7 Building Construction and the Environment ICC iccsafe.org International Code Council HUD hud.gov Dept of Housing and Urban Development FHA fha.gov Federal Housing Administration VA va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs

Plans and Specifications AIA aia.org American Institute of Architects NIL homeinnovation.com National Innovation Research Labs is an organization that works with government agencies and other groups to develop construction specifications, such as the National Green Building Standard

Building Measurement Appraiser should always State basis for measurement Verify all measurements personally Use same standard for all measurements in multiunit building Gross living area Gross building area Gross leasable area

House Styles Traditional Mediterranean Cape Cod Victorian Farm house Georgian Contemporary

House Types One-story One and one-half story Two-story Split-level Split-entry Factory-built

Factory-Built Houses Manufactured house Modular house Panelized house Precut house

Locating the House on the Site Orientation Topography Southern Exposure View Division of Outdoor Space Public zone Service zone Private zone

House plans Floor plan shows each floor level, including exterior and interior walls, windows, doors, closets, fixtures, cabinetry, appliances, plumbing fixtures, fireplaces Architectural or building plan is drawn to scale, showing exact placement of building components Landscaping plan shows separate structures, as well as trees, shrubbery, planting beds

Construction Details Foundations Concrete slab—monolithic or floating Pier and beam Termite protection Radon—colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas occurring from natural breakdown of uranium Information: epa.gov/radon

Construction Details Exterior structural walls and framing Platform frame Balloon frame Post and beam frame Masonry veneer versus solid brick Insulation—R-value Rock wool Fiberglass Asbestos and urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) are no longer used because they are health hazards

Construction Details Roof framing Roof covering and exterior trim Exterior windows and doors Types of windows Sliding, swinging, fixed Storm windows Skylights Energy-efficient windows

Construction Details Types of doors Flush doors Panel doors Sliding glass doors Storm and screen doors Interior walls and finishing Paint, wallpaper, ceramic, granite, marble, glass, concrete, manufactured stone, and other materials

Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 Applies to sellers and landlords of residential property Real estate agents must inform seller or landlord, make sure that buyer or renter has received necessary documentation, and retain signed statements for three years. Environmental Protection Agency is in charge of compliance www2.epa.gov/lead National Lead Information Center 800-424-5323

Construction Details Plumbing systems Water supply system Drainage system Vent piping system Waste collecting system House connection pipe system Fixtures Water heater

Construction Details Heating and air-conditioning Heating system output is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) Solar heating can be active or passive Bacteria, fungi, and molds in air ducts, air-conditioners, heating units, and between wallboards and drywall, can cause disease, allergic reactions, and respiratory illness.

Construction Details Electrical system must meet National Electrical Code (NEC) safety requirements Power requirements Electromagnetic fields Green building Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council