Section 350.2710  Structural

a)         General Structural Requirements

1)         The buildings and all parts thereof shall be of sufficient strength to support all dead, live, and lateral loads without exceeding the working stresses permitted for the materials of their construction in generally accepted good engineering practice. 

2)         Special provision shall be made for loads that have a greater load than the specified minimum live load, including partitions that are subject to change of location.

b)         Construction shall be in accordance with the requirements of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, and the minimum requirements of this Section

1)         Foundations shall rest on natural solid ground and shall be carried to a depth of not less than one foot below the estimated frost line or shall rest on leveled rock or load-bearing piles or caissons when solid ground is not encountered.  Footings, piers, and foundation walls shall be adequately protected against deterioration from the action of ground water.  Soil test borings shall be taken to establish proper soil-bearing values for the soil at the building site.

2)         Assumed live loads shall be in accordance with the IBC.

3)         The fire resistance rating of the structural members shall be as established by NFPA 220 Standard on Types of Building Construction.

c)         Provisions for Natural Disasters (B)

1)         Earthquakes:  In regions where, according to local experience, earthquakes have caused loss of life or extensive property damage, buildings and structures shall be designed to withstand the force assumptions specified in the IBC. Seismic zones are identified on the map found Chapter 16 of the IBC.

2)         Tornadoes and Floods:  Special provisions shall be made in the design of buildings including structural design, in regions where, according to local experience loss of life or damage to buildings has resulted from hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 2546, effective January 30, 2024)