WHATS NEW WITH BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT?
The most recent assignment to building officials comes from the need to conserve energy use in buildings. Elected officials have established definite goals in the area of energy conservation, which can best be administered through the routine building regulatory system. Beyond the mere addition of insulation, energy-saving steps include new standards for appliance construction, new design concepts to conserve heat from lighting fixtures and a myriad of other approaches to minimize energy demands. Other innovations include such items as showerhead restrictors, setback thermostats and low-flush toilets. Steps have also been taken to facilitate solar-heating applications and the use of other alternative energy resources. Local building departments provide a wide range of services beyond the usual plan review and building inspection process. These range from the administration of planning or zoning laws to housing maintenance inspection, nuisance abatement and a number of other related or
