MANAGING BUILDING CODES AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand purpose codes Understand basic codes Application of codes

CODE DEVELOPMENT What was the first code adopted and in what year?

Answer: The Code of Hammurabi Year BC

Basics of the code: Buyer of a new home will pay the builder two shekels (oz. of gold or silver) per sar (roughly 12 square ft.) If the house he built isn’t strong and falls in and kills the householder, the builder shall be slain. If it kills a child, the builders child will be slain.

If a slave is killed the builder shall give slave for slave. If goods are lost he shall replace all that has been destroyed and rebuild the house of his own material. Though are codes aren’t quite as harsh it shows civilization has tried to bring control over building safety.

Purpose of Codes? Building codes are a set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings and non-building structures. They are designed to protect public health, safety and welfare.

Types of Codes Building- Commercial or residential Electrical Plumbing Fire Mechanical Housing/Property Maintenance Codes ADA Fuel/Gas

Types of Codes (cont.) Energy Conservation Other

Code Development 1927 Uniform Building Code (UBC) 1940 Southern Building Code (SBC) 1950 Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) 1997 International Building Code 1996 International Property Maintenance Code

Authority A model building code has no legal status until it is adopted or adapted by government regulation.

Code Adoption Generally by ordinance New codes normally issued on 3 year cycle. Not unusual for cities to be using older codes.

Code Department Structure Building Official Administrative Support Plans Examiner Building Inspectors- May be by trade Property Maintenance Inspectors (Community Standards) Erosion Control Inspector

Essentials for a Well Managed Code Department Highly trained and certified staff Current codes Ability to build consensus with stake holders Strong codes appeal process Administrative support Consistent application of the codes

Common Sense

Reasons for Codes

Questions