Building Process in Chicago Illinois

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Building Process in Chicago Illinois
Even though all major cities in the United States
had their own building regulations and building
codes at some time, today Chicago is the only US
city that uses its own building code. As a
result, building in Chicago is governed by the
Chicago Building Code that specifies minimum
standards for construction as well as the
maintenance, repair, alteration, and demolition
of buildings and other structures. Administered
by the Chicago Department of Buildings, the Code
is amended by the local city council from time
to time. Like all building codes, the Chicago
Building Code covers every area that relates to
the building process including plumbing and
sanitation, electrical installations, heating,
fire prevention, energy conservation, as well as
health and safety standards that relate to
buildings and other structures, and zoning
issues. There are though some provisions that
are enforced by city departments other than the
Chicago Department of Buildings. Chicagos
Building Code also specifies minimum requirements
for existing buildings in the city, as opposed
to those that are being designed and
constructed. Chicago engineers and those involved
with the many vital elements of MEP engineering
(mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) can access
the Chicago Building Code online, via the citys
website to see exactly what the requirements of
the Chicago building process is, from the design
phase to construction. Design
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Whether designed by Chicago engineers or
architects, plans for buildings (regardless of
size or function) must comply with the Chicago
Building Code. Of course, talented professionals
may embrace aesthetics in any way they wish,
provided these meet the design guidelines and
fulfill the building requirements as stated in
the regulations. A building permit is essential
to any building project in Chicago, and nothing
can be done on site before this has been
approved by the city not even clearing of the
site! And before anyone can apply for a permit,
plans must be submitted. These must include
copies of a topographic lot survey as well as a
grading plan prepared by Chicago engineers, or
more accurately, a professional engineer (PE) who
is registered in Illinois. The design plans
themselves have to be prepared and sealed by
an architect who is licensed in Illinois. All the
drawings and plans required by the city have to
be drawn in a specific scale on either paper or
cloth using ink or another process that wont
fade. Lot lines must be shown on the plans as
well as all drainpipes and the entire sewerage
system. The location of plumbing fixtures must
also be indicated. While these plans may be
drawn by an architect, when it comes to large
commercial buildings, engineers with MEP
engineering qualifications invariably become
invaluable members of the design team.
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Once the plans have been approved, nobody can
alter or deviate from them unless an official
change is approved by the city. Approvals at
Chicago Department of Buildings The plan approval
process required by the Chicago Department of
Buildings is very specific. For instance, plans
must be signed and sealed by Chicago engineers or
architects as defined in either the Illinois
Architectural Act, the Illinois
Structural Engineering Act, or the Illinois
Professional Engineering Act. Once the
preliminary plans have been approved, a building
commissioner representing the city may issue a
permit. At this point working drawings and
plans, as well as detailed statements that relate
to the building, must be submitted for approval.
Working drawings contain detailed information
that relate to design including the size of wood
elements and concrete that is required, as well
as structural steel and concrete
reinforcement. Additionally, if applicable, the
working drawings for Chicago buildings and
other structures have to be accompanied by a
signed affidavit (by a qualified architect) that
essentially certify that the drawings and plans
meet or exceed minimum standards for recyclable
or commercial refuse containers. Only then can
construction begin, but the approved plans and
drawings, as well as the permit for building,
must be kept on file at the construction site
during the building process. It might seem an
unimportant issue, but the Chicago Department of
Buildings takes it very seriously and could shut
a build down if it is non-compliant. It is
important to know that all approved plans remain
on file with the Chicago Department of Buildings
for six months after the new building has been
occupied, but not necessarily any longer. So
its important for Chicago engineers, architects,
and MEP engineering teams to retain their own
approved plans. Construction Bidding Many Chicago
engineers and companies that specialize in MEP
engineering apply for tenders or submit
proposals to municipal or other businesses to
build or manage construction projects of various
types. Typically, construction bidding involves
public tenders that are motivated by various
government departments that follow a different
process to private tenders. Nevertheless, the
construction bidding process will generally start
with cost estimates and then lead to blueprints,
plans, and materials lists. There are various
models that might be followed, but commonly they
will either offer a firm price or suggest a
contract that involves a profit, either in terms
of cost reimbursement or cost plus.
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Whether construction bidding is done by
architects, Chicago engineers, or MEP
engineering teams, a bill of quantities is an
essential element. This will provide every
detail necessary to show exactly what will be
spent on the project from excavation to
finishes, and should always specify costs for
things like labor, plant, and materials. But
perhaps the most important factor is that opposed
to an estimate that a contractor would provide
for materials and labor costs, a bid is exactly
what the customer will be charged.
Building Ultimately, whether the process requires
bidding or just the development and approval of
plans, building is where it happens! This is what
it is all about. But the reality is that the
building code will stick with the architect,
engineers, service providers, and everybody else
right the way through the process. Even though
professionals including Chicago engineers and MEP
engineering teams are involved in the build,
everything needs to comply, and there will be
someone from the Chicago Department of Buildings
there to check that it has been done correctly.
This is the only way we can be sure that the
buildings we are part of will be both beautiful
and safe!