Evaluation and Analysis of Current Effective Building and Fire Prevention Code Administration and Enforcement Programs

摘要

This report was designed to provide communities, including their code enforcement and administration personnel, administrations, and elected officials with a method for analysis and improvement of code administration and enforcement techniques with respect to safety. The study methodology entailed the selection and analysis of nine communities recognized as having especially effective code administration and enforcement. Analysis of the communities produced a list of essential features which should be present in an effective program, and a list of features which might improve the effectiveness of a code administration and enforcement program under certain conditions. The great variety of community characteristics, however, does not make the preparation of 'model programs' possible. The study divided the code administration and enforcement processes into a new building development and construction phase and a building maintenance and use phase. The former entails all regulatory steps in the design, submission, and processing flow which are encountered by an applicant, builder, or developer. The latter encompasses all activities such as record keeping and review, keeping up with occupancy or use changes, fire brigade training, special permit issuance, inspection, issuance of summons, and prosecution of violators. Techniques for improved productivity and communications also are included.