Building codes throughout the U.S. vary by state and address not only structural requirements but also establish fire, electrical, safety, and health standards, plus standards for access to, from and ...

Building codes usually come up in the context of safety – a properly constructed building can help prevent injury or death from fires, earthquakes, and extreme weather. But they’re also essential for ...

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), “Building codes protect you from a wide range of hazards—whether it is by implementing safe wiring, fire prevention, or stronger structural ...

Cross-posted from Energy Self-Reliant States, a resource of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. In energy policy, lawmakers often prefer carrots to sticks, because this strategy minimizes the ...

King Hammurabi of Babylonia enacted the first known building codes. The first known written building code was enacted by King Hammurabi in Babylon in 1758 B.C. Literally written in stone, the harsh ...

A new federal analysis gives all but a handful of states the lowest possible rating on the quality of their building codes, showing a widespread failure to protect people against windstorms and ...

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, two feet of rain fell on western North Carolina, damaging or sweeping away thousands of houses in landslides and floods. At least 101 people died. In many cases, ...