# Use (Material): Building Code Definition > How the IBC 2009, IFC 2009 define use (material), where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term. - Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/use-material/ - 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 | IBC 2009, IFC 2009 (2009 editions transcribed in this corpus) | | Primary source | IBC 2009 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy (model text, not a jurisdiction's adopted text) | | Chapters using the term | 4 (counted across the codes hosted here) | | Wording identical across codes | Yes (compare before citing one code's wording under another) | ## Direct answer Use (material) is a defined term in the International Building Code (IBC) 2009, in Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy. The code's own words are: “Placing a material into action, including solids, liquids and gases.” The IFC 2009 carries the same definition word for word, so the term means the same thing in each. The term is used in 4 chapters of this corpus, most often in Definitions (IBC 2009), Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy (IBC 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. Record the jurisdiction, the adopted edition, the application date and any local amendment that rewrites the definition before you use it on a live project, because a term redefined by amendment changes every requirement that depends on it. *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? **Use (Material)** — IBC 2009, Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy: > Placing a material into action, including solids, liquids and gases. ![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Use (Material): Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/use-material/diagram-1344.webp) *How the IBC 2009, IFC 2009 define use (material), where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.* ## What must be verified before using this guidance? Two of the I-Codes in this corpus define **Use (Material)**, in identical words. | Code | Where it is defined | Definition | | --- | --- | --- | | IBC 2009 | [Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/ibc-2009/special-detailed-requirements-based-on-use-and-occupancy.md) | Placing a material into action, including solids, liquids and gases. | | IFC 2009 | [Hazardous Materials-general Provisions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/hazardous-materials-general-provisions.md) | Placing a material into action, including solids, liquids and gases. | ## Where use (material) is used in the code The term appears in 4 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next. | Chapter | Code | Mentions | | --- | --- | --- | | [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/ibc-2009/definitions.md) | IBC 2009 | 1 | | [Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/ibc-2009/special-detailed-requirements-based-on-use-and-occupancy.md) | IBC 2009 | 1 | | [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/definitions.md) | IFC 2009 | 1 | | [Hazardous Materials-general Provisions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/hazardous-materials-general-provisions.md) | IFC 2009 | 1 | ## Use (Material): 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 IBC | Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy | | | Read the definition in the adopted IFC | Hazardous Materials-general Provisions | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IBC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy (IBC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IFC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Hazardous Materials-general Provisions (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: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/liquid.md) - [Solid: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/solid.md) - [Platform: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/platform.md) - [Cell: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/cell.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 use (material)? The International Building Code (IBC) 2009 defines it in Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy as: “Placing a material into action, including solids, liquids and gases.” 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 use (material)? In this corpus the term is used across 4 chapters, led by Definitions in the IBC 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 are the IS codes for building materials? Building is a separate defined term. The IBC 2009 defines it as: “Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.” That is not the same as use (material), which the IBC 2009 defines as “Placing a material into action, including solids, liquids and gases.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted. --- - Continue in Harth (open this topic in the Harth agent): https://app.harth.build/agent?context=%2Fresources%2Fglossary%2Fuse-material%2F - View this page in a browser: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/use-material/ - All resources for agents: https://harth.build/llms.txt