BUILDING OFFICIALS AND CODE ADMINISTRATORS INTERNATIONAL
Contractors, manufacturers, architects, and engineers must follow the recommendations of BOCA when building in a municipality that has adopted BOCA’s codes.
The Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) is an association of professionals employed in the establishment and enforcement of BUILDING CODES, which are the rules and regulations that govern the design and construction of buildings. BOCA encourages cities and states to adopt uniform building codes, and promotes competence and professionalism in the enforcement of those codes.
The organization was established in 1915 by building officials from nine states and Canada.
Their purpose was to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas about building safety and construction regulation. In 1950, BOCA published the BOCA Basic Building Code. This was the organization’s first model code. Within one year, the BOCA code had been adopted by fifty cities.
BOCA currently publishes a series of books
called the BOCA National Codes, which contain
detailed standards for all aspects of building
construction. The section on stairways, for
example, precisely describes the acceptable
height, depth, and width of steps, and the proper
placement and configuration of handrails necessary
to ensure safety and ease of use. Separate
volumes cover general construction, mechanical
systems, plumbing, fire prevention, energy conservation,
and other areas.
The codes published by BOCA do not in
themselves have the force of law. They can be
enforced only when they have been adopted by
cities, states, or other government bodies with
the authority to issue or withhold building permits.
A city or state is free to adopt the BOCA
codes in whole or in part.
BOCA’s codes have been adopted by many
states and cities in the eastern and midwestern United States. Other professional associations
perform a similar function in other parts of the
country, and publish their own building codes:
the International Conference of Building Officials
serves western states and publishes the Uniform
Building Code, and the Southern Building
Code Congress serves southern states and publishes
the Standard Building Code. The three
regional organizations are working together
toward creating a single model code for the
United States.
The publication of the codes is BOCA’s most
important function. The organization also publishes
manuals, textbooks, and periodicals for its
members. In addition, BOCA continually develops
its model code to keep it up-to-date. It conducts
regular training and education programs
for its members and provides consultation services
for local governments. BOCA disseminates
information on the quality and acceptability of
building materials and systems as well as on new
construction techniques.
BOCA’s membership consists largely of
cities, towns, and government agencies. These
“government members” are represented by individual
officials who administer rules and regulations
on construction, fire safety, property
maintenance, development, and land use. A typical
official of this kind is a building inspector
with duties to examine building plans and make
on-site inspections during construction. Contractors,
manufacturers, and people in the architectural
and engineering professions may also be
members of BOCA.
BOCA is funded by the annual dues of its
members and through the sale of its publications.
It is based in Country Club Hills, Illinois,
a suburb of Chicago.
FURTHER READINGS
Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA)
International. “BOCA International Membership
Application Form.” Country Club Hills, Ill.: BOCA
International.
Harkness, Albert. 1995. “Building Codes: A Historical Perspective.”
Building Official and Code Administrator
Magazine (March–April).
