What are Building Codes?
Building codes are a set of rules that must be followed to satisfy the minimum acceptable levels of safety for buildings and non-building structures. The objective of these guidelines is to ensure the health, safety and protection of the public when it comes to the construction and occupancy of buildings. Building codes are determined by appropriate authorities in different areas and may vary widely from country to country.
Many countries have national building codes, developed by government agencies and applied to all building and construction work across the country. Many local jurisdictions have developed their own specific codes. In America, New York and Chicago are the only two cities to use their own city-specific guidelines.
Building codes are usually applied to the engineers and architects designing the building. They also serve as guidelines for safety inspectors. Others who use them include manufacturers of building material, insurance companies, real estate developers and tenants.
These rules stipulate details of the construction and maintenance of a building or construction. These include fire safety rules: safety exits in buildings, limitations regarding how far a fire should spread and the provision of adequate fire fighting equipment. There are also structural rules; buildings need to be strong enough to resist internal and external forces without collapsing. Building codes also cover health stipulations such as adequate air circulation, washrooms and plumbing facilities.
Additionally, building codes can makes sure that proper noise limitations are set in place to protect occupants from noise pollution through walls and windows. There may also be special provisions to ensure that disabled people have proper access to and throughout the property. Anyone who builds a construction and fails to adhere to the proper building codes is liable to very severe penalties.
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![The Chicago skyline displays several tall buildings.]()
By: kenelambThe Chicago skyline displays several tall buildings. -
![Architects must adhere to building codes when designing buildings.]()
By: goodluzArchitects must adhere to building codes when designing buildings. -
![Building restrictions may place limitations upon the size and use of a building.]()
By: pds209Building restrictions may place limitations upon the size and use of a building. -
![Chicago uses its own city-specific building guidelines for new developments.]()
By: andreykrChicago uses its own city-specific building guidelines for new developments. -
![Building codes dictate the environmental conditions that must be maintained in a structure.]()
By: Johan LarsonBuilding codes dictate the environmental conditions that must be maintained in a structure. -
![Facilities engineers must be familiar with regional building and safety codes as well as design best practices.]()
By: KadmyFacilities engineers must be familiar with regional building and safety codes as well as design best practices. -
![Building codes stipulate details of the construction and maintenance of a building.]()
By: Sam SpiroBuilding codes stipulate details of the construction and maintenance of a building. -
![A code inspector may be responsible for ensuring that all structures in a community are constructed according to current building code standards for safety.]()
By: leekrisA code inspector may be responsible for ensuring that all structures in a community are constructed according to current building code standards for safety.
Discussion Comments
In Manila, just bribe the building officials. You can do anything you want for the right price.
In a lot of parts of the United States, there are little to no building codes when you get outside of the city limits. Building in the country, then, is a good way to get around a lot of codes.
One has to wonder, however, whether that's a good thing. Sure, it's great that property owners have more freedom to use their land as they see fit, but are there some hazards inherent in that system?
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