Chapter 1

The government establishes requirements and standards to protect people from unsafe living and working conditions.

This chapter outlines the most recognized codes, laws and standards organizations.

Not all of the codes, standards and regulations you read about will be enforced in every code jurisdiction.

The local jurisdiction will decide which code and publication to use.

Some standards my not be required, but you might want to follow them to meet Health, Safety and Welfare concerns.

Federal regulations are the only regulations that are consistent in every jurisdiction. They are mandatory because they are the law.

Keep in Mind....

In 1800 B.C. the Amorite king, Hammurabi, took the throne of the new Babylonian dynasty. Immediately he began to expand his new empire to eventually include Assyria and northern Syria. Hammurabi was a great military leader and lawgiver. In the first year of his reign Hammurabi fulfilled a promise to the Babylonian god Marduk and established an extensive law system which encompassed nearly every area of ancient life..

The Code of Hammurabi is a black diorite stone, seven and a half feet in height and six feet in circumference. It was discovered by J. De Morgan and V. Scheil during their excavations at Susa, the Edomite capital, in 1901-2. The fifty-one columns of cuneiform text was written in the Akkadian (Semitic) language. The top of the stele has an engraved picture of Shamash, the sun god, seated on a throne handing a scepter and ring to Hammurabi. This is to symbolize the divine origin of the great code of laws which king Hammurabi received. This picture would reinforce the motivation for keeping these laws.

The document was over 300 paragraphs long and included sections on social, moral, religious, commercial and civil law. Kings of the day would post large monuments listing their laws with an accompanying statue carving of themselves to identify the law with the king. Hammurabi was no different in this practice. There were many copies of this law erected throughout the kingdom. Usually in the temples dedicated to the local gods. It now resides in the Louve, in

Paris.

The code of Hammurabi made the builder accountable for the houses he built. If one of his buildings fell down and killed someone, the builder would be put to death.

First on record was in 1625 in what was know as New Amsterdam (New York).

Addressed fire prevention and governed the types of roofing materials that could be used to protect from chimney sparks.

Chicago fire of 1871 caused many large cities to create their own municipal building codes.

1905 National Building Code, helped create the three original model codes

1973, congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Act and formed the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It’s goal is to prevent the necessity of federal regulations by encouraging industry self-regulation and standardization. This created a number of new standards-writing organizations not affiliated with the federal government. (NFPA, ANSI)

What are codes: A collection of regulations, ordinances, and

other statutory requirements put together by various organizations. Once adopted by each jurisdiction, they become law. They are enforced on a local level and sometimes state level.

They provide for a minimum level of performance, adequate standards of practice and uniformity of workmanship.

Ensure public health and safety throughout a building. Most have come into play “after-the-fact” as a learning

experience from a major tragedy. They are primarily concerned witho Construction requirementso Hazardous materials or equipment used in the buildingo 75% of all codes and standards deal with fireo Energy conservationo Accessibility

National Building Code (NBC) published by BOCA (Building Officials Code Administration

Standard Building Code (SBC) published by Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI)

Uniform Building Code (UBC) published by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)

Published by the International Code Council First established in 1994 and published in 2000.

Most current edition is 2012 with a new edition

expected in 2015. Legacy codes are no longer being updated.

IBC is updated every 3 years. Some MS Jurisdictions adopted the code in

2003. This code has now replaced the three model

codes.

At the start of every project, what code and which edition of the code is being enforced in the jurisdiction of your project.

California: earthquakes Northern states: freezing temperatures South: hurricanes, tornados The IBC has incorporated these differences

into one manual.

Common Code Format (page 13) Started in 1994 Organizes each of the codes into a similar

format to include (See table, page 17)o Chapter titleso Chapter contento Sequence of chapters

Life Safety Codes are organized by occupancy classification

Tells you the precise requirements such as the height of a handrail

Most existing codes are prescriptive Performance based codes will not replace

prescriptive codes. They will only apply to a part of a project.

New to the IBC In the past, codes were typically

very descriptive, indicating a precise requirement.

The code will specify the goal that should be met but not provide a specific description as to how that must be achieved. This allows for more creative design solutions

ICC and NFPA now include fire codes. IFC International Fire Code UFC Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1 ®) These address building conditions in relation to

hazardous conditions that could cause a fire or explosion.

Designers will address chapters on:o Means of Egresso Interior Finisheso Furnishing and Decorative Materials

One of the first codes published by NFPA. Revised every 3 years 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012 versions It is NOT a building code. It focuses on removal or

evacuation of all persons from a building by protecting them from fire, smoke and toxic fumes.

Uses the Manual Style Format. First section concentrates on broad topics, description of occupancies, means of egress and fire protection

Second part is divided into chapters by occupancy type for new and existing buildings

Most widely used fire code 43 states adopted statewide - some jurisdictions in

all states. Some cities and states have stricter fire codes:

Boston, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York

Verify with your jurisdiction which Fire Codes are required and the edition that is currently adopted.

In the past, all three codes had their own plumbing code

International Plumbing Code (IPC) is updated every 3 years

When designing an interior, you may refer to this code to help determine the number of fixtures required for your project.

Now a part of the International Mechanical Code (IMC)

As a designer, you will rarely refer to this code

National Electrical Code (NEC) Most widely used Published by NFPA Latest edition is 2005, 2008 and 2011 You will rarely refer to this code

Both ICC and NFPA have energy conservation codes

ICC: International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) (2009)

NFPA: NFPA 900 Building Energy Code (BEC) All states must have energy codes in place that

are at least as strict as the 2004 edition of IECC.

Sustainability Codes

Fairly new concept in the US These codes focus on how the building affects the

environment Some energy codes address sustainability Some plumbing codes address water-efficiency Some states require rating systems such as LEED. California was the first state to develop a

comprehensive sustainability code - California Green Building Standards Code (CGBSC)

ICC has developed the International Green Construction Code (IGCC)

International Residential Code (IRC) First available in 1998 Based on the former One-and Two-

Family Dwelling Code More current editions are 2006, 2009,and

2012 Applies to construction of single family,

duplex and townhouses

The building codes and the Life Safety Code (LSC) dedicates an entire chapter to existing buildings.

2009, ICC published most current edition Verify if the IEBC (International Existing

Building Code) is adopted in your jurisdiction.

A number of federal agencies and departments work with trade associations, private companies and the general public to develop federal laws for building construction

These regulations are published in the Federal Register (FR) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Published daily, but not all rules are enforceable laws

Once they have been passed into law, they are published in the CFR annually.

The federal government regulates its own buildings.

Federal buildings have their own regulations and do not use state or model codes. (VA hospitals, military bases, etc)

They can pass federal legislation creating a law that supersedes all other state and local codes and standards. The ADA is an example.

Developed by the Dept. of Justice 4-part federal legislation become law on

July 26th, 1990. Enforceable in 1992 and 1993.

Is a comprehensive civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities in the area of

o Employment (Title 1)o State and Local gov’t services and

transportation (Title II)o Public accommodations and commercial

facilities (Title III)o Telecommunications (Title IV)

Any facility that offers public accommodation such as commercial facilities as well as business that offer food, merchandise or services to the public must follow this regulation

It is published in the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)

ANSI A117.1 is another accessibility guideline (see page 32) ADA may not be the only accessibility guidelines you have to follow.

Federal legislation enforced by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Protects the consumer from discrimination in housing when buying or renting

Pertains to housing with four or more dwelling units As of 1991, these buildings must have accessible public

and common areas and ground floor units must be accessible and meet specific construction requirements.

The FHA is often considered the residential version of the ADA.

OSHA Passed in 1970 to protect the American

employee in the work place. It regulates the design of buildings and interior

projects where people are employed. Employer must furnish a safe working

environment or can be fined. It also stresses the safe installation of materials

and equipment to ensure the safety of construction workers.

A standard is a definition, a recommended practice, a test method, a classification, or a required specification that must be met.

They have no legal standing until they become referenced in a code which is adopted by a jurisdiction.

Many are developed by independent standards-writing organizations

Some are developed by government agencies

Trade associations

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

American National Standards Institute American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Business and Institutional Furniture

Manufacturers Association (BIFMA)

American National Standards Institute is a private corporation founded in 1918.

Coordinates voluntary standards. Does not develop standards, but rather

approves the standards developed by other organizations

Most common standard for designers is ANSI A117.1

One of the largest standards organizations

Develops a wide variety of standards for fire protection.

They test textiles to fire fighting equipment to means of egress design

Many of the standards are referenced in the LSC and the NEC

ie: NFPA 701

American Society for Testing and Materials was formed in 1898 as a nonprofit corporation

In 2002 became know as ASTM International

Oversees the development of standards but does not actually perform the tests.

These standards are used to help specify materials and assure quality

ASTM E-84 (Steiner Tunnel Test)

A testing agency that approves products such as building materials, upholstered furniture (systems furniture), electrical products

Approved products will carry the UL mark

Codes set the minimum criteria. You can follow stricter requirements at any time.

They are not always perfectly clear. When two requirements are similar, go with the strictest requirement

Not all of them will apply to every design situation.

Work with the code official to resolve discrepancies.