number
- Section 1203.1 - Ventilation requirements in shell spaces
- Section 1210.2.2 - Finish material adversely affected by moisture not acceptable
- Section 1210.3.1 - Door height in children's water closet rooms
- Section 1406.3 - Balconies and similar projections
- Section 1809.5 - Method of achieving frost protection
- Section 2902.1 - Minimum number of fixtures
- Section 2902.2 - Separate facilities
- Section 3412.1 - Scope of application for new construction rules upon achieving a passing Chapter 34 score
- Section 3412.4.1 - Guidelines for filing variance requests to use Chapter 34 for agricultural buildings
2014 Indiana Fire Code
- Section 1027.5 - Requirement for a permanent hard surfaced path from exit to public way
- Section 5003.12.2
- Section T5003.1.1(1) - Maximum allowable quantity per control area of hazardous materials posing a physical hazard
2014 Indiana Mechanical Code
- Section 306.1 - Location of working space
- Section 306.5 - Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures
- Table 403.3 - Kitchen exhaust requirements
- Section 507.2.1 - Type 1 hoods
- Sections 507.2.2 and 507.2.3 and Table 507.2
- Section 507.9 - Clearances for Type I hood
- Section 507.9 - Clearances for Type I hood
2020 Indiana Residential Code
- Seismic design category classification for Monroe County
- Section R106 - Construction documents
- Section R302.1(1) - Reducing existing windows in exterior walls
- Section R302.1 - Exception 6 does not apply to all residential lots platted prior to adoption of 2020 IRC
- Section R302.1 Exc. 6 - Overhanging projections extending beyond joint property lines
- Section 302.5 - Dwelling-garage opening and penetration protection
- Section 302.6 - Dwelling-garage fire separation
- Section 302.11
- Section R302.2.3 - Continuity
- Section R309.1 - Noncombustible floor material
- Section R310.6 - Alterations or repairs of existing basements
- Section R311.3 - Floors and landings at exterior doors
- Section R408.4 - Access (7/5/23)
- Section R408.4 - Access (9/6/23)
- Section R502.8.2 - Whether manufacturer recommendations must be in installation instructions
- Section R602.10.5 - Minimum length of a braced wall panel
- Section M1307.3.1 - Protection of electric water heaters
- Section M1308.2 - Scope of application
- Section M1502.4.2 - Application to UL181B duct tape
- Section M1505.2 - Recirculation of air
- Section N1102.4.1.1 - Installation
- Section E3401.2 - Compliance with Indiana electrical code permitted
- Table R603.3.2(1) - Wall fastening schedule