Codes, Ethics, and Laws Copyright © 2015 Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved

Codes, Ethics, and Laws

Copyright © 2015 Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.

Codes and Federal Regulations• Interior designers are

legally responsible for being aware of and implementing applicable local, state, or federal codes.

• Federal regulations are mandated by law and required regardless of local codes.


Codes What are codes:

A collection of regulations, ordinances, and other statutory requirements put together by various organizations. Once adopted by each jurisdiction, they become law. They are enforced on a local level and sometimes state level.

They provide for a minimum level of performance, adequate standards of practice, and uniformity of workmanship.


Purpose of Codes Ensure public health and safety throughout a

building

Most have come into play “after-the-fact” as a learning experience from a major tragedy

They are primarily concerned with:o Construction requirementso Hazardous materials or equipment used in the

buildingo 75% of all codes and standards deal with fireo Energy conservationo Accessibility


Four Types of Building Codes

Model Building Codes

Electrical Codes

Life Safety and Fire Codes

Residential Codes


Model Building Codes

Purpose: define construction requirements and limit use of hazardous materials


Common Codes National Building Code (NBC)

Published by Building Officials Code Administration (BOCA)

Standard Building Code (SBC) Published by Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI)

Uniform Building Code (UBC) Published by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)


International Building Code Published by the International Code Council

First established in 1994 and published in 2000

Most current edition is 2012 with a new edition expected in 2015

Legacy codes are no longer being updated; IBC is updated every three years

Some MS Jurisdictions adopted the code in 2003

This code has now replaced the three model codes


It’s important to determine…• At the start of every project, what codes and which

edition of the codes is being enforced in the jurisdiction of your project


One and Two Family Dwellings Code Requirements


Electrical Codes

Purpose: define construction requirements for these specialties


Common Codes

National Electric Code (NEC) Published by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)


Life Safety and Fire Codes

Purpose: establish minimum requirements for fire safety


Common Codes – Fire Codes ICC and NFPA now include fire codes

IFC International Fire Code

UFC Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1 ®)

These address building conditions in relation to hazardous conditions that could cause a fire or explosion

Designers will address chapters on:o Interior Finisheso Furnishing and Decorative Materials


Common Codes – Life Safety Code (LSF, or NFPA 101®) One of the first codes published by NFPA

Revised every three years

2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015 versions

It is NOT a building code; it focuses on removal or evacuation of all persons from a building by protecting them from fire, smoke, and toxic fumes

Uses the Manual Style Format; first section concentrates on broad topics, description of occupancies, means of egress, and fire protection

Second part is divided into chapters by occupancy type for new and existing buildingsCopyright © 2015 Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.

Residential Codes

Purpose: define construction requirements in one and two-family dwellings


Common Codes

International Residential Code (IRC)

• First available in 1998

• Based on the former One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code

• Applies to construction of single family, duplex, and townhouses


Federal Regulations• A number of federal agencies and departments work

with trade associations, private companies, and the general public to develop federal laws for building construction


Federal Regulations These regulations are published in the Federal Register

(FR) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Published daily, but not all rules are enforceable laws

Once they have been passed into law, they are published in the CFR annually

The federal government regulates its own buildings

Federal buildings have their own regulations and do not use state or model codes (VA hospitals, military bases, etc.)

They can pass federal legislation creating a law that supersedes all other state and local codes and standards; the ADA is an example


Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Developed by the

Department of Justice

Four-part federal legislation become law on July 26th, 1990

Enforceable in 1992 and 1993


(ADA) Is a comprehensive civil rights law

that protects individuals with disabilities in the area of:

o Employment (Title 1)

o State and Local gov’t services and transportation (Title II)

o Public accommodations and commercial facilities (Title III)

o Telecommunications (Title IV)


Fair Housing Act Federal legislation enforced by the Department of

Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Protects the consumer from discrimination in housing when buying or renting

Pertains to housing with four or more dwelling units

As of 1991, these buildings must have accessible public and common areas and ground floor units must be accessible and meet specific construction requirements

The FHA is often considered the residential version of the ADA

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Passed in 1970 to protect the American employee

in the work place

It regulates the design of buildings and interior projects where people are employed

Employer must furnish a safe working environment or can be fined

It also stresses the safe installation of materials and equipment to ensure the safety of construction workers


Ethics

• What are ethics?

• In the simplest terms, the word “ethics” A number of federal agencies and departments work with trade associations, private companies and the general public to develop federal laws for building construction.

• “Ethics” is something you either have or you don’t have


Ethics is something that is learned and chosen throughout one's life.


Common Workplace Ethics


EthicsPunctuality Responsibility


Ethics

Integrity and Loyalty Teamwork


Ethics

Attitude Professionalism


Documents

Codes, Ethics, and Laws Copyright © 2015 Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved