In any construction project, from building a new home to the integration of an interstate overpass, there are multiple parties which are required to work together to achieve a full level of compliance. A crucial part of this partnership is the authority having jurisdiction (or AHJ). This authority is typically the city, county, or state, depending on the scope of the project. All designs have some level of subjection to this local authority, whose regulations may be unique to their location. At the onset of a project, a civil engineer can research which codes the AHJ will require to be followed for the design and thus prepare the owner for the effort necessary to comply with those codes. Categories of codes may include building/dwelling, structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and energy, among others.
Often, civil engineering codes or standards that have been established by organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) will be the baseline followed within a project. According to the ASCE Policy Statement 525, “the purpose of a building code is to establish minimum requirements necessary to protect and improve public health, safety and welfare in the built environment.” In addition, building codes consider the conservation of natural resources and environmental preservation. Further, “codes also help protect real estate investments, both commercial and non-commercial, by providing a minimum level of engineering design and construction quality, thereby reducing variability in the built environment.”
Through their partnership, a civil engineer and the AHJ can ensure the standards for safe practices are met. This partnership is beneficial to the owner of the project in that the civil engineer can communicate their needs and adjust the design to meet the requirements of the AHJ. The following is a practical example of this relationship.
1. The Owner desires to build a parking garage.
As an example, an owner of a downtown business may desire to convert the empty lot next to them into a parking garage for their customers. In this case, the civil engineer would need to research and communicate with the AHJ, which would be the city, to learn of the codes that would need to be followed or permits that would need to be acquired.
2. The Authority requires code adherence and building permits in order for the Owner to build a parking garage.
In this scenario, a city’s building inspector may present a code or codes that must be met which could alter the initial design of the parking garage. Even if the design has been approved at the municipal level, the municipal fire department could identify a potential safety hazard, thereby causing a need to improve the design prior to construction. During the construction of the project, the municipal inspector may conduct periodic evaluations of adherence to the local codes.
3. The Civil Engineer interprets and negotiates in order to achieve Owner satisfaction and to meet local, state, or federal building codes and safety standards.
Prior to and during construction, the civil engineer will interpret the required codes, compare them with the owner’s desires and needs, and work through any discrepancies. In doing so, the civil engineer may communicate with the AHJ to discuss potential outcomes of the project so that any design decisions are understood and approved by the AHJ. This part of the process also includes identifying and obtaining relevant permits. Ideally, the civil engineer, along with the design team, will produce a code-compliant design that is approved by the city. The civil engineer will complete extensive research to be familiar with the AHJ codes, serving as a liaison between the AHJ and the Owner to ensure that both parties’ goals are met.
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