Building Codes in Modern Building Construction, There

Building Codes

In modern building construction, there are numerous codes and regulations that contractors and builders are compelled by law to follow. Though different states and municipalities have variation in their particular regulatory regimes, there are some standard guidelines that all state and local governments must abide. First, regulations require buildings to be structurally sound; that is, in the case of fire or disaster, buildings and homes must be able to withstand the shock of a sudden fire or destructive event. A sound foundation and frame can aid rescue workers by giving them the security that the building will better hold up while firefighters engage in rescue operations. Second, most regulations require that building and interior materials meet fire retardation standards. Many contemporary building materials are made with new plastics and polymers that do not, or are resistant, to burning. Fire retardant materials can help prevent a building from burning too quickly, and in fact, fire retardant materials may prevent a fire from starting or spreading. Thirdly, most buildings must have fire sprinkler, fire extinguishers and alarm systems built into the building's design. Fire sprinklers can aid in preventing the spread of a fire and a well designed system may be able to contain a significant fire event. Well placed fire alarms can help building inhabitants give an early warning to other occupants to help ensure a timely evacuation. And lastly, regulations maintain that building design must provide clear entry and exit pathways, and fire escapes. This can help facilitate a quick evacuation in the event of a fire or disaster, and this also gives easier and quicker access to fire and rescue workers as they engage in rescue operations.

Each of these codes and regulations can have a considerable impact on building construction. First, abiding by the codes can increase the cost of construction, since builders must seek and use the latest in both structurally sound and fire retardant material -- as technologies such as nanotechnology go public, each succeeding generation of fire retardant building material may be required for not only building, but for renovation of existing structures as well. Also, there may be increased costs to architectural firms as they must alter plans and designs to incorporate features such as fire escapes and clear pathways to meet building codes. As a building is being designed, there has to be a foundation to support its structure, and this can increase the cost of seeking the appropriate location for the building -- i.e., the land must be able to support the relevant structure.

It is obvious that it is in the public's interest to ensure that new structures (and renovated older buildings as well) are subject to numerous codes and regulations. History is replete with examples of catastrophic fires and mass death due to fires and natural disasters; take for example what happened to San Francisco during the earthquake and resulting fire in 1906 or in the 2003 Rhode Island Station nightclub fire in which ninety-six patrons were killed. And of course, in the age of terrorism, fire and building safety become paramount in protecting the public's well-being and security. But in order for there to be safety and security, builders and contractors must be held to account for shoddy or inferior workmanship, and the only way to ensure that homes and buildings are safe and secure, is to use the force of law through regulations and codes to oblige builders to design and build safe and secure structures.