1. Codes, Ethics, and Laws
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2. Codes and Federal Regulations
Interior designers are legally responsible for being aware of and implementing applicable local, state, or federal codes.
Federal regulations are mandated by law and required regardless of local codes.
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3. Codes
What are codes:
A collection of regulations, ordinances, and other statutory requirements put together by various organizations. Once adopted by each jurisdiction, they become law. They are enforced on a local level and sometimes state level.
They provide for a minimum level of performance, adequate standards of practice, and uniformity of workmanship.
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4. Purpose of Codes Ensure public health and safety throughout a building
Most have come into play “after-the-fact” as a learning experience from a major tragedy
They are primarily concerned with:
Construction requirements
Hazardous materials or equipment used in the building
75% of all codes and standards deal with fire
Energy conservation
Accessibility
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5. Four Types of Building Codes
Model Building Codes
Electrical Codes
Life Safety and Fire Codes
Residential Codes
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6. Model Building Codes
Purpose: define construction requirements and limit use of hazardous materials
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7. Common Codes
National Building Code (NBC) Published by Building Officials Code Administration (BOCA)
Standard Building Code (SBC) Published by Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI)
Uniform Building Code (UBC) Published by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)
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8. International Building Code
Published by the International Code Council
First established in 1994 and published in 2000
Most current edition is 2012 with a new edition expected in 2015
Legacy codes are no longer being updated; IBC is updated every three years
Some MS Jurisdictions adopted the code in 2003
This code has now replaced the three model codes
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9. It’s important to determine…
At the start of every project, what codes and which edition of the codes is being enforced in the jurisdiction of your project
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10. One and Two Family Dwellings Code Requirements
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11. Electrical Codes
Purpose: define construction requirements for these specialties
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12. Common Codes
National Electric Code (NEC) Published by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
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13. Life Safety and Fire Codes
Purpose: establish minimum requirements for fire safety
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14. Common Codes – Fire Codes
ICC and NFPA now include fire codes
IFC International Fire Code
UFC Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1 ®)
These address building conditions in relation to hazardous conditions that could cause a fire or explosion
Designers will address chapters on:
Interior Finishes
Furnishing and Decorative Materials
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15. Common Codes – Life Safety Code (LSF, or NFPA 101®)
One of the first codes published by NFPA
Revised every three years
2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015 versions
It is NOT a building code; it focuses on removal or evacuation of all persons from a building by protecting them from fire, smoke, and toxic fumes
Uses the Manual Style Format; first section concentrates on broad topics, description of occupancies, means of egress, and fire protection
Second part is divided into chapters by occupancy type for new and existing buildings
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16. Residential Codes
Purpose: define construction requirements in one and two-family dwellings
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17. Common Codes International Residential Code (IRC)
First available in 1998
Based on the former One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code
Applies to construction of single family, duplex, and townhouses
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18. Federal Regulations
A number of federal agencies and departments work with trade associations, private companies, and the general public to develop federal laws for building construction
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19. Federal Regulations
These regulations are published in the Federal Register (FR) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Published daily, but not all rules are enforceable laws
Once they have been passed into law, they are published in the CFR annually
The federal government regulates its own buildings
Federal buildings have their own regulations and do not use state or model codes (VA hospitals, military bases, etc.)
They can pass federal legislation creating a law that supersedes all other state and local codes and standards; the ADA is an example
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20. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Developed by the Department of Justice
Four-part federal legislation become law on July 26th, 1990
Enforceable in 1992 and 1993
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21. (ADA)
Is a comprehensive civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities in the area of:
Employment (Title 1)
State and Local gov’t services and transportation (Title II)
Public accommodations and commercial facilities (Title III)
Telecommunications (Title IV)
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22. Fair Housing Act
Federal legislation enforced by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Protects the consumer from discrimination in housing when buying or renting
Pertains to housing with four or more dwelling units
As of 1991, these buildings must have accessible public and common areas and ground floor units must be accessible and meet specific construction requirements
The FHA is often considered the residential version of the ADA

23. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Passed in 1970 to protect the American employee in the work place
It regulates the design of buildings and interior projects where people are employed
Employer must furnish a safe working environment or can be fined
It also stresses the safe installation of materials and equipment to ensure the safety of construction workers
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24. Ethics
What are ethics?
In the simplest terms, the word “ethics” A number of federal agencies and departments work with trade associations, private companies and the general public to develop federal laws for building construction.
“Ethics” is something you either have or you don’t have
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25. Ethics is something that is learned and chosen throughout one's life.
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26. Common Workplace Ethics
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27. Ethics Punctuality Responsibility
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28. Ethics Integrity and Loyalty Teamwork
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29. Ethics Attitude Professionalism
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