| Amendments Can Hurt You |
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Even though 37 separate states adopt some edition of some nationally recognized code for certain occupancies, you still must stay on top of the additional ammendments these states make to the adopted codes.
Well informed contractors and designers, where codes are mandated at the state level, will contact the state building codes commissions or councils and make themselves aware of the important changes. For example, the Uniform Building Code calls for a maximum stair rise of 7 inches. The State of Washington changed this requirement to 7.5 inches giving the designer more flexibility. But, it could have worked the other way around and the state could have changed it to only 6.5 inches. This could be an expensive lesson. Make sure to get current copies of your state's amendments and insert them in your loose leaf copy of the governing codes. |
