Report - PEER - University of California, Berkeley

2.1 Law Enforcement and InspectionThe Building Standard Law is a national law which must be conformed to in selectingthe site, in designing and constructing a building and equipment, and in the use ofbuilding. When a new construction or a major repair or remodeling of the building isplanned, the building owner must submit an application for confirmation to thebuilding official that the design and construction conforms to the provisions of lawsconcerning the site, structure, and building equipment prior to the construction work.This requirement made the code prescriptive because building officials must be ableto judge the legal conformity of the design work to the regulations.Upon the completion of the construction, the building official or his designatedperson must inspect the construction for the conformance of the buildingrequirements. If the construction site or building violates the legal requirements, thechief of a municipality may order the suspension of construction, the demolition,removal, or correction of the building, or the prohibition of the building occupancyand use. The 1998 revision allowed a designated private agency to review theconfirmation application and inspect the construction after completion.2.2 Structural RequirementsThe structural requirements in the law are that “the building shall be constructed safeagainst dead and live loads, snow loads, wind forces, soil and water pressures, andearthquake and other vibration forces and impacts,” and also the structure shall satisfythe following requirements:(1) The structural calculation outlined by cabinet order, Building Standard LawEnforcement Order, and(2) The technical standards set forth by the Minister of Construction.2.3 MaterialsThe quality of construction materials shall satisfy the Japanese Industrial Standards orthe Japan Agricultural and Forestry Standards or the technical standards, fireresistance and health, set forth by the Minister of Construction.3. BUILDING STANDARD LAW ENFORCEMENT ORDERThe Building Standard Law Enforcement Order is issued by the Cabinet to outlinetechnical requirements for the law. The construction and structural calculationrequirements are specified in Chapter 3 “Structural Strength.” The technical standardsabout structures, referred in Article 20 of the law, are outlined in Sections 1 to 7below.Section 1: General Provisions,Section 2: Structural Members and others,519