Virginia Building Department Protect the Public
Your local Virginia Building Inspections Department safeguards local buildings.
Do-it-yourselfers need to review building codes for safety.
Your local Virginia building inspection department does more than issue permits.
Your local Virginia Building Inspections Department safeguards local buildings.
For thousands of years, building codes and regulations have protected the public. The earliest known code of law the Code of Hammurabi, king of the Babylonian Empire, written in 2200 B.C. assessed penalties if a building was constructed improperly. Hammurabi's code said that if a builder builds a house and does not make its construction firm, and the house collapses causing the death of the owner, that builder shall be put to death.
Modern building codes and ordinances do not contain a death penalty. They do protect the public, reduce potential hazards, provide building standards and lower construction and insurance costs. Today, we use and enforce modern building codes that address structural, fire, electrical and mechanical safety as well as health, security and even energy conservation. Our job is to make sure that homes, schools, businesses and other structures are safe places to live, work and play. Construction projects are inspected at several stages to ensure that happens.
For codes to be effective, building officials, property owners and the construction industry (developers, builders, architects, engineers and urban planners), must work together. Your local Virginia building inspections department provides a wide range of services from building plan review to inspection during all stages of construction. Building codes provide local government with a way to guard the public's personal safety, much like traffic laws regulate driving. Construction codes also ensure the economic well-being of our community. They reduce the potential spread of fire and disease. They tell consumers that homes and commercial buildings in our community are built as safe as possible.
In the late-19th century, the United States enacted the first set of building regulations because of widespread property losses caused by fire. By the early 1900s, code enforcement officials were writing codes for their individual communities. These codes, which were often inconsistent from town to town, led to the need for model building codes that could be used all across America. National building codes are now the regulatory basis for the administration of construction in cities, counties and states throughout the United States. Building codes and ordinances set minimum safety standards for all aspects of building construction (structural, fire, and plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems). Codes impact architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, plumbers, electricians, manufacturers, distributors of building materials and the occupant of the building. Inspections at various stages verify that the structure complies with the established code. Before you can move into a new home, office or factory, an average of 10 inspections has been conducted.
Do-it-yourselfers are urged to call your local building inspections department before beginning any building project for information about what type of permits and inspections may be required. The telephone number for your local building inspections department can be found in the government section of your phone book.
The most recent responsibility of building officials comes from the need to conserve energy. Beyond adding insulation, energy-saving steps include new standards for appliance construction and energy-efficient designs for showerheads, thermostats and toilets.
A system of fees, such as building permit fees, defray the costs of administrating and enforcing building codes. Generally, the fees are less than 1% of the overall cost of the building project. That's a small price to pay for safety. Building codes provide safeguards. Although no code can eliminate all risk, codes and inspection processes reduce risks to an acceptable level.
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Do-it-yourselfers need to review building codes for safety
Part of the pride, and sometimes the frustration of being a homeowner, is repairing and maintaining property to protect your investment. While most do-it-yourself projects do not require building permits and inspections, major projects usually do.
Do-it-yourselfers can't go wrong contacting the local Virginia building inspections department before they start a home project. Even if the project doesn't require permits and inspections, we might be able to offer advice to ensure the homeowner and the home's safety. For example, installing an outdoor faucet might look like a simple procedure, but if not done according to code, it can be a disaster. Cross connections, inadvertently connecting two separate piping systems, are the most frequent cause of water contamination when amateurs tackle plumbing projects. A cross connection can contaminate safe drinking water with water from another source such as a bath tub, washing machine, lavatory or garden hose. This can happen if you don't understand the effects changes in water and air pressure have in plumbing systems and don't install air gaps or a vacuum breakers when necessary. You could end up contaminating safe drinking water coming out of the kitchen faucet.
Electrical repairs also can turn into disasters for the do-it-yourselfer who doesn't comply with local building codes and practices. Proper grounding is a must. If electrical current leaks due to a faulty circuit or appliance, and the circuit isn't grounded properly, fire, shock or electrocution could be the result. Other common electrical mistakes include overloaded circuits, improperly installed switches or outlets, and faulty wiring,
Building a deck or porch may seem like a simple project for a do-it-yourselfer, but hazards await if you don't follow codes. Guard rails are a must at stairs on decks, porches, patios, balconies and raised floors. Codes govern the height of guard rails and spacing for safe construction and to ensure that a child won't become stuck between rails causing serious injury or death. The safest procedure is to check with your local Virginia building inspections department before starting these types of projects. Decks and porches often require a permit and inspection.
Many homeowners don t realize that property maintenance may be regulated for community safety and appearance. Property maintenance issues can include weatherproofing buildings, maintaining structural integrity and interior surfaces, insect infestation, unsafe garages and sheds. If you have any questions, your local Virginia building inspection department is the place to start. For more information, their telephone number can be found in the government section of your telephone book.
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Your local Virginia building inspection department does more than issue permits
You can avoid many problems before you begin a home or commercial remodeling or renovation project by contacting your local building department. Building department officials can tell you what type of projects require building permits and inspections, which ones don't and even offer advice in completing the job safely.
A building permit is a license that grants legal permission to begin construction of a building project. Permits and inspections are necessary to verify that local building and fire code standards are met. If not, the public's health, safety and welfare are at risk. If you hire a professional contractor to do the work, select a builder who is familiar with local building codes. The codes apply whether a professional or a do-it-yourselfer does the job.
Most people realize that new buildings, additions to existing structures, renovations, demolitions, temporary buildings and fireplace installation usually require building permits and inspections. Less obvious projects that may require permits include installing swimming pools, decks and fences as well as some tasks that involve electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
The time to call is before you start a project. Tell us what you plan to do and we will explain the legal requirements and assist you until the project is completed safely. After contacting the building department, you will have to complete an application for a building permit. Code officials can also provide resources and information that will help make your project a success and avoid potential problems that could cost you time and money. The permit application will require basic information about the project, such as who will perform the work, what work will be done and how the work will be done. The application also will ask you to submit sketches, plans or other documentation for review. If the construction plans do not comply with code, zoning and other related ordinances, a code official can help you adjust your plan to meet the requirements for a permit.
To receive a permit you will have to pay a small fee. The fee helps defray the cost of the building department's time spent on the application, review and inspection process. The fee also gives you access to the building department's knowledge and experience when you have questions about the construction project. Post the building permit at the construction site. Any proposed changes to the original plan should be brought to the attention of the code official. Some changes will require review and approval.
Once the work begins, the building department will inspect each major phase of construction. It is the responsibility of the person doing the work to schedule inspections. Normally, you want to give the building department at least two days notice for an inspection. If the inspector finds that some work does not meet code, the inspector will tell you what needs to be done to bring the work up to acceptable safety standards. When the work is done and the inspector approves the final project, you will receive a certificate of occupancy.* This certificate formally marks completion of the project with the knowledge that it meets code and safety standards.
For more information about building permits, inspections and fees, call your local Virginia building inspections department; their telephone number is listed in the government section of your phone book.
* In Virginia, Certificates of occupancy are required for all new structures, and when the use or occupancy of the building changes. Remodeling, additions, decks and similar projects only require a final inspection.
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Answers to common questions about building codes
You're planning an addition to your house, will you need a building permit? You want to build a patio deck, are there building codes that apply to this project? How much does a building permit cost and where do the fees go? Building departments across the country respond to these typical questions almost every day.
Building codes are laws or ordinances adopted at the local or state level that set minimum safety standards for the construction of residential and commercial buildings. Building codes regulate structural and fire safety; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems; and even energy conservation.
Whether it's a home, office, school or place of work, the public needs and expects reasonable protection from disasters due to structural collapse, fire, mechanical malfunctions or property deterioration. Building codes provide public safeguards. Although no code can eliminate all risks, codes reduce risk to an acceptable level. Most national model codes are updated every three years to ensure they are current and include new technologies that are proven to be safe.
A system of fees, such as building permits fees, defray the costs of administrating and enforcing building codes. Generally, the fees are less than 1% of the overall cost of the building project.
Proper design and construction practices along with an inspection program make buildings safe. Home and business owners make a large financial investment when building or adding to a structure. Those involved with a building construction project including builders, contractors, subcontractors, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, architects, engineers, manufacturers, distributors of building materials and even do-it-yourselfers must abide by building codes. You can't afford to risk your safety and investment with anything less than complete code enforcement and compliance. Buildings are inspected at various stages of construction. On average, 10 different times before it is approved for occupancy. This is the best way to verify code compliance.
Before beginning any building project, contact your local building department for information. Most building departments can give you pamphlets that explain in detail how to obtain permits as well as offer advice on design and construction of safe buildings that meet the ordinances of your local community.
The first and foremost reason for enforcement of building codes is public safety.. Code enforcement personnel also want to ensure the economic well-being of property in our jurisdiction by reducing damage potential from fire and other hazards associated with substandard construction. You also can save money in the long run through energy conservation, which many municipalities address in building codes. Meeting code standards also protects your investment for the future. When the time comes to sell your residential or commercial property, the purchaser deserves reasonable assurances that the property they buy will be safe. A safe property can help ensure that you get top dollar as the seller.
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Think safety first when buying a fireplace or wood stove
Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are attractive home additions for their looks and ability to reduce heating bills. When not installed properly, these solid-fuel burning appliances can be a life-threatening hazard. If you're in the market for a fireplace or wood-burning stove do some homework before purchase and installation. First, contact your local building department. Most will require a permit before installation and inspection by a trained professional. It is recommend that you purchase a fireplace or wood-burning stove that is labeled by an approved testing and inspection agency. Work with your builder to find the best interior location. That decision will be based on the chimney's path. Most units come with spacers, a two-inch metal strip, that goes under the hearth to keep embers from burning wood floors. Whether a professional does the job or it's a do-it-yourself project, follow all safety precautions exactly.
Once installed, inspected and approved, the homeowner needs to read the instruction manual carefully to understand how the fireplace or wood-burning stove works, You've got to properly adjust dampers that effect air flow. And you've got to have it cleaned regularly. If not, creosote builds up in the chimney wall creating a fire danger. Prior to the heating season be sure to get a professional chimney cleaning for safety and efficient burning. Inside the home, clean out the firebox regularly. Don t place materials that could ignite on top of a fireplace or wood-burning stove. It is also suggested that you contact your insurance agent. Most insurance companies require a rider to the homeowner's policy and a final inspection report from your local Virginia building inspection department.
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VBCOA would like to thank BOCA International and Mr. Steve Daggers for providing this informative material.