City of Bismarck Codes

The following codes are currently enforced by the City of Bismarck:

• 2021 International Building Code (IBC)
• 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)
• 2021 International Fire Code (IFC)
• 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFC)
• 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
• 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
• ICC ANSI A117.1 2017 (All new bathrooms will need to meet these requirements)
• National Electrical Code and the North Dakota State Wiring Standards adopted by the North Dakota State Electrical Board
• Uniform Plumbing Code and the North Dakota State Plumbing Standards adopted by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board

IRC Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria Information 

• Ground snow load: 35 psf
• Wind Design speed: 115 mph
• Wind Design topographic effects: NO
• Wind Design special wind region: NO
• Wind Design wind-borne debris zone: NO
• Seismic Design Criteria: Zone A
• Subject to Damage From weathering: Severe
• Subject to Damage from frost depth: 4 feet
• Subject to Damage from termite: NO
• Winter Design Temp: -19
• Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: YES
• Flood Hazards: First FIRM adopted in 1985, current/revised FIRM adopted 2014.
• Air Freezing Index: 4000
• Mean Annual Temp: 42 degrees (F)

IRC Energy Efficiency Building Thermal Envelope Requirements

• Climate Zone: 6A
• Fenestration U-factor: 0.30 Maximum
• Skylight U-Factor: 0.55 Maximum
• Ceiling R-Value: 49 Minimum
• Wood Frame Wall R-Value: 21 or 13+5 Minimum
• Mass Wall R-Value: 15/20 Minimum
• Floor R-Value: 30 Minimum
• Basement Wall R-Value: 10/13 Minimum
• Slab R-Value and Depth: 10, 4ft Minimum
• Crawl Space Wall R-Value: 10/13 Minimum