CHAPTER 3 CODES AND STANDARDS
SECTION 3.1 BUILDING CODES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Title Page No.
3.1.1 GENERAL BUILDING CODES 1
A. General Error! Bookmark not defined.
B. Introduction 1
C. Applicability 1
D. Definitions 1
E. Abbreviations 1
F. General Requirements Error! Bookmark not defined.
G. Codes 1
3.1.2 STANDARDS 4
A. General Standards 4
B. Specific Standards 4
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3.1.1 GENERAL BUILDING CODES
A. Introduction
1. The purpose of this Section is to identify the Codes and Standards that establish the minimum
requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare in the design and
construction of the built environment.
B. Applicability
1. The Saudi Building Codes shall be the prevailing documents, as required by Royal Decree
and the Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu (RCJY), to be used in conjunction with the
current RCJY Engineering Manual (RCJYEM). The A/E and/or the EPC Contractor reviews
the Standard Specifications and the Standard Drawing Details provided by the RCJY for
applicability and submits project-specific versions for approval.
2. In all cases, the RCJY reserves the right to require the use of specific Codes and Standards
for systems and facilities for which continuity of practice is considered necessary for safe and
efficient operation.
3. In cases of apparent or perceived conflicts between the Codes and the RCJYEM, the more
stringent requirement shall apply.
C. Definitions
1. Refer to design specific definitions in Chapters 3, 4 and 5.
D. Abbreviations
1. Refer to Section 2.2 for general abbreviations
2. The following abbreviations are common for codes and standards:
a. ANSI American National Standards Institute
b. CIE Commission Internationale De L’eclairage (International Commission on
Illumination)
c. HCIS High Commission for Industrial Security
d. IBC International Building Code
e. IEC International Electro-Technical Commission
f. IENSA Illumination Engineering Society of North America
g. IMC International Mechanical Code
h. ITU International Telecom Unit
i. NFPA National Fire Protection Association
j. SBC Saudi Building Code
k. TIA/EIA Telecommunication Industries Association/Electronics Industries Alliance
E. Code Compliance
1. Compliance with Saudi Arabian laws, regulations and applicable Codes and Standards is
mandatory. Resolve technical conflicts per Subsection 1.1.4.A, Order of Precedence.
2. In the absence of published Saudi Arabian Codes and Standards, use Codes, Standards and
publications published by the organizations listed in each Part of this Engineering Manual as
well as the Building Codes referenced in this Section.
3. The A/E and/or EPC Contractor may propose other International Codes and Standards,
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provided two different types of Codes and Standards are not mixed for the same building or
facility. Accompany proposals with an English language translation of the Codes or Standards,
but do not use them unless accepted in writing by the RCJY.
4. Unless otherwise directed by the RCJY, use the editions of the codes listed. Seek approval,
in writing, from the RCJY should conflicts between codes be present. Register with the RCJY
for notification of updates of this list.
5. Code Hierarchy:
a. Royal Decrees
b. Saudi Building Code National Committee. 2018 Editions of the following codes,
collectively:
1) Saudi General Building Code SBC 201-CR
2) Saudi Loading & Forces Code SBC 301-CR
3) Saudi Construction Code SBC 302-CR
4) Saudi Soils & Foundation Code SBC 303-CR
5) Saudi Concrete Structures Code SBC 304-CR
6) Saudi Masonry Structures Code SBC 305-CR
7) Saudi Steel Structure Code SBC 306-CR
8) Saudi Electrical Code SBC 401-CR
9) Saudi Mechanical Code SBC 501-CR
10) Saudi Energy Conservation Code - Non-residential SBC-601-CR
11) Saudi Energy Conservation Code - Residential 602-CR
12) Saudi Plumbing Code SBC 701-CR
13) Saudi Private Sewage Disposal SBC 702-CR
14) Saudi Fire Code SBC 801-CR
15) Saudi Existing Building Code SBC 901-CR
16) Saudi Green Construction Code SBC 1001-CR
c. International Code Council: The 2018 Saudi Building Code is based explicitly under
license on the 2015 body of codes issued by the ICC, with localized revisions for
seismology and environmental conditions. The following codes supplement the Saudi
Building Code. Where there is no corresponding part of the SBC, the ICC code shall
prevail.
1) International Building Code IBC 2015
2) International Existing Building Code IEBC 2015
3) International Energy Conservation Code 2015
4) International Fire Code IFC 2015
5) International Fuel Gas Code IFGC 2015
6) International Mechanical Code IMC 2015
7) International Plumbing Code IPC 2015
8) International Property Maintenance Code IPMC 2015
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9) International Private Sewage Disposal Code IPSDC 2015
10) International Residential Code IRC 2015
11) International Green Construction Code IgCC 2015
12) International Swimming Pool and Spa Code ISPSC 2015
d. Higher Commission for Industrial Safety (HCIS) (as applicable)
1) Safety and Fire Protection Directives for Industrial Facilities (SAF)
6. All construction shall conform to the Building Codes and Building Requirements adopted by
the Kingdom and the Royal Commission. In addition, all construction shall conform to Planning
and Zoning Regulations adopted by the RCJY in its "Planning Manual." Refer to Section 3.2
for Adopted Master Plans.
7. Some projects may be subject to the additional requirements of the Safety and Fire Directives
for Industrial Facilities, depending on the location and specific circumstances of the project.
8. Accessibility
a. Refer to Section 3.3.
9. Life Safety
a. Refer to Subsection 5.3.3.H
b. Refer to Chapters 3, 4 and 5 for design specific requirements.
10. The foregoing Codes are comprehensive and detailed documents. They cover a wide range
of building types, occupancies, and hazards. Their purpose is to establish minimum Standards
to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare. They are not intended to impose
bureaucratic or financial burdens or set Standards of elegance, lifestyle, or quality. Good
design and practice may require the designer to exceed these minimum standards.
11. The provisions of the adopted Codes shall not be construed to prohibit the use of any material
or method not specifically included therein, provided that the material or method may be shown
to be satisfactory for the intended purpose. The Royal Commission may approve such
materials or methods where the A/E and/or the EPC Contractor finds that they meet the intent
of the code, or the A/E and/or the EPC Contractor may prescribe requirements for their use to
assure that acceptable Standards are met.
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3.1.2 STANDARDS
A. General Standards
1. ACI American Concrete Institute
2. ADA Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design
3. AISC American Institute of Steel Construction
4. AISI American Iron and Steel Institute
5. ANSI American National Standard Institute
6. API American Petroleum Institute
7. ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers
8. ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
9. ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
10. AWC American Wood Council
11. AWWA American Water Works Association
12. BHMA Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association
13. CIE International Commission on Illumination
14. CMAA Crane Manufacturers Association of America
15. ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
16. FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
17. GAMEP General Authority for Meteorology and Environment Protection
18. GCC Gulf Cooperation Council
19. ICC International Code Council
20. IEC International Electro-technical Commission
21. IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer
22. IENSA Illumination Engineering Society of North America
23. ISO International Organization for Standardization
24. MAWANI Saudi Ports Authority Rules and Regulations
25. NDS Navigation Data Standards
26. NFPA National Fire Protection Association
27. OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
28. SASO Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization
29. SDI Steel Deck Institute
30. TMS The Masonry Society
31. UL Underwriters Laboratories
32. USGBC United States Green Building Council
B. Specific Standards
1. See references in individual subsections of the RCJYEM for standards specific to that
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subsection.
2. Edition: Use the edition referenced in the SBC Codes. In all other cases, unless otherwise
directed by the RCJY or identified in Chapter 5, use the latest edition of all Standards.
3. In case of any significant impact resulting from the use of the required edition versus the latest
editions of international codes & standards, contact the IC for further direction. Note the issue
in the DBR/DAR for IC attention and necessary direction.
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