Which code is commonly used in the United States for wind load provisions?

• A. IBC
• B. ASCE 7
• C. NFPA 70
• D. AASHTO

Answer: (B)

Wind load provisions in United States design practice come from ASCE 7. This standard specifies how to calculate design wind pressures on buildings and other structures, covering basic wind speed, exposure category, height, topography, importance factor, and the pressure coefficients used for walls and roofs. Engineers use these wind pressures directly in design calculations, and the IBC or other adopted building codes require compliance with the wind provisions of ASCE 7. The other codes serve different purposes: NFPA 70 is the electrical code, AASHTO governs highway and bridge design, and while the IBC references wind loads, the explicit wind-load rules are defined in ASCE 7.