Time and time again, buyers have been reminded to check on the appropriate building codes of their areas during the initial stages of their steel building projects. What are building codes, anyway?

In general, building codes are intended for the use of architects and engineers in the design and manufacture of buildings and other structures. If enacted by the appropriate authority, building codes become law of a particular jurisdiction.

The online encyclopedia defines building codes as a collection of rules and regulations adopted by authorities having appropriate jurisdiction to control the design and construction of buildings, alteration, repair, quality of materials, use and occupancy, and related factors of buildings within their jurisdiction; contains minimum architectural, structural, and mechanical standards for sanitation, public health, welfare, safety, and the provision of light and air.

In short, they specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings and non-building structures.

Building codes generally include:

· Rules regarding parking and traffic impact
· Fire code rules to ensure safe evacuation of occupants in the event of a fire
· Requirements for resistance to natural calamities such as earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, and tsunami, especially in disaster prone areas or for very large buildings where a failure would be catastrophic
· Drainage, green space, and fence-building rules
· Requirements for specific building uses (for example, storage of flammable and hazardous substances, or housing a large number of people)
· Grandfathering provisions: Unless the building is being renovated, the building code usually does not apply to existing buildings.
· Specifications on components
· Allowable installation methodologies
· Minimum and maximum room and exit sizes and their location
· Qualification of individuals or corporations doing the construction work
· For high structures, anti-collision markers for the benefit of aircraft

By now you should have a clear understanding of the importance of knowing the applicable steel buildings code and what roles they play in the design of your steel building.