Use of Building Codes in Federal Agency Construction (1989) / Chapter Skim
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Committee Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Committee Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Pages 23-28
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From page 23... ...
Codes and Design Criteria Participants in the discussion of federal agency use of building codes must keep in mind that codes cover only a portion of the many design criteria that any owner will impose to assure that a building's performance meets requirements. Federal agencies will always have extensive design criteria, and some of these criteria may represent agency requirements for performance that exceeds the minimum requirements set in applicable building codes.
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From page 24... ...
There is no question that each of the federal agencies could review its design criteria and the several national model codes to determine that their provisions are compatible, and either make changes to reach compliance or justify differences.16 In the broader sense, however, "feasible" means reasonable, and the committee questions whether the costs of requiring such a review by all agencies are warranted by the benefits that might be gained. First, there must be a determination of which of the many documents purporting to be model codes should be recognized by the federal agencies.
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From page 25... ...
The committee recognizes as well that the public interest is served when increased use of model codes fosters reduction of unnecessary variation in building code requirements in communities throughout the United States. However, the committee notes that the performance required of many government buildings is particular to the federal agency's mission and very different from what is expected of typical buildings covered by local codes.l8 It would be certainly inefficient for model codes to be prepared to address the requirements of unusual building types and environmental situations.
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From page 26... ...
_, , ~ _ _, _ _ ~ _ _ Agencies Should Periodically Review Their Justification for Design Criteria Above Minimum Requirements The committee observes that Federal agencies' design criteria frequently exceed the minimum requirements adopted in building codes. These criteria assure higher building performance, and, in turn, that federal buildings would meet local code requirements if they became subject to local code.
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From page 27... ...
The committee suggests that the model codes may be useful baselines against which agencies can measure the benefits and costs of their higher owner's criteria. Federal Agencies Should Use Model Building Codes The committee appreciates the concerns expressed by local communities regarding federal exemption from local building codes and from zoning or other regulations intended to give a local community some control over their built environment.
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From page 28... ...
Direct comparison of the requirements themselves will then be possible within a context of long term building life cycle performance. Substantive differences among requirements or measures of compliance can be discussed and evaluated in an open forum that will make a long term contribution to improved efficiency and appropriate uniformity in building design in the United States.
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