ISSUES FOR REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE WITH BUILDING CODES: AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES

摘要

Shortfalls in compliance with building codes have been identified as a serious problem that contributes to high losses in earthquakes. The United States is not immune to this problem as evidenced by studies of the Northridge earthquake in California and Hurricane Andrew in Florida. This paper presents findings from a national study of code enforcement in the United States involving the collection and analysis of data from a national sample of 819 local governments. Enforcement shortfalls are identified, but they can be overcome if the federal government and states invest adequate resources to increase the attention local governments give to the enforcement of the earthquake-related provisions of building codes. Also, local governments must invest adequate resources in the code enforcement function and make the right choices about enforcement philosophy and effort.