Jackson city officials review building codes

Jackson city officials are already bracing for the worst from area builders and contractors.

Proposed building codes aimed at keeping buildings sturdy during an earthquake could cost builders and new homeowners much more for supplies.

The board of aldermen was introduced to the building code changes at Monday night's meeting. The 1993-1996 codes are outdated and the city was prepared to update them last year, but officials decided not to introduce new rules during reconstruction of several buildings after last year's tornado.

Janet Sanders, Jackson's building and planning superintendent, said the code upgrade is needed, particularly after the Insurance Service Offices inspected the city last week. The new codes will mean lower insurance rates for homeowners down the road.

The particular change that Sanders said will probably cause the most opposition is one regarding earthquakes.

The new codes would require builders to stabilize the building with plywood or oxwood around the entire structure. Currently, builders may use plywood or oxwood around the corners and fill the rest with "R-board," a cheaper foamlike material used between the house frame and the exterior walls.

Sanders said the department is recommending that these regulations not be excluded from the city's code as was done in Cape Girardeau. She said state law requires cities to have codes to deal with earthquake safety.

The department is also recommending that basements include emergency exits, called egress, in all rooms. Cape Girardeau amended this code and required egress, usually big windows, in bedrooms only. Sanders said too many people will change a bedroom into an office just to get around the code.

The board agreed Monday night to invite contractors and interested people to discuss the issue at a public hearing to be held Aug. 2.

bmiller@semissourian.com

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