Guc arct 702 legislations lecture 8 - building codes a 16-11-2017

1. 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

2. 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!!!

3. 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

4. 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.”

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 3. Adoption
Even if there is no code,
architects are expected to use reasonable
care in protecting health and welfare.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 6. Standards
• Standards by reference
• Provide consistent approaches to products and
processes.
• Manufacturing and Performance guidelines
developed by committees of those involved
with materials.

12. 7. Enforcement
• Done by
• Central agency
• Building Department
• Activities
• Review drawings
• Issue building permits
• Periodically inspect the project for conformance
• Maintain public records

13. Jurisdiction ‫القضائية‬ ‫السلطة‬
• 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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 !!!

17. 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)

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Egyptian Building Codes
‫ق‬‫المصرى‬ ‫البناء‬ ‫انون‬

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