Property owners are required to follow building safety codes. Failure to do so can leave tenants, guests, customers, and bystanders in harm’s way. Building codes are sets of rules enacted by state and local governments that detail the design and construction standards for buildings. They dictate the materials used, the standards in constructing the building, and the work conditions at the site. These codes are designed to protect the health and safety of the construction workers who build the structure, as well as the residents, employees, and visitors who use the building after completion.
Building codes regulate numerous characteristics, including:
General building codes such as accessibility, door height clearances, lighting levels, and construction materials
Mechanical codes for refrigeration and solar energy systems
Electrical codes that regulate the types of systems that can be used in construction, as well as how to repair older electrical systems
Energy codes to support conservation during and after the construction of a building
Plumbing codes for faucets, sewage, water heaters, fixtures, sanitary drainage, water supply systems, and storm drainage
Fuel codes that dictate how gas piping should be installed inside and around the building