5.1. SR 03-24-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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International Code Council, Inc" News & Info Page 2 of 2 The ICC Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities joined the I-Code family in 2001. Two new codes debut in 2003: The International Existing Building Code and International Urban- Wildland Interface Code. ICC also publishes I-Code Commentaries and a host of products and services that strengthen its position as the leader in building and fire safety codes. The ICC code development process allows input from all interested individuals and parties. To ensure public safety always comes first, only government officials are eligible to vote on the final code requirements. ICC provides technical and educational services to suppod the I-Codes and I-Code users. Today's building codes can be traced back to the Code of Hammurabi, circa 2200-1800 B.C. The Code of Hammurabi provided for the death of a builder if the construction of a dwelling collapsed and caused the death of the owner. The first building codes in the United States, established in 1625, addressed fire safety and specified materials for roof coverings. In 1630, Boston outlawed chimneys made with wood and thatch roof coverings. In the late 1770s George Washington recommended that height and area limitations be imposed on wood frame buildings in his plans for the District of Columbia. In 1788, the first known formal building code was written in the United States (in German) in Old Salem, (now Winston-Salem) North Carolina. Larger U.S. cities began establishing building codes in the early 1800s. In 1865, New Orleans was the first city to enact a law requiring inspections of public places. The National Board of Fire Underwriters published its Recommended National Building Code in 1905. In 1915, the world's first model code organization was established to provide a forum for exchange of ideas regarding building safety and construction regulations. In 1973, the American Institute of Architects called for one code to be used throughout the United States. EDITORS NOTE: Photos are available at vgWW.iCC~Sfe,or9 http://www.iccsafe.org/news/nr012103consolidation.htm 3/17/2003