Er, yeah it does matter.
If AHJ says IBC definition applies, it does. As far as the argument that one must only adhere to the NEC and an inspector can only inspect to it, or IRC or whatever,,,,nope. All applicable codes apply to any instalIBC definitions apply to IBC, NEC definitions apply to NEC. Does anything in 518 say "refer to IBC" when it comes to occupancy requirements that trigger 518? If AHJ has a local amendment that says so that is the exception, otherwise as is neither document leans on the other one here.
One simply cannot violate another code saying that the NEC only applies. It does work that way.
Nor can one chose which codes one is going to only follow. The NEC is not the end of the lin True, there can be multiple codes that must be complied with. I am not familiar with IBC at all, does it tell us what to do for electrical here, or is it's "place of assembly" designation have more to do do with framing and other construction methods - and electrical requirements is left to NEC? If so you may have place of assembly construction methods at 50 occupancy but wiring methods don't turn into "place of assembly" wiring methods until that 100 occupancy is reached.
Nothing in the NEC says you cannot butcher an engineered structure beam, glue lam is an example, by drilling holes willy nilly. So you all think one would be okay doing it? Not in the slightest wA great example of two codes applying. Drilling those holes does not violate NEC. You still get a fail from building inspector, even if electrical inspector told him he might want to take a look at what the elecrician did to that beam.
“But the inspector is only authorized to inspect electrical.” Okay, electrical inspector simply calls his building inspector co worker at the office, who comes down and red tags it. Now you have two irritated inspectors and the job is still a fail. Not good.
Many inspectors are combo types, so the red tag process is even quickerCombo types do happen. If electrician drills structural beam incorrectly combo inpector puts on his structural inspector hat when citing the violation and not his NEC hat. NEC is not what was violated.
Why the two codes have different numbers for what constitutes a place of assembly, I have no clue. But I will say that the AHJ is gonna pick which number, not the electrician/ contractor,EE.I think there is two codes that apply to two different aspects of the installation. IBC may want a 1 hour wall for a reason at only 50 occupants, NEC may want metallic wiring methods but only when there are 100 occupants or more.
And no, there does not have to be a formal statute declaring which applies, rather it is in the absence of one, which is the case many times, that will empower the AHJ to decide.
