The Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB) is probably one of the most important City Boards that you’ve never heard of. The CCAB is the body that reviews additions and changes to the City’s building code. This matters a lot for builders, architects, engineers, and everyone in the building trades who actually have their hands dirty every day on construction sites. What kinds of things does the CCAB look at. Here’s an example:

Section 3107.11.2.1 of the Seattle Building Code states “All plastics used in signs shall be approved plastics…”  This Rule clarifies what is considered an “approved plastic.”

Flexible plastics used for signs must be tested according to NFPA 701-10, Test 2.  Signs that satisfy the criteria of NFPA 701 are considered “approved plastics” and are permitted to be used in signs.

Plastics shall be tested according to ASTM E84-09 or UL 723 if they are self-supporting and capable of being mounted in the test position. These materials shall have at least a Class B flame spread and smoke developed rating.

While this kind of thing seems like the height of arcana it truly does have an impact on project costs and what gets built and how. I watched the board debate and discuss extensively what this definition would mean and the impact it might have. And the people on the board know what they’re talking about; they make a living doing this work. The members include an architect, structural, electrical, and mechanical engineers, a general contractor, a building owner and operator, and a member from labor.  The members take their work seriously and the staff also are helpful and knowledgable about the history of the rules, the technical background, and the broader policy implications.

I’m not a fan of more regulations, but the City, neighbors, and builders really are getting their monies worth from the CCAB. Sure, it’d be nice to get rid of a lot of these rules. But as long as we have them it’s refreshing to see hands on consideration of what these rules mean by people that know the business.