Over the past 30 years, I have lost track of the number times I’ve been asked about building codes. Most people are not big fans of the codes. Yet, time and time again when I share with them why they are important and examples of those reasons, those same people see the value – most times.
Aren’t building codes, inspections, and permits just a way for cities, municipalities, and inspectors to make money? Not at all. They are all for your protection. There are three very simple and specific reasons we have building codes.
Safety:
Building codes provide for a base line safety requirement for things such as requiring hand rails on decks or porches that are above a certain height or specifying the height of a step so they aren’t too steep. Each code that is safety driven is 100% for your benefit, like required fire alarms or fire stops in buildings.
Consistency:
You may have noticed that whenever you reach out to grab a handrail it is right there at the same height. Or you may be like many others that just take it for granted and never thought about it until right now. Either way, that is the exact reason for the code. Every time you go to grab a handrail on stairs, building codes were in place that required it to be at that same height so you know where exactly where to find it and can grab it without really even thinking about it or stumbling on a step.
Construction standards:
Many aspects of construction framing are governed by building code. For instance, floor framing has codes that set a minimum board size for different lengths of boards. Without these codes, or regulations, builders could use undersized lumber. That may not seem like it is a big deal but it could lead to either a bouncy floor or worse yet one that is unsafe, neither you want to deal with.
Drop me a comment and let me know what you are building.