SMCO: Organization provides building code education

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|ret|Roger Day is president of Southwest Missouri Code Officials.

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|ret|Most cities and many counties adopt and enforce building codes to help protect the safety and welfare of the public. The Southwest Missouri Code Officials is an organization that provides opportunities for knowledge exchange and educational seminars for those involved in code enforcement, building design and building construction.

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|ret|Building codes establish minimum standards for overall building design, energy conservation, fire safety, plumbing, mechanical and electrical aspects. As a sampling, these standards determine the sizes and features of stairways, ramps and corridors; the number and location of exit doors and the distances to reach them; the appropriate hardware for each door; the structural strength of floors and roofs; building earthquake resistance; the insulating value of walls and roofs; the number of plumbing fixtures provided; the volume of outdoor air introduced into the building; the extent to which fire walls, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems are required; and emergency lighting and signage.

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|ret|In addition to protection of the public, codes secondarily provide for the protection of property. While such features as sprinkler systems and fire walls help to reduce fire damage within a building, code requirements are also aimed at reducing or eliminating fire damage to nearby structures. When building owners, design professionals and contractors ensure that buildings are in conformance with code requirements, they not only create safe buildings, but also reduce their own liability in the event of an accident or fire.

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|ret|In addition to public safety and reduction of property damage, codes also require features to make public buildings and a portion of the units in large apartment complexes accessible to handicapped individuals. Such individuals may be physically impaired, requiring the use of a cane, walker or wheelchair. Or they may be sight or hearing impaired.

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|ret|Accessibility requirements include the provision of special parking spaces and curb ramps; accessible routes to points within the building; maneuvering room at doorways; and specially designed kitchen and toilet room features. Specific signage is required to denote parking, exits and toilet rooms. Most multistory public buildings must provide an elevator. Accessibility requirements are spelled out in building codes. These requirements are similar to, but separate from, the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a federal law.

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|ret|The Southwest Missouri Code Officials organization sponsors periodic seminars on building code and technical topics of benefit to its members. It also produces a newsletter for its members and maintains a scholarship fund. Membership includes code administrators, plan reviewers, building inspectors, fire marshals, health inspectors, architects, engineers, private consultants, contractors and safety equipment manufacturers.

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|ret|SMCO has 100 members. SMCO's official region extends just beyond the 417 area code, covering 20 counties. However, SMCO has welcomed members located as far away as St. Robert and South Hutchinson, Kan. With Springfield being the largest city in the region, 46 members hail from Springfield, with 32 of those being city or county employees.

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|ret|Most SMCO-sponsored seminars are open to nonmembers, and most provide recognized continuing education units. Some seminars are free and some require payment to cover the fees of visiting experts. Past seminar topics have included light gauge metal framing, EIFS systems, engineered wood products, fire stopping, masonry fire walls and an overview of the International Residential Code.

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|ret|In December of last year, the chapter produced a well-received panel discussion seminar titled |quot|Design and Construction Issues Affecting the Code Official.|quot| The six-member panel included architects, engineers and contractors. Another panel discussion seminar on issues relating to alterations of existing buildings was held Oct. 24.

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|ret|On Nov. 13, SMCO and the city of Springfield are co-sponsoring an all-day seminar titled |quot|The Essentials of Plan Submittal.|quot| It will be held on the Ozarks Technical Community College campus. It will feature morning presentations by the various city departments that review project plans.

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|ret|A panel format in the afternoon will support more detailed discussions. All individuals that are part of the design and code enforcement community are encouraged to attend. There is no cost for those attending this seminar. Lunch and an extensive binder of information will be provided for each attendee.

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