GUC – German University in Cairo

Architecture and Urban Design

ARCH 702 Legislation, Professional Practice and Contracts

Fall 2017

Instructor: Dr. Yasser Mahgoub

Building Codes and Regulations

1

Introduction

Building Codes & Regulations and: Public welfare

Important for design

Compliance with them is essential

Violation of them cause: - injury to building users

- legal liability

- revocation of license

- ………. Jail!!!

Building Code History - World

1700 or 1800 B.C. Code of Hammurabi: "builders responsible for a structural collapse resulting in loss of life would loose their lives."

Ancient Athens officials could condemn unsafe buildings

27 AD Rome: Amphitheater collapse

results in laws about public buildings

Building Code History - World

1189 London: The Assize (محكمة) of Buildings enacted

Required firewalls 3’thick and 16’ tall

1630 Boston: “no man shall build his chimney with wood nor

cover his roof with thatch.”

The Modern Building Code

Complex document

Protecting:

- building occupants,

- firefighters and emergency personnel,

- the building itself, and

- the community

From:

- fire

- structural collapse

- health and safety hazards

The Purpose of Building Codes

Provide

minimum standards

To

safeguard life, limb, health, property and public welfare

By

regulating the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and

maintenance of all buildings within this jurisdiction.

3. Adoption

Even if there is no code,

architects are expected to use reasonable care in protecting health and welfare.

4. Coverage

• Specific design and construction requirements, based on the occupancy, building height, floor area, availability of fire-fighting capacity, and other factors

• Required fire resistance of structural elements, floor, ceilings, and fire and party walls

• Restrictions on building height

• Requirements for compartmentation (fire areas)

• Fire protection systems

• Flame-spread ratings for finishes

4. Coverage

• Egress requirements, such as stairs, corridors, and doors

• Access and egress requirements for disabled persons

• Light, ventilation, and other indoor environment requirements

• Requirements for energy conservation

• Structural requirements for building components

• Materials performance and specifications

• Requirements for building services systems

5. Approaches

Code provisions may be written in one of two ways:

– Prescriptive requirements: methods and materials that must be used in the building (ex. Wall thickness) … Preferred by building officials …Easier to administer and enforce.

– Performance requirements: Desired results (ex. Wall that withstand a certain amount of wind load) … Preferred by architects … Flexible

6. Standards

• Standards by reference

• Provide consistent approaches to products and processes.

• Manufacturing and Performance guidelines developed by committees of those involved with materials.

7. Enforcement

• Done by • Central agency

• Building Department

• Activities • Review drawings

• Issue building permits

• Periodically inspect the project for conformance

• Maintain public records

Jurisdiction السلطة القضائية • Once the building is occupied, the

fire marshal assumes authority for continued safety.

• To compensate for confusion caused by jurisdictional overlaps, the most conservative advice is to design according to the most restrictive requirements or to document any permit deviations.

Multiple permits

A project may require several permits as it proceeds.

Building permit: to begin construction

Other permits: to close in a structure or to begin using plumbing or electricity

Certificate of Occupancy: Before building may be occupied

Variances and appeals – Administrative (non judicial

process) --- community boards

– Seeking relief from requirements through variances, exceptions, and other mechanisms.

– Variance applies only to the situation at hand; it does not create a precedent for subsequent projects.

Judicial relief – Through courts المحاكم

– Once administrative appeals are exhausted, judicial relief can be sought.

• Penalties

Stop construction for noncompliance

Civil liabilities

Revocation of the license to practice architecture

Fine

Jail sentence !!!

8. Other Building Regulations

Fire prevention codes and ordinances

Housing codes and ordinances

Health codes and ordinances (e.g. for restaurants and social clubs)

Licensing requirements (e.g. for hospitals, nursing homes, dry cleaners, and day care centers)

Codes in Design Practice

• The Architect's duty –An architect failing to

design in compliance with the code or regulation may be subject to an allegation of negligence.

Codes in Design Practice

• Using building codes in practice –The architect is challenged to fulfill the code's

requirements while considering the best interests of the client's economic and functional needs.

Codes in Design Practice

• Code search

– To identify applicable codes, regulations, and

standards for the project.

– Code provision should be perceived as "ingredients"

and not an "optional" layer of information for

design.

– Normally they allow multiple solutions

Codes in Design Practice

• Schematic design

–Codes provide fundamental design

parameters (site placement, building size,

height, and interior layout) as well as design

and construction details.

Codes in Design Practice

• Construction documents

– It is essential that all code requirements be

checked and incorporated into the project as

the project progresses through design

development into construction documents.

Egyptian Building Codes انون البناء المصرىق

END