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Uniform Construction Code A Statewide Code Adoption

PENNSYLVANIA PRIOR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF  ACT 45 OF 1999

STATEWIDE / LOCAL CODES The only statewide construction standards that regulate non-residential construction and are limited to fire safety and accessibility requirements (administered by PA Department of Labor & Industry) It is estimated that about 1,000 of the state’s 2,567 municipalities have some form of local construction code

1,000 Municipalities with a Code The standards range from a local, “home-grown” code, to a very old version of one of the national model codes, to the latest version of the International Code Council’s family of codes The level of enforcement varies considerably, as does the level of expertise of the enforcing agents, none of whom met any government certification requirements Commercial building owners are compelled to obtain both local and state plan approvals and local and state inspections

1,500+ Municipalities with No  Code Requirements Residential construction is unregulated

"REASONS FOR PURSUING" REASONS FOR PURSUING A STATEWIDE BUILDING CODE

Private Sector’s Reasons Builders (commercial and residential) argued that they face a work environment that was very confusing because of widely varying codes and standards in many jurisdictions Variation in standards slowed the construction process and increased costs

"Building owners complained about duplicative..." Building owners complained about duplicative regulatory requirements and multiple approvals which were necessary in many jurisdictions Design professionals desired the adoption of up-to-date construction standards Insurers argued that their costs were adversely impacted by shoddy construction which resulted from the lack of construction standards or the lack of enforcement

Public Sector’s Reasons There were no construction codes protecting the safety and welfare of the consumer, general public, and owners and occupants of buildings and structures, in many jurisdictions A need to eliminate restrictive, obsolete and conflicting construction code requirements

"A need to establish uniform" A need to establish uniform, modern construction standards, and provide a process for regularly updating the adopted standards A need to eliminate duplicative construction approval processes Concerns that the federal government would reduce federal disaster assistance, if properties were not constructed to a nationally recognized construction code

"Concerns that local code officials..." Concerns that local code officials were inadequately trained and supervised Concerns that insurers might raise premiums for properties which were not built to nationally recognized codes and standards

Administration & Enforcement Statewide Building Code Establishes a single, uniform construction code for all jurisdictions and all construction types (International Code Council family of codes) Single set of latest codes and standards will facilitate construction activity and raise level of public safety, energy conservation, etc.

"Provides for adoption of the..." Provides for adoption of the triennial successor codes no later than December 31 of the year in which they were adopted Municipalities, which are intended to be the primary enforcement agents, may alter code requirements depending on local needs, as long as the changes equal or exceed the minimum requirements of the code Duplicative approval processes are eliminated – one set of approvals

"Code officials must meet certification..." Code officials must meet certification requirements and continue their education, in order to be re-certified, which, over time, will result in a much higher degree of professionalism and improved enforcement Time table: Training and certification requirements in effect as of July 12, 2002. Administration and Enforcement Regulation (which determines effective date of new code) currently undergoing formal review and comment. Final approval likely in Spring 2003

Information Technology Generate Common Ordinance adoption format Building permit application Occupancy Permits Plan Retention requirements Need secure database for first responders with design, evacuation plans and key contacts

- To Date -  Regulatory Experience Indicates Local government dislike Required common permit application form State requirement that they retain even commercial construction documents for the life of the building Lack of space for storage Lack of IT equipment for digital handling of these records Basic Problem: Lack of resources to develop/purchase means to store documents