Knowledge of building codes or building regulations is essential to commercial property owners because these rules address the structural integrity of a building and other issues such as ventilation, fire prevention, sanitation, and more. To make your project go smoothly without any setbacks and to maintain safety, make sure to comply with these codes.

The Benefits of Following Local Building Codes

Promotes Safety

Building codes are established to protect your business and the whole community against disasters. It’s important to maintain code compliance in various areas such as structure, fire safety, plumbing, and air quality. Since building exteriors are exposed to harsh elements, invest in systems that can help protect your commercial space, such as a deck-waterproofing system that can help avoid water damage and prevent your building from becoming structurally unsafe.

Also, ensure that your commercial building follows the applicable seismic codes to withstand earthquake forces, especially on active seismic areas. Proper compliance will also make your building protected from fires, flood damages, and harsh weather.

Lowers Construction and Operating Costs

One of the top benefits of keeping up with building codes is being able to have lower project costs. When a structure is built with updated codes, it will resist potential threats and prevent costly damages for your company. You’ll be able to win more customers if you emphasize code enforcement as they prefer businesses with more resilient structures.

Offers Environmental Benefits

Commercial and residential properties used about 40% of the total U.S. energy consumption in 2020. One of the high-yielding, low-cost methods in reducing the country’s overall footprint is to enforce codes that will create low-energy buildings. These will help lower greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants.

Other energy-related components include wall thickness and insulation requirements that will generate more savings for businesses and residents while avoiding further emissions. State and local governments can maximize this potential by determining which codes are adopted and which buildings support a decarbonized future.

Risks of Non-compliance to Building Codes

Project Delays

Every construction project will experience at least a few hurdles that impact your project’s initial timeline. One of the things that can impact the schedule is ignoring local building codes. By failing to enforce them, you risk having a local building official visiting the site and uncovering a lack of compliance.

This can result in having to redo your completed work to meet the requirements, distrust among officials, and wariness with your current and future customers. Also, it’s more expensive to rebuild or undergo a callback on your project than simply build the structure from the start that complies with the local codes. Make sure to comply with the local business codes to lower the risk of potential redos that can impact your business’s bottom line.

Penalties or Criminal Charges

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Building code violations usually involve fines, and the defendant is given a reasonable opportunity to comply. If they fail, they can be charged with increased penalties, including jail. This is often considered the last resort for corporations or persons that have been uncooperative in complying with the applicable requirements.

Some prosecutable building code violations include buildings that are not considered habitable, dangerous mold, unsafe electrical systems, fire hazards, and vermin infestations. Oftentimes, some building owners always refuse to make necessary repairs on their properties. These outrageous landlords often receive jail sentences or may be required to live in their buildings for them to experience the terrible conditions.

How to Keep up with the Current Building Codes

Building codes are usually updated every three years. Industry professionals should consistently stay updated with the latest rules and regulations as these can streamline your building’s progress and save more money. While it’s important to keep up with the latest code requirements, you can also partner with a building company that’s experienced in the area’s codes to keep yourself informed and avoid any project delays.

You can also join industry committees and attend conferences to learn the current practices, procedures, and codes. Various construction fields such as masonry, roofing, and concrete can help you gain more knowledge and network with other professionals to learn new technologies and code updates.

Local building codes are created for important purposes, not to be a nuisance to your business operations. To achieve success in building your commercial space, comply with the local codes from the start to avoid redoing everything and spending more money in the process. Remember that these codes are there to protect your business and everyone in your area. Follow the regulations to avoid disasters that you may eventually regret.