Introduction
The Uniform Building Code has been very reactive document which was adopted for the first time in 1850. It has not been changed significantly since 1968 but various amendments and regulations have been made (Hammit, 2000). The Department of Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster admits the fact that these changes in amendments and regulations governing the code has give rise to index-less document which cannot be navigated very easily. One of the major modifications that have been made since 1968 is addition of layer of cost by the expeditors which comprise sleaze vulnerability.
Main body
Modifications have been carried out following any occurrence of a catastrophe which can affect economies of the world countries. Such catastrophe includes deadly fire or collapse of building that lead to loss that require substantial resource to rebuild, when the world is faced with the Great Depression. Problems that impacts public attention has lead to modifications of the code. In 1980, the local law was after the completion of the building.
Another modification was made in 2004 and it required owners to give file inspections reports about their buildings after every five years. Local Law of 1998 required that exterior wall of a building be inspected 9/11 attack to enhance ability of a constructed building to evacuate incase of catastrophe. This required that buildings should have exit signs, sprinklers, and emergency action plans (Hammit, 2000).
Uniform Electrical Code has also been modified as part of the building code since its inception in 1850. Some of the modifications that have been made include:
- Buildings and other structures that requires substantial resources should be wired in a very extra ordinary way to avoid chances of fire break out due to improper wiring of the house. This is a recent modification and it excludes single family dwellings, buildings that are constructed by wood, apartments that do not exceed three stories and accessory buildings (Metz, 2002).
- Modifications have also been made to govern mode of terminals installation in a constructed building. It relates to binding screws and self-locking terminals of receptacles and switches. It suggest that these shall not be substituted for splices in conductors
- All new buildings shall be wired following the regulations that are laid down in Uniform Electrical Code.
Uniform Plumbing Code has been modified in various ways to fit the changes that are occurring in the global world. The code has been modified to enable proper transaction of business activities. The recent development made requires that any plumbing business should be done by the licensed persons in the New York City who have the economic base and are based within the city limits. This is aimed at responding to the needs of the locals (Metz, 2002).
Conclusion
A lot of modifications have been made in International Building Code. One and Two Family Dwelling Code which was initiated in 1970s that govern single family construction. In 1990s, modifications were made to regulate factory buildings due to intense growth been experienced in most countries. The changes made in this International Building Code required that production of factory houses should be done following specialized regulatory procedures. The site where the factory is to be build should e inspected and that it comply with the regulations. The code has also been modified to promote uniformity of requirements for all manufacturing buildings (Falk, 1990).
References List
Falk, D. (1990). Building Codes. National Housing Policy Review. 700-780.
Hammit, J. (2000). Housing and Residential Codes, Washington, DC. Center for Building Technology. 100-150.
Metz, E. (2002). Housing Technology and Building Codes, Cambridge, Mass: Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University.