When developers build apartment complexes, schools, office buildings, restaurants, retail stores, and other buildings that will be occupied by people, they can’t build them any way they want. They must build them according to standards and codes set by local and state ordinances as well as the International Code Council (ICC).
Building codes were introduced in the early 20th century with an emphasis on fire prevention, but over time, they have evolved into making buildings safer and more energy-efficient in many ways. If you’ve ever had trouble walking up or down a staircase with an irregular and uneven rise in a 19th century building, it’s easy to see the importance of building codes—especially when preventing slip-and-fall injuries.
In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of building codes, how builders implement them in new construction, and how they keep residents, occupants, and visitors safe.
8 Building Codes That Keep People Safe
Building codes establish minimum safety standards for different elements of building design and construction to ensure that the resulting structures are as safe as possible for occupants and visitors. Here are some important ways that building codes address slip-and-fall prevention in new construction and remodels:
- Floor Surface Requirements
- Slip Resistance: Building codes specify minimum slip-resistance requirements for flooring materials, especially in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways. Materials must have a certain coefficient of friction (COF) to prevent slipping.
- Level Surfaces: Floors must be level and free of significant changes in height. Any transition between different floor levels must be smooth and gradual to reduce tripping hazards.
- Stairway Design
- Uniform Step Dimensions: Building codes require that stair treads and risers be uniform in height and depth. Inconsistent step dimensions can cause missteps and falls.
- Non-Slip Treads: Codes often mandate the use of non-slip materials on stair treads to provide better traction.
- Handrails: Building codes specify the height, shape, and continuity of handrails on both sides of stairways to provide support and prevent falls.
- Ramp Design
- Slope Requirements: Ramps must have a gentle slope to reduce the risk of falls. The maximum allowable slope for wheelchair ramps is 1:12 (1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of run), which also helps people with limited mobility navigate safely.
- Handrails and Guardrails: Ramps are required to have handrails on both sides and guardrails to prevent falls off the sides, especially if the ramp is elevated.
- Guardrails and Handrails
- Guardrails: Codes require guardrails for any walking surface, such as balconies, decks, and stairs, where there is a drop-off of more than a specified height (typically 30 inches). This prevents falls from elevated areas.
- Handrails: In addition to providing support, handrails must be properly secured and easy to grip, helping to prevent falls on stairs and ramps.
- Lighting Requirements
- Adequate Illumination: Building codes require adequate lighting in all areas, including stairways, hallways, and entrances. Proper illumination helps people see potential walking hazards and navigate safely.
- Emergency Lighting: In the event of power loss, emergency lighting must be provided in critical areas, such as stairwells, to ensure visibility and safe evacuation.
- Accessibility Standards (ADA Compliance)
- Slip-Resistant Surfaces: ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards require that all accessible routes, including walkways, ramps, and parking areas, have slip-resistant surfaces.
- Threshold Heights: ADA codes limit the height of thresholds in doorways to prevent tripping.
- Signage and Warnings
- Building codes often require visible signage to indicate potential hazards, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or changes in elevation.
- Drainage and Moisture Control
- Proper drainage systems are required to prevent water accumulation on walkways, stairways, and other walking surfaces. This reduces the risk of slippery conditions caused by pooling water, ice, or snow.
What Are My Options if I Get Injured in a Building That’s Not Built to Code?
It’s not only old buildings that aren’t always up to code. Unfortunately, some builders try to save money by ignoring important safety regulations.
If you are injured in a building that is not built to code, you may have several legal options for seeking compensation, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Here are some potential avenues you can pursue:
Premises Liability Claim
In most cases, the property owner is responsible for maintaining a safe environment for visitors and occupants. If you were injured due to a code violation (such as a missing handrail, uneven flooring, or poor lighting), you might have grounds to file a premises liability claim against the property owner.
To succeed in a premises liability claim, you must show that the property owner was negligent in maintaining the property and that this negligence directly caused your injury. This often involves proving that the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it.
Product Liability (for Construction Defects)
If your injury was caused by a defect in the building’s construction, such as a faulty handrail or defective stairs, you might be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or installer of the defective component.
Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you were injured in a building while performing work-related duties, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who is at fault. Workers’ comp can cover medical expenses and lost wages related to the injury.
What About Slip-and-Fall Injuries in Grandfathered Buildings?
Some older buildings may be “grandfathered” in, which means they aren’t required to meet current building codes as long as they comply with the codes that were in place at the time of their construction. However, grandfathered status does not absolve property owners of their duty to maintain a safe environment.
Even if a building is grandfathered, the owner must still address dangerous conditions and make reasonable modifications to prevent foreseeable injuries. If your injury resulted from a hazard that the owner could have reasonably addressed, you might still have a valid claim.
Contact Our Oklahoma City Slip-and-Fall Injury Lawyers
Building codes are important for ensuring that new construction is safe and structurally sound for years to come. However, building codes aren’t always observed. It’s not uncommon for construction crews and developers to cut corners on new homes and buildings, and that can mean failing to build according to the latest building codes at the expense of others’ safety.
At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our Oklahoma City slip-and-fall injury attorneys know building codes for both Oklahoma and the ICC. If you suspect your injury was caused by a building that wasn’t built to code, we can investigate and help you get the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us anytime for a free case review.
