Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2006 International Building Code

This book does an outstanding job of explaining how to use the building code, what the code means, and the basis for some codes. If you are an engineer, architect, or someone who just wants to better understand the building code, this book is for you.

I am not sure why everyone was so high on this. The organization is a bit scattered and it doesn't really cover a great deal of code. If you are using this as a general learning book, it is ok. But if you are looking up specifics about something you are working on, I bet that most of the time it will let you down.

This came as a companion with the Building Code book that we purchased and we are finding it very useful in our library. It came in good time and I would recommend buying.

This text does a very good job of breaking the code down into understandable chunks. The addition of graphics helps to understand the verbiage. It is probably best suited to architectural students rather than construction workers, since it spends a lot of time on big picture issues: when do you need to sprinkle, where do you need fire dampers, how many square feet are allowed for Type III construction, etc. Still, it provides the reasoning behind why architects design as they do, so it's still very useful to the non-architect.

Don't go near the code without it.

Ching did a great job again! The line drawings clarified the codes and made it easy to understand.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA