Construction codes updated after 9 years
While builders many not appreciate the updated construction codes adopted at the state level, environmentalists and those in the business of code enforcement welcome them.
The handful of new construction codes that were adopted in May by the state Review and Advisory Council mark the first such update since 2009.
Code enforcement officers will continue to work under the 2009 standards until the new ones take effect on Oct. 1.
Peg Russell, the President of the code enforcement consulting firm Code.Sys. Code Consulting, welcomes the new standards.
She said because code enforcement officers have been bound by the 2009 construction codes, they could not approve any facet of a residential or commercial structure that includes technology not available in 2009.
Russell used as an example the charging stations seen in airports where phones can be directly plugged in using a USB port, which many builders of restaurants and other facilities have wanted to include in their plans.
Because the newfangled chargers are not included in the 2009 construction codes, they could not be approved by code enforcement officials.
Russell said that additional cost for the new codes will be made up in the decreased cost to heat and cool new homes, which will be more energy efficient due to the new codes.
Read more about the new construction codes will affect builders and buyers in the Butler Eagle.
