14B-15-1507 Requirements for roof coverings.

The provisions of Section 1507 of IBC are adopted by reference with the following modifications:

1.   Revise Tables 1507.1.1(1), 1507.1.1(2) and 1507.1.1(3) by changing the title of the third column to "INSTALLATION STANDARD" and deleting the fourth column.

2.   Revise the first sentence of Section 1507.1.2 to read:

"At eaves, an ice barrier shall be installed for asphalt shingles, metal roof shingles, mineral-surfaced roll roofing, slate and slate-type shingles, wood shingles and wood shakes."

3.   Revise Table 1507.2.8.2 to delete the rows for lead, lead-coated copper, lead-coated high-yield copper, and painted terne.

4.   Revise Section 1507.4.2 by deleting "approved."

5.   Revise Table 1507.4.3(1) to delete the rows for hard lead, lead-coated copper, soft lead, and terne and terne coated stainless.

6.   Revise Section 1507.4.4 to replace "approved manufacturer’s" with "manufacturer’s recommended."

7.   Revise the title of Section 1507.4.5 to "Underlayment."

8.   Revise Section 1507.5.6 by deleting "approved."

9.   Revise Table 1507.8 by deleting "(Type 316 for coastal areas)."

10.   Revise Section 1507.8.9 by replacing "approved grading or inspection bureau or agency" with "approved agency."

11.   Revise Section 1507.9.10 by replacing "approved grading or inspection bureau or agency" with "approved agency."

12.   Revise Section 1507.11 and its subsections by replacing each instance of "modified bitumen roofing" with "modified bitumen roof covering."

13.   Revise Section 1507.12.2 by deleting "ASTM D5019."

14.   Revise Section 1507.12.3 to read:

"1507.12.3 Ballasted thermoset low-sloped roofs.

Ballasted thermoset low-sloped roofs shall be installed in accordance with this section and Section 1504.4. Stone used as ballast shall comply with ASTM D448 or ASTM D7655."

15.   Revise Section 1507.13.3 to read:

"1507.13.3 Ballasted thermoplastic low-sloped roofs.

Ballasted thermoplastic low-sloped roofs shall be installed in accordance with this section and Section 1504.4. Stone used as ballast shall comply with ASTM D448 or ASTM D7655."

16.   Revise Section 1507.15 to read:

"1507.15 Liquid-applied roofing.

The installation of cold and hot applied liquid-applied roofing shall comply with the provisions of this section."

17.   Revise Section 1507.15.2 to read:

"1507.15.2 Material standards.

Liquid-applied roofing shall comply with ASTM C836, ASTM C957, ASTM D1227 or ASTM D3468, ASTM D6083, ASTM D6694, ASTM D6947 or other approved material standard."

18.   Revise Section 1507.16 to read:

"1507.16 Vegetative roofs, roof gardens and landscaped roofs.

Vegetative roofs, roof gardens and landscaped roofs shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and Section 1607.13.3."

19.   Revise Section 1507.17.2 to read:

"1507.17.2 Deck slope.

Photovoltaic shingles shall not be installed on low-sloped roofs."

20.   Revise Section 1507.18.2 to read:

"1507.18.2 Deck slope.

BIPV roof panels shall not be used on low-sloped roofs."

21.   Revise Section 1507.18.4.2, excluding the exception, to read:

"1507.18.4.2 Ice barrier.

An ice barrier consisting of not fewer than two layers of underlayment cemented together or of a self-adhering polymer/modified bitumen sheet shall be used instead of normal underlayment and extend from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point not less than 24 inches (610 mm) inside the exterior wall line of the building."

(Amend Coun. J. 2-19-20, p. 14473, Art. II, § 69)

14B-15-1508 Roof insulation.

The provisions of Section 1508 of IBC are adopted by reference with the following modification:

1.   Revise Section 1508.1 to read:

"1508.1 General.

The use of above-deck thermal insulation shall be permitted provided that such insulation is covered with a roof covering and passes the tests of NFPA 276 or UL 1256 when tested as an assembly.

Exceptions:

1.   Foam plastic insulation shall conform to the material and installation requirements of Chapter 26.

2.   Where a concrete roof deck is used and the above-deck thermal insulation is covered with a roof covering."

14B-15-1509 Radiant barriers installed above deck.

The provisions of Section 1509 of IBC are adopted by reference with the following modifications:

1.   Revise Section 1509.1 to replace "deck" with "roof deck."

2.   Revise Section 1509.2 to replace "decks" with "roof decks" and "an approved" with "a."

3.   Revise Section 1509.4 to replace ""deck" with "roof deck."

14B-15-1510 Unoccupied rooftop structures.

The provisions of Section 1510 of IBC are adopted by reference with the following modifications:

1.   Revise Section 15010.1 and its subsections to read:

"1510.1 General.

The provisions of this section shall govern the construction of unoccupied rooftop structures.

1510.1.1 Area limitation.

The combined area of parapet walls, unoccupied rooftop structures, rooftop access penthouses in accordance with Section 1510.2 and structures accessory to an occupiable rooftop in accordance with Section 1513.1.1 shall not exceed one-third the area of the supporting roof deck. Such rooftop structures shall not be required to be included in determining building height, number of stories above grade plane or building area in accordance with Chapter 2, nor shall the area of such rooftop structures be included in determining the fire areas specified in Section 901.7.

Exception: If the combined area of rooftop structures exceeds one-third the horizontal area of the supporting roof deck, the height and area of the rooftop structures shall be considered in determining building height, number of stories above grade plane, building area and fire area."

2.   Revise Section 1510.2 and its subsections to read:

"1510.2 Mechanical penthouses.

Mechanical penthouses in compliance with Sections 1510.2.1 through 1510.2.5 shall be considered as a portion of the story directly below the roof deck on which such penthouses are located. Other penthouses shall be considered as an additional story of the building.

1510.2.1 Height above roof deck.

Mechanical penthouses shall not exceed 18 feet (5486 mm) in height above the roof deck as measured to the average height of the roof of the penthouse.

Exception: On buildings of Type I construction, mechanical penthouses shall be permitted to have a maximum height of 28 feet (8534 mm) above the roof deck.

1510.2.2 Use limitations.

Mechanical penthouses shall not be used for purposes other than the shelter of mechanical or electrical equipment, tanks, elevators and related machinery, or vertical shaft openings in the roof assembly.

1510.2.3 Weather protection.

Provisions such as louvers, louver blades or flashing shall be made to protect the mechanical and electrical equipment and the building interior from the elements.

1510.2.4 Type of construction.

Mechanical penthouses shall be constructed with walls, floors and roofs as required for the type of construction of the building on which such penthouses are built.

Exceptions:

1.   On buildings of Type I and II-A construction, the exterior walls and roof decks of mechanical penthouses with a fire separation distance greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) and less than 20 feet (6096 mm) shall be noncombustible construction and permitted to have not less than a 1-hour fire-resistance rating. The exterior walls and roofs of mechanical penthouses with a fire separation distance of 20 feet (6096 mm) or greater shall be noncombustible construction and not be required to have a fire-resistance rating.

2.   [Reserved.]

3.   On buildings of Type III, IV or V construction, the exterior walls of mechanical penthouses with a fire separation distance greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) and less than 20 feet (6096 mm) shall be permitted to have not less than a 1-hour fire-resistance rating or a lesser fire- resistance rating as required by Table 602. On buildings of Type III, IV or VA construction, the exterior walls of mechanical penthouses with a fire separation distance of 20 feet (6096 mm) or greater shall be permitted to be of heavy timber construction complying with Sections 602.4 and 2304.11 or noncombustible construction and shall not be required to have a fire-resistance rating."

3.   Revise Section 1510.3 to read:

"1510.3 Tanks.

Tanks having a capacity of more than 500 gallons (1893 L) located on the roof deck of a building shall be supported on masonry, reinforced concrete, steel or heavy timber construction complying with Section 2304.11 provided that, where such supports are located in the building above the lowest story, the support shall have a fire-resistance rating as required for Type IA construction."

4.   Revise Section 1510.5 and its subsections to read:

"1510.5 Towers, spires, minarets, domes and cupolas.

Towers, spires, minarets, domes, cupolas, and similar features shall be of a type of construction having fire- resistance ratings not less than required for the building on top of which such feature is built. Such features greater than 85 feet (25 908 mm) in height above grade plane as measured to the highest point on such feature, and either greater than 200 square feet (18.6 m2) in horizontal area or used for any purpose other than a belfry or an architectural embellishment, shall be constructed of and supported on Type I or IIA construction.

1510.5.1 Noncombustible construction required.

Features greater than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in height above the highest point at which such feature contacts the roof as measured to the highest point on such feature, or that exceeds 200 square feet (18.6 m2) in area at any horizontal section, or which is intended to be used for any purpose other than a belfry or architectural embellishment, or is located on the top of a building greater than 50 feet (1524 mm) in building height shall be constructed of and supported by noncombustible materials and shall be separated from the building below by construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1.5 hours with openings protected in accordance with Section 711. Such features located on the top of a building greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm) in building height shall be supported by noncombustible construction.

1510.5.2 Enclosed features

Enclosed features shall have exterior walls constructed as required for the building on top of which such features are built. The roof covering of features shall be not less than the same class of roof covering required for the building on top of which the feature is located."

5.   Revise Section 1510.6 by replacing "5 feet (1524 mm)" with "15 feet (4572 mm)."

6.   Revise the exception to Section 1510.6.1 by replacing "Type IA" with "Type I."

7.   Revise Section 1510.6.2 to read:

"1510.6.2 Type I, II, III or IV construction.

Regardless of the requirements in Section 1510.6, mechanical equipment screens that are located on the roof decks of buildings of Type I, II, III or IV construction shall be permitted to be constructed of combustible materials in accordance with the following limitation: the fire separation distance shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) and the height of the mechanical equipment screen above the roof deck shall not exceed 4 feet (1219 mm) as measured to the highest point on the mechanical equipment screen."

8.   Revise Section 1510.6.3 to read:

"1510.6.3 Type V construction.

The height of mechanical equipment screens located on the roof decks of buildings of Type V construction, as measured from grade plane to the highest point on the mechanical equipment screen, shall not exceed the maximum building height allowed for the building by other provisions of this code."

9.   Revise Section 1510.7 to read:

"1510.7 Photovoltaic panels and modules.

Rooftop-mounted photovoltaic panels and modules shall be designed in accordance with this section and the Chicago Fire Prevention Code."

10.   Revise Section 1510.8 by replacing "Sections 1510.8.1 through 1510.8.5, as applicable" with "Section 1510.8.1."

11.   Delete Sections 1510.8.2, 1510.8.3, 1510.8.4, and 1510.8.5.

(Amend Coun. J. 2-19-20, p. 14473, Art. II, § 70)

14B-15-1511 Reroofing.

The provisions of Section 1511 of IBC are not adopted. The following language is adopted as Section 1511:

"1511. REROOFING

1511.1 General.

Roof repairs and roof replacement shall comply with Section 306 of the Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code."

14B-15-1512 IBC Section 1512.

The provisions of Section 1512 of IBC are not adopted.

14B-15-1513 Occupiable rooftops.

The following language is adopted as a new Section 1513:

"1513. OCCUPIABLE ROOFTOPS

1513.1 General.

The provisions of this section shall govern the construction of occupiable rooftops and associated rooftop structures.

1513.1.1 Area limitation.

The combined area of rooftop structures associated with an occupiable rooftop and exceeding 48 inches (1219 mm) in height above the lowest walking surface of the occupiable rooftop shall comply with Section 1510.1.1.

1513.2 Rooftop access penthouses.

Where the occupied rooftop is located above the highest story, penthouses providing access to or egress from an occupiable rooftop in compliance with Sections 1513.2.1 through 1513.2.5 shall be considered as a portion of the story directly below the roof deck on which such penthouses are located. Other fully-enclosed occupiable space at the roof level shall be considered as an additional story of the building.

1513.2.1 Height above roof deck.

Rooftop access penthouses shall not exceed 12 feet (3658 mm) in height above the roof deck as measured to the average height of the roof of the penthouse.

Exception: Where used to enclose elevators that travel to the roof level, rooftop access penthouses shall be permitted to have a maximum height of 20 feet (6096 mm) above the roof deck.

1513.2.2 Use limitations.

Rooftop access penthouses shall not contain habitable space or any occupiable space other than circulation paths necessary to access means of egress and elevators serving an occupiable rooftop. Rooftop access penthouses shall not contain toilet rooms or bathrooms.

1513.2.3 Type of construction.

Rooftop access penthouses shall be constructed with walls, floors and roofs as required for the type of construction of the building on which such penthouses are built.

1513.3 Outdoor elements.

The walking surface and other outdoor elements of an occupiable rooftop shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1513.3.1 through 1513.3.2.

1513.3.1 Buildings not exceeding 55 feet in building height.

The outdoor elements of occupiable rooftops on buildings not exceeding 55 feet (16.8 m) in building height shall be of noncombustible materials or combustible materials as allowed by Table 1513.3.1 or Table 705.2.1 or 705.2.2 for decks. Outdoor elements not listed in the tables shall conform to the type of construction and fire-resistance rating required for the building to which they are attached.

TABLE 1513.3.1
REQUIRED FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE FOR OUTDOOR ELEMENTS OF OCCUPIABLE ROOFTOPS ON BUILDINGS UP TO 55 FEET IN BUILDING HEIGHT a

Type of Element	Material Type	Fire Separation Distance (feet)
		0 to less than 3	3 to less than 5	5 to less than 10	10 or greater
Walking surfaces covering no more than one third of the roof area or 500 square feet, whichever is greater, on side protected by a noncombustible parapet wall providing a 2-hour fire-resistance rating, at least 36 inches above the walking surface	U	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Walking surfaces on buildings of Group R-5 occupancy covering more than one third of the roof area, with or without parapet wall	FRTW	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Walking surfaces covering more than one third of the roof area or on side without a parapet wall	U	No	No	Yes	Yes
	UNC	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pickets, handrails and similar vertical elements not more than 48 inches in height above the adjacent walking surface	U	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
	UNC	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vertical elements of pergolas, trellises, arbors, privacy screens and similar structures greater than 42 inches in height above the adjacent walking surface, with 50 percent or more of surface area consisting of regularly distributed openings	U b	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
	UNC	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vertical elements of pergolas, trellises, arbors, privacy screens and similar structures greater than 42 inches in height above the adjacent walking surface, solid or with less than 50 percent of surface area consisting of regularly distributed openings	U b	No	No	Yes	Yes
	UNC	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Horizontal elements of pergolas, trellises, arbors and similar structures greater than 42 inches in height above the adjacent walking surface	U b	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
	UNC	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

 

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm; 1 inch = 25.4 mm; 1 square foot = 0.0929 m 2.

U   =   any material not less fire resistive than untreated wood or plastic composites that comply with ASTM D7032 and Section 2612, unprotected

FRTW   =   Fire-retardant treated wood

P   =   any material, protected with construction providing fire-resistance rating as required for exterior wall

HT   =   heavy timber construction, complying with Section 2304.11

UNC   =   noncombustible, unprotected

PNC   =   noncombustible, protected with construction providing fire-resistance rating as required for exterior wall

a.   Where material type U is allowed, material types P, HT, UNC and PNC shall also be allowed; where material type UNC is allowed, material type PNC shall also be allowed.

b.   Combustible pergolas, arbors, trellises, privacy screens and similar structures shall not exceed 12 feet in height above the highest adjacent walking surface.

1513.3.2 Buildings greater than 55 feet in height.

The outdoor elements of occupiable rooftops on buildings greater than 55 feet (16.8 m) in height shall be of noncombustible materials.

Exceptions:

1.   Pickets, handrails and similar vertical elements not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) in height above the adjacent walking surface of material not less fire resistive than untreated wood or plastic composites that comply with ASTM D7032 and Section 2612 if the fire separation distance is greater than or equal to 20 feet (6096 mm).

2.   Walking surfaces listed as a Class A roof assembly or a Class A roof covering installed over a noncombustible roof assembly.

3.   Limited non-structural elements of material not less fire resistive than untreated wood or plastic composites that comply with ASTM D7032 where approved by the building official.

1513.4 Structures providing weather protection.

Structures above an occupiable rooftop that provide weather protection equivalent to a roof and project more than 24 inches (610 mm) horizontally from a wall or other support shall be treated as part of the building to which they are attached for purposes of determining building height and number of stories above grade plane.

1513.5 Means of egress.

Occupiable rooftops shall be provided with means of egress as required in Chapter 10.

1513.6 Construction type.

Occupiable rooftops shall not be installed on buildings of Type VB construction. The roof assembly below an occupiable rooftop shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour."

(Amend Coun. J. 2-19-20, p. 14473, Art. II, § 71)