A Short History Of Codes

Today's building codes can be traced back to the Code of Hammurabi, circa 2200-1800 B.C. The Code of Hammurabi provided for the death of a builder if the construction of a dwelling collapsed and caused the death of the owner.

The first building codes in the United States, established in 1625, addressed fire safety and specified materials for roof coverings. In 1630, Boston outlawed chimneys made with wood and thatch roof coverings. In the late 1770s George Washington recommended that height and area limitations be imposed on wood frame buildings in his plans for the District of Columbia. In 1788, the first known formal building code was written in the United States (in German) in Old Salem, (now Winston-Salem) North Carolina.

Larger U.S. cities began establishing building codes in the early 1800s. In 1865, New Orleans was the first city to enact a law requiring inspections of public places. The National Board of Fire Underwriters published its Recommended National Building Code in 1905. In 1915, the world's first model code organization was established to provide a forum for exchange of ideas regarding building safety and construction regulations. In 1973, the American Institute of Architects called for one code to be used throughout the United States.

New ICC Codes Take Effect in Minnesota

We have just heard that the Governor has basically signed off now on the proposed new 2003 Minnesota State Building and Fire Codes. The required 14 day waiting period is now over. The notice of "Intent to adopt the new 2003 Minnesota State Building and Fire Codes" will be published in the Minnesota Register on Monday March 24, 2003. Five days after its publication, it becomes effective for areas in Minnesota where the building code has been adopted.

(Note: The 2003 Minnesota State Fire Code is a statewide document.)

Basically, on Monday, March 31, 2003, you may officially begin use of all new building and fire code rules, including the use of the 2000 International Building Code, 2000 International Residential Code, the 2000 International Fire Code and all associated amendments.

Hope this helps you prepare for the big code change in Minnesota.

Thanks.Paul R. Heimkes, MN Building Codes Division, (Phone) 651-205-4712, (Fax) 651-297-1973, <BWControl:EmailLink id="magdal" runat="server" EmailAddress="paul.heimkes@state.mn.us" DisplayName="paul.heimkes@state.mn.us" />

This includes the new optional sprinkler apendix #1306.  See all the new rules at http://www.dps.state.mn.us/fmarshal/ and http://www.state.mn.us/ebranch/admin/buildingcodes/rules/rules.html 

The Minnesota amendment inserts have been formatted to make the amendments conveniently located adjacent to the amended IBC and IRC sections. The footnote added to each page directs its placement (i.e., insert left of IBC p. 11). Instructions on which long edge of the page to punch so that the text will be opposite the IBC text is also included (i.e., punch left, punch right). Copying the amendment pages on a contrasting color (i.e. yellow or light blue) helps draw attention to the amendments. If you have a later addition of the IBC and IRC the references to page numbers and the appropriate side to punch may need minor modification to be properly located.

The text of the amendments was taken from the Department of Administration's website and were the most currently available copy when these inserts were prepared (February 21, 2003 for the IBC, March 3, 2002 for the IRC). Any changes that were made after those dates should be incidental. You should be able to easily insert any last-minute changes into the documents and revise your own copy.

This document is being sent to interested parties as a professional courtesy at no charge. Please feel free to forward it to other interested parties.  IBC Amendments  IRC Amendments.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.

Jon Nisja, Supervisor, Minnesota
State Fire Marshal Division
444 Cedar Street
Suite 145
St. Paul, MN 55101-5145
(651) 762-0883
(651) 215-0525 (fax)

The State Fire Marshal's Office and State Building Code Division is work together to make code enforcement more efficient for local code officials and the public.  The "Joint Policy" to the left is one of their efforts to meet that goal by standardizing fire protection for elevators.