Building Codes Conference Series

Protecting the character of historic buildings and addressing the life safety concerns of the buildings’ occupants are challenging but compatible goals. Over the past decade HPEF has co-sponsored several national conferences on the subject of building codes and historic rehabilitation. The events were part of a larger effort to find a reasonable balance between safety, historic integrity, economy, and aesthetics. Conference technical sessions led by professional preservationists, federal and state administrators, attorneys, code officials, and life safety and other experts explored the complexities and opportunities associated with alternative, or “smart,” codes. Compliance approaches specific to historic resources were examined and case studies illustrated how challenges have been successfully resolved in specific real world rehabilitation projects.

The Building Codes and Historic Rehabilitation Conference series was co-sponsored by private and public organizations including the National Park Service, the Association for Preservation Technology International, the International Code Council, and the National Fire Protection Association.

2003 Building Codes and Historic Rehabilitation Conference Program