Building Codes.pdf

Events like the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile remind us of the importance of building codes, their consistent enforcement, and the need for codes to evolve. Building codes protect citizens from harm due to fire, structural collapse, and other building-related risks by laying out minimum requirements for construction materials and practice. Model codes are updated every three years to reflect the latest evolutions in building science, technology, and practice. The growing awareness of hazards created by the cumulative impacts of buildings on human and environmental health has brought about the need for a contemporary step change in the purview of codes, focusing on preserving the natural environment, conserving resources, and addressing material toxicity. The US Green Building Council and its LEED Green Building Rating System have highlighted the need for codes to address this expanded understanding of building-related risks. Building green saves energy, water, and resources, improves indoor environmental quality, and reduces waste and environmental impacts. A brief history of building codes in the United States shows that the idea of a building code is over 3,000 years old, with early civilizations recognizing the need for predictable and consistent minimum standards to protect human life and safety. The Code of Hammurabi, the Roman Empire, and the great fire of London in 1666 all contributed to the development of building codes, with a focus on fire safety, environmental conditions, and public health. The National Board of Fire Underwriters wrote the first National Building Code in 1905, and subsequent disasters have highlighted the need for minimum safety standards and ongoing updates to building codes.