What are building codes?

Building codes are the set of norms that contain all the standards for the construction of all the building and non-building structures. It is essential to follow the guidelines given in the building codes to get the project approved by the local authorities. The engineers, architects, contractors, and all the people involved in construction activities are obligated to refer to the building codes before performing any construction activity. In the United States of America (USA), The I-Codes, which are the International Building Code (IBC) or International Residential Code (IRC), electrical codes, plumbing codes, and mechanical codes are the model codes adopted. These model codes are updated after every three years.

International Building Code (IBC)

The International Building Code is one of the standard building codes adopted in the United States for both safety and health of a building. Earlier, three different regional model code groups were used in the US, developed by Building Officials Code Administrators International (BOCA), Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI), and International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO). The codes developed by BOCA were used in the East Coast and throughout the Midwest of the United States. The codes developed by SBCCI were used in the Southeast United States, and the codes developed by ICBO were used in West Coast.

Later in 1994, all the three groups merged to form International Code Council. The first edition of IBC was published in 1997. The IBC is one of the current building codes used in the USA. The International Building Code contains chapters that include building occupancy classifications, building heights, areas, interior finishes, foundation, roof, and wall constructions. It also includes fire protection systems, their design, materials used in construction, construction of elevators and escalators, and means of egress (the description of all the exists and the paths of exists which can be used during any emergency) for the new building. The IBC is applicable for all the structures, except for the one and two-family dwellings. The IBC is updated after every three years of the cycle. The latest update of IBC occurred in 2021, the meeting of which was held virtually amid of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

National Electrical Code (NEC)

The National Electrical Code, also known as the NFPA 70 is one of the standard building codes adopted by the United States for the safe installation of electrical equipments in a structure. The NEC consists of an introduction, index, nine chapters, and annexures from A to J. Chapter 1 to Chapter 4 of the NEC contain the equipment and rules for installation of all the electrical equipment, wiring, and circuiting. Chapters 5 to Chapter 7 contain the details of special equipment used for electrical purposes. Chapter 8 contains the installation of additional equipment for communication systems like the installation of telephone lines, television cables, and so on. Chapter 9 contains all the tables and formulas.

Uniform Plumbing Code

The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is one of the model codes developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) for proper inspection and installation of the plumbing systems in structures. The Uniform Public Code consists of 17 Chapters and 13 Appendixes ranging from Appendix A to Appendix M.

In the image shown below, the orange-colored territories show the statewide adaption of UPC. The yellow-colored territories show the local adaption of UPC and the grey-colored territories show the local codes used. The dark blue-colored territories show the statewide adaption of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the light-blue colored territories show the local adaption of IPC. IPC is also a standard plumbing code developed by the International Code Council (ICC), adopted in some regions of the United States.

California Building Standard Codes

The California Building Standard Code is one of the most prominent existing building codes in the United States. It is also the Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). These building codes consist of 13 parts. Part 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 containing California Administrative Code, California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electric Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Energy Code, Reserved, California Historical Building Code, California Fire Code, California Existing Building Code, California Green Building Standard Code, and California Referenced Standard Code, respectively. These building codes are renewed every three years.

California Code of Regulation (CCR)

The California State Agencies under the legislature develop the California Code of Regulations (CCR) codes of rules and regulations. The rules and regulations announced are reviewed and approved by the California Office of Administrative Law. The CCR consists of 28 titles, out of which Title 24 is regulated by the California Building Standards Commission, and the rest are regulated and maintained by the Office of Administrative Law. The 28 titles include all the codes necessary for the safety, health, and general welfare of the public.

California Green Building Standards Code

The California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen Code) is the first green building and current code in the United States. The motive of the CALGreen code is to encourage the design and sustainable construction of buildings that can reduce the negative impact on the environment.

The code focuses on improving the planning and design, energy, water, and resources efficiency, material conservation, and environmental quality. The current CALGreen code was introduced in 2019, effective January 1, 2020. The CALGreen code is obligated to all the state-owned buildings regulated by the California Building Standards Commission, low-rise buildings constructed in California, and all the educational and commercial buildings in California. In the United States, buildings contribute to about 39% of carbon dioxide emissions. Hence, all the Heating, Ventilations, and Air conditioning (HVAC) systems are now obligated to use MERV 13 filtration (as per CALGreen 2019, effective January 1, 2020).

The CALGreen Code provides various measured for both residential and non-residential structures. Although the code suggests a provision for protecting the water, air, and atmosphere, it does not suggest the provision for energy efficiency unlike the California Energy Codes. The California Energy Codes were developed by the U.S Department of Energy in the year 1991, under the Building Energy Code Program.

Context and Application

The Building codes are useful in the following courses:

• Bachelors of Technology (Civil engineering)
• Masters of Technology (Civil engineering)
• Masters in Science (Construction Management)
• Masters in Science (Construction Management)

Practice Problems

1. After how many years do the model building codes update?

1. Three
2. Two
3. Four
4. Five

Answer- a

Explanation- The model building codes are updated after every three years.

2. What is another name for the National Electric Code?

1. NFPA 70
2. NFPA 60
3. California Code of Regulation
4. Arrow Slideshow Right Arrow

Answer- a

Explanation- Another name for the National Electric Code is NFPA 70.

3. From when is the CALGreen 2019 code effective?

1. July 1, 2020
2. January 1, 2020
3. July 1, 2017
4. January 1, 2017

Answer- b

Explanation- The CALGreen 2019 code is effective from January 1, 2020.

4. Of how many parts does the California Building Standard Code consist?

1. 10
2. 11
3. 12
4. 13

Answer- d

Explanation- The California Building Standard Code consists of 13 parts.

5. Of how many titles does the California Code of Regulations (CCR) consist?

1. 26
2. 27
3. 28
4. 30

Answer- c

Explanation- The California Code of Regulations (CCR) consists of 28 titles.