PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION SECTION

GENERAL

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Building Codes of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, hereinafter referred to as "this code." 101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the

construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any

appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures. 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.

101.2.2 Private Sewage Disposal Systems - Scope. Septic tank and effluent absorption systems or other treatment tank/holding tank and effluent disposal systems shall be permitted where a public sewer is not available to the property served. Unless

specifically approved, the private sewage disposal system of each building shall be entirely separate from and independent of any other building. The use of a common system or a system on a parcel other than the parcel where the structure is located shall be subject to the full requirements of the Private Sewage

Disposal Code for systems serving public buildings.

101.2.2.1 Public sewer connection. Where public sewers become available to the premises served, the use of the private sewage disposal system shall be discontinued within that period of time required by law, but such period shall not exceed 1 year. The building sewer shall be disconnected from the private sewage disposal system and connected to the public sewer.

101.2.2.2 Abandoned systems. Abandoned private sewage disposal systems shall be plugged or capped in an approved manner. Abandoned treatment tanks, holding tanks and seepage pits shall have the contents pumped and discarded in an approved manner. The top or entire tank shall be removed

A. SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION

NOTE: This section provides the administrative standards which are applicable to the Building, Energy Conservation, Mechanical, Plumbing, Private Sewage Disposal and Fuel Gas Codes which are typically enforced by the Department of Building Safety. See Section 1, Part B for administrative provisions that apply to the Fire Code and which are typically enforced by the Department of Fire Prevention. See Section 1, Part C for administrative provisions applicable to the Property Maintenance Code which is typically enforced by the Department of Building Safety.

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and the remaining portion of the tank or excavation shall be filled immediately.

101.2.2.3 Failing system. When a private sewage disposal system fails or malfunctions, the system shall be corrected or use of the system shall be discontinued within that period of time as required by the code official, but such period shall not exceed 1 year.

101.2.2.4 Failure. A failing private sewage disposal system shall be one causing or resulting in any of the following conditions:

1. The failure to accept sewage discharges and backup of sewage into the structure served by the private sewage disposal system.

2. The discharge of sewage to the surface of the ground or to a drain tile.

3. The discharge of sewage to any surface or ground waters.

4. The introduction of sewage into saturation zones adversely affecting the operation of a private sewage disposal system.

101.2.3 Fuel Gas Systems. These regulations cover piping systems for natural gas with an operating pressure of 2bars (29 psi) or less, and for LPG/SNG (Substitute Natural Gas) at vapor phase with an operating pressure of 20 psig (137.9 kPa gauge) or less, except as provided in Section 402.6 of the Fuel Gas Code. Coverage shall

extend from the point of delivery to the outlet of the appliance shutoff valves. Piping system requirements shall include design, materials, components, fabrication, assembly, installation, testing, inspection, operation and maintenance.

The scope includes the design, construction, testing, and purging of installation pipe-work for odorized gas (NG/LPG/SNG) at vapor phase with a maximum operating pressure not exceeding:

1. For residential and/or commercial multi-occupancy buildings the maximum pressure within the system shall not exceed 75 mbar (1 psi). Pressure to appliance shall be reduced to 21 mbar (0.3 psi) for natural gas and SNG and to 37 mbar (0.5 psi) for LPG.

2. When approved by the Administrative Authority, gas lines within the envelope of a high rise, multi-family or multi- occupancy structure may not exceed 350 mbar (5 psi) provided steel piping is used and all joints are welded. In addition to required pressure testing in accordance with section 406 for the Fuel Gas Code, all joints shall undergo special inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT) by an approved third party testing laboratory.

3. Operating pressure for industrial buildings shall not exceed 2 bar (29 psi).

101.3 Intent. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy

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conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency

operations.

The Energy Code regulates the design and construction of buildings for the effective use of energy and is intended to provide flexibility to permit the use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve the effective use of energy. It is not intended to abridge safety, health or environmental requirements contained in other applicable codes or ordinances.

101.4 Referenced codes. The other codes listed in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.6 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.

Where approved by the building official, provisions from other model International Codes published by the International Code Council may be used to comply with the intent of this code,

provided such approval does not lessen health, accessibility, life and fire safety, or structural requirements.

101.4.1 Gas. The provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code shall apply to the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of

appliances and the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories.

101.4.1.1 Systems, appliances and equipment outside the scope. The Fuel Gas Code shall not apply to the following:

1. Portable LP-gas appliances and equipment of all types that is not connected to a fixed fuel piping system.

2. Installation of farm appliances and equipment such as brooders, dehydrators, dryers and irrigation

equipment.

3. Raw material (feedstock) applications except for piping to special atmosphere generators.

4. Oxygen-fuel gas cutting and welding systems. 5. Industrial gas applications using gases such as acetylene and acetylenic compounds, hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide, oxygen and nitrogen. 6. Petroleum refineries, pipeline compressor or

pumping stations, loading terminals, compounding plants, refinery tank farms and natural gas processing plants.

7. Integrated chemical plants or portions of such plants where flammable or combustible liquids or gases are produced by, or used in, chemical reactions.

8. LP-gas installations at utility gas plants. 9. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) installations.

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11. Proprietary items of equipment, apparatus or

instruments such as gas-generating sets, compressors and calorimeters.

12. LP-gas equipment for vaporization, gas mixing and gas manufacturing.

13. Temporary LP-gas piping for buildings under construction or renovation that is not to become part of the permanent piping system.

14. Installation of LP-gas systems for railroad switch heating.

15. Installation of hydrogen gas, LP-gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) systems on vehicles.

16. Except as provided in IPC Section 401.1.1, gas piping, meters, gas pressure regulators and other appurtenances used by the serving gas supplier in the distribution of gas, other than undiluted LP-gas. 17. Building design and construction, except as specified

herein.

18. Piping systems for mixtures of gas and air within the flammable range with an operating pressure greater than 20 psig (138 kPa gauge).

19. Portable fuel cell appliances that are neither connected to a fixed piping system nor interconnected to a power grid.

20. SNG plant.

101.4.1.2 Other fuels. The requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, alteration and inspection of

mechanical systems operating with fuels other than fuel gas shall be regulated by the International Mechanical Code. 101.4.2 Mechanical. The provisions of the International Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and/or appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators and other energy-related systems.

101.4.3 Plumbing. The provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code – Abu Dhabi (UPC-AD) as published by the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency and/or the Water Supply Regulations, January, 2009 (WSR) as published by the Regulation and Supervision Bureau, shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems, including

equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. The provisions of the International Private Sewage Disposal Code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems.

The International Plumbing Code (IPC) may be used as a complimentary to the codes referenced in this section.

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101.4.4 Property Maintenance. The provisions of the

International Property Maintenance Code and section 3401.2 of the building code, shall apply to existing structures and

premises; equipment and facilities; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and structures.

101.4.5 Fire prevention. The provisions of the International Fire Code shall apply to matters affecting or relating to structures, processes and premises from the hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; from conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; and from the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression and alarm systems or fire hazards in the

structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation. 101.4.6 Energy. The provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency.

101.4.6.1 Change in occupancy or use. Spaces undergoing a change in occupancy that would result in an increase in demand for either fossil fuel or electrical energy shall comply with the Energy Code. Where the use in a space changes from one to another as shown in Table 505.5.2 of the Energy code, the installed lighting wattage shall comply with section 505.5 of the Energy code.

101.4.6.2 Change in space conditioning. Any

unconditioned space that is altered to become conditioned space shall be required to be brought into full compliance with the Energy code.

101.4.6.3 Mixed Occupancy. Where a building includes both residential and commercial occupancies, each occupancy shall be separately considered and meet the applicable provisions of the Energy Code Chapter 4 for residential occupancies and Chapter 5 for commercial occupancies.

101.4.6.4 Compliance. Residential buildings shall meet the provisions of the Energy Code Chapter 4 and Commercial buildings shall meet the provisions of Chapter 5.

101.4.6.4.1 Compliance Materials. The code official shall be permitted to approve specific computer software, worksheets, compliance manuals and other similar materials that meet the intent of this code.

101.4.6.4.2 Low Energy Buildings. The following buildings, or portions thereof, separated from the remainder of the building by building thermal envelope assemblies complying with this code shall be exempt from the building thermal envelope provisions of this code:

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1. Those with a peak design rate of energy usage less than 3.4 Btu/h·ft2 (10.7 W/m2) or 1.0 watt/ft2 (10.7 W/m2) of floor area for space conditioning purposes. 2. Those that do not contain conditioned space.

101.5 Required Signage. Signage required by these codes shall utilize approved internationally recognized pictographic symbols and/or be printed in Arabic and English. Unless otherwise specified, characters shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high and a minimum of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) wide and utilize an approved contrasting background.

SECTION 102