Austin, Texas, adopts AI-driven building permit software

After a successful pilot program, Austin has adopted AI-driven building permit software to speed up the building permitting process.

Calif. governor signs limited extension to hospital seismic retrofit mandate

Some California hospitals will have three additional years to comply with the state’s seismic retrofit mandate, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill extending the 2030 deadline.

San Francisco unveils guidelines to streamline office-to-residential conversions

The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection announced a series of new building code guidelines clarifying adaptive reuse code provisions and exceptions for converting office-to-residential buildings. Developed in response to the Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse program established in July 2023, the guidelines aim to increase the viability of converting underutilized office buildings into housing by reducing regulatory barriers in specific zoning districts downtown.

Codes and Standards

Navigating the intricacies of code compliance and authorities having jurisdiction

The construction of a building entails navigating through a maze of regulations, permits, and codes. Architects are more than mere designers; we are stewards of safety and navigators of code compliance.

Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2015

Oregon to spend $300 million for seismic updates on public buildings

A survey found that more than 1,000 Oregon school buildings face a high risk of collapse during earthquakes.

Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015

Maryland’s Prince George County turns to P3s to build green infrastructure

Over the next 10 years, the county must convert 15,000 acres of watertight surfaces—almost 5% of the county's total area—into surfaces that absorb or treat rainwater.

Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015

Philadelphia considers more incentives for green building

Developers could be allowed additional height, floor area on projects that meet benchmarks.

Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015

LEED building at Duke University may be retrofitted to prevent bird deaths

More birds die from colliding with buildings at Duke than on any other campus in a 45-school survey conducted by Augustana College. Duke is located along the Atlantic Flyway, a bird migration route.

Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015

Balcony collapse in Berkeley, Calif., prompts an examination of codes

Dry rot and too much weight appear to be the causes of a fatal accident at an eight-year-old building in Berkeley, Calif.

Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015

Guides to wood construction in high wind areas updated

The guides establish prescriptive, wind-resistive structural requirements for wood-frame buildings of different sizes and shapes.

Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015

New document addresses school safety and security

In an effort to balance security and fire safety features within codes, standards and planning, NFPA hosted a two-day workshop, “School Safety, Codes and Security”, last December. The findings are now available in an NFPA report.

Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015

Two myths regarding NFPA 101 Life Safety Code debunked

NFPA life safety engineer Ron Coté settles the debate over second egress doors and exit signs.

Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015

How to prevent corrosion in sprinkler system piping

The technical committees responsible for NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, have been looking at ways to eliminate or reduce corrosion in sprinkler systems for several revision cycles.