Developments in National Codes and Standards

Abstract

As promised earlier, this issue’s Design Forum features two papers on current codes and standards developments. The first paper, by Bonnie Manley, summarizes the new NFPA 5000 national model building code that was introduced in the United States this year, the background for its inception, development process, contents, and related NFPA standards. This code now offers an alternative to the International Building Code 2003, for adoption consideration by local jurisdictions. The second paper, by Stan Lindsey, discusses the objectives and ongoing committee work for the future 2005 AISC Specification for structural steel design of buildings. The author, who is the chairman of the AISC Committee on Specifications, provides an inside peak into the changes that are expected to be forthcoming in the next couple of years, not the least of which is the unification of the previously separate Allowable Stress Design ~ASD! and Load and Resistance Factor Design ~LRFD! methods into one document and format. I hope these papers broaden your awareness of relevant happenings in the ever-important codes and standards arena, and make your practice better prepared to cope with future project design challenges. Information on other codes and standards will be given in upcoming issues.