Adopted Codes in a City

RESEARCH PAPER: The assignment is to compile data and write a research paper on the adopted codes in the city in which you reside. If you do not live in a city, use a city near you for your study.
This paper should address:

• The history of the adopted codes in the city in which you reside or a nearby city
• Date of adoption• Last time codes were updated
• Plans on updating codes
• Permitting process utilized and enforced in your city or a city near you
• Explanation of the process utilized to conduct a code enforcement inspection
• Explanation of the anticipated different types of hazards that will be discovered in different types of occupancies
• Problems anticipated to be encountered during a code enforcement inspection
• Anticipated and actual public reaction to the code enforcement process
• Key components of a successful code enforcement program
  *** Please see and use the information that I included at the bottom of this paper for information pertaining to the requirements of the research paper.

Standards for acceptability:
The paper must be a minimum of no fewer than three pages of content. The cover sheet, references page, illustrations, tables, charts, or any other media do NOT count towards the three-page minimum. The student should focus on the completeness of the project rather than a word count or number of pages; however, there must be at least three pages.
Overall specifications for the paper:

• The paper MUST be formatted using American Psychological Association (APA) format, utilizing the most current publication of the APA 7th ed.• One-inch margins with standard 12-point black font• Your cover sheet must be formatted according to APA7, including:
  -Title of the Research Paper
• Student’s Name
• Date
• Complete Course Identification Number (FIRT-1307.0W01)
• Instructor’s Name
• Do not use graphics or images on the cover sheet
  Your REFERENCES page will contain all sources utilized to form the paper. A minimum of three credible, reliable sources must be used. Sources used may be printed material (books or texts), web sources, or a combination of both. Standard APA format will be utilized for this part. If the student decides to use illustrations within the paper, the illustrations will be included and cited as required by APA. Illustrations will NOT count towards the four-page minimum
  The paper will be sent to the instructor’s Kilgore email account. Your term paper will be graded on the following criteria:
• 50%: Content with support of current/valid information. (Full credit cannot be received for a paper of fewer than three pages)
• 30%: Proper American Psychological Association (APA) formatting according to the most current publication of the 7th edition
  .• 20%: Proper use of grammar and spelling. You should use your spell-check, grammar check, and you should repeatedly proofread your work prior to submission. HINT: If you will read your work aloud, it’s much easier to discover your errors. This includes spelling, punctuation, sentence/paragraph structure, and use of proper tense.

History of adopted codes in Cooper, Texas – On April 10, 2024, at 1500hrs, I conducted an in-person interview with the Cooper City Mayor, Mr. Darren Braddy, the city clerk, Ms. Leslie Blankenship, and the Cooper/Delta County Fire Marshall, Mr. Dewayne Sprague. During the meeting, Mr. Braddy provided access to the city’s code book(s) that detailed current and past city codes. After reviewing the code books with the Fire Marshall, we determined that in 2022 the city adopted the IFC, International Fire Code, version 2015. The city is currently still using this version but intends on adopting the 2018 version sometime later this year. The city also uses that 2015 version of the IBC, International Building Code, with intents on updating and adopting the 2018 version later this year. After reviewing the code books further, Mr. Sprague and I found that the history of the adopted codes only went back to 1988. This is the year that the city adopted the Standard Building code of 1988 and revised in 1990, Unsafe Building Abatement Code 1985 edition, Existing Building Code 1998 edition, Gas Code 1998 edition and revised in 1990, Housing Code edition 1988, Installed Roof Covering Code edition 1988, Mechanical Code edition 1988 and revised in 1990, Electrical Code 1990 edition. After the 90’s, revisions were made in 2022 to update to the current editions used today. These include IRC 2018 EDITION, IBC 2018 edition, IFC 2015 edition, IPC 2018 edition and NEC 2017 edition. Mr. Sprague and I were able to locate one single code from the 1920’s, it was adopted in 1922 and was an Outside burning ordinance which had been updated two times in the early 80’s and then the early 90’s.

Permitting Process for Cooper, Texas –
The City Clerk, Ms. Blankenship is currently over the permitting process for the city of Cooper. She was able to direct me to the city’s website, cityofcoopertx.municipalimpact.com and assist me in navigating the website to find the detailed permit process. The city currently uses a third-party vendor, Bureau Veritas to oversee the permitting process, forms submission and review, along with the inspection process. The website has the current required forms or applications, submittal guidelines, the Bureau Veritas fee schedule, and contact information for both the city point of contact and the Bureau Veritas.