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Designers and code officials approach interpre

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tations from quite different perspectives. The

designer is trying to make a functional or formal

design code compliant while satisfying project

requirements in an aesthetic, economical and

practical way. The AHJ examines completed

drawings for compliance with code require

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ments. While the AHJ is not unaware of the

practical requirements contained in the building

design, they are charged first and foremost with

protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the

public by verifying code compliance. It is the

responsibility of the designer to demonstrate

code compliance and to modify noncompliant

areas identified during plan review by the AHJ

while continuing to meet the project require

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ments.

Both the designer and the AHJ are working

to apply generalized code provisions to a spe

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cific project. It is differences in opinion about

the application of the general to the specific that

most often give rise to differences in interpreta

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tion. Code officials also see many more similar

examples of the relationship of code sections

to various designs. Thus they may generalize

interpretations from one project to another even

though the projects may be different in sig

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nificant ways. On the other hand, designers may

find that similar designs receive quite different

interpretations by the AHJ in different jurisdictions. When differences of opinion about interpretation occur, the designer must work with the

AHJ to reconcile the intent of the design to the

interpretations of the intent of the code. If rec

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onciliation cannot be reached the designer must

decide whether to revise the project to obtain

approval or appeal the ruling of the AHJ to some

civic body prescribed in the jurisdiction for hearing appeals. Often the AHJ can be requested to

apply to the model-code agency that published

the code for a ruling as to the publisher’s opinion

of the intent of the code section in question.

Such appeals to the ICC are allowed to be made

by any ICC member. It is thus prudent for design

professionals to be ICC members to be able to

access this service. In addition members receive

discounts on ICC codes and have access to other

interpretive and educational materials. Members

may also participate in the code development

process and gain deeper insights into code

interpretations.