Building codes and regulations help to ensure that homes, schools, workplaces and other buildings are as safe as possible. Codes address all aspects of construction including structural integrity, electrical, mechanical, plumbing systems, and property maintenance. Safe buildings just do not happen by chance. Passed into law to protect public health and safety, building codes are rules that control design, materials, and methods of construction.

Building codes are in place in most of the countries of the world. Universally accepted building codes are usually modified to accommodate local needs and conditions. In order to ensure that codes are adhered to within the corporate or municipal limits, the political subdivisions normally require various kinds of permits, field inspections at different stages of construction, and test reports on materials and installations. A general building permit requires the filing of complete drawings (architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, etc.) and specifications prepared an architect, engineer, or both with a designated public office. The documents are reviewed for design conformance with the applicable codes by the responsible building authority.

Legislative measures for the control and regulation of construction works in Bangladesh were taken much before the liberation of the country. Known as The Building Construction Act, it was enacted in 1952 and amended a number of times after liberation. The act provides for "the prevention of haphazard construction of buildings and excavation of tanks which are likely to interfere with planning of certain areas in Bangladesh." All construction works in urban areas of Bangladesh are supposed to be governed by this act and the ordinances and regulations promulgated under the provision of the act.

However, these regulations under the act are very rudimentary, covering only the basics. It works only as a framework for formulation of detailed building codes covering all aspects of the construction process. Presently, in order to apply for a building permit, one has to turn in drawings that include a site plan showing setbacks, floor plan(s), elevations, and a section. No structural design is required for buildings less than seven-stories high, and design of no other building sub-systems (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, etc.) are required for buildings of any height. In order to make the control and regulation of construction works meaningful, the building codes should address all aspects of construction.

A comprehensive building code has, in fact, been prepared and published by the Housing and Building Research Institute, Bangladesh in collaboration with Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution. Known as Bangladesh National Code and published in 1993, the code is very comprehensive and includes all aspects of construction mentioned above. The document comprises of requirements for: (1) general planning and architectural design, (2) building materials, (2) structural design, (4) fire protection and safety, (5) construction safety, (6) water supply and drainage, and (7) mechanical and electrical systems in buildings. The code has been prepared in light of internationally accepted minimum construction standards and safety. The government should take positive steps to implement the provisions of the code under the provisions of the Building Construction Act.

In order to enforce the code, the government will be required to establish a building department team consisting primarily of building officials, building document reviewers, and building inspectors. Charged with enforcing the adopted code, the building officials will set the standard for the level of enforcement in their jurisdictions. The principal staff will be the building document reviewers, who will be responsible for reviewing the building plans (architectural, structural, mechanical, etc.) and specifications for compliance with all aspects of the code. The building inspectors will observe the field construction to ensure that it conforms to the documents approved by the document review staff.

The purpose of a building code is to provide objective regulations that economically provide minimum levels of public safety in the built environment. We should strive to achieve this purpose through exemplary standards of quality and ethics in the design, review of construction documents, construction supervision, and inspection processes. Utilising the most current code ensures that appropriate technologies are being applied to provide the highest level of safety both to the users and the built environment. The building professionals and users must work together as a team, bearing in mind that everyone involved in the construction process plays a vital role in the construction of buildings that will continue to perform safely.

Iftekharuddin M. Choudhury is an Associate Professor of Construction Science at Texas A&M University, USA. He is currently in Bangladesh on a Fulbright grant.