Most homeowners want to know if the work they will have done to their home “meets code.” This is a tricky question with many answers and many prerequisites that need to be addressed before you answer. Codes are an ever-changing thing. They are written by large national organizations made up by government, and industry officials. The question “Does it meet code” depends on many factors and isn’t a clear yes or no.
Understanding Codes
Codes are a moving object. By that I mean that they are always changing. In fact, codes are changed, adjusted and made about every 3 years. They get changed because we want to improve upon them as well as make structures safer. An indirect result of these changes is the ability to understand how things hold up or deteriorate.
Does it meet code?
The answer to this question depends on when, who and where you ask. Something that meets code perfectly today might not meet code tomorrow. Houses that were built a short while ago could have been perfectly built to meet code, but today they do not. You could also build the same house in two different states or even cities, and one may not pass
Inconsistent Code
As with a lot of things, codes start at the Federal level and trickle down the bureaucratic ladder. State, county, city and municipality codes are enough to make a person scream. Who’s got time to research all of this?
The Code Police
Private home inspectors have no authority to enforce the building code. The municipal inspectors are the only people who can determine whether or not something meets code. And since they are people, even that can vary.
Grandfathered Code
The word ‘grandfather’ does not appear in the building codes. What?! Yes, Grand fathered in doesn’t mean anything since building codes are for new buildings only. Codes aren’t retroactive. In conclusion, safety takes precedent over all things when doing construction. Things that are unsafe are more important than minor changes over the years that don’t present a danger.