{"id":62503,"date":"2020-07-13T08:45:10","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T12:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/?p=62503"},"modified":"2020-07-08T12:19:04","modified_gmt":"2020-07-08T16:19:04","slug":"young-architect-guide-building-codes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/practice\/details\/young-architect-guide-building-codes\/","title":{"rendered":"An Architect’s Guide to Building Codes: 7 Steps to a Safer Design"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mike LaValley is the architect, speaker, and writer behind\u00a0Evolving Architect<\/a>. For more creative and nerdy insights, follow him on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or check out his\u00a0upcoming book<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Building Codes. Why did it have to be Building Codes?<\/p>\n

At first glance, they sound a little bit boring, a little bit real, and a little bit scary.<\/p>\n

Any architect who doesn’t respect Building Codes is probably not doing their job.<\/p>\n

So what are Building Codes exactly? And why do we need to make sure that we understand them as architects? Because trust me, you do.<\/p>\n

They may seem like something to gloss over when you\u2019re trying to make your next design masterpiece, but Building Codes protect those who use the buildings you design.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Building Codes 101<\/h2>\n

While there may have been ramifications for poor construction, construction hazards, and construction mishaps in the past, it wasn’t until the 1800s when the first Building Codes were established. As industry and technology continued to thrive, the potential for new hazards such as sweeping fires became far more common.<\/p>\n

And so, at the most fundamental level, Building Codes were established in order to protect the Health, Safety, and Welfare of society.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Jurisdictions<\/h2>\n

Originally, the Building Codes weren\u2019t very pretty. In fact, when Building Codes were first established, they varied greatly and held much different priorities from one another. Over time, Model Building Codes were been developed by regularly iterating upon them and a continued collaboration of professionals across the globe.<\/p>\n

Today, you\u2019re far more likely to come across a situation that is treated in a familiar way between states because of the adoption of the International Building Code. Even so, most States adopt the larger Building Codes such as the IBC and make modifications to it based on their specific political and regional priorities. For example, California is more likely to strengthen Building Codes related to earthquakes and seismic activity than a state like Vermont.<\/p>\n

As an architect, it\u2019s an inherent responsibility to identify what Code applies to your project and who is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ will have the final interpretation on the Building Code for your project and will be able to enforce the Code in kind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Navigating the Building Codes<\/h2>\n

Each and every time I sit down to perform a Code Review, I know the review will be unique to that particular project. It\u2019s something that you realize very quickly – No Code Review is ever the same.<\/p>\n

When I start looking at the Code, I go through a series of basic steps to help guide the types of major information I need to document and confirm. Skipping steps is not advised. It can lead to backtracking later, missing critical information to assist in design, and possibly the need to change conditions during construction for a much higher cost in order to meet key Code requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Occupancy Classification<\/li>\n
  2. Sprinkler Systems<\/li>\n
  3. Construction Type<\/li>\n
  4. Allowable Floor Area<\/li>\n
  5. Building Height and Number of Stories<\/li>\n
  6. Location on Property<\/li>\n
  7. Means of Egress<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Step 1 – Occupancy Classification<\/h2>\n

    The first thing you need to know about a given project is what the project will be used for. It sounds simple, right? But do you know what the difference between an S-1 and S-3 Occupancy Classification is? Do you know when to classify an educational project as a Business (B) Occupancy over an Educational (E) Occupancy?<\/p>\n

    I\u2019m not saying that you should be able to rattle off the answers to the above questions from the top of your head. The point is that you should check to see if the project requires an Occupancy type regardless if you\u2019ve done a hundred projects before just like it.<\/p>\n

    I’ve performed many Code Reviews in my career to date, and I was caught off guard when an Occupancy that I had assumed for a project was completely different because of one difference from previous projects I had worked on.<\/p>\n

    As a good friend always reminds me, \u201cDon\u2019t Assume, you\u2019ll just make an \u2018Ass\u2019 out of \u2018You\u2019 and \u2018Me.\u2019\u201d Lame, I know. But it\u2019s effective. In some ways, the Occupancy Classification dictates everything. You\u00edll treat every move you make differently based on what types of activities will take place throughout the project.<\/p>\n

    Just think about it. A hospital has so many different needs than an industrial factory. A school uses different programs compared with a big box retailer. There are different levels of hazards at each. Some are less hazardous than others. Some are more dangerous and have to be dealt with appropriately.<\/p>\n

    As such, Occupancy is the key to determining almost every other piece of information in the Code Review.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Step 2: Sprinkler Systems<\/h2>\n

    I\u2019m not a plumber and I don\u2019t imagine I\u2019ll ever be one. But damn if I don\u2019t appreciate how much easier a good sprinkler system makes my life as an architect. Anyone who has ever done a Code Review will tell you the same thing. Sprinkler systems, while not always required per Code, will almost always reduce the construction restrictions and requirements for the rest of your project.<\/p>\n

    The Building Code is primarily concerned with safely protecting the users of a building. It\u2019s also concerned with protecting property. Even without specific requirements for them, Insurance Companies will often lower an owner\u2019s insurance rates if the project incorporates sprinkler systems.<\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s make no mistake here: Sprinkler systems cost money. Depending on the type of fire suppression you\u2019re using, they can be very expensive on top of the overall cost of doing a project in the first place. They also tend to be one of those items that some Owners shy away from because it\u2019s not something they see active value from.<\/p>\n

    In short though, they make my job easier \u2014 a lot easier. Sprinkler systems can reduce the requirements for fire-rated wall, ceiling, and floor assemblies, or in some instances, negate them altogether. I remember working on one project where the building was just on the edge of needing a sprinkler system. It wasn\u2019t a mandatory requirement, but the owner ultimately decided to incorporate one because the offset in all of the labor to properly rate the associated corridors throughout was worth it. The sprinkler took all requirements down by an hour of fire-rating, essentially negating the need for fire-rated assemblies in 80% of the building.<\/p>\n

    No need for special wall systems. No need for additional specifications.<\/p>\n

    I love sprinkler systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Step 3: Construction Type<\/h2>\n

    Did you know that there\u2019s actually MORE than one way to construct a building?! Stop the presses!<\/p>\n

    Anyway…<\/p>\n

    Yes, indeed. There are a variety of ways to build a building. But according to the International Building Code, there are technically only 5 types of construction.<\/p>\n

    A bit confusing, but it\u2019s straightforward when you think about it. Each Construction Type assumes not only an inherent set of potential materials that can be used, but also how flammable those materials are.<\/p>\n

    On about 90% of the projects I\u2019ve ever worked on, Type IIB Construction has been used because of the fact that it provides a common palette of non-flammable materials to select from. Because of that, it\u2019s also able to bring many Fire-Rating Requirements down to 0. On the one hand, you\u2019ll be paying a premium to use materials that are more flame resistant, but you gain the freedom to use them in a much more liberal way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Step 4: Allowable Floor Area<\/h2>\n

    Alright, I\u2019m going to get real with you. We\u2019re into the less exciting portions of Code Review, albeit important ones.<\/p>\n

    Allowable Floor Area is the maximum amount of square footage the Building Code allows each Floor Plate of a Building to be built to. There are charts that tell you this number based on (you guessed it) the occupancy and construction type. An included sprinkler system may extend the allowable floor area as can a building\u2019s proximity to property lines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Step 5: Building Height and # of Stories<\/h2>\n

    Another part of the Code that will truly knock your socks off is Allowable Building Height and Allowable Number of Stories your Building can be built to. You\u2019ll find that, like Allowable Floor Area, a Building\u2019s Height is dictated primarily by Occupancy and Construction Type.<\/p>\n

    Another factor that you have to consider is that many Buildings can be limited by real-world things like Fire Truck Ladders and other life safety equipment. There are obvious exceptions (I see you skyscrapers), but just keep in mind that many of the Code Requirements for Building Height can be lessened as other concessions are made such as Sprinkler Systems.<\/p>\n

    If you haven\u2019t realized it yet, the Building Code exists to protect people and property. To a degree, it doesn\u2019t care how you do it as long as you do it one way or another.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Step 6: Location On Property<\/h2>\n

    Ok. Now we\u2019re back into the exciting stuff – Property Lines!<\/p>\n

    Ahem. Ok, well I was excited.<\/p>\n

    Imagine two scenarios. The first \u2014 two, five-story mixed-use buildings in an urban environment that have a zero lot line, meaning they are literally right next to each other. The second \u2014 a large munitions facility in the middle of nowhere with ample amount of space between the building and its property line; hundreds and hundreds of feet. When I say nowhere, I mean the only thing nearby is open field as far as the eye can see.<\/p>\n

    Which is safer?<\/p>\n

    One could argue that the two urban buildings are safer because they\u2019re not building things that explode.<\/p>\n

    But I\u2019d actually argue in this case that the two urban buildings require more attention here in terms of their location. Maybe the munitions facility is building hazardous products, but the two urban buildings are far more likely to endanger each other, causing injury to people or property.<\/p>\n

    The requirements for the separations between these buildings is much higher because the Building Code would require that they essentially protect themselves from each other.<\/p>\n

    If there was a fire in one building, the fire rated assemblies must be constructed in such a way as to prevent loss to the other structure.<\/p>\n

    In the case of the munitions facility, it\u2019s removed enough from all other buildings that it actually is more likely to have a lower exterior fire rating based on property location alone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Step 7: Means of Egress<\/h2>\n

    It\u2019s not just enough to protect users from other buildings. Once the overall requirements for the building have been established by Steps 1 through 6, an architect needs to properly map the Means of Egress (aka safe path out of the building).<\/p>\n

    It takes a significant amount of planning to ensure that not only is there a proper path out of the building, but that the path is no greater in length than the maximum distance allowable and that the path is protected at various stages to ensure safe passage.<\/p>\n

    If there are too many people calculated for a given space, you may even need a second means of egress from that space and out of the building.<\/p>\n

    I\u2019ve found that determining the proper means of egress for all spaces in a project is often the place where I spend most of my time in a Code Review. Many of the previous criteria become readily apparent with experience, but the Means of Egress is always different from project to project because the spaces area always different.<\/p>\n

    When in doubt, think about how many exits from a space are required, how far the Code will allow someone to travel before exiting the building, and how much the building has to protect their paths from where they start to the building exit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    WITH ANY LUCK, IF YOU FOLLOW THE SEVEN STEPS ABOVE, YOU\u2019LL HAVE YOURSELF THE START OF A BUILDING CODE REVIEW.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Other Considerations<\/h2>\n

    The Building Code is up to your interpretation as a Design Professional, but NEVER try to break the Building Code. Your design intent must always align with the Codes established to protect the Health, Safety, and Welfare of those who will use your built work.<\/p>\n

    I\u2019ve noticed that sometimes younger staff (without knowing any better) will avoid having to research the technical standards required to execute the nuances of fire-rated construction or neglect to analyze each room for compliance with ADA.<\/p>\n

    I\u2019ve started to recognize that many without a professional license, just \u2018doing a job,\u2019 tend to care less about whether or not things are actually Code-Compliant in every instance.<\/p>\n

    Having been doing this for a while now, I can tell you that if you\u2019re working at a firm and it\u2019s not your stamp on the line, that doesn\u2019t mean you can or should ignore anything that may be in non-compliance with the Building Code.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s possible that you\u2019ll miss something in your own Code Reviews. No one is perfect, but architecture and the responsibility we hold as architects is much more than most.<\/p>\n

    No offense intended when I say this, but if a graphic designer misspells something, it won\u2019t accidentally kill someone. If a Candy Store manager doesn\u2019t sell their quota in lollipops, the store won\u2019t start on fire.<\/p>\n

    I think of it this way: No matter how you analyze the Building Code, make sure that you\u2019re doing your due diligence to protect those people who rely on you to do your job. They have families. They have lives. Building Codes are in place to make sure they keep on living them.<\/p>\n

    Further Reading on Building Codes<\/h2>\n

    Also, I\u2019m an Architect, but I don\u2019t memorize every aspect of the Code. I\u2019m always trying to understand more about it.<\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s some additional reading and a few key resources to help you on your own Code journey.<\/p>\n