Chapter 1 About the Codes

History

• Code of Hammurabi, Babylonia, 1700’s BC (structural codes)• 1625: first building code in US in New Amsterdam (NY)

which governed roof covering requirements to prevent fires from chimney sparks

• 1800’s: large amounts of building fires caused large cities to develop their own municipal codes (some still in existence!)

• Mid 1800’s: National Board of Fire Underwriters: 1905 National Building Code (lead to current code model)

• Federal government created regulations• Standards-writing organizations and trade associations

created standards

Codes / Regulations / Standards

• Building Codes = Address construction requirements of an entire building & place restrictions on hazardous materials within the building. Purpose is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the people using the building.

• Federal Regulations = Federal laws for building construction, published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations.

• Standards = A specification developed by trade regulations, government agencies & standards-writing organizations. Have no legal standing alone, but they are typically referenced by a code, which makes it a requirement.

Codes

• Two main organizations:

– ICC: International Code Council (I-Codes)• IBC: International Building Code

– NFPA: National Fire Protection Association (C3-Codes)• NFPA 5000: Building Construction and Safety Code

Code Comparison

Federal Regulations

• ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

• FHA: Fair Housing Act– Enforced by HUD: Housing and Urban

Development

• EPAct: Energy Policy Act– Promotes energy efficiency and conservation

Standards Organizations• NFPA: National Fire Protection Association

– Mostly geared toward fire protection, and are referenced by all NFPA codes and many by ICC codes

– Remember, NFPA also publishes a full set of codes• ANSI: American National Standards Institute

– Typically approves standards developed by other organizations– Most popular one for ID: ANSI A117.1: Standard on Accessible and Usable

Buildings and Facilities• ASTM International: American Society for Testing Materials

– Standard-writing organization – does not test– Used to specify materials assure quality, etc, divided into 15 categories

• ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers– Develops standards and sponsors research for HVAC performance levels

• UL: Underwriters Laboratories– Primarily a testing agency that approves products

Summary• In addition to building codes, federal regulations and standards, there are

also local codes to comply with!

• Referencing an interior codes and standards checklist will help you remember all of the applicable codes (one chart is in your textbook)

• This class will teach you HOW to use your textbook and other resources to apply the necessary codes/regulations/standards for all of your projects in school and beyond.

• For next class: read chapter 2 (if you haven’t already) and chapter 3, as well as pages 125-138 of chapter 4. Be ready to discuss/practice occupancy classifications, building types, and means of egress.