The Complexities of Building Codes in Construction

Organizations and real estate developers take proactive safety steps when constructing new buildings or major renovations. This not only keeps occupants safe but deters corporations from major personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. That's why businesses want to ensure contractors are qualified with multiple references prior to engagement. For those of us in construction, we know the important role that building codes play carrying out a construction project. State and local governments mandate these minimum requirements designing and constructing for a reason; however, according to the Journal of Light Construction (JLC, more than 40% of field inspections on construction sites result in a building code violation. Check out some tips on the most frequent building code failures found on construction and remodeling projects to better prepare for your next project.

Braced Wall-Errors: Despite the fact that braced-wall panels are a crucial part of many building codes, builders routinely struggle to meet requirements. The most common oversight is failing to install adequate blocking in between wall studs--a mistake which can lead to major repercussions down the line.

Emergency Exits/Fire Blocking: It's very important that fire blocking codes are followed as they help slow the spread of smoke and flames in the event of a fire. This means cutting off the concealed draft openings between all horizontal and vertical cavities, which keeps them separate from each other. Unfortunately, framers sometimes miss openings that should be blocked, increasing the risk of a fire.

Documentation Missing: Ensuring all required documentation is present on a construction site is essential for any successful inspection. Without the necessary paperwork, passing can be a huge challenge. ConTech software can help ensure inspections and seamless and efficient.

Weakened Beams: A successful construction project that passes inspections with passing colors is dependent on precise analysis. Using incorrect structural calculations could lead to the use of inadequate beams and an increased risk of safety hazards no contractor can afford to make.

Stairway Errors: Inadequate headroom and improper handrails or guardrails are common stair layout issues. Without sufficient horizontal space, there is a risk of reduced safety due to poorly-placed rails that might not be securely attached.

Improper Anchor Bolts: Miscommunication between framing and concrete crews is often a major underlying issue in violations of footing and foundation anchor bolts. To prevent potential issues, it's important for all teams to keep each other informed throughout the construction process.

FMG Construction is committed to helping organizations and real estate developers take charge on safety measures when constructing new buildings or major renovations. To ensure projects are done right, we've gone into detail on some of the latest technology applications that aid common code failures in our blog 7 Cutting-Edge Construction Apps You Should Know.

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