What Are the Overlooked International Building Codes That Could Affect Your Renovation?

When it comes to renovating a home, there are certain international building codes that must be taken into account. These codes are designed to ensure the safety and quality of the building, and they can have a major impact on your renovation project. Some of the most overlooked international building codes include:Low ceilings on the stairs. Many older homes have low ceilings on the stairs, which can be a hazard for taller people.

Modern homes usually require a minimum height of 6'8 for stair ceilings.

Balusters that are too widely spaced

. Modern regulations require railings or handrails between 30 and 37 inches high for any set of stairs that are more than two steps high. They should also be around any platform larger than 30 inches.

If you're selling an older home that doesn't have railings when needed, the prospective buyer's loan agent will likely ask you to install railings before they can guarantee the mortgage.

Add a basement bedroom with no exit windows

. The current basements contrast sharply with the basements of some 20 years ago. One major difference you'll notice is the windows. It's common knowledge that asbestos and lead are hazardous materials that you probably don't want to deal with.

Both materials are common in homes built before the 1970s.In large part, building codes establish the quality, safety and energy performance of a building for the coming years, because initial design and construction decisions determine operating and maintenance costs over the life of the building. All new construction projects must comply with the latest building codes adopted by the local jurisdiction, and existing buildings must be inspected periodically to ensure that they meet the minimum standards of the code for existing facilities.The International Building Code (IBC) is a set of building regulations that apply to new and existing commercial properties. As new construction requirements are reviewed through the model code review process every three years, innovative stakeholders are advocating for their inclusion. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the next major evolution in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector, as it allows efficient building management and greatly improved planning of the construction process, among its many benefits.Just as car safety improved when people understood the consequences of substandard products and demanded better cars, homeowners must learn what improvements in the quality of home construction make financial and political sense and can be achieved through current building codes.

The responses made it clear that an overwhelming percentage of respondents highly valued strict building codes.Therefore, it is important that code officers and inspectors have appropriate training opportunities to keep up to date as soon as possible with code updates. Because they are developed through a democratic and deliberative process that applies improvements gradually, building codes also address profitability and the value of investment. 74 percent felt that the codes increased the purchase price of a new home and effectively reduced monthly operating costs.This process may take a little longer than more autocratic alternatives, but it protects the integrity of the code development process and results in codes and standards that are the envy of the world because of their accuracy, integrity, and compliance with public health and safety regulations.The bill is supported by the BuildStrong Coalition, promoted by partners in construction safety, such as the insurance industry, national business and consumer organizations, the fire service, emergency managers, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Code Council, the National Fire Protection Association and construction professionals dedicated to promoting stricter building codes.Building codes, which are updated regularly, ensure that new products and practices reach buildings when the time is right and are no longer experimental. Building codes address many of a society's most important concerns, including public health and safety and the protection of the environment.The International Residential Code (IRC) sets the minimum standards for building single-family homes and townhouses.

It is important to understand these codes before beginning any renovation project in order to ensure that your project meets all necessary requirements.