“New” IBC Requirements Promote Greater Flexibility and Efficiency in Academic Lab Design
In 2018, the International Building Code (IBC) introduced Section 428, a new set of provisions tailored specifically for higher education laboratories. These changes, carried forward into the 2021 and 2024 editions, offer a more appropriate regulatory framework for teaching and research labs, enabling more efficient laboratory design, especially in multi-story buildings.
In a webinar for Lab Design’s Digital Conference series, AEI’s Greg Smithmyer and Lord Aeck Sargent’s Kelley Waldrop explore these “new” requirements, highlighting what architects, engineers, and owners need to know to confidently navigate the IBC’s updated framework. While previous code requirements were deemed out of step with modern design and operational practices, the new requirements address the specific needs of college and university laboratories, providing greater flexibility for chemical storage and lab placement.
Along with reviewing the updated requirements for chemical quantities, the session provides insight into how maximum allowable quantities (MAQs) are calculated and applied, as well as critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection design considerations and key safety provisions.