by Michael J. Lamoreaux,
P.E.
Do all of your structures need to meet current building codes? Before
you answer, you may want to contact your insurance company and local code
enforcement officer to determine the applicable codes for your facility.
In the fall of 1999, a group of students at Texas A&M University were
continuing the deep football tradition of a bonfire and pep rally on the
eve of the big game against their intrastate rival, the University of
Texas Longhorns. However, the results were tragic. While constructing
the “layer cake” pile made from large timbers, the pile collapsed killing
twelve students. Subsequently, the rules have changed on campus.
We must always take the correct precautionary measures to assure the
safety of our children. Building codes are developed, changed, and enforced
for one main reason — safety. Camps must maintain the same standards as
other places our children spend their time, for example home and school.
Most residences and all schools are required to be designed and constructed
to local and national building code requirements. Why should camps operate
without being in compliance with these same codes?
Seasonal Versus Year-round Occupancy
Some camp directors will argue that they are a seasonal operation and
do not need to comply to the full extent with standard building codes.
This philosophy needs to be put to rest. In terms of occupation days,
most camps maintain occupancy for a larger percentage of the year than
our nation’s stadiums. Would anyone try to argue that a new eighty-thousand-seat
arena does not need to comply with building codes? Design loads for structures
as published in codes throughout the country are based on past experience,
common sense, and a statistical study on the probability of these loads
not being exceeded. The American Society of Civil Engineers publishes
one of the structural load bibles, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings
and Other Structures (ASCE-7). Engineers have some flexibility in determining
the actual loads applied by classifying the structure in accordance with
an importance factor. These importance factors are based on the significance
of hazard to human life in the event of a failure.
If a camp hires an engineer to “evaluate” the camp’s structures, it must
be understood that the basis of the evaluation from the engineer’s standpoint
will be code compliance. All structures, including cabins, dining halls,
laundry facilities, etc., are required to meet similar loading conditions
as the local school, hospital, church, or shopping mall. Does this mean
it is necessary for all camp directors to hire professional consultants
for every little job they want to construct? No, but all applicable building
permits must be acquired, with guidance from the local building official
as to the need for an engineer.
Hidden Liabilities
Camps find themselves part of today’s “who is liable?” society. The one
thing that goes hand in hand with liability is compensation. If you want
or expect someone else to assume liability for your facilities, you also
need to expect to pay. So the hurdle today’s camps must face is how to
provide a safe environment by being in code compliance, and also remain
within budget.
When a new structure or facility is needed, the usual process begins
with a concept and a budget. The size of the budget and the availability
of volunteers occasionally will drive the project in an “unofficial” direction.
By not getting the proper permits, the director is potentially exposing
the organization and perhaps even himself personally to hidden liabilities.
So, a camp director wants to build a new covered recreation area and
discovers that one of the children attending the camp has a parent who
is a professional engineer. The director approaches this parent concerning
the possibility of his or her involvement in the weekend construction.
To the director’s surprise, the parent declines. Why? Liability. If the
professional engineer is involved in the “weekend” construction with no
permits and no building inspector, he or she is accepting some hidden
liability for the project. If an accident were to ever occur involving
an injury to a child or camp employee during or after project construction,
the director or camp would initially be held liable. But, a good attorney
or insurance company would become aware that a licensed engineer was some
how involved with the project and would place some of that liability on
the licensed professional. It is unlikely that a responsible engineer
would be willing to take the personal risk to save the camp the hassle
and money needed to acquire the proper permits.
If a new school is constructed, the personnel involved include an architect,
an engineer, the local building inspector, and possibly a third party
inspector or construction manager. What is the difference between the
above group of professionals and the weekend warriors? I’m sure the first
answer from most reading this column will be cost, and yes, that is true.
There is a significant cost when involving licensed professionals. But,
the most important difference between these two groups is the assumption
of liability.
Stay Aware of Changing Regulations
Acquiring the proper permits also is a necessity when repairing or renovating
existing structures. Many structures require repairs because of water
damage, accidents, aging, and normal wear and tear over the years. The
regulations governing some of these repairs may be the same as when the
structure was originally built, but because the codes continuously change
as new events occur and experience is gained, some regulations may be
completely different. Camp directors need to be aware of the current code
and consult with their local building official for further guidance. For
example, roof construction in the past relied on the dead load of the
roof itself for resistance to being blown upwards by wind. Some of today’s
codes require the use of tie down clips for uplift resistance. A roof
replacement on one of your structures may now require the use of such
clips.
For proper building construction, compliance with building codes and
acceptance of liability to assure the safety of all those involved with
seasonal occupied facilities are necessities. There is little difference
between the design and code requirements for “seasonal” versus year-round
occupied structures. As a camp director, you should be aware of construction
requirements and pursue the proper channels to acquire appropriate permits
before new construction or the renovation to your facilities begins.
Originally published in the 2002 March/April
issue of Camping Magazine. |
