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In the US, building codes mostly fall under the purview of state and local governments. For instance, the city of Baltimore passed its first building code in 1891.
The IBC is a tool made to preserve public health and highlight safety, which provides safeguards against hazards in the built environment.
In 1915, the first national building code was formed in the US, the Building Office and Code Administration (BOCA).
Building codes are laws that set minimum requirements for how structural systems, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and other aspects of residential and commercial buildings should be designed and constructed.
Then in 1972, the building code groups joined hands to form the Council of American Building Officials (CABO). Together they drafted one universal building code model for the US.
You might ask yourself why these codes matters? Well, apart from the obvious safety they provide, there are also a number of other advantages.
The IBC is a model building code developed by the ICC. It has been adopted for use as a base code standard by most jurisdictions in the US.
The IBC also addresses design and use of innovative materials, which meet public health and safety goals.
The ICC has a set of 15 model codes specified on the basis of geographic locations, and these are collectively called the I-Codes.
One of the main benefits of the IBC is that its main principles are based on protection of public health and safety.
A study by Building Codes Save showed that over a 20-year period, cities and counties in the US with modern building codes have avoided at least US$132 billion in losses from natural disasters.
Provisions of the code encourage the use of new and smarter technological advances.
Whether it's by implementing safe wiring, fire prevention, or stronger structural integrity, building codes actually protect you from a number of hazards.
Later in 1994, the Council of American Building Officials was consolidated into the International Code Council.
The study was based on a comparison of jurisdictions without modern building codes. In addition to the money saved, property damage was reduced.
Building codes become law in a particular jurisdiction when formally enacted by the appropriate governmental or private authority.
Building codes are generally intended to be applied by architects, engineers, interior designers, constructors, and regulators.
While building codes might sound like a modern concept, they can actually be traced back to about 2000 BCE during the reign of Hammurabi, the founder of the Babylonian Empire.
During the Second Empire (1852-1870) in Paris, many apartment blocks were built. The height of these new buildings was limited by law to a max five or six stories.
The main purpose of building codes is to protect public health and safety as this relates to the construction of buildings and structures.
They're also used by safety inspectors, environmental scientists, real estate developers, and subcontractors, as well as insurance companies.
Take Florida, for example. Due to it being such a hurricane-prone area, it has the strictest codes for residential buildings.
Buildings built to the latest codes are required to keep up with the updated findings and advances in technology.
Building codes are updated every three years. They also incorporate new information, such as the results of post-disaster research.
Look up what codes your community has adopted to protect you. Once you know this information, you can reach out to your community’s decision makers to implement any needed changes.
Sources: (FEMA) (International Code Council) (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
See also: Cities that were rebuilt after being completely destroyed
After the Great Fire of London in 1666, which quickly spread throughout the city's densely built timber housing, the Rebuilding of London Act was passed in the same year as the first significant building regulation.
Over the last century, building codes and standards in many countries have improved to better protect people from harm. Building codes are the minimum design and construction requirements to ensure safe structures. These codes reduce casualties, costs, and damage by creating stronger buildings designed to withstand disasters. Adhering to these codes is crucial to ensure public safety in both residential and commercial structures.
But what are building safety measures, really? And how are they kept in place? Click on to find out.
Codes and construction: building safety measures to avoid disasters
Putting together a secure household requires a great deal of effort
LIFESTYLE Building codes
Over the last century, building codes and standards in many countries have improved to better protect people from harm. Building codes are the minimum design and construction requirements to ensure safe structures. These codes reduce casualties, costs, and damage by creating stronger buildings designed to withstand disasters. Adhering to these codes is crucial to ensure public safety in both residential and commercial structures.
But what are building safety measures, really? And how are they kept in place? Click on to find out.