1. 102nd Annual Conference of the IML September 19, 2015 Chicago IL

2. Negotiating the Building Code Maze

3. Richard A. Piccolo, President
Presenting Today:
Richard A. Piccolo, President
Building and Fire Code Academy, Inc
B & F Construction Code Services, Inc
Doug Jones, Building Inspection Supervisor
Village of Schaumburg, IL

4. History of Codes Why, How & When Codes Started
Protect health, welfare
and life safety
Hammurabi – King of Babylon c BC
Established builder liability
if house collapsed

5. History of Codes 1900s - People lived/worked in cities Structure fires
Expensive losses for owners and insurers
Building codes reduced the likelihood of fire & collapse

6. History Great Chicago Fire 1871 Iroquois Theater Fire 1903
Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire MA
Our Lady of Angels Fire 1958
Cook County Administration Building Fire 2003
The Station Nightclub Fire R.I

7. History Main Building Code Related Drivers
Protect structure under fire conditions
Entomb (“compartmentalize”) fire & extinguish
Provide safe passage & time to get out
Healthy, comfortable environment
Handicap Accessibility
Reactive to disasters
Now attempt to be proactive

8. History Main Building Code Related Drivers Safe electric systems
Energy efficient mechanical systems
Correct amount of plumbing fixtures
Safe drinking water installation
Properly installed sanitary system
Properly installed fire protection systems

9. What codes are mandatory? What do the codes regulate?
What are typical codes?
What codes are mandatory?
What do the codes regulate?

10. International Code Council (ICC)
IBC Building Code
(Commercial/Industrial/Institutional)
IMC Mechanical Code
IFC Fire Code
IECC Energy Conservation Code
IPC Plumbing Code
IRC Residential Code
(1 & 2 F Dwellings and Townhouses
< 3 stories above grade plane)

11. State of Illinois Codes
1997 Illinois Accessibility Code
2000 NFPA 101
2012 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (Based on International Energy Conservation Code)
2014 Illinois Plumbing Code

12. NFPA Codes and Standards
National Electric Code
Fire Alarm Code
Sprinkler Standard
Other fire related standards
Referenced from the other codes
Robert Wierzha starts from this slide

13. Electric Systems
Arc fault protection for most circuits in a single family homes
Safety covers over electric receptacles
GFCI protected receptacles permits

14. Residential Sprinklers
2009 International Residential
Code requires sprinklers in all
one (1) and two (2) family
dwellings and townhomes
3 stories or less
No changes to 2012 or 2015 IRC regarding residential sprinklers
May be amended out of code during adoption process

15. Evolution of Code Organizations
Legacy Code Organizations:
Building Officials & Code Administrators (BOCA)
International Council of Building Officials (ICBO)
Southern Building Code Congress (SBCC)
Began Integration Discussion Early 1990’s
Last BOCA edition
Inaugural International Building Code

16. Protect People, Property & Values
Without building & property maintenance codes, what would happen to:
Property values
Tourism
Insurance rates
Crime rates (Broken Windows Theory)
Quality of life in your city/town/village

17. Protect People, Property & Values
Building/Maintenance & Zoning Enforcement Officials are “First Preventers” and prevent disasters by abating hazards
Extraordinarily effective when teamed with Fire & Police – powerful synergy develops
Remove open, vacant vandalized buildings used for illegal activities. Improve area via orders to repair.

18. Protect People, Property & Values
Demonstrate to investors that officials are “in charge”
Will enforce codes so it is safe to invest
Will remove condemnable structures
Will remove opportunities for buildings to be used for illegal activities
Will bring full, complete code enforcement to such properties

19. Adoption of Codes By Municipality
Codes are only a list of rules until adopted by a municipality –
Then become law and enforceable
Municipalities typically adopt nationally recognized codes
Codes are adopted and amended by elected representatives of the people
Robert Wierzha starts from this slide

20. Adoption of Codes By Municipality
65 ILCS (Illinois Compiled Statutes) 5/
Requires Municipalities <1M pop to give 30 days notice to IL Building Commission before adoption/amendment of building code or zoning ordinance with construction activities
At least one copy of the adopted codes shall be on file in the office of the Public Clerk

21. Board of Appeals
Hears property owners’ appeals of Building Official’s determinations regarding the building code
Advises on the applicability of alternative materials and methods of construction
Considers electrical, plumbing and permitting issues
Rules on intent of code, not to waive the code

22. Board of Appeals (BOA) Comprised of five (5) people
Simple majority needed for ruling
Important, high responsibility
Hearing must be open to public
Fiduciary duty to uphold intent of code
Building Official is “ex officio” non-voting member of BOA

23. Fees Not regulated by codes Established by municipal ordinance
Building permits
Fines and penalties
Municipal citations
Starting work without a permit

24. Policies and Procedures
Not regulated by codes
Established by municipal ordinance
Written to meet local needs

25. Zoning Not regulated by building related codes Controls location of
building uses
Separate appeals board
Not to be confused with
Building Code

26. Amendments
Typical path for additions, insertions, deletions and changes to code adoption:
Building Official reviews and submits
Corporation Counsel reviews submittal
Council subcommittee review at public hearings
Council consideration and vote

27. Amendments Model codes can be amended
Some state adopted codes can not be amended
Energy Conservation Code – no amendments
Plumbing Code – no amendments
Accessibility – Can be made stricter
NFPA 1- - Can be made stricter

28. Updating To Latest Code Edition
Three (3) year code cycle
Stay current:
Latest materials/technology
Insurance Service Office (ISO) requires adopted code to be within five (5) years of current edition
in order to receive optimal ISO Building Code
Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCGES) rating

29. Questions? Thank You IML Participants Richard A. Piccolo, President
2420 Vantage Drive
Elgin, IL 60124
Doug Jones, Building Inspection Supervisor
101 Schaumburg Court
Schaumburg, IL
Thank You
IML Participants