Confirm the IBC edition and local amendments the jurisdiction enforces, then trace the code summary’s occupancy, construction type, area, egress, and rated assemblies into the plans, sections, door schedule, and life safety sheets. AI can flag conflicts; the design professional confirms compliance.
What does the IBC cover?
ICC describes the International Building Code as the foundation of its family of codes, providing safeguards from hazards associated with the built environment. It addresses new buildings broadly, while houses within the scope of the IRC and work on existing buildings under the IEBC are usually reviewed under those codes where adopted.
ICC publishes the I-Codes as model codes in editions. ICC’s 2024 I-Codes collection includes the IBC, and the ICC IBC overview describes how it is adopted; both were checked on October 1, 2026. States and cities adopt a specific edition, often with amendments, and many still enforce an earlier one. Record the edition and amendments the authority having jurisdiction actually enforces; the newest published edition does not establish local adoption.
State codes are often the IBC with amendments, such as the California Building Code, the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, the Florida Building Code, and the Washington State Building Code. New York City writes its own; see the NYC Building Code guide. Review against the adopted document, not the model code alone.
Start with the code analysis and the sheets it governs
Collect the code summary or code analysis sheet, life safety plans, architectural floor plans, building sections, wall types and rated assembly details, door and hardware schedules, accessibility details, and the structural general notes. Add the fire protection and MEP sheets that the code summary relies on, such as sprinkler and alarm scope.
Note the edition and amendments named on the cover sheet. A code summary prepared early in design often survives into later issues after the plans have changed.
Trace the code analysis through the set
| Review question | Sources to compare | Decision to record |
|---|---|---|
| Edition and amendments | Cover sheet, code summary, specifications | Resolve conflicting editions before checking any section reference. |
| Occupancy and use | Code summary, room names, floor plans | Ask the designer to confirm classifications where room uses changed. |
| Construction type and area | Code summary, wall types, structural notes, area plans | Identify areas, stories, or construction descriptions that differ between sheets. |
| Means of egress | Life safety plan, floor plans, door schedule, stair sections | Trace each route and exit through the current plans and openings. |
| Rated assemblies | Rated wall plan, wall types, details, penetration notes | Match each rated element to an assembly description and its openings. |
| Accessibility | Accessible route plan, enlarged plans, details | Reconcile routes, clearances, and fixtures shown in different documents. |
Use the egress width calculator and occupant load calculator to check single figures, and the architectural drawing checklist as the working log. Fire walls follow the NFPA 221 guide where the adopted code references it.
Example: the code summary still shows the earlier occupancy
Hypothetical example. A tenant space is redesigned from offices to a training room with fixed seating, while the code summary and life safety plan still show the earlier use and its occupant load. The door schedule was updated with new hardware for the room.
The current floor plan shows this room as a training room with fixed seating, while the code summary and life safety plan reflect the earlier office use. Please confirm the occupancy and occupant load and coordinate the egress information.
The architect updates the code analysis and confirms whether the egress design is affected. The conflict is a coordination question; the architect and the building official decide compliance.
Review IBC coordination with Groundbook
Upload the current drawings and specifications to Groundbook, and state the code edition, amendments, and review scope in your instructions. Add the applicable IBC from a copy you are licensed to use, where the license permits uploading it, and add the jurisdiction’s published amendments. See how Groundbook works with local and licensed codes.
Compare the code summary with the current floor plans, life safety plans, sections, wall types, door schedule, and accessibility sheets. Flag conflicting occupancy, construction type, area, egress, and rated assembly information. Use the supplied IBC edition and local amendments where applicable and cite both sources.
Groundbook links each potential finding to its sheets and code reference. Verify the edition and amendments before sending a comment, and separate missing code analysis from drawing conflicts.
Document review does not certify code compliance, select an occupancy classification, or replace the design professional, plans examiner, or building official.