Tag: codes

Every building in New York City must meet certain safety, usability, and aesthetic requirements, and these are detailed in the NYC building code. Every phase of construction and renovation is governed by these rules. In addition, there are rules that preside over the overall appearance of a structure, such as which colors and building styles can be used in certain areas.

During construction or renovation, it will be necessary for a city employee to examine the building at various stages during the project, in order to ensure that all rules within the NYC building code are being followed. The project’s contractor must grant access to the site, regardless of whether it is a commercial or a residential structure. If any problems are found, work on other areas of the building may be delayed until the problem is fixed.

Those who own their own homes are not immune from compliance with the NYC building code, either. If one chooses to do a project within a home, even if it is minor and out of view, it may be necessary to obtain a building permit and allow the work to be inspected as it progresses. Failing to obtain the proper permits for the work can result in stiff fines for the homeowner, not to mention an unsafe house, if something was done wrong.

While the structure of the building is the central focus, the NYC building code also covers a wide variety of other issues, as well. Entrances to commercial buildings, for instance, must be accessible with a wheel chair. Air conditioning and ventilation systems must meet certain acoustic requirements. In addition to these examples, the NYC building code has many other special requirements that apply only to certain buildings, such as those that are in historic areas.

Though there are many different rules within the pages of the NYC building code, it is important to be familiar with them, not only for safety reasons, but also because non-compliance with the codes can be quite expensive.

The San Francisco Building Codes are amendments to the California Building Standards Codes.  Recently, the San Francisco building code has added provisions for ecologically friendly standards for commercial and private developers.  So far, Boston Massachusetts has been the only city in the United States thus far to set such rigorously environmentally friendly standards on private developers.  This San Francisco building code addendum is looking to improve energy use and water consumption and the quality of the interior space we ask people to live in and make efforts to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.  In 2004, the supervisors for the San Francisco building code approved an ordinance requiring all new municipal construction and major renovation projects to adhere to standards called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The United States Green Building Council, a nonprofit group of building industry leaders that promotes ecologically friendly building, developed the LEED certification system.  San Francisco expedites permits for developers who obey LEED requirements.

As a whole, the purpose of the San Francisco building code is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the quality and ways in which buildings are built, destroyed, maintained, occupied, and used.  As a result, electrical equipment, wiring and systems in or on any building or structure moved into or within the city and county of San Francisco as well as mechanical and plumbing equipment must all adhere to strict codes as prescribed in the 2001 revision of the California building codes. 

Because California is known for its’ frequency of earthquakes, little can be done and little has been done to reinvent the San Francisco building code to reflect improvements on buildings to resist earthquake damage because realistically, no building is earthquake proof and will always suffer damage.  The goal of the San Francisco building code is to protect the lives inside the buildings while minimizing damage.

City Department of Building and Safety

The city of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety is responsible for more than 43,000 building code enforcement cases every year.  This department is not only in charge of the Los Angeles building code but many other residential and commercial building matters.  Everything from Los Angeles building code complaint resolution to security bars and sign enforcement is handled by the Department of Building and Safety.  Many of the functions performed by this department of the city are accomplished in conjunction with other city agencies.  The “Slumlords Task Force” and the “Pro-Active Code Enforcement” programs are handled in combination with the City Attorney’s Office and a number of other city agencies. 

Main Responsibilities

Of course, the main function of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety is to review construction plans for complacency to the Los Angeles building codes and performing inspections to make sure these codes are met properly.  The Los Angeles building codes are in place to ensure the safety and appropriate appearance of the city.  Economic stability is also achieved using the Los Angeles building codes by fair and equitable land use regulations.  The Los Angeles building codes cover a number of topics other than direct construction plans review including fence specifications, board up or barricade regulations, vacant property abatement and trespassing.

Many Other Responsibilities

The Department of Building and Safety is responsible for more than just the standard Los Angeles building codes.  The “Annual Inspection Monitoring” program, also known as the AIM program, requires the inspection of all auto repair and dismantling facilities, junk yards, used car lots, storage yards, cargo containers and recycling centers every year for building and land use ordinance violations.  Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and/or revocation of their Certificates of Occupancy.  This is but one of the tasks delegated to the Department of Building and Safety. These responsibilities are extensive and varied but necessary to keep the city beautiful.

The South Florida building code covers the southernmost parts of the state of Florida including Broward and Miami-Dade County.  Although the South Florida building code has been amended frequently to uphold the environmental and energy-efficient standards of today’s building economy, many of the initial properties of the South Florida building code are still relevant.

The South Florida building code was last completely renovated in 2004 with subsequent supplemental amendments the last being effective October 1st, 2007.  The 2004 South Florida building code and the 2007 supplemental amendments outline provisions and requirements for safe building and prevention of unlicensed building.  Some of these provisions include:  new requirements for retrofitting single-family roofs being replaced as part of the hurricane mitigation requirements, contractors holding county certifications must also be registered with the state of Florida Department of Business and Professional Registration, and a requirement that carbon monoxide detectors are to be installed in all sleeping areas of residential occupancies. 

The state of Florida acknowledges the leading cause of death for young children and medically frail elderly residents is drowning.  The recent code modifications also require that all residences with new swimming pools must be equipped with at least one preventative pool safety feature.  Those recommended by the legislature are most commonly are barriers, locked fencing, or enclosures.  Any doors or windows that allow direct access from a residence to the pool must also be equipped with self-closing, self-latching devices with release mechanisms.  Anyone found to be in violation of the code modifications for new swimming pools will be charged with a misdemeanor or incur higher penalties if a submersion incident occurs due to lack of safety precautions. 

The code modifications also detail procedures for identifying and reporting illegally licensed contractors.  Residents who have hired a contractor identified by the state of Florida or that suspect their contractor is illegally licensed are urged to call the answer center to report their suspicions.

When a person is dealing with any kind of real estate in the city of New York, whether it is residential or commercial, it is a good idea to be familiar with the New York City building code, or to hire someone who is. There are many different rules and regulations that must be followed when building a new structure, renovating an older structure, renting a housing unit, or simply residing in a home. Failure to comply with these statues can be prove inconvenient at the best, or very expensive at the worst.

During new construction projects, the entire process will be governed by the New York City building code. From breaking ground to the finishing details, there will be a city inspector involved with the project to ensure that the progress satisfies all of the applicable city codes. If a builder is not familiar with the code, and makes a mistake, the results can be expensive. The inspector has the power to order mistakes fixed, he has the power to stop a job if the contractor will not comply, and, finally, fines could even be levied against the contractor.

Compliance with the New York City building code will be monitored by an inspector anytime a building is remodeled, as well, and there additional rules for these projects. For instance, when there are hazardous materials in an older structure, they will have to be removed during the renovation process. Any plumbing, heating, and electrical systems that are not up to code, even if they were according to an older code, will have to brought into compliance with modern standards.

Before renting out an apartment, the New York City building code dictates that the unit must first be inspected for safety and compliance with codes. Any problems must be fixed before a rental certificate is granted. Finally, a person who owns a home will also have to examine the rules before any large repairs are made. The New York City building code is designed to ensure that all buildings meet certain safety requirements, so it is advisable that it be followed as closely as possible.

The provisions of the Georgia building codeapply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure.  Amendments to the 2007 Georgia building code included a definition for an elevator door protecting device which is device that either independently or in conjunction with the elevator door assembly allows the device to meet the prescribed Georgia building coderequirements.  The amendments also clarify the regulations for the storage and handling of propane, butane, propylene, and butylenes by liquefied petroleum gas-distribution facilities and revised the mixed use and occupancy guidelines for separation.  Elevator shaft enclosures, dumbwaiters, and other hoistaways are required to be built under current fire code regulations and that elevator lobbies opening onto floors are required to be provided with fire-rated exit access corridors and elevator lobbies in high-rise buildings shall be provided with an elevator lobby at each floor with some noted exceptions.

The Georgia building code had also revised the automatic fire sprinkler system codes setting exceptions for Group R occupancies.  The chapter on accessibility was deleted without substitution and a new chapter on exterior walls and installation of wall coverings was added.  The roof assembly chapter was revised to read that metal roof fasteners must be secured to supports as prescribed by the approved manufacturer’s fasteners or by the approved substitutions in lieu of a manufacturer recommendation. 

The Georgia building code also made revisions to the special inspections chapter putting responsibility on the owner or constructor of the building to employ special inspectors as needed to comply with building codes and a new table for minimum qualifications of special inspectors has been added.  inspections are not required for buildings unless the design involves the practice of professional engineering or architecture as defined by applicable state statutes and regulations within the Georgia building code.

If you are in the industry of construction, contracting, or home inspection you are sure to know the building code of the state you are working in. It’s common sense for workers in these field to know the Indiana building code in and out if they work in that state, but some folks who are looking to get into the field might not be so savvy. Learning the building code of a particular area can be the toughest part of a job working on homes. You may know a trade like roofing or have home inspection training, but if you don’t know the particulars of the law it’s easy to make a mistake. Some of the more tricky parts of the Indiana building code for example are keeping track of amendments and figuring out the particular of the laws.

It’s best to have a copy of the building codes to study over yourself if you plan on becoming a professional dealing with homes in Indiana. Even established workers usually keep a copy of the code on their bookshelf and use it as a reference when particularly tricky questions come up. Having the code around isn’t always enough to work with it effectively. It is best to study the Indiana building code extensively before taking on a job in the field so that you’re not back peddling when an issue comes up.

Always be sure to have the most recent building code handy. Oftentimes the building code changes over the years as amendments are added and wording is changed to reflect changes in the field and in safety regulations. What was once considered safe is not always safe by modern standards. Making sure a building fits the modern Indiana building code is an important part of the home inspection industry and if you don’t have a firm grasp of the most up to date code, you could be left behind.

The Kentucky building code2006 International  Building Codethe International Code Council, Inc., changed in some places to suit the needs of the specific Kentucky code.  The Kentucky building code provides minimum standards to ensure public safety, health, and welfare as they are affected by building construction and to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the occupancy of buildings, structures or premises.  The Kentucky building code is a statewide uniform building code and is mandatory for use by all local governments. 

One of the more interesting clauses in the Kentucky building code is the special religious group use where the religious group can appeal to the commonwealth of Kentucky if a clause or amendment of the Kentucky building code is in direct conflict with the groups religious beliefs.  If the group can attest that they are in deed requesting the waiver for religious means and not for economical, aesthetic, or convenience reasons and it does not impede upon the safety of occupants and surrounding residents, then a committee will consider the waiver. 

As with most state building codes, the Kentucky building code outlines mechanical, plumbing, fire, energy, and electrical codes to be strictly adhered to the state building code with regard to single and two-family dwellings as well as temporary buildings, commercial and church buildings.  The Kentucky building code also outlines the approval of work permits, stop work orders and appeals, unlawful or unsafe structural conditions and penalties for illegal contractors and unapproved structures and additions.  Use and occupancy requirements are detailed for establishments such as bed and breakfasts, local and state jails, day care centers, with special provisions for day cares with licensed after school programs.   Day care facilities are also to have locks on all doors with comprehensive emergency exit strategies, appliance safety, corridor length, interior finish and fire protective signaling systems.

Who is Responsibly for the Building Code?

All construction and renovation projects in the state of Massachusetts are governed by the Massachusetts State building code.  The Board of Building Regulations and Standards administers the Massachusetts State building code. This is an eleven-member board that derives authority from the State of Massachusetts.  The eleven members of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards also comprise the Building Code Appeals Board for the purpose of deciding appeals and interpreting the Massachusetts State building code. The Board of Building Regulations and Standards also deals with the education and certification of local building officials.

What does the Building Code Regulate?

All contractors must be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor and/or licensed as a Construction Supervisor, depending upon the type of work to be done, prior to the start of any work.  A complaint can be reported to the Board of Building Regulations and Standards regarding any Home Improvement Contractor, Construction Supervisor or local building official for noncompliance to the Massachusetts State building code or other regulation. 

Operating without a certificate of registration issued by the department, abandoning or not completing a contract without justification, changing building plans or materials without owner approval or failing to pay for services and/or materials supplied by a subcontractor are just a few examples of violations of the Massachusetts State building code and can be the basis for a complaint. Some other violations of the Massachusetts State building code include offering to obtain or negotiate a mortgage on behalf of a mortgage lender, advertising without declaring a valid contractor registration number or knowingly making any misrepresentations or false promises in order to procure a contract.  

What Does the Building Code Require for a Building Permit?

The minimum construction documents, according to the Massachusetts State building code, required to obtain a building permit include a site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, framing plans, exterior elevations, constructions schedules, fire protection locations and energy conservation plans.  Of course, other documents might be required depending upon the size, type and location of the construction project.

When a construction project is started in Massachusetts, the general contractor must pay close attention to the Massachusetts. building code. From the beginning of a project to the very end, this set of general rules governs the entire process. There is a set of codes for the digging of the foundation, the style of the framing, the electrical system, the plumbing, the heating, and the roof.

Failure to comply with the Massachusetts building code will result in a major headache for the builder. First, work can be stopped completely by an inspector who is unhappy with the job. This causes money to be wasted until work can start again. Second, the cost of fixing any breeches of the code can be expensive, and no one likes to do a job twice. Finally, if a problem is not fixed, there is a possibility that the inspecting authority could levy fines, until the mistake is fixed. For a smooth job, and the most profit possible, it is advisable to become familiar with both the state and local codes.

There are many resources available that can help a person learn about the Mass building code. Contacting the state office that governs the codes is a good place to start. For more in-depth study, there are many books available that explain the codes, though they may very technical. In addition, there is the option of taking classes at a local school to learn the details and nuances of the Mass building code, as well as various other resources, depending on location.

Many builders who have worked in Massachusetts for a while may know most of the Mass building code, but as new laws are passed, some of the details of individual rules may change. The same resources can be used to learn about changes to the code, as well. A good familiarity with the Mass building code will help to ensure that a project will finish on time and on budget.