The underappreciated heroes of good home construction are the building codes and regulations. Although not the most exciting part of putting up a house, these codes and regulations are absolutely necessary in ensuring the safety and soundness of your new home for the long term. Homeowners often have their first contact with the building code when they apply for a permit to construct or renovate their house. But what you may not know is that the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has been the nation’s leader in creating what are now model codes for most of the past century.
What are Building Codes and Regulations?
- The term “building code” refers to a very broad category of rules and regulations. The most fundamental of all the different forms of code, it is akin to law. Its provisions govern the design, erection, and alteration of structures. Such provisions come into play both in direct contact with clients and in much broader professional contexts. Codes of this sort have been developed by many different types of social organizations and various governmental bodies.
- The code is what mandates the minimum requirements for the components of a built structure. These components include the building’s foundation, its frame, any load-bearing walls, and other necessary elements. A building, being a structure called upon both to support its loads and to resist harmful effects (such as wind and earthquakes) that might cause instability, must adhere to these minimum requirements across any and every part of the structure.
- Fire safety is an extremely significant aspect of building codes and safety standards. They outline the materials (like fire-retardant textiles) and design features (like being less than 10 minutes’ travel from an exit) required to make our living, working, and gathering spaces safe from fire. Buildings should be designed so that when a fire occurs, that fire is contained to the area where it started. Elements like sprinkler systems, including effective wayfinding and clear communication, are part of building codes for fire safety and are enforced in many states and local jurisdictions.
Why Building Codes Matter:
The reasons for having building codes might seem obvious. They are there to protect life and health and to make sure that structures are not deathtraps. A building that collapses in a storm, with deaths and injuries that result from that, is a serious matter. Utility regulations with regard to energy conservation and structural integrity are the twin reasons for having building codes, although safety is the reason cited most often. Building codes have a significant relationship to resale value—the home built to code is the home more likely to be an attractive proposition to a homebuyer.
How Building Codes are Enforced:
- In most cases, the local or state government is responsible for enforcing building codes. The process usually happens in the following way:
- First, the homeowner or builder must apply for a permit to the local building department. Second, the construction plans are reviewed by the building department to make sure they meet the building codes. Third, the construction is inspected piece by piece, from the foundation to the final finishes. This process can span weeks, months, or even years. Finally, if all inspections are passed, then the building is issued some kind of certificate that allows people to live in or occupy the building.
Staying Up-to-Date with Building Codes:
Codes that regulate the construction of buildings are in a state of constant flux. They are continually updated to keep up with the rapid pace of change in materials and technologies and, in public spaces, to respond to the tragedies that sometimes befall the people who use buildings. Staying informed about the latest updates to these regulations ensures that the people who live and work in the buildings we design will be safe.
Conclusion:
Home construction stands on the bedrock of proper building codes and regulations. These ensure both the overall safety and the basic lifespan of the structure. The vast majority of building projects are inspected by code officials. They check plans, perform site visits, and verify that progress on a project is being done “up to code.” Should homebuilders engage in a construction practice that violates the code, they run the risk of what is known as a “void decision” in a particular court case, which can then be cited in subsequent cases when that same type of situation arises.
Note: Find construction information and good home building companies like Grit Build at https://gritbuild.net/
