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The AIA Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Community (TAP) serves as a resource for AIA members, the profession, and the public in the deployment of computer technology in the practice of architecture. TAP leaders monitor the development of computer technology and its impact on architecture practice and the entire building life cycle, including design, construction, facility management, and retirement or reuse.

    

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A new approach to building code research/ coordination

  • 1.  A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-10-2017 10:08 PM
    I wanted to share with the group a new approach for building code research. Would also love to hear how your office currently manages a code library and the coordination within teams.

    UpCodes brings together building and construction codes with a friendly interface and AEC specific search engine. The service also provides mobile accessibility for meetings and on site code lookup. The codes have been organized around jurisdiction like the California codes, including the California building code,  or base codes like the IBC 2015.

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    Scott Reynolds AIA
    Brooklyn, NY
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  • 2.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-11-2017 07:51 PM
    I have not used UpCodes but it does look like a good service particularly with projects not in our state. Florida is pretty good about issuing a single (many volume) code book that is pretty inclusive of other applicable codes and standards.

    Currently we relay on a standard code template  that we edit with job specific data . The form has code book paragraph/chart reference numbers so it is easy to search. We even have a few different templates: New construction, renovation, housing. The next templates that we create will be for  sports/recreation and education. 
    The primary issue we have is when the person doing the code research is not aware of specific code provisions that might  be applicable to a specific project - an example would be code requirements for a restaurant , or some other occupancy we do not  typically pursue.

     A digital code checklist that could be job and state specific would be great. Insert job data (type, size, location, construction type, etc - the information needed on any project) and then let the program tell you what provisions are applicable for that job. 

    It is even hard to find continuing ed classes on code research. In Florida we are required to take a 2 hour code course every year. It provides good information on code changes but I am looking for something more basic - more of a how-to-do format that  address different occupancy requirements. 

    Ron Greens website specsandcodes.com is a good source for education. - no CE units but still a good code application source. 

    Is that program I dream of out there?
    --
    VICTOR PREBOR3ARCHITECTURE LLC      AA26003300
                 130 S Massachusetts Ave. Suite 212 
                 Lake Mirror Tower   
                 Lakeland, FL 33801
                 cell: 863.255.7033      
                 email: victor@vprebor.com 





  • 3.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-12-2017 08:29 PM
    Note - Ron Geren, not Ron Green.  Great resource.

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    Megan Delevan
    Jacobs
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  • 4.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-11-2017 08:22 PM
    I would be interested to know how many people would like to see a direct link to this type of system from BIM software?  Acces to codes at design stage would provide better outcomes and greater efficiency if the codes were related or linked inside of a related tool to a related code at design conception. Does anyone agree?

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    Andrew Dwight
    Designer/BIM manager AAD Build
    BDM RubySketch
    Sydney Australia
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  • 5.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-12-2017 06:41 PM
    I've used the open access UpCodes. I haven't upgraded to premium because I work in a small office (don't like spending when we don't have to even if there is some demonstrable benefit - it has to be a large enough benefit in the context of actual use of the tool).

    So, UpCodes is much better than the free versions on the ICC website. There is no search on the ICC site but there is limited search (yes, I'm going to talk to the office owner about the benefits) with UpCodes and that is very helpful. The copy and paste aspect is the real winner though. The ICC free versions don't allow it at all ...and codes can be a bit wordy. Also, the table of contents linking directly to sections and sub-sections is a huge help. The free version just puts the chapter in front of you. There is no additional chapter section information. Being able to see the headings makes finding what you're looking for much easier.

    As noted, we haven't ponied up for the premium service, but I'll be researching it because two recent code reviews were much easier as a result of the copy and paste, expanded index, and search features.

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    Tom Miller, AIA
    Prairie VillageKS
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  • 6.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-13-2017 06:08 PM
    ​While I'm looking forward to giving UpCodes a try, up until now I have been using the ICC free version when I need to look something up, especially in a jurisdiction where I don't have a copy of their code. To get around the lack of being able to copy and paste I have used the Snipping Tool in Windows. If I need to do any highlighting, I will save the snippet and then open it in Acrobat or Bluebeam, run the OCR and save it as a PDF. The text is then somewhat editable. A roundabout way of doing things, but it has saved me lots of time rather than typing in the text from a code section.



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    Richard Kizer AIA
    Senior Architect
    Mead & Hunt, Inc.
    Sacramento CA
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  • 7.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-14-2017 05:38 PM

    In the past we have purchased the ICC codes and the NFPA Life Safety Code on CD.  The ability to search the entire code (or code set) has been invaluable to performing thorough code reviews.  However, for a number of years it seems like every time Adobe updates Acrobat Reader it breaks the highly fragile DRM scheme the code organizations use to protect their copyright.  This has gotten so bad lately that we have pretty much given up on even trying and now use the free online versions.  If UpCodes is even remotely cost competitive, it might be a decent alternative.

     

    David Schele

    fgalogo75

    Felder Group Architects

    106 S. Harris St. Ste 101

    Round Rock, TX 78664

    512-454-2200 (ph)

    512-454-3416 (fx)

     

     


    Virus-free. www.avast.com





  • 8.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-18-2017 07:31 PM

    ICC Codes published in PDF are now using the latest watermarking technology to avoid the issues with the DRM that was mentioned in your posts, so the Code Council members and customers no longer will have to deal with the DRM issues that were caused when adobe released new versions of pdf. Hamid Naderi, P.E. CBO, Senior VP, Product Development, International Code Council, hnaderi@iccsafe.org, www.iccsafe.org



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    Jack Burleson Assoc. AIA
    Retired
    Midlothian TX
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  • 9.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-16-2017 08:29 PM
    Richard the snipping tool is okay, i bought Faststone capture i think it's about $20 now but you can write on your captures and screen record videos.  I like it because it's easy yet powerful.  I hope it helps.

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    Andrew Dwight
    Designer/BIM manager AAD Build
    BDM RubySketch
    Sydney Australia
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  • 10.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 07-18-2017 07:17 PM
    Thomas, Richard - Fantastic to hear the copy/paste has helped in your workflow.

    David - Much effort has been put into the search engine - the engineers and code consultants continually layer in more intelligence. Hopefully this helps in your code coordination!

    While new codes are continually added to the platform it would be quite helpful to hear from the group - which codes would be most beneficial for you?

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    Scott Reynolds
    Up.Codes
    Brooklyn NY
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  • 11.  RE: A new approach to building code research/ coordination

    Posted 08-08-2017 03:38 PM

    Richard & List members:

    Following this thread with interest.

    Tangerine Documents is pen source software to solve the problem you outlined. It's a new approach to publishing complex planning documents (building codes, zoning codes, General Plans) in both PDF and on the web in a mobile optimized format. Tangerine is  an outgrowth of the work done by one of our partners for the City of Los Angeles' new zoning code. 

    You can read more at https://tangerinedocuments.com/ 

    Or feel free to email me off-list, and I can introduce you to the Tangerine lead.



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    Alissa Rupp FAIA
    Principal
    MIG | Portico
    Seattle WA
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