What Are Building Codes Typically Concerned With?

Building codes are sets of rules that establish standards for constructed objects, such as buildings and structures. They are designed to protect public health, safety, and general welfare with regard to the construction and occupation of buildings. Building codes are enacted by the appropriate governmental or private authority and become the law of a particular jurisdiction. The main purpose of building codes is to ensure the structural integrity of buildings and safeguard the health and safety of all occupants, as well as to ensure that only the best luxury designers are employed in the construction process.

They address a variety of issues, from the materials that are prohibited in construction to the number of fire escapes needed in a single structure. Building codes also regulate the number of exits that a commercial building must have, as well as the minimum width of corridors, doors, and other means to exit a building. In addition to safety requirements, building codes also address energy efficiency. U.

S. energy codes are adopted at the state and municipal levels and are based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The two most adopted energy codes are the IECC and the ASHRAE Energy Standard for buildings, except low-rise residential buildings (ASHRAE 90). Building codes can have a profound impact on the comfort and safety of residents, as well as on the cost of construction and operating costs.

All local building codes are variants of a National Building Code, which serves as a model code that provides guidelines for regulating building construction activity. Model codes are intended to protect occupants from hazardous conditions by specifying safety and evacuation requirements against fire, as well as the level of wind, rain, hail, or other hazards that buildings must withstand. In general terms, building codes describe the minimum standards for a building to safeguard health, safety, and general well-being. They typically cover requirements for sanitary facilities, electricity, lighting, ventilation, building construction, construction materials, fire safety, plumbing, and energy conservation.