Highlights of Codes, Regulations and Laws For Public Protection

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Highlights of Codes, Regulations and Laws For
Public Protection
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Codes Regulation For Public ProtectionFederal
Level
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Codes Regulation For Public ProtectionState
Level Housing Codes

• State and local agencies adopt EPA and other
  federal regulations by ordinance.
• This is what gives the regulations legal clout.
• States also adopt Building Codes that apply to
  new construction and/or rehabilitation.
• This is what gives the building code legal clout.

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Codes Regulation For Public ProtectionState
Level Housing Codes

• International Building Code is the most recent
  conventionally adopted code.
• History
• Uniform Building Code (UBC)
• Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA)
• International Building Code (IBC)

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Common Federal Regulatory Agencies

• EPA US Environmental Protection Agency
• EPA publishes its regulations at Title 40 of the
  Code of Federal Regulations.
• EPA establishes regulations on housing problems
  related to
• Lead-based paint
• Air quality
• Sanitary/potable water
• Asbestos, etc.

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Common Regulatory Agencies

• HUD United States Department of Housing and
  Urban Development.
• HUD publishes its regulations at Title 24 of the
  Code of Federal Regulations.
• HUD establishes regulations for all housing and
  for housing receiving federal funds.

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Common Regulatory Agencies

• HUD Regulates
• MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER
  NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES
• NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS,
  FAIR HOUSING
• HOUSING ASSISTANCE/PUBLIC HOUSING
• HUD publishes its regulations at Title 24 of the
  Code of Federal Regulations.

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Example of State Building Code Standards Adoption

• The following is an example of federal regulation
  guidelines being adopted by State Legislature.
• www.energycodes.gov
• JCARR (Ohio Joint Committee on Agency Rule
  Review)

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Core Elements of Housing Codes that Address Health

• General sanitation
• Pest infestation
• Plumbing
• Ventilation
• Carbon monoxide
• Combustion devices
• Non-absorbent flooring
• Hazardous materials
• Weather-tightness Dampness

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Public Nuisance Laws

• Local governments have the authority to address
  nuisances that threaten health safety of the
  general public.
• The definition of a nuisance varies by state and
  locality.
• Most codes provide authority to take action when
  a condition in a residential property is harmful
  to health.

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Landlord Tenant Laws

• These laws establish the responsibilities for
  tenants and landlords.
• For example
• Tenants may be required to keep premises free of
  clutter, which can help attract and harbor pests.
  
• Landlords are required to provide maintenance to
  keep pests out and provide sufficient trash pick
  up.

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A Closer Look At Building Codes

• Objectives of the building code
• To ensure safety health of the occupants and
  general public
• Life Safety
• Fire Safety
• Structural Safety
• Does NOT deal with asthetics

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Life Safety Handrails

• Building code address life safety issues like
  guardrails/handrails

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Life Safety Stairs

• Building code address life safety issues like
• Tread/riser uniformity
• Accessibility regulations for handicapped

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Fire Safety Construction Methods

• Building code regulates fire safety related to
  fire-resistant construction materials and
  methods.
• Ie, platform framing vs. balloon framing
• Balloon framing has been outlawed by building
  codes in many areas because of the fire danger
  that it poses

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Balloon vs. Platform Framing
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Fire Safety Code Required Passive Fire Protection

• Requires use of fire-resistance rated wall and
  floor assemblies
• Aids in managing/limiting spread of fire
• Requires occupancy separations, or firewalls, to
  keep fires, high temperatures and flue gases
  within the compartment of origin
• Aids in firefighting and evacuation

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Health Welfare

• Provisions are included in the building code for
• Lighting
• Ventilation
• Sanitation
• Temperature
• Noise control
• Minimum space requirements for habitable rooms

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Enforcement of A Building Code

• Codes are enforceable through the police powers
  of the state.
• States usually delegate power to local
  jurisdictions
• County/municipality

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Building Officials

• Authority to enforce/administer code for
  jurisdiction.
• Designs nothing
• Builds nothing
• Repairs nothing
• Responsibility
• To see that persons engaged in these activities
  do so within the requirements of law.