Building code
From Free net encyclopedia
A building code is a set of laws that specify how buildings should be constructed. This is generally considered the minimum acceptable level of safety for a new building in a jurisdiction. Building codes are generally intended to be applied by architects and engineers. There are often other codes or sections of the building code that have more prescriptive requirements that apply to housing (one and two family dwellings).
In some countries the building codes are National Codes and apply across the country. In other countries the laws are adopted at a municipal or subnational entities level. In these cases a model building code system is usually used. In other cases jurisdictions may adopt national or model codes from another jurisdiction. For example in the United States local governing bodies such as counties or cities often include the National Electrical Code in their local building codes by reference along with any local differences. Because of copyright law one must obtain both the local codes and any model codes they adopt separately.
Building codes generally include:
- Structural safety: buildings should be strong enough to resist internally and externally applied forces without collapsing;
- Fire safety: includes requirements to prevent the fire spread to/from neighbours, provide warning of occupants, and safe exiting of building, limitation on fire spread, and provisions for fire suppression/fire fighting;
- Health requirements: adequate washrooms, adequate air circulation, and plumbing materials.
Some building codes sometimes include requirements for:
- Noise mitigation to protect building occupants from noise pollution (see Noise regulation)
- Accessibility: requirements to ensure that a building is accessible for persons in wheelchairs or having other disabilities.
Building codes generally do not include:
- Aesthetics: Any regulation of the aesthetics of buildings are usually included in zoning by-laws;
- Traffic convenience: Limitations on traffic flow are usually either in zoning or other municipal by-laws;
- Building Use: the safe use of a building is generally in the Fire Code; or
- Required upgrades for existing building: unless the building is being renovated the building code usually does not apply.
Building codes include:
- specifications on components;
- allowable installation methodologies;
- minimum and maximum room and exit sizes and location;
- qualification of individuals or corporations doing the work.
Any high structure can be an obstacle for aircraft, and must therefore often be marked.
These requirements are usually a combination of prescriptive requirements that spell out exactly how something is to be done, and performance requirements which just outline what the required level of performance is and leave it up to the designer how this is achieved. Historically they are very reactive in that when a problem occurs the building codes change to ensure that the problem never happens again. In recent years there has been a move amongst most of the building codes to move to more performance requirements and less prescriptive requirements.
Traditionally building codes were generally long complex interrelated sets of rules. They generally included reference to hundreds of other codes, standards and guidelines that specify the details of the component or system design, specify testing requirements for components, or outline good engineering practice. These detailed codes required a great deal of specialization to interpret, and also greatly constrained change and innovation in building design. In recent years several countries, beginning with Australia, have moved to much shorter objective based buildings codes. Rather than prescribing specific details, objective codes lists a series of objectives all buildings must meet while leaving open how these objectives will be met. When applying for a building permit the designers must demonstrate how they meet each objective.
History
Building codes have a long history. What is generally accepted as the first building code was in the Code of Hammurabi which specified:
- 229. If a builder build a house for some one, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.
- 230. If it kill the son of the owner the son of that builder shall be put to death.
- 231. If it kill a slave of the owner, then he shall pay slave for slave to the owner of the house.
- 232. If it ruin goods, he shall make compensation for all that has been ruined, and inasmuch as he did not construct properly this house which he built and it fell, he shall re-erect the house from his own means.
- 233. If a builder build a house for some one, even though he has not yet completed it; if then the walls seem toppling, the builder must make the walls solid from his own means.