Commercial building owners have many different issues to consider. Among those is whether their building is up to current code, and what may need to be done to ensure that and make any needed corrections. Before deciding to make changes, owners will want to take a careful look at their city and state codes, and also potentially talk to the code enforcement officer or others who do inspections in order to determine what making those changes may mean. In some cases, changing something could lead to a requirement that other areas of the building are brought up to current code, which could be costly.
Are there different qualifications per state?
Each state has building codes, and so do many cities. However, there are also federal, HUD building codes. These HUD codes are the minimum codes that must be met for a building to be legal and stable in the United States. Then, state and city codes are imposed on top of the federal requirements. For example, in Florida and some other coastal states, hurricane clips are required. They would not be a requirement in the Midwest, but some type of reinforcement or area for people to seek shelter from tornadoes might. Every state is different.
What are some of the basic qualifications?
Basic qualifications for commercial building codes are focused on stability, safety, and the ability to escape if there is a fire or other type of event. The sizes and shapes of commercial buildings are open to a lot of interpretation and different options, but they all have to make sure they meet federal guidelines, along with state and city requirements, for the protection of their employees and customers. That means fire exits, alarm systems, sprinkler systems for some types of businesses, smoke alarms, proper signage, and more.
What are some tips to ensure your commercial building is up to code?
To ensure that a commercial building is up to code, owners can work with code enforcement in their city. They can also contact their state’s building commission and reach out to HUD to make sure they are following federal, city, and state requirements. Commercial buildings that are not up to code may need adjustments to ensure that they are safe, and that employees and and customers will be able to vacate the building quickly if necessary. Additionally, working with a knowledgeable contractor can make it easier for any commercial business owner to bring a building up to code and keep it there as that code changes.
If you are in need of a security system for your commercial property in order to meet the basic requirements of building codes in your area, contact Sonitrol today.