# Alcohol-based Hand Rub: Building Code Definition > How the IFC 2009 define alcohol-based hand rub, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term. - Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/alcohol-based-hand-rub/ - Last updated: 2026-09-07 - Data source: Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Defined in | IFC 2009 (2009 editions transcribed in this corpus) | | Primary source | IFC 2009 Flammable and Combustible Liquids (model text, not a jurisdiction's adopted text) | | Chapters using the term | 3 (counted across the codes hosted here) | | Wording identical across codes | Single code (compare before citing one code's wording under another) | ## Direct answer Alcohol-based hand rub is a defined term in the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009, in Flammable and Combustible Liquids. The code's own words are: “An alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands and containing ethanol or isopropanol in an amount not exceeding 70 percent by volume.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IFC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 3 chapters of this corpus, most often in Flammable and Combustible Liquids (IFC 2009), Hazardous Materials-general Provisions (IFC 2009), Definitions (IFC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. *Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.* ## What does this term mean? **Alcohol-based Hand Rub** — IFC 2009, Flammable and Combustible Liquids: > An alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands and containing ethanol or isopropanol in an amount not exceeding 70 percent by volume. ![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Alcohol-based Hand Rub: Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/alcohol-based-hand-rub/diagram-1344.webp) *How the IFC 2009 define alcohol-based hand rub, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.* ## What must be verified before using this guidance? **Alcohol-based Hand Rub** is defined once in this corpus, in the [Flammable and Combustible Liquids](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/flammable-and-combustible-liquids.md) chapter of the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009: > An alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands and containing ethanol or isopropanol in an amount not exceeding 70 percent by volume. ## Where alcohol-based hand rub is used in the code The term appears in 3 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next. | Chapter | Code | Mentions | | --- | --- | --- | | [Flammable and Combustible Liquids](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/flammable-and-combustible-liquids.md) | IFC 2009 | 5 | | [Hazardous Materials-general Provisions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/hazardous-materials-general-provisions.md) | IFC 2009 | 2 | | [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/definitions.md) | IFC 2009 | 1 | ## Alcohol-based Hand Rub: what to open, and in what order Every row is a document this term depends on. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) cover the middle rows. | Check | Where | Confirmed | | --- | --- | --- | | Read the definition in the adopted IFC | Flammable and Combustible Liquids | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Flammable and Combustible Liquids (IFC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Hazardous Materials-general Provisions (IFC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IFC 2009) | | | Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list | | **A research aid, not a code determination.** The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply. ## Where can you explore related guidance? - [Explore all glossary guidance](https://harth.build/resources/glossary.md) - [Liquid Storage Warehouse: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/liquid-storage-warehouse.md) - [Process Transfer: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/process-transfer.md) - [Remote Solvent Reservoir: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/remote-solvent-reservoir.md) - [Fire Point: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/fire-point.md) ## Sources and method Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control. ### Source links - [codes.iccsafe.org](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) - [iccsafe.org](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the code definition of alcohol-based hand rub? The International Fire Code (IFC) 2009 defines it in Flammable and Combustible Liquids as: “An alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands and containing ethanol or isopropanol in an amount not exceeding 70 percent by volume.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally. ### Which parts of the code depend on alcohol-based hand rub? In this corpus the term is used across 3 chapters, led by Flammable and Combustible Liquids in the IFC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own. ### What is an alcohol-based hand rub? In the 2009 I-Codes hosted here it is a defined term rather than a description. The IFC 2009 states, in Flammable and Combustible Liquids: “An alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands and containing ethanol or isopropanol in an amount not exceeding 70 percent by volume.” It is defined in IFC 2009. Because it is a defined term, whatever the adopted edition says it means is what every section using it means — so check Chapter 2 of that edition and any local amendment before relying on this wording. --- - Continue in Harth (open this topic in the Harth agent): https://app.harth.build/agent?context=%2Fresources%2Fglossary%2Falcohol-based-hand-rub%2F - View this page in a browser: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/alcohol-based-hand-rub/ - All resources for agents: https://harth.build/llms.txt