The first building codes in the United States, established in 1625, addressed fire safety and specified materials for roof coverings. In 1630, Boston outlawed chimneys made with wood and thatch roof coverings.In the late 1770s George Washington recommended that height and area limitations be imposed on wood frame buildings in his plans for the District of Columbia. In 1788, the first known formal building code was written in the United States (in German) in Old Salem (now Winston-Salem), North Carolina.Larger U.S. cities began establishing building codes in the early 1800s. In 1865, new Orleans was the first city to enact a law requiring inspections of public places.The National Board of Fire Underwriters published its Recommended National Building Code in 1905. In 1915, the world’s first building safety code organization was established to provide a forum for exchange of ideas regarding building safety and construction regulations.Modern building codes regulate a myriad of safety systems including design and structural requirements, fire prevention, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, property maintenance, energy efficiency and zoning.The City of Santa Paula is an active member of the ICC, an association that develops building codes to safeguard the public at home, school and work. ICC’s International Codes are the most contemporary building safety and fire prevention codes in the world. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt and enforce building safety codes select codes produced by ICC. In addition to elected and appointed government officials, ICC members include architects, engineers, builders, building owners and managers.
Building Safety Week recognizes importance of safe construction
April 18, 2003
Santa Paula News
If a builder builds a house and does not make its construction firm, and the house collapses and causes the death of the owner, that builder shall be put to death. That excerpt from the code of Hammurabi serves as an example of what building code enforcement was like almost 4,000 years ago.
If a builder builds a house and does not make its construction firm, and the house collapses and causes the death of the owner, that builder shall be put to death. That excerpt from the code of Hammurabi serves as an example of what building code enforcement was like almost 4,000 years ago.Today, building code enforcement is the job of professionals who work at your local city hall, fire department, county building or at the state and federal level. During the week of April 6-12building departments around the world will celebrate Building and Safety Week. This year’s theme is “Safe Buildings Save Lives.” The International Code Council (ICC) sponsors Building Safety Week and works with communities around the world to promote the use, enforcement and understanding of the importance of building codes to public safety.Building code regulations enforced in the City of Santa Paula help to ensure that homes, schools, workplaces and other buildings are as safe as possible. Building codes regulate all aspects of construction and property maintenance.“Safe buildings that save lives don’t happen by chance,” says Steve Stuart, Building & Safety director. “Building Safety Week recognizes the importance of safe buildings and the professionals who make sure buildings are safe in our community. Public safety is our number one concern.”Local events to mark Building Safety Week include providing displays at some local hardware stores such as Frank’s Paint & Hardware and Heritage Hardware. In addition, during Building Safety Week, the Building & Safety Department will be offering a courtesy code check inspection free of charge to inspect electrical panels and assist in determining if the panel is in compliance.The importance of regulating and enforcing building codes is unfortunately often overlooked until a catastrophic tragedy occurs. By inspecting buildings during and after construction, the City of Santa Paula Building & Safety Department helps to ensure that buildings in the community are safe, sound and accessible places to work, play and live. The City of Santa Paula Building & Safety Department also enforces property maintenance regulations, reviews building plans and issues building permits.Building Safety Week began in 1980. Its objectives then and now are to promote the use, enforcement and understanding of building codes to safeguard the public. It also recognizes professional code enforcement officials who regularly attend educational training to make sure they are aware of the latest code changes and technological advances in construction.
