WHY BUILDING CODES?
The main purpose of building codes is to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures.
Building codes are a series of regulations, co-created by politicians and building professionals, that are designed to govern the design, construction, repair or alteration and general maintenance of buildings. These codes apply to virtually every type of structure, from garages and houses to schools, churches, agricultural and commercial buildings.
Building codes are handed down at the international, federal, state and local levels. Typically, municipalities adopt the overarching building codes set forth by the International Building Code (IBC). This prevents them from having to "reinvent the wheel" and provides a solid foundation. These codes are in constant evolution in response to building innovation, technological advancements and/or real-life scenarios in which devastation could have been prevented with a change in the building code.
Typical building code inspections take place after the following construction phases:
Foundation
Rough Framing
Complete rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC
Insulation
Drywall
Final inspection and certificate of occupancy
Of course, these inspections will vary according to the type of building that are constructed and the code requirements in the area.
Unfortunately, too many homeowners are unable — or unwilling — to spot the differences between a well-built home and one that barely meets construction standards. Educating homeowners and raising their accountability will help homeowners to become more involved in the process and inspection.
Safety is probably the primary purpose of building codes. However, because training isn't required and homeowners aren't necessarily savvy about the best materials and building practices, construction teams can continue to neglect the quality of their work.
The truth is, building codes are very beneficial to prospective homeowners that wants to build their dream home. By working with expert contractors and builders, they will benefit from their knowledge of building codes to ensure the construction project is built right, will be safe, and will last.
Even if building codes don't guarantee high-quality craftsmanship, they do serve an important purpose, because your home or business is an investment.
By following code guidelines, the completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause
injury to homeowner, their family, their friends, or future owners.
Even though building codes are not adopted in certain counties e.g. Custer County, Incline Homes pride itself to say "We build to code" All foundation and framing are engineered by a licensed CO Engineer. Soils Analysis are done to determine the type of foundation. We are proud to put out a product that is safe, designed and build for the area.