FLOOD04455

• County: Statewide
• Community: State of Minnesota
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Flood-Proofing Administrative Manual for Minnesota
• Date: 1/1/1997
• Prepared By: US Army Corps of Engineers
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

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and installation of water-tight doors and bulkheads. Other measures may
include use of paints. membranes. or mortars to reduce seepage; sealing
of basement windows and other openings; alterations to building drain
systems; and relocation of electrical equipment. circuitry and appliances.
and heating equipment in a manner to reduce or prevent flood damage and to
assure the safety of occupants.

STATE BUILDING CODE (SBC)

The State Building Code requires that all new structures and their mechanical
systems (electrical. plumbing, heating, ventilation, airconditioning. and
fire protection) in the area subject to the code meet minimum building
standards. These standards are intended to safeguard life. health, property,
and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design. construction,
quality of materials, use and occupancy, and the location and maintenance of
structures and equipment. The Building Code Division of the Department of
Administration develops and promulgates the code and amendments thereto and
assists the municipal building code officials in code administration. The
State code became effective in July 1972 and supersedes all building codes
previously adopted by Minnesota cities and counties. Local governing bodies
that elect to adopt a building code must adopt the State Building Code.
Building code provisions also apply to existing structures or systems to which
additions. repairs. or alterations are made (see SBC 103). Only the electrical
provision of the code applies to farm dwellings.

The code is enforced by State-certified building officials who are appointed by
the local governing bodies. Although many building officials still work on
a part-time basis. particularly in small communities, there is a growing aware-
ness of the need for full time building officials to administer the building
code provisions. Small communities should be encouraged to enter into joint
powers agreements with other communities to employ a single full-time building
official.

Inspections of buildings and reviews of building plans are made by the local
building official to ensure conformalilce with the code. At this point "it should
be emphasized that the primary responsibility for building design and safety
lies with the designer, owne~and contractor, not with the building official.
If necessary the building official may consult engineers. architects, State
and Federal agencies. and the State Building Code Division for assistance in the
review of plans and interpretation of data. Duties of the building official in
relation to plan review. building inspection, and code enforcement are discussed
in Section E, Administrative Procedure. of this manual.

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