Code exception numbers from ICC?

[sfatz]

We manufacture a special structure and due to it's nature are forever providing past history examples for exceptions to parts of the International Building Code.

Recently, a building inspector told us that we could save ourselves quite a bit of time and hassle if we got an exception number from ICC. I had never heard of such a thing.

Can anyone enlighten me about this and how one goes about getting on of these numbers?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[JAE]

Try their website

http://www.intlcode.org

There at least would be some contact information to get you started.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Sfatz:

I've been doing building and fire code plans reviews and interpretations for 20 years and I have never heard of an exception number, except as used in the body of the codes.

Can you ask the inspector to clarify this? It appears that this requirement may be at the state or local level rather in the body of a model code.

 

[sfatz]

It's getting a little clearer -- maybe.

After some more research, I found out that the comment by the Plans Examining Supervisor was that the "only exception" for products to the IBC is to use a ICC-ES evaluation report . He indicated that this would probably be an NER report.

This I understand.

However, the exception that we are looking for is related to snow loading of the roof. Since the roofing material on our structure is extremely slippery, the snow does not adhere. Therefore, the code mandated snow loads are too conservative as they can never occur.

The NER reports appear to relate to product exceptions, not applicable loads. Are we to use this report to grant a snow load "exception" for our product? It doesn't seem likely.

I'm interested in hearing if anyone else has done this, or heard of this being done.