A Matter of Perspective

 

By William (Bill) Brizee, AIA, CSI, CCCA, CDP, LEED®-AP

President & CEO

Building codes are one of life’s necessary evils, often viewed with mild trepidation but with a change in perspective, even favor. It is established that adherence to codes promotes public safety. However, a new code not available in previous downturns, offers alternatives to compliance on renovations and repairs of existing buildings that can yield savings and help breathe life into a languishing economy.

The International Existing Building Code® (IEBC®) is a model code intended to provide alternative approaches to remodeling, repair or alteration of existing buildings. It was the subject of my presentation at a recent symposium on building codes in Hawai‘i. Alternatives made possible through use of this code can be welcome news in a down economy since renovations are typically the first projects that resurface at the start of a rebound. In fact, we have seen that renovations lead economic recovery and we are seeing renovations planned now.

In essence, IEBC® is a catalyst that encourages the use and reuse of existing buildings with alternative approaches to code compliance and reasonable upgrades and improvements to address public safety, health and welfare. The existing building code encourages sustainability in the sense that it promotes re-use of existing buildings. While retrofitting existing buildings might seem cost prohibitive, IEBC® delivers options and these codes can be used in conjunction with property assessment analyses to reuse properties in efficient and innovative new ways.

My subcommittee for the State Building Code Council is looking into propagating this code into the family of State Building Codes to allow this more flexible method of strict compliance with the State Building Code. IEBC® is green, cost effective and incentivizes renovations and repairs. The IEBC® and similar new codes are available to everyone and when properly applied, serve as valuable tools, especially in times like these.