Written in Ashes: The Great Chicago Fire and Building Codes
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 killed 300 people and destroyed 17,500 buildings. Here is how that disaster shaped the building codes we enforce today.
Why Codes Were Made
Plain-language explanations of why building codes exist — the real-world reasons behind the requirements.
From Hammurabi to the ICC: 4,000 Years of Building Codes
The first building code carried the death penalty. From Babylon to the ICC, here’s how 4,000 years of disasters, fires, and hard lessons built the codes we inspect to today.
Why Emergency Rescue Openings Exist
A basement window can bring in daylight. An emergency escape and rescue opening can save a life. That is the
The Four-Inch Sphere: A Number Written in Children’s Lives
The Four-Inch Sphere: A Number Written in Children’s Lives If you’ve ever inspected a deck, a balcony, or a stairway,