Essential Advice for Owner-Builders
(Page 5 of 6)
December 2006/January 2007
By David Eisenberg
After the great fires in London in 1666 and Chicago in 1871, codes started addressing the risks one building posed to adjacent buildings and the public. Denser development in cities, and hazards associated with close proximity and taller buildings, led to regulations for the construction of common walls between buildings and outlawing dangerous practices like wooden chimneys. Problems in existing buildings led to codes for light and ventilation, fire escapes, water supply, toilets and sanitary drains, and stairs and railings.
RELATED CONTENT
Buying or building a small home is a great way to significantly reduce your energy use, and you don...
The Healthy Building Network’s Pharos Project aims to tap the collective knowledge of green buildin...
There are thousands upon thousands of abandoned farmhouses scattered throughout the U.S., at bargai...
I'm renting an old Finnish homestead near Nolalu, Ontario....
A community canning center is the answer....
In 1905, a U.S. insurance group, the National Board of Fire Underwriters, created the National Building Code to minimize risks to property and building occupants. The existence of this code led to the formation of organizations of building officials. By 1940, the United States had three regional code organizations, each with its own code. These three organizations and their codes were consolidated into the International Code Council (ICC) and the first set of “I-codes” was published in 2000. These codes include the International Building Code (IBC), the International Residential Code (IRC), the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), as well as mechanical, plumbing, fire and other codes.
Though the international codes are becoming the most widely adopted building codes in the United States, the consolidation didn’t mean that everyone is now using the same codes. Unlike countries with codes developed by the national government and adopted nationwide, the United States has local or state codes. Some jurisdictions still enforce older codes, some have their own unique codes, and some have no code enforcement at all. All these variables make clear the importance of finding out which codes, if any, will apply at your building site.
There is no substitute for getting a copy of the applicable codes and spending some time reading through them. Look for copies at your public library.
10 Steps for Getting Unconventional Projects Approved
- Start early – it’s a process.
- Gather information about the jurisdiction and applicable codes.
- Gather information about the specific alternatives.
- If needed, find and enlist the help of allies and sources of expertise. Maintain a positive attitude and take the high road.
- Meet and share information with the building officials.
- Get specific feedback from the building officials — listen carefully; get it in writing. This is a process of building trust — pay attention to the relationships.
- Address concerns and objections as directly, factually and reasonably as you can. Demonstrate patience and persistence.
- Carefully consider all your options — appeals, special agreements, political pressure.
- Acknowledge and thank those who helped.
- Share the lessons you’ve learned with others.
Page:
<< Previous 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 | 5 |
6 |
Next >>
