From the Preface
The BOCA National Building Code provides minimum standards to ensure the public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction and to secure safety to life property from all hazards incident to the occupancy of buildings, structures or premises. The code states regulations in terms of measured performance rather than in rigid specification of materials whenever possible and, in this way, makes possible the acceptance of new materials and methods of construction which can be elevated by national standards, without the necessity of adopting cumbersome amendments for each variable condition.

By presenting the purposes to be accomplished rather than the method be followed, the BOCA National Building Code allows the code user the widest possible freedom and does not hamper development. The code adopts nationally recognized standards as the criteria for evaluation of minimum safe practice, or for determining the performance of materials or systems of construction. The application of these standards is stated in the text of the code requirements, and the standards are listed and identified in Chapter 35, making it practical and convenient to update any standard as it is revised or reissued by the sponsoring agency.

Use of the BOCA National Building Code or any of the other BOCA National Codes within a government jurisdiction is intended to be accomplished only through adoption by reference in a proceeding of the jurisdictions board, council or other authoritative governing body. At the time of adoption, jurisdictions should insert the appropriate information in those passages of a code requiring specific local information, such as the date of adoption, name of adopting jurisdiction, dollar amount of fines and permit costs, etc.

This document has been developed under the published procedures of Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International, Inc. The procedures are designed to obtain the views and comments of those in the construction industry willing to participate. While these procedures assure the highest degree of care, neither BOCA, its member, nor those participating in its activities accepts any liability resulting from compliance or noncompliance with the provisions given herein, for any restrictions imposed on materials or processes, or for the completeness of the text.

BOCA has no power or authority to police or enforce compliance with the contents of this code. It is only the governmental body that enacts the code into law that does so.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Administration; Chapter 2: Definitions; Chapter 3: Use or Occupancy; Chapter 4: Special Use and Occupancy; Chapter 5: General Building Limitations; Chapter 6: Types of Construction; Chapter 7: Fire Resistant Materials and Construction; Chapter 8: Interior Finishes; Chapter 9: Fire Protection Systems; Chapter 10: Means of Egress; Chapter 11: Accessibility; Chapter 12: Interior Environment; Chapter 13: Energy Conservation Chapter 14: Exterior Wall Coverings; Chapter 15: Roofs and Roof Structures; Chapter 16: Structural Loads; Chapter 17: Structural Tests and Inspections; Chapter 18: Foundations and Retaining Walls; Chapter 19: Concrete; Chapter 20: Lightweight Metals; Chapter 21: Masonry; Chapter 22: Steel; Chapter 23: Wood; Chapter 24: Glass and Glazing; Chapter 25: Gypsum Board and Plaster; Chapter 26: Plastic; Chapter 27: Electric Wiring, Equipment and Systems; Chapter 28: Mechanical Systems; Chapter 29: Plumbing Systems; Chapter 30: Elevators and Conveying Systems; Chapter 31: Special Construction; Chapter 32: Construction in the Public Right-of-Way; Chapter 33: Site Work, Demolition and Construction; Chapter 34: Existing Structures; Chapter 35: Referenced Standards.