Residential Construction Unit 1 Mr. Todzia

 Definition-Legal requirements designed to protect the public by providing guidelines for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical areas of a structure.  Different types of codes are used to control the design and construction of buildings  Governmental laws are imposed on the design and construction of a building through the use of codes.

 Building codes are a collection of laws to ensure that minimum building standards are met.  Codes are enacted to safeguard: 1. Life 2. Health 3. Property 4. Public Welfare

 Building Codes include information relating to: 1. Building Permits 2. Fees 3. Inspections 4. Zoning 5. Drawings 6. Legal Documents required for approval

 Zoning Codes  Structural Codes  Restrictive Codes  Site-Related Codes  Safety and Health Codes  Model Codes

 Zoning Codes define and restrict the occupancy and use of buildings  Zoning codes may also prescribe the type, style, and location of structures on a site

 Structural Codes deal with the loading capacity of materials and the structural integrity of the building  They deal with items such as:  Excavations  Foundations  Floors  Roofs  Stairs  Bearing Wall Construction

 There are two types of Structural Codes  Performance-Oriented Codes  Specification-Type Codes

 They establish and enforce safety and performance requirements of the finished building such as  Hand rails  Outlet covers  Working appliances

 Very specific requirements for the use and location of materials and methods of construction, such as:  Walls must be constructed of 2X6  Floor joist must be 2X10 or equivalent  Must have 2X10 window and door headers in load bearing walls.  Sheathing  Roofing  Foundations  Footings

 The maximum permissible loads for each type of structure  Sizes of structural members that Support various loads

 Structural Codes not only provide for the support of all weight in a vertical direction, but also allow for all possible horizontal loads such as:  Wind  Earthquakes

 These codes specify materials, processes, sizes, and locations of building materials that are prohibited.  These restrictions are imposed because of potential structural or environmental problems. What is the material in the pictures?

 These codes relate to the building site.  They include:  Specifications on soil percolation  Soil Support capabilities  Test boring  Water Runoff

 Other Site-Related Codes cover environmental topics such as:  Endangered species habitats  Wetland protection  Zoning Density  Location and size of building  Setbacks  Driveways  Road right-of-ways

 These codes deal with personal and public safety such as:  Electrical Hazards  Swimming Pool Enclosures  Elevators  Number and Sizes of Exits  Air and Water Pollution  Health and Disease Prevention

 Fire Protections Codes are a subcategory of Safety and Health Codes and include items such as:  Treatment of Materials  Building Material Size  Sprinkler Systems  Escape Routes  Site Security  Functioning of Alarm Systems

 Model Building Codes provide local authorities with a consistent and current source of code information  These codes are designed to be used as a base or a guide from which local codes can be developed.

 Some examples are:  NBC- National Building Code  BOCA- Building Official Code Administration  IRC- International Residential Code  There are also individual Model Codes for Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing

 Building Codes are extremely strict in stipulating location, traffic patterns, and structural integrity of public buildings.  Facilities, mainly industrial, such as garages and factories have rigid codes because of the possible presence of Hazardous Materials.  These facilities also have to meet the strict codes of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

 Codes are enforced through series of legal controls such as:  Building Permits  Notice of Commencement  Inspections  Certificate of Occupancy

 Before Building Permits are awarded:  Plans must contain the seal of a licensed Architect.  On larger projects you must have:  Seal of a licensed Landscape Architect  Plot plans must be registered with the local municipality and must contain the seal of a licensed surveyor  Must use licensed subcontractors