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Health & Fitness

The New Building Codes in Montgomery County, Maryland

Mention building codes and you could get a few eye rolls or blank stares.

When the subject of “codes” comes up, why do most folks react badly or, worse yet, not react at all?

 

If you mention tax codes, some folks run out of the room. Mention barcodes and the only person who may get excited is the guy who works in the barcode industry or the gal who is hooked on coupon-ing. Mention building codes and you could get a few eye rolls or blank stares.

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In this post, we’ll share a little top-level info on the subject of building codes and list a few links for those who wish to buy the books and delve deeper. And, as you read this info and get the urge to roll your eyes, we’ll be none the wiser!

Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Building codes are re-evaluated and republished just about every three years, and as of July 2012, Montgomery County, Maryland has a adopted many new versions of codes. The following links point to info and sections that will have significant impact on residential remodeling projects.

 

  • 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) (Buy the Books)
  • Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code (MBRC) (More Info)
  • 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) (Buy the Books)

 

To effectively understand and apply the new codes, we’ve found it helpful to have the code reference books or the software. And, based on previous experience, a must have for your code library is a book entitled Significant Changes to the International Residential Code, 2012 Edition. We recommend having the new code, side by side with the code changes and interpretations, which helps readers understand how the changes fit into and/or affect the big picture.

 

Additionally, in August and September 2012, I attended seminars to learn more about the new codes and spoke with others in the industry. The seminars were held in Montgomery County and in Virginia (who are changing their codes as well) and I found the sessions informative and useful (but I’m a guy who likes this type of thing).

 

If you have questions about the codes or changes, contact us today. We’re happy to help or refer you to a higher power (our contacts or the web).  Also, my membership in the International Code Council provides us with a great tool for code related questions and interpretations, posted by the folks who write the darn things.


Mike Cavanaugh
MC Design Build
301-527-0700

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