15 Codes
A collection of regulations adopted by a city to govern the construction of buildings and interiors.
Building codes are the regulatory and legal rules that designers must follow to ensure the safety and durability of a building or space. There is a layered structure to how codes apply, moving from the national, down to regional and local variations. It is a designer’s responsibility to ensure that their plans are in compliance with the applicable regulations in their area. Building departments are charged with the enforcement of codes and will review all plans prior to issuing a permit. Understanding the structure of codes is important, many sections overlap, and there are cross references throughout that can be complex.
Why Building Codes Matter
The establishment of a baseline set of rules for a design ensure that a building or interior is safe to occupy. Examples include rules that determine the size of stairs, the composition of walls for fire ratings, the appropriate use of materials on surfaces, and how much energy a building may use.
These regulations set out the proper width for doors and hallways, minimum heights for rooms, clearances for vertical circulation, and the many standards that materials must conform to. A separate document, the International Residential Code, applies to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade. Codes are updated frequently, so the designer should remain up to date with current standards.
In most building codes, there are sections that interior designers should be especially knowledgeable about, including sections on interior finishes, fire and smoke protection, means of egress, accessibility, interior environments, and energy efficiency.
The Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Passed in 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides a legal framework for ensuring that spaces are accessible for all people. It outlines dimensional standards for widths of corridors, mounting heights for fixtures and counters, visual and tactile access standards, among many other elements. It is important to note that building codes do not necessarily encompass rules set out in the ADA, and it is the designer’s responsibility to talk with the appropriate permitting offices to ensure compliance.
Many projects require the placement of exit signs indicating the nearest means of egress, as in the Kilachand Center at Boston University, which was designed by Payette.
The Kiasma Museum in Helsinki, Finland, incorporates an elegant ramp to adhere to local building codes.