WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
20 April 2007 
 (07-1651) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:   English 
 
 
 
NOTIFICATION 
 
Addendum  
  
 The following communication, dated 16 April 2007,  is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Jamaica
. 
 
_______________  
 
  
 
I. SUMMARY OF IPC APPLICATION DOCUMENT CONTENTS 
 The IPC Application Document embraces over 99% of the International Plumbing Code 
(IPC) because all the plumbing issues dealt w ith are entirely relevant to Jamaica.  
 
 The IPC deals with issues such  as trenching, excavation and b ackfill; protection of pipes and 
plumbing system components; toilets for workers; te sts and inspections; fixtures, faucets and fixture 
fittings; water heaters; water supply and distribution; sanitary drainage; indirect/special waste; vents; 
traps, interceptors and separators; storm drainage; special piping and storage systems and sizing of water piping system. 
 
 The IPC Application Document has indicated  that freezing temperatures do not occur in 
Jamaica and therefore water, soil and waste pipes can be installed:  
• In external building walls, crawl spaces and attics; 
• Without adding insulation cladding and heating; 
• Closer to ground levels since there is no frost line to avoid. 
 
 This Application Document disallows the use of  lead jointing materials and lead pipes unlike 
the IMC. This decision is based on the health dange rs associated with the handling of lead and the 
distant possibility that waste water will have to be processed and re-circulated.    
  The IPC Application Document adds three paragraphs to the section on Trenching, 
Excavation and Backfill that deals with the:  
 
• Prevention of the ingress of dirt into pipes when being laid; 
• Need to ensure that pipe coatings  are not damaged while being laid; 
• Need for restraints to be installed to prev ent pipe movement during operational thrusts. 
  This Application Document requires plumbing contractors to give minimum advance notice 
of 2 days to the Local Authority for plumbing work to be inspected and approved for covering-up, unlike the IPC which requires that the contractor  “give reasonable advance notice to the code 
official”. G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
Page 2  
 
   
 On the issue of the fluid to be used in th e testing of plastic pipes the IPC Application 
Document, unlike the IPC, allows air as a testing flui d on the basis that the onus is on the contractor to 
assure the code official of the safety of personnel and property during testing.  
 This Application Document does not allow th e unrestricted use of tankless water heaters as 
the IPC does. It allows installation of only tankless water heaters tested and approved by the Bureau 
of Standards, Jamaica and requires the circuits supplying approved tankless water heaters to offer 
protection to users against leakage currents above 7.milliamps. These  measures will prevent 
Jamaicans from getting fatal shocks while using the heater. 
 
 The IMP Application Document has added to the chapter on “General Section of the Water Supply and Distribution” the following requirements:  
• Water economy and energy conservation must be a consideration in the design of plumbing 
systems;  
• The need for pumps to be protected against wate r ingress by pump room floors being constructed 
to drain away water spillage, pumps being raised  450 mm (18 inches) off the floor in basements 
and pumps being disallowed in well pits; 
• Data on which pumping system designs should be based; 
• Methods to alleviate the water hammer e ffect in water distribution systems; 
• The need to avoid or reduce noise and vibrations in pipes by not attaching pipes to light objects, 
making sudden and drastic changes in pipe directions or minimal pressures at the seat of certain 
plumbing fixtures; 
• The maximum temperature at which hot water should be stored in residential buildings as well as 
the basis for arriving at storage capacity; 
• The maintenance requirements for water distri bution systems based on 6-monthly and yearly 
intervals; 
• The most cost effective water heating systems and reasons why. 
  This Application Document reinforces the need  for every building available to the public 
sewer system to be connected and requires that:  
• Roof drain water not to be put into the sewer drainage system; 
• Storm drain water be kept form incursion into the sewer system;  
• Hand-holes and manholes shall continue to be u sed in sanitary sewer systems for accepting and 
channelling flow from multiple sources as well as changing flow direction drastically. At the 
same time the Application Document has accepte d the “Cleanout” piping system for sanitary 
sewer drainage. 
  The IPC Application Document requires in  Chapter 8 “Indirect/Special Waste that: 
 
• No P-trap shall be installed under floor for washing machines outlet pipe; 
• Backwash from a swimming pool to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. 
  This Application Document in chapter 11 “Storm Drainage”:  
• Does not allow for combination storm and sewer drains as the IPC does. 
• Include 100-year return, 24 hour rainfall data map for Jamaica. This will enable more accurate 
storm drainage design throughout Jamaica. 
  G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
 Page 3 
 
 
   Under chapter 12 “Special Piping and Storage Systems” this Application Document requires 
that medical gas system installers be Grade 1 Pl umbers and their company be registered with the 
Government Contracts Committee. System acceptan ce testing shall be done by certified agents to 
NFPA 99C standard.  
 This Application Document has accepted as binding in Jamaica all referenced standards in the 
IPC except those intended for lead products.    Finally this Application Document puts in chap ter 14 on irrigation systems the intent of which 
is to encourage the proper design and layout of thos e systems in order to get the most cost efficient 
operation from them. 
 
II. SUMMARY OF IECC APPLICATION DOCUMENT CONTENTS 
 The IECC Application Document addresses energy efficiency or conservation in all types of 
commercial, office, hotel, high rise residential and fo r the first time low rise, detached multi-family 
residential buildings. In short apart from industrial plants and special purpose buildings it covers all 
building types.   The IECC Application Document draws info rmation not only from the IECC but from 
ASHRAE’s 2004 Advanced Energy Design Guide fo r Small Commercial and Residential Buildings 
as well as the Jamaican Energy Efficiency Building Code. 
 
 Unlike the IECC which applies only to conditioned buildings (buildings with heating and / or 
cooling) the IECC Application Document appli es to both conditioned and unconditioned buildings 
(buildings with neither heating nor air-conditioning).  
 The IECC Application Document is structured in to two parts. Part 1 which deals with energy 
saving requirements for 3 sizes of unconditioned build ings while Part 2 has two sections that deal 
with conditioned Residential Buildings and Co mmercial / High Rise Residential Buildings.   
  The IECC Application Document seek to prevent the continued used of energy efficient room air-conditioners (split units, cassettes and to a lesser  extent window air-conditioners) in inappropriate 
places such as high density occupancy areas, rooms requiring air changes to prevent the build-up of 
pathogens, viruses, germs, bacteria, etc..    This Application Document outlines the three climate zones in the island and define their 
temperature characteristics in terms that designers can utilize to save on energy consumption in that 
climatic zone. Some data is s till outstanding and we are awaiting the Meteorology Office to supply 
this information.    The unconditioned building size stratification corresponds roughly with low, middle and upper income strata energy requirements with ener gy saving requirements increasing as you go from 
the smaller to the larger size building category. 
 
 For unconditioned buildings the prescriptive method is used for compliance. Here the 
designer is not only given the ener gy goals to be achieved but the strategies for achieving the goals 
are given followed by the practical step for achie ving the goals. Examples of the requirements to be 
satisfied are: 
 
• Low Income – energy efficiency lighting, insulate d roof, keeping direct radiation out of building, 
maximizing cross ventilation and openable window space of 10%; G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
Page 4  
 
  • Middle Income – all the above plus maximizing th e use of daylight, use of glass with low solar 
heat gain, use of solar or gas water heaters and openable window space of 12½%; 
• Upper Income – All the Low and Middle income  requirements plus better lighting and power 
controls as well as openable window space of 15%. 
  The residential section of Conditioned Buildi ngs (Part 2) gives the designer the following 
three methods or options for arriving at acceptable energy efficient designs: 
 
• Residential Building Design by Systems Analysis  and Design of Buildings  Utilizing Renewable 
Energy Sources; 
• Residential Building Design by Component Performance Approach;  
• Energy Design by the Advanced Prescriptive Method for Residential and Small Commercial 
Buildings.  
 
 The designer is given advice on when to use a particular method and is required to declare the 
method used for his design so the complian ce evaluator can know what to check for. 
  The energy design by Advanced Prescriptive Met hod will ensure the greatest energy saving, 
in fact some 30% more than the other two methods.  
 The IECC Chapter 7 on the Design of Energy  Efficient Commercial Buildings have been 
excluded. In its place is Chapter 8 that deals w ith Design by Acceptable Practice for Commercial and 
Conditioned High-rise Residential Build ings. This section of Part 2 is the Jamaica Energy Efficiency 
Building Code of 1994. The section underwent minor changes to reflect the technological changes that have occurred since 1994 and contains the following: 
 
• Three proposed methods for designing to meet this section of the code: 
o Prescriptive requirements; 
o System Performance requirements; 
o Whole Building Analysis Methods. 
 
 The targeted values to be met for the prescr iptive and performance requirements to be met. 
 
• The design approaches to be followed in the Wh ole Building Analysis Methods of Cost by 
Energy Consumption and Energy Cost budget; 
• The effect on building energy consumption by maximizing the use daylight; 
• The 5 areas of a building (building envelop, electrical power, lighting, air-conditioning and 
maintenance) that must be targeted  to save energy within a building. 
 III. SUMMARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE (IFGC) APPLICATION 
DOCUMENT 
 The International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) co mprehensively covers the requirements for 
elements of centralized gas distribution systems ranging from large citywide systems to on compound 
multifamily building systems. However the requirements for discrete single family systems used extensively throughout Jamaica are not overtly de fined although they can be gleaned from various 
code sections such as gas appliances and equipment installation.  
  The IFGC is an extremely well written document with current and future relevance to Jamaica 
and therefore nearly all its requirements were accepted. Areas of future relevance include Gaseous Hydrogen Systems and various types gas heating equipment. 
  G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
 Page 5 
 
 
   Some of the issues dealt with in the IFGC incl ude gas piping installation, chimneys and vents, 
requirements for the proper installation of a wide range of gas appliances, venting of gas heating 
equipment, referenced standards and Appendices th at demonstrate how to size piping, vents and 
appliances.  
 The IFGC is silent on the issues of gas storage equipment design, sizing, installation, 
maintenance and inspection preferring to referen ce standards that deal with these matters. These 
matters were considered too importa nt to be excluded from the code and so a chapter has been added 
in the Application Document to cover these issues.  
 There are a number of equipment and systems such as chimneys, vents and space heaters 
which while not enjoying widespread use in Jamai ca have had limited usage in the temperate climate 
zones. These have been left in the code so possible future installation of this  equipment can be done to 
an acceptable standard.  
 The legal requirements of the IFGC have been  scrutinized to separa te issues which under 
Jamaican jurisprudence belong to the New National Bu ilding Act and Regulations instead of the code.   
  The IFGC Application Document recognizes the BSJ as the body with responsibility for 
approving materials to be used in the installati on of gas systems, equipment and appliances. In 
arriving at the systems, equipment or appliances th at merit approval the Application Document allows 
the BSJ the freedom to conduct its own tests or accept the testing or certification of bodies it 
recognize.   Finally the issues of metrication and the refe rencing of standards has followed the identical 
line outlined at the defence of the firs t four Application Documents.    
 
IV. SUMMARY OF IMC APPLICATION DOCUMENT CONTENTS 
 The IMC Application Document embraces over 99. 9% of the International Mechanical Code 
(IMC) because it is an excellent document that is en tirely relevant to Jamaica despite having sections 
with very limited application to the island.   
 The IMC deals with issues su ch as condensate disposal, temperature control, hydrogen 
generating and refueling operations, building ventila tion, exhaust systems, duct systems, requirements 
for combustion air; chimneys and vents; fireplaces and solid burning equipment; boilers, water heaters 
and pressure vessels; refrigeration including refrigerant  classification; hydronic piping; fuel oil piping 
and solar systems. 
 
 The issue of hydrogen generating and refueling operations is somewhat futuristic for Jamaica 
but in view of:  
• The worldwide pressure for environmentally friendly fuels; 
• The worldwide push for energy diversification; 
• Hydrogen being the ideal fuel and recent technol ogical breakthroughs that has brought hydrogen 
close to being a fuel for the transport sector; 
• The expected rapid embrace of hydrogen worldwide including Jamaica; 
• This aspect of the IMC h as been heartily embraced. 
  The issues of residential chimneys and vents,  fireplaces and solid burning equipment, boilers 
for space and water heating has limited application in  Jamaica at this time but with the potential for G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
Page 6  
 
  greater use. To ensure that tho se in the cooler climate zones of Jamaica who wish to use these 
facilities install them properly, we ha ve retained these areas of the IMC. 
  The Review Working Group and Sub-Comm ittee has found it necessary to add to some 
sections of the IMC in order to correct problem s of equipment misuse or solving problems / 
improving practices that are important to Jamaica but on which the IMC is silent. 
  On the issue of equipment misuse room air-cond itioners are the source of major concern since 
it has implications for building occupants health.  
 This Application Document specify the proper use of room air-conditioning unit types to halt 
the widespread misuse in  Jamaica with its consequential ill e ffects on building occupants’ health. 
Specifically the Application Document requires th e code official to reject the following air-
conditioning designs that are su bmitted for construction approval: 
 
• Room air-conditioning units that do not change the air in the conditioned space that are used to 
cool rooms or spaces which by their nature require air-changes to avoid the build up and 
transmission of pathogens, bacteria, viruses, germs, gases or other harmful air bourn products; 
• Units that do not change the air in the conditione d space that are used for cooling rooms that will 
normally have an occupancy density of less than 4.5 m² (50 ft²) per person; 
• Units that do not change the air in the conditio ned space that are ganged up to cool large spaces 
that by its nature will have an occupancy density of less than 4.5 m² per person; 
• Unit type usage that does not generally conform to section 409 including table 409.1 of this 
Application Document.   
 
 On the issue of solving problems / improving practice that plague the quality of our mechanical installations, this A pplication Document requires that: 
 
• Floor mounted mechanical equipment be mounted on  a concrete or other suitable material base or 
platform at least 75mm (3”) above surrounding floor level or suspended 150mm (6”) above surrounding floor. This will avoid water incursion damages. 
 
 This Application Document requires that mech anical equipment mounted in restricted spaces 
such as attics are given adequate access or clearance space to facilitate hassle free repairs or removal. 
Dimensions have been recommended to ensure hassle free handling.  
 The proper mounting of Mechanical Equipment on roofs (both flat and slope) has been 
outlined and special requirements for its maintenanc e such as an electrical outlet and access ladder or 
catwalk specified.   The IMC Application Document goes way beyond the notional IMC requirement for 
condensation to be conveyed from th e cooling coils and evaporators drain pans to an approved place 
of disposal to specifying four (4) ways of acceptable disposal.   This Application Document improves on the IMC requirement for drain pipes to have a 
minimum diameter of 19 mm and produces a table showing various size refri geration units and the 
minimum drain pipe diameter they require. 
 
 The Application Document introduces the require ment for condensation disposal to be visible 
to maintenance staff / building operators so drain pi pe blockages can be picked up easily. At the same 
time the Application Document requires that the visib ility of condensation disposal shall not be at the 
expense of building user safety from the introduction of slippery surfaces.  G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
 Page 7 
 
 
   On the topic of ventilation the Application Document introduces improvements on the IMC 
by outlining the purpose of ventilation in buildings , the choice of ventilation strategy, introduces 
issues for the user to better understand natural ven tilation and how it can be maximized in buildings. 
The Application Document changes the IMC require ment for every bathroom to be fitted with 
mechanical ventilation (forced ventilation) to one where: 
 
• Bathrooms in residential buildings with outside wall openable windows ≥ 7.5% of floor space to 
require no forced ventilation; 
• Bathrooms in non residential buildi ngs with outside wall openable windows ≥ 15% of floor area 
to have the option of having no forced ventilation; 
• Bathrooms in all types of buildings without an y external wall to have forced ventilation. 
 This Application Document introduces three new pa ragraphs in the ventilation chapter on issues that 
the IMC is silent:  
 
• The concept of comfort cooling and air-conditioning; 
• Mixed mode conditioning systems; 
• Misuse of air-conditioning types. 
  This Application Document has added a se ction on the “Requirements for Commissioning” 
refrigeration systems. This section details the info rmation the contractor/cons ultant should supply an 
independent system commissioning agent for a comprehensive assessment of the installed system. 
  The IMC Application Document has added a sec tion on “Conditions where there is a risk of 
oil pollution” in the chapter on “Fuel Oil Pipi ng and Storage.” Having outlined the risks it has 
proposed a section on “Secondary Containment.” Th ese paragraphs have drastically increased the 
environmental friendliness of oil piping and storag e systems outlined in the  Application Document. 
  The Application Document has added a section on LPG storage at buildings. This paragraph 
indicates that LPG must be stored in well ventilate d areas outside of buildings on concreted slabs and 
tied together. 
 
 Finally this Application Document improves upon the “Solar Systems” chapter through:  
• Improved specification for the solar collector transfer fluid; 
• Improved material specification for the collector; 
• The introduction of a paragraph on “Pipework and Controls”. 
 
V. SUMMARY OF INTERNATIONAL PRIV ATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL CODE 
APPLICATION DOCUMENT 
 The International Private Sewage Disposal Code  (IPSDC) deals with on- site sewage disposal 
systems as against centralized sewage distribution systems covering towns and cities. The IPSDC recognizes and allows in the appropriate location all forms of on site sewage disposal systems 
permitted in Jamaica except for the Pit Latrines.  
 The IPSDC outlines regulatory requirements, site evaluation and requirements, materials, soil 
absorption system, pressure distribution systems, tanks, mound systems, cesspools, residential waste 
water systems, inspections, non- liquid saturated trea tment systems, Referenced standards and system 
layout illustrations. These topics and the information contained therein are generally very informative 
and relevant to Jamaica and little wonder that appr oximately 70 % of the document has been adopted. G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
Page 8  
 
  The areas of the IPSDC where Jamaican conditions  and acceptable local practices did not allow for 
adoption has been captured by  the Application Document. 
  In Jamaica central sewage disposal systems usually begin as private systems operated sometimes for years, by the developers of the hous ing scheme they serve before they are taken over 
by the National Water Commission (NWC). This comm on practice coupled with th e fact that there are 
some large private developments operating what am ounts to a central sewage system has led to the 
addition of a chapter (Chapter13A) on this  system in the Application Document. 
  The Application Document took note of the fact  that the legal requirements that will govern 
the use of this Sewage Disposal Code lies in bot h the National Building and Public Health Acts and 
have referenced them both as nece ssary. In addition the Application Document has taken on board the 
relevant issues contained in the recently publishe d policy paper on sewage disposal for development 
put out by the Office of the Prime Minister.  
 There are significant terminological differences between terms used in the IPSDC and those 
used in the sewage construction trade in Jamaic a. To avoid confusion and facilitate the proper 
understanding of the IPSDC a list of  IPSDC terms and their Jamaican equivalent was compiled and 
put into the Application Document.   The Application Document requires that all waste and sewage derived from living uses be put 
into a septic tank or treatment plant unless otherwi se exempt by the Code Official. The effluent 
arising from these treatment methods shall be disposed of by one of the following:   
• Liquid discharge treatment facilities such as pa ckaged plants, ponds or constructed wetland 
systems; 
• Evaporation and/or transpiration systems with no liquid discharge; 
• Dry gully or surface water source(s) for effluent  processed to clear-water stages by packaged 
treatment plants.  The effluent water quality must meet the Natural Resources Conservation 
Authority (NRCA) standards outlined. 
  Pit Latrines shall be allowed only in rural ar eas approved of by the Environmental Health 
Unit (EHU) of the Ministry of Health and the Local Authority.    
The list of private sewage treatment and disposal systems that may be approved by the EHU are as 
follows:  
• Ventilated Improved Double-vault Pit Latrine (VIDP) 
• Ventilated Improved Pit Latrine (VIP) 
• Absorption Pit 
• Soak-away Pit 
• Septic Tank  
• Aerated Septic Tank 
• Tile Field 
• Evapo-transpiration Bed 
• Reed Bed (constructed wetland) 
• Mound System 
• Intermittent Sand Filter 
• Re-circulating Sand Filter 
• Biodigester Septic Tank  G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
 Page 9 
 
 
  • Mechanical systems (Oxidation Ditch, Contact Stabilization Tank, Rotary Biological Contactor, 
Trickling Filter, Aerated Sludge Systems and Anaerobic systems). 
  The Application Document requires that a pe rmit be obtained from the EHU/Local Authority 
for the following: 
 
• Surface discharge of treated liquid effluent; 
• Construction of all types of sewage treatment and disposal units specified as acceptable in 
Jamaica; 
• Modification or expansion to an existing sewage facility; 
• Use of new sewage treatment technologies.   
  The Application Document requires that the following tests be done in the absence of tests 
data developed and published by the Water R esources Authority for the area in which a sewage 
system is proposed:     
 
• Soil percolation rate where absorption systems are proposed; 
• Ground water depth from the bottom of ant proposed soak-away pit; 
• High water table depth for areas prone to floodi ng and in which absorption systems are proposed; 
• Soil strata composition for sites on whic h the soil characteristics are unknown.   
  The Application Document does not allow the c onstruction of soil absorption systems in flood 
prone areas unless convincing evidence is supplied to show that the worse expected conditions and /or 
the construction techniques to be used will prevent flooding of the system if built.  
  The Application Document sp ecifies a maximum housing densit y of 7 units per acre or a 
maximum of 300 persons per development for on si te sewage disposal systems. Beyond these limits a 
central sewage disposal system must be used unl ess convincing data can be presented to justify the 
onsite system.  
 
 The IPSDC / Application Document reco mmends minimum separation distance between 
absorption facilities and important site features su ch as building foundations, lot boundaries, between 
soak-away pits, etc  
 The IPSDC/Application Document specifies th e size of various sewage system elements or 
provides a basis for size calculation as well as specifies detailed construction approaches. 
  The IPSDC / Application Document require deta iled inspection by Code Officials for crucial 
areas of sewage systems before cover up. 
 
 The Application Document allows for the cons truction of 4 types of Pit Latrines (Regular, 
ventilated improved, ventilated improved double vault and biodig ester) and specifies detailed 
construction requirements.  The Application Document requires that central se wage systems be constructed to the standard 
required by the NWC so that take over if  required can be smooth and problem free. 
  The Application Document endorses the use of non-liquid saturated treatment systems 
(portable toilets) referenced by standards in the IPSDC.   
 G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
Page 10  
 
  VI. SUMMARY OF IPMC APPLICATION DOCUMENT CONTENTS 
 The IPMC Application Document embraces over 99% of the International Property 
Maintenance Code (IPMC) because it is a very good document that is entirely relevant to Jamaica. 
This IPMC Application Document adds to the re quirements of the IPMC rather than change or 
remove provisions. 
 
 The IPMC deals with maintenance issues for exterior property areas; swimming pools, spas 
and hot tubs; exterior structure; interior struct ure; handrail and guardrails; rubbish and garbage; 
extermination; light, ventilation and occupanc y limitations; plumbing facilities and fixture 
requirements, water systems, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, electrical systems and equipment, 
mechanical systems and equipment as well as fire safety equipments. 
  The intent of the IMPC and this Application Do cument is to ensure that public health, safety 
and welfare are not jeopardized or negatively aff ected by the continued o ccupancy and maintenance 
of structures and premises  
 
 This Application Document outlines some of the legal requirements that govern the use and 
administration of the Property Maintenance Code of Jamaica. For legal areas which properly belong 
to the Jamaica National Building Act and or Re gulations it refers users to these documents. 
  This Application Document require that vacant lots or buildings be maintained in a clean, 
safe, secure and sanitary condition so as not to cause urban decay and its consequential depressing 
effect on surrounding property values, public health, or safety. All premises and exterior properties 
are required to be maintained free from weeds or plants in excess of 450 mm (18”). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Failure of pr operty owners to abide by these requirements will result in notice of 
violation, prosecution if there is no remedial acti on and finally the local authority undertaking the 
cleanup at the expense of the owner. 
  This Application Document requires designers of building services to ensure that equipment 
and systems are capable of being operated in acco rdance with the design parameters and can be 
efficiently and safely maintained. In addition to this  they are required to ensure that written guidelines 
for operation and maintenance of equipment and sy stems are clear and easily understood by potential 
operators. Designers are also required to ensure e ither by specification or written recommendation, 
that general requirements for maintenance of thei r installation is passed on to potential operators. 
  This Application Document requires all reside ntial buildings except one and two family ones 
to have all common hall and stairway areas lighted co ntinuously. Non-residentia l buildings shall have 
continuous lighting in all areas leading to egress. 
  Escape or emergency lighting is required in egress areas by this Application Document to 
ensure that persons can find their way out of build ings in case of power outage or natural disasters 
that cause building power failure. Es cape or emergency lighting is requi red to be activated within 5 – 
10 seconds. 
 
 Where direct sight of an exit or emergency exit is not possible and there could be any doubt as to the direction of the appropriate exit, this App lication Document requires that a directional sign or 
series of signs shall be provided and so placed that a person moving towards each sign will progress 
towards an exit or emergency exit. 
 
 This Application Document requires that buildin gs shall be designed and constructed so that 
there are appropriate provisions for early warnings of fire, and appropriate means of escape from fire 
to a place of safety outside the building.  G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
 Page 11 
 
 
   All the standards referenced by the IPMC ha ve been adopted by this Application Document 
since no local updated equivale nt exist for referencing. 
 
VII. SUMMARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL EX ISTING BUILDING CODE (IEBC) 
APPLICATION DOCUMENT 
 The International Existing Building Code (IE BC) prescribes the approach which designers 
and contractors should take for the modification, re pair and addition of exis ting buildings. The intent 
of this code is to maximize the safety and h ealth of the workers involved with the building 
modifications, repairs or additions as well as building users and those whose proximity to the building could be affected by its failure. 
 
 The IEBC classifies work on existing buildings in to alteration levels 1, 2 and 3; change of 
occupancy; additions; historic bu ildings and relocated buildings. Specific requirements for each class 
of work is outlined under the headings of Sp ecial Use & Occupancy; Building Elements and 
Materials; Fire Protection; Means of Egress;  Accessibility; Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, 
Plumbing and Other Requirements  
  The IEBC is very comprehensive, relevant and well written and therefore very little changes 
were needed for this code to be adopted. The differences between the IEBC Application Document 
and the IEBC lies almost exclusively in the Hist oric Building category of work and the Appendices 
chapters dealing with Seismic Retrofit, Ea rthquake Hazard Reductio n and Supplementary 
Accessibility Requirements. The di fferences between the two docum ents can be categorized as 
follows:  
• Definitions; 
• Jurisprudential differences; 
• Additional technical requirements. 
 Under definitions the following were the main issues of note: 
 
• “Building Official” / “Code Official” were redefi ned to reflect the multiplicity of organizations 
(National Environment and Planning Agency , Local Authorities, Government Electrical 
Inspectorate and Ministry of Health) that will be involved in the approval of existing building 
work in Jamaica; 
• “Historic Buildings” was redefined to reflect th e Jamaican Act, organizations and procedure 
involved in the declaration of historic buildi ngs. The redefinition gave rise to the additional 
definitions of “Historic Authenticity”, “Historic Fabric”, “Historic Building Repairs”, “Historic 
and Cultural Significance”; 
• ‘Historic Authenticity” extends beyond age alone to embrace conserving the value or quality, or 
character of the building by applying sensible pr inciples to ensure that  the conservation works 
maintain the creative genius of the building as a representative in th e development of parts or all 
of the architecture or design, or workmanship, or  ararchaeology, or artistic merit, or bearing an 
exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition, or an outstanding example of a type, or being 
directly or tangibly associated with past events; 
• “Historic Building Repairs” are extremely impor tant to us in Jamaica and involves the 
hierarchical approaches of “Preservation”, “Reh abilitation”, “Restoration” and “Reconstruction” 
which are activities meriting definition; 
• “Historic and Cultural Significance” applies to build ings that have value on account of traditional 
techniques and practices associated with, and or derived from early African practices and or 
prehistoric practices existing in times antedating written history, prior to approximately 1494 AD 
from the Taino civilization or comb inations of these practices that ha ve been retained and or still G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
Page 12  
 
  practiced today. The concept of “Historic and Cultural Significance” has given rise to terms such 
as  “Historic Integrity” and “Historic Structures Report”. 
  Jurisprudential differences are based on the dissimilarities between the legal systems of the US and Jamaica. The IEBC is adoptable by Ordina nce in the US while in Jamaica the IEBC adoption 
requires a building Act and Regulations. Bearing this in mind the main jurisprudential differences are: 
 
• Provisions in the legal chapter of the IEBC (Adm inistration) have been segregated into what 
belongs to the New National Building Act,  Regulations and Application Document. 
• Local responsible organizations, Acts and procedures replace American ones. 
• A historic building undergoing repair, alteration, change of occupancy or  relocation shall be 
investigated and evaluated by a registered preservation design professional when deemed necessary by the Code Official and a “historic stru ctures report” prepared and filed with the Code 
Official and the Jamaica National Heritage Trus t. The report shall identify each required safety 
feature that is in compliance with this code a nd where required restoration work for areas not in 
compliance are likely to damage the historic feat ures of the building. The report shall specify how 
the defects should be corrected and shall be cl eared by the Code Official before work can 
commence. 
 
 When compared with the IEBC the most importa nt technical differences in this Application 
Document are:  
• Alterations and additions to exis ting buildings should be designed to minimize material loss and 
integrity to the historic fabric (original or ol d building materials). Any visual change that may 
affect the integrity of a historic building shoul d be carried out where possible, as a Reversible 
Intervention. 
• A Historic Structures Report may assume that the building being evaluated and analyzed is of 
cultural, social, aesthetic, or artistic significance,  and shall make recommendations for the type of 
repair treatment, whether Preservation, Rehabilitati on, Restoration or Reconstruction. This should 
serve as a documentation plan for any co nservation work to be undertaken. 
• The qualification and experience of registered preservation design professionals are outlined. 
• Any alteration, addition, demolition,  new construction or other material change that modifies the 
visual aspect, authenticity, and integrity of the exteri or or designated interior  of a historic building 
or historic district Preservation Scheme shall be prohibited as against the IEBC that allows 
changes in conformity to the code. Repairs to a hi storic building or district must fall within the 
ambit of Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration or Reconstruction, the details of which shall 
follow the guidelines outlined in this Application Document; 
• The repair of “Dangerous Buildings” has been more fulsomely outlined and its sub-topics of 
“Severity of Deterioration” and “Deter iorated Historic Features” are outlined; 
• The section on “Relocated Buildin gs” has been amplified to include two sub-paragraphs dealing 
with “Relocation and Reconstruction” and “Relocation and Archaeology Heritage”; 
• The Historic Buildings sub-paragraph 1003.5 on “I nterior finishes”  has been amplified with the 
additional sub-paragraph on “Interior features” th at requires fixtures having special historical, 
architectural, cultural or aesthetic interest or valu es for their features to be defined and logged so 
work done under Preservation, Rehabilitation, Rest oration or Reconstruction may retain its 
historic integrity; 
• The Historic Buildings sub-paragraph on “Alte rations” has been amplified to include sub-
paragraphs on “Minor alterations”, “Major altera tions”, “Removal” and “New works to historic 
buildings”. These paragraphs specify the repair details and approaches possible; 
• The Historic Buildings sub-paragraphs on “Change  of Occupancy” and “S tructural” have also 
been amplified to ensure that historic buildings undergoing change of use or structural improvements do not loose their historic integrity;  G/TBT/N/JAM/8/Add.1 
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  • This Application Document under the chapter dealing with “Construction safeguards” has 
modified the section dealing with “Barrier design” so that acceptable locally used materials can be 
utilized in existing building alteration projects; 
• The compressive strength of masonry including co ncrete blocks has been lowered by 20% to 
allow the best of local manufacturers to comply with the code requirements; 
• The date of applicability for earthquake hazard reduction methods to take effect in existing 
reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry wall buildings with flexible diaphragms has been 
defined as the date when this code becomes legally mandatory; 
• Appendix B has been modified to specify the lo cal organizations, acts and procedures needed for 
the supplementary accessibility requirements for exis ting buildings and facilities to be relevant to 
Jamaica.  
  
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