Code Debate 1

[JAV72]

We have a project in a rural jurisdiction that has BOCA 1999 as its adopted code. BOCA 1999, of course, references much older versions of ASCE7 and AISC etc. The debate is this: Do we use BOCA99 and its assorted references for design or do we lobby to use newer codes. The project is in a high seismic area, seismic detailing, and anchorage design has changed much over the last 15 years...along with the 1/3 stress increase. Would you say that it is less conservative to use the older code?
Thanks

 

[Ron]

From a "legal" perspective, if the BOCA 1999 code has been adopted by ordinance, that is the one you should follow; however, knowing that there are differences between existing and adopted that could affect the health, safety or welfare of the public, you have an obligation to let them know. Further, you can use the current codes and then rely on a provision in most US statutes that says if you are over-ruled by a "lay" authority, you must report it.

Call your engineering board to get their ruling on it.

 

[msquared48]

ANY code...ANY code is ALWAYS just a minimum for design.

There is nothing wrong with exercising your discretion as an engineer (using the more restrictive codes) and going above the minimum. This is assuming that the older code is less restrictive than the newer code. If it is not, then you should use the older code if it is specified by the jurisdiction.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[BAretired]

I agree with Mike. Engineers have never been penalized by exceeding the code, except perhaps by their client.

BA

 

[woodman88]

Double your fee because you have to back check your current design standard (per the IBC's) to meet the old code (BOCA).

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

What Mike said and what woodman said. However, it's worth noting that if the adopted code is BOCA 1999 then you have to meet that regardless of your design. Thus, you must verify that your design does indeed exceed BOCA 99 in all aspects.

I did a similar old code adopted design a while back for my boss and we enveloped the design. There was no way to ethically justify designing a modern building to a code over a decade old. We sold this to the client saying that they've "future-proofed" their structure so that, when the inevitable code update happens, it wont be such an issue to have a new building that might require major retrofits if an addition was to be put on or something similar. Might help their insurance as well, and of course helps everyone sleep at night.

For what woodman said, definitely increase the cost. You're going to go nuts trying to envelope the design and all your "tools" that you use that are setup for modern codes will be useless to check it to BOCA 99.

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.