Only about a third of the US has building codes that ensure buildings are able to resist natural disasters. This not only threatens lives and properties, but increasing flood and fire incidents are causing insurers to leave some coastal states like Florida, Louisiana and California.
With housing shortages, the rising cost of housing and a move to sustainability, tiny homes make all kinds of sense.
The International Code Council has taken input from all interested parties to create International Codes (I-Codes) that meet the needs of all the stakeholders.
Knowing the climate zone your residential build will take place in will influence many of the decisions you will make as to construction methods and building materials. As energy conservation becomes a growing concern, building to your climate zone is an excellent way to ensure that you are providing your clients with the best options. Keep in mind that building and energy codes are the minimum standard.
The rapid rate with which burgeoning technologies introduce new materials, products and techniques to the construction industry marketplace means that building codes need to be constantly changing in order to provide consumers with buildings which are safe and energy efficient. This means that every three years, building code changes help to improve the way we build. For small business owners, these constant changes may prove difficult to keep up with.
An effective building envelope is a combination of insulating building materials and a reduction in air leakage. This reduction can be achieved by using taller wall sheathing panels and through effectively sealing air leaks. When determining which air leaks construction professionals should focus on, Dave Wolf from Owens Corning Science and Technology has conducted a study to see which leaks require the least effort and sealant and provide the highest returns in building envelope efficiency.
Whether you are a professional roofer or a DIY enthusiast building a garden shed, here are a few simple steps to reduce call backs and ensure a quality roof that will last for years. Not all shingles are the same and individual manufacturers may have specific instructions for their products that have to be followed in order to meet building codes and validate warranties. Read and follow the installation instructions that come with the product, even if you have installed shingles before.
When comparing the fossil fuel use and carbon footprint of raised wood and slab-on-grade concrete, the APA found that wood used considerably less fossil fuel and contributed less to global warming than concrete.
Efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption and contain global warming are affecting the way in which building codes are created and shifting consumer needs. This has resulted in greener building standards which require significant reductions in energy consumption from the building industry in every process from creating building materials, to construction and on to the performance and life cycle of the building itself.
Energy costs that go to conditioning the air in a home add up to about half of its overall energy consumption. Improving the competence of the building envelope and using insulation with R-values that exceed those stipulated by the local building code will help to reduce the homeowner’s energy consumption.
Building inspectors play a vital role in safety and enforcing the law and helping to keep residents safe.
England Training Division was first established in 1992. Created by John England, the company is the only one of its kind in the southeast to assist federal, state and local jurisdictions with training of professionals in International Building Codes.
