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Proposal for Directions of Korea Building Code in the Era of Sustainability

Article  in  Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience · January 2013

DOI: 10.1166/asl.2013.4718

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 RESEARCH ARTICLE
Copyright © 2013 American Scientific Publishers Advanced Science Letters
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
Vol. 19, 355–358, 2013

Proposal for Directions of Korea Building

Code in the Era of Sustainability
Sanghoon Park1 , Sungwoo Shin1 ∗ , Hyeonku Park1 , Cheonghoon Baek1 ,
Hanseung Lee1 , and Kyung-Koo Lee2
1
Sustainable Building Research Center, Hanyang University, 1271 Sa 3-dong, Sangrok-gu,
Ansan, 426-791, Republic of Korea
2
Architectural Institute of Korea, 1044-33 Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 156-827, Republic of Korea

In Korea, Korea Building Code (KBC) is used as a standard for securing appropriate quality. Such codes have
been enacted from safety and functional perspectives with differing enactment, uses and terms. They were
insufficient in following timely changes such as green design code globally being promoted, sustainable devel-
opment, and welfare. Accordingly in this study, building codes of Korea, the United States, Japan and United
Kingdom were compared/analyzed to suggest the following direction based on characteristics of each nation’s
building code. First, building code must be enacted to enhance quality of life and conserve energy. Second, unity
of technological standards and user convenience must be aimed. Third, specific methods of performance design
must be provided by laws and codes. Fourth, simplification of legal system and enactment of technological
Delivered
standards in professional by Publishing
civil institutions Technology to: Hyeon Ku Park
are necessary.
IP: 166.104.186.120 On: Thu, 02 May 2013 09:13:42
Keywords: Korea Building Copyright
Code, Era ofAmerican
Sustainability, Internationalization.
Scientific Publishers

1. INTRODUCTION 2. SCOPE AND METHOD

1.1. Background and Purpose
In Korea, Korea Building Code is used as a standard to secure
appropriate quality.
Such building codes have been enacted from safety and func-
tional perspectives with differing enactment, uses and terms.
They were insufficient in following timely changes such as green
design code globally being promoted, sustainable development,
and welfare.
Building codes of advanced overseas nations such as IBC
(International Code Council) in the United States and Building
Act (1984) in United Kingdom did not only consider design
standards for safety and function but also responded to timely
needs with energy conservation, improved efficiency, design stan-
dards accommodating for national welfare such as disability, and
design standards for sustainable development.
Accordingly in Korea, enactment of building codes that break
away from functions and safety to accommodate for timely
demands like green and welfare, and for internationalization is
necessary. The purpose of this study is to comparatively analyze
building codes of Korea, the United State of America, Japan and
United Kingdom, examine characteristics of building codes in
these nations, and suggest direction for enactment of building
code in Korea.
∗
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
This study investigated building codes either recommended by the
government or regulated as laws in Korea, the United States, Japan
and United Kingdom. Building Act of Korea, IBC and NFPA5000
of the United States, Building Act 1984 of United Kingdom,
and Japanese Building Standard Act of Japan were compared to
analyze characteristics of building code in each nation. Build-
ing codes of different nations were analyzed from comprehensive
perspective after dividing into administration, structure, environ-
mental facility, fire safety, material, construction and welfare.
Characteristics of building codes were examined by acquir-
ing data on building codes through research papers, books and
overseas surveys. In particular, the direction for enactment of
building code in Korea suggested in this paper will provide direc-
tions for improvement of Korea Building Code after summa-
rizing opinions by building code supervisors of the Ministry of
Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs and Architectural Institute
of Korea and relevant experts, and understanding current status
and problems.
3. CURRENT BUILDING CODE
IN OTHER NATIONS
3.1. Korea
Korea Building Code is covered by the Enforcement Decree of
Building Act and by Rules on Structure, Fire Prevention and

Adv. Sci. Lett. Vol. 19, No. 1, 2013 1936-6612/2013/19/355/004 doi:10.1166/asl.2013.4718 355
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Facility administered by the Ministry of Land, Transport and
Maritime Affairs.
Currently in Korea, KBC-S is the only enacted (’05. 4) code
being used in the field of building structure. There are incon-
veniences and difficulties in application of codes due to lack of
integrated national design standards in the fields of environmental
facility, materials/construction, and fire safety.1
After the first study on KBC enactment conducted by Architec-
tural Institute of Korea in accordance to the request (1999) by the
Ministry of Construction and Transportation, KBC-S for structure
enacted in 2005 is the only code currently being used. KBC-E for
environmental facility will be enacted in 2012 based on building
code organization service. Systems for material/construction and
fire safety will be proposed. Additionally, studies on global green
building code are being conducted to include all these fields.
3.2. The United States of America
Representative building codes of the United States are IBC (Inter-
national Building Code) and NFPA5000. IBC is a building code
published by an organization called ICC (International Code
Council) which integrated three past laws of the United States
(UBC, NBC and SBC).
The main purpose of this code is to establish minimum require-
ments for securing public hygiene, safety and welfare through
structural strength, escape facility, structural stability, hygiene
facility, appropriate lighting and ventilation, energy conservation,
and safety of human life and property from fire and other risks
in buildings.
This code has consistent, integrated standard for general
Delivered by Publishing
construction (administration), material/construction, Technology
structure,
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environmental facility and fire safety. It newly introduced green
Copyright American Scientific Publishers
standards since 2009.
Another code of the United States called NFPA5000 pro-
vides minimum regulations on safety, hygiene and public welfare.
It handles design, construction, quality of material use, residen-
tial requirements, location, maintenance and structure based on
regulations and judicial power.
The United States entrusts enactment of building codes to cor-
porate organizations to enact exemplary codes. Then, the federal
government, state governments and local governments have the
right to select their own code for building standards, thereby
minimizing restriction on local governments.
3.3. Japan
Building code of Japan is covered by Japanese Building Standard
Act. The purpose is to decide minimum standard for site, struc-
ture, facility and use of buildings, to promote protection for life,
health and property of citizens, and to improve public welfare.
In particular, there is a ‘unified standard’ on public buildings,
and there is a separate environmental preservability standard in
response to environmental problems. No unified system is pre-
pared on design standard for private buildings.
3.4. United Kingdom
In United Kingdom, Building Act of 1984 handles building code.
This law enacts regulations on individual or public hygiene in
buildings, safety, enhancement of welfare, fuel and energy preser-
vation, building facility, design, and construction. It also aims to
prevent reckless consumption, water resource contamination and
waste.
356
Adv. Sci. Lett. 19, 355–358, 2013
4. COMPARISON ON CHARACTERISTICS
OF BUILDING CODE IN EACH NATION
4.1. Korea
Korea Building Code is composed of hierarchy such as laws,
orders and regulations. Detailed technological standards are
mainly covered by rules on structure, fire prevention and facility.
Building codes until now focused on safety and functions of
buildings, showing lack of standards for welfare and green. Also,
while other nations cover technological standards through decrees
or rules (building codes), Korea considers them as sub categories
of rules, creating too many steps within the law.
Especially, welfare related to disability and senior facility gen-
erally covered by other nations is included in laws of other min-
istries. Despite global trend of emphasis on green policy and
technology, Korea lacks standards on environment and facility.
In addition, there are no integrated national standards in Korea
except for KBC-S covering building structure. Since this causes
confusion in application of code, an integrated national code is
urgent.
4.2. The United States of America
Management body of IBC is ICC, an organization composed as a
consultative group. IBC is revised every three years. The federal
government, state governments and local governments have the
right to decide their own IBC for building standards.
IBC2009 is composed of 35 chapters in 7 areas including
construction administration (6 chapters), fire safety (5 chapters),
environmental facility (9 chapters), structure/material (11 chap-
ters), construction safety (3 chapters), and relevant regulation
to: Hyeon
(one chapter). Each Ku
areaPark
is composed of chapters to form an
integrated configuration.2
Looking into IBC in terms of administration, structure, envi-
ronmental facility, fire safety, material/construction, and welfare,
emphasized areas are environment, fire safety, and material. This
is identically shown by NFPA5000.
In addition, building codes include matters on flood prevention
structure, earthquake recording device and tsunami, responding
quickly to new disasters. It is possible to quickly accommodate
for new risks because IBC is operated by a private institution.3
4.3. United Kingdom
Looking at Building Act of 1984 in United Kingdom, regula-
tions in laws and decrees are mostly on administration. Approved
documents are all on technological matters. Structure in building
code only has basic descriptions such as load, and details are
briefly expressed by citing BS (British Standard) and professional
technology standard.4
For fire safety, buildings are divided into residential and non-
residential buildings to broadly describe escape, finishing mate-
rial, fire prevention facility, fire resistance structure, and fire
extinguishing facility. Only a small portion is covered on material
and construction.
Looking at administration, structure, environmental facility,
fire safety, material, construction, and welfare, code focuses
heavily on environmental facility and fire safety. Particularly,
welfare is much emphasized compared to other nations with a
separate chapter assigned.
4.4. Japan
Japan has similar hierarchy as Korea with laws, orders and
rules. Code is mostly covered in decrees and supplemented by
Adv. Sci. Lett. 19, 355–358, 2013 RESEARCH ARTICLE

Table I. Comparison on characteristics of building code in different nations.

United Kingdom Japan Korea

The United States building regulation/ enforcement decree enforcement decree of
Item IBC approved document of building standard act building act and rules
Supervising ICC (international code UK Government (DOE) Ministry of land, infrastructure Ministry of land, transport and
Institution council) and transport maritime affairs
Revision 3 years Time to time Time to time Time to time
Recent version IBC-2012 The building regulation Enforcement decree of Enforcement decree of building
2010 approved building standard act act and rules
document
Purpose Public hygiene, safety, Hygiene, safety, welfare, People’s life, health, property, Safety, function, environment,
welfare energy preservation, enhancement of public aesthetics, public welfare
prevention of resource welfare
waste
Admin      
Structure  (Structural design,  (Structural safety)   (Verification of structural safety)
structural test, soil and
basics)
Environment    (Indoor environment)      (Humidity    (Lighting, ventilation,    (Lighting, dampproof,
resistance, harmful gas, dampproof, soundproof) soundproof, sunlight)
soundproof, ventilation,
hygiene)
Facility    (Energy efficiency,    (Water supply,    (Water supply, elevator,    (Building facility, elevator,
electricity, machinery, sewage, heating, fuel, lightening protection) energy efficiency)
piping, elevator) conservation)
Fire safety      (Use of buildings,    (Escape, fire prevention,
   (Use of buildings,    (Escape, fire prevention, fire
building size for escape, fire prevention, fire resistance, interior resistance, finishing material,
structure, escape, fire fire resistance, interiormaterial) high rise building)
prevention, fire material, fire Fire extinguishing covered Fire extinguishing covered in
resistance, interior extinguishing, etc.) in fire services act fire services act
material, fire
extinguishing, smoke
control, special use)
Safety  (Chapter 33,    (Falling prevention,  (Fire safety, risk prevention 
Delivered byglass
construction safety) Publishing Technologyat to:
safety, electric Hyeonsite)
construction Ku Park
IP: 166.104.186.120
safety) On: Thu, 02 May 2013 09:13:42
Material  
Copyright American Scientific (Asbestos)
Publishers 
Construction     (Maintenance)
Welfare      (Chapter 11,      (M. entrance and    (Laws on transportation of    (Laws on convenience of the
entrance for the use of buildings (facility seniors and the disabled in disabled, seniors and pregnant
disabled) for the disabled)) a different law by the same in a different law by the same
ministry) ministry)

Notes: Indication of strength: Greater number of  means relatively more contents (: No contents or extremely small, : Small,   : Average,   : Large,     : Extremely large).

announcements as deemed necessary. Administration takes up a
significant portion, and hygiene is recently being emphasized.
Japan also stresses structures because of many earthquakes, while
considering environmental facility and fire safety important as
well. Standards for disability are operated b another law admin-
istered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.5
5. PROVISION OF ENACTMENT
DIRECTIONS FOR KOREA
BUILDING CODE
5.1. Enactment for Enhanced Quality of
Life and Energy Conservation
Korea preferred safe and endurable buildings that do not require
additional costs due to its growing economy. Such national sen-
timent was also reflected in relevant laws. However, improved
national income and change in awareness raised issues such
as improvement in quality of life and energy conservation,
which is a global trend.6 Accordingly, Korea Building Code
needs to be enacted like in other nations to improve quality of
life through welfare and to conserve energy. United Kingdom
includes green building technology as a purpose of building code.7
It also considers welfare more importantly than other nations by
composing a chapter on welfare. Reinforcement of environmental
facility for energy conservation in Japan also requires attention.
5.2. Unity of Design Standards and
User Convenience
In Korea, users are confused by non-unified standards and lack
of nationally authorized standards.
Only enacted code in Korea is KBC-S (’05. 4) covering struc-
tures. Other fields are causing inconvenience in application of
standards due to absence of integrated code. Integrated codes on
structure, fire safety and other areas are prepared in codes of
the United States and United Kingdom. Different nations have
national standards and professional technological standards for
each area. Different codes (such as IBC) cite such standards to
aim for improved user convenience and efficiency. In case of IBC
in the United States, detailed standards include ASTM, NFPA
(fire prevention), IEC, IBC separately enacted by ICC, IFC, IMC,
IPC and IEC. BS of United Kingdom is also an example.
5.3. Specific Method of Performance
Design in Laws and Codes
Korea has basis for use of performance design method in
extremely narrow fields by a specific institution (Korea Institute

357
 RESEARCH ARTICLE Adv. Sci. Lett. 19, 355–358, 2013

Table II. Building code system in different nations. and terms. The code was insufficient in following timely changes
Nation Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
such as green design code globally being promoted, sustainable
development, and welfare.
Korea Building Enforcement Technological Korea building
Korea must break away from design standards focusing on
act decree rules code
Japan Building Enforcement (Announcement) functions and safety, and enact building codes that can accommo-
standard act decree date for internationalization and timely demands for green and
USA Local Building code welfare.
laws (IBC/NFPA5000) Accordingly in this study, building codes of Korea, the United
UK Building Building Approved
act regulation document
States, Japan and United Kingdom were compared/analyzed to
suggest the following direction based on characteristics of each
nation’s building code.
of Construction Technology). There are no specific methods yet.
First, building code must be enacted to enhance quality of life
United Kingdom has basis and system for such, including “guide-
and conserve energy.
line for fire safety engineering design.”
Second, unity of technological standards and user convenience
5.4. Simplification of Legal System must be aimed.
Building codes in most nations are regulated within decrees or Third, specific methods of performance design must be pro-
rules (codes) subordinate to laws, but Korea is composed of laws, vided by laws and codes.
decrees, rules and Korea Building Code. This results in a ten- Fourth, simplification of legal system and enactment of techno-
dency to decrease the status of Korea Building Code in com- logical standards in professional civil institutions are necessary.
parison to other nations. Hence, it is necessary to review the More detailed review is required on the above direction for
method of simplifying building code from 4 steps into 2–3 steps development of building code and methods for responding to
as a means to increase the status of Korea Building Code and to internationalization and timely demands on green and welfare.
reduce administrative waste.
Acknowledgments: This work was supported by a National
5.5. Enactment by Professional Private Institution Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the gov-
Until now, Korea has been enacting technological standards by ernment of Korea (MEST) (No. 20120000723).
the government, but this resulted in slow response to new risks
and lack of diversity. This seems to result from lack of exper-
References and Notes
tise and distribution of different works into different government
Delivered by Publishing
ministries. Accordingly, there must be a system in which unitary Technology to: Hyeon
1. S. M. Hong, Ku
A study on Park
Korean building code (Draft), Architectural Institute of
IP: 166.104.186.120 On: Thu, 02 May
Korea 2013 09:13:42
(2002).
design standard with user convenience is enacted by a professional 2. International Code Council, Code Development Process for the International
Copyright American Scientific Publishers
private institution and verified or managed by the government. Codes (2000).
In case of IBC in the United States, a private institution is the 3. LEED-NC v2.1 Reference Guide, United States Green Building Council
(USGBC) (2005).
management body of building code, showing quick response to 4. W. L. Ralph, Construction Regulation Handbook, John Wiley & Sons (1987).
new technologies and disasters (tsunami and flood resistance). 5. K. Sakai and K. Kawai, Recommendation of Environmental Performance Ver-
ification for Concrete Structures (Draft), JSCE Guidelines for Concrete No. 7,
JSCE (2006).
6. CONCLUSION 6. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Technological Stan-
dards of Government Buildings Department, http://www.mlit.go.jp/gobuild/
In Korea, Korea Building Code (KBC) has been enacted from kijun_index.htm.
safety and functional perspectives with differing enactment, uses 7. UK Government, Building Regulation/Approved Document (2012).

Received: 4 May 2012. Accepted: 28 May 2012.

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