Page 900 - 2018_IRC

APPENDIX H

PATIO COVERS

The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.
User note:
About this appendix: Appendix H relaxes certain provisions contained in the body of the code as related to patio covers, including those
regarding: permitted uses; exterior wall insect screens; glazing and translucent or transparent plastic; light, ventilation and emergency egress;
height; structural design loads; and footings. This appendix also includes provisions that are specifically applicable to hurricane-prone
regions.

SECTION AH101 SECTION AH104
GENERAL HEIGHT
AH101.1 Scope. Patio covers shall conform to the require- AH104.1 Height. Patio covers are limited to one-story struc-
ments of Sections AH101 through AH106. tures not exceeding 12 feet (3657 mm) in height.
AH101.2 Permitted uses. Patio covers detached from or
attached to dwelling units shall be used only for recreational,
outdoor living purposes, and not as carports, garages, storage SECTION AH105
rooms or habitable rooms. STRUCTURAL PROVISIONS
AH105.1 Design loads. Patio covers shall be designed and
constructed to sustain, within the stress limits of this code, all
SECTION AH102 dead loads plus a vertical live load of not less than 10 pounds
DEFINITION per square foot (0.48 kN/m ), except that snow loads shall be
2
AH102.1 General. The following word and term shall, for used where such snow loads exceed this minimum. Such cov-
the purposes of this appendix, have the meaning shown ers shall be designed to resist the minimum wind loads set
herein. forth in Section R301.2.1.
PATIO COVER. A structure with open or glazed walls that AH105.2 Footings. In areas with a frostline depth of zero as
is used for recreational, outdoor living purposes associated specified in Table R301.2(1), for patio covers supported on a
with a dwelling unit. slab-on-grade without footings, the slab shall conform to the
provisions of Section R506, shall be not less than 3.5 inches
(89 mm) thick and the columns shall not support live and
SECTION AH103 dead loads in excess of 750 pounds (3.34 kN) per column.
EXTERIOR WALLS AND OPENINGS
AH 103.1 Enclosure walls. Enclosure walls shall be permit-
ted to be of any configuration, provided that the open or SECTION AH106
glazed area of the longer wall and one additional wall is not SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR ALUMINUM SCREEN
less than 65 percent of the area below 6 feet, 8 inches (2032 ENCLOSURES IN HURRICANE-PRONE REGIONS
mm) of each wall, measured from the floor. Openings shall AH106.1 General. Screen enclosures in hurricane-prone
be enclosed with any of the following: regions shall be in accordance with the provisions of this sec-
1. Insect screening. tion.
2. Approved translucent or transparent plastic not more AH106.1.1 Habitable spaces. Screen enclosures shall not
than 0.125 inch (3.2 mm) in thickness. be considered habitable spaces.
3. Glass conforming to the provisions of Section R308. AH106.1.2 Minimum ceiling height. Screen enclosures
shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134
4. Any combination of the foregoing. mm).
AH103.2 Light, ventilation and emergency egress. Exte- AH106.2 Definition. The following word and term shall, for
rior openings required for light and ventilation into a patio the purposes of this appendix, have the meaning shown
structure conforming to Section AH101 shall be unenclosed herein.
where such openings serve as emergency egress or rescue
openings from sleeping rooms. Where such exterior openings SCREEN ENCLOSURE. A building or part thereof, in
serve as an exit from the dwelling unit, the patio structure, whole or in part self-supporting, and having walls of insect
unless unenclosed, shall be provided with exits conforming to screening, and a roof of insect screening, plastic, aluminum
the provisions of Section R311 of this code. or similar lightweight material.

2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE ® 875
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