Lots of folks think that a building permit is just another way for local politicians to collect taxes. And to some extent the permit fee is a tax, but in most communities it pays for a staff of experts who provide an important layer of protection for you and your family.

Without a building permit you forfeit the luxury of having an expert looking over the shoulders of you and your contractor helping to ensure that the code compliance exists. There is another way of expressing the term "building code" that really brings its importance home in a hard-hitting way. How would you feel if it was titled "the health and safety code"?

We recently installed a whirlpool tub in our master bathroom. The building inspector discovered that the bond wire between the motor and the electric panel was missing. A feature that could prevent a death if a short occurred. The electrician missed it, we missed it, our supervisor missed it. Fortunately, the building inspector didn't.

There are several codes that govern construction. There is the building code, mechanical code, plumbing code, electric code and energy code.

The Building Code

This code covers structural stability such as the types and grades of lumber, span and spacing of floor, ceiling and roof joist, the kind and number of fastening devices at various connection points and the types and thicknesses of floor, wall and roof sheathing and even insulation thickness. Light and ventilation also fall under the building code. Did you know that most rooms are required to have either a window or an exhaust fan for ventilation and that a window must also provide a specified amount of light to a given room? A window's total area must be at least 10 percent of a room's total area to provide the required amount of light. The window can be any size, shape or form. Additionally, a window must provide ventilation equal to 5 percent of the room's area. In the case of a 100-square-foot room the ventilation area of a window would have to be at least 5 square feet. Regardless of light and ventilation requirements, a window in a bedroom must be no more than a specified distance above the floor and must have a certain escape-hatch width and height. Thoroughly confused? Doesn't make any difference as long as you realize that the window code is there to ensure that you get much natural light, plenty of fresh air, and that you and your children have the option of using the window as an escape hatch during a fire or other disaster.

The Mechanical Code

This code covers the installation of heating, cooling and home ventilation equipment. The coverage of this code includes ducting and its insulation and chimneys and flues as well. The mechanical code not only covers the size and type of furnace or air conditioner for a given space, it also covers the diameter, length and type of ducting that can be used. The idea is to minimize waste and maximize comfort. Keep in mind that, as with all codes, the mechanical code specifies minimums. For example, in a home you must have at least one cold-air return on a central heating system, which is the way most get built. However, if you really want a good system, you would ask the heating contractor to install a supply duct and a return air duct in every room. The degree of comfort in your home, in many cases, depends a lot on your budget, not the codes. Similarly, no matter how much you spend with some contractors you can't count on getting any more than code minimums. In other words, the code is there for your protection, but doesn't guarantee that you will be offered upscale options or features that add either more safety or more convenience.

The Plumbing Code

Plumbing is cut-and-dried. There is the water system, the waste-line system and the sewer-vent system. Did you know that if a roof vent in a lower story roof is placed too close to an upper story wall, the gasses that escape from the vent can leak into the home through an adjacent window or through an attic vent?

The Energy Code

Since the energy crisis of the early '70s, many municipalities have adopted stringent energy codes that map out minimums for insulation, infiltration control (air leaks), insulated window glass and general energy efficiency.

The Electrical Code

This one covers wiring and electrical equipment, and the "National Electric Code" is the only one of the codes that is recognized throughout the nation.

The codes are not universal. Three regional organizations and one national one have developed different "model" building codes. Each state decides on which code it will adopt. Some adopt two. Additionally, counties, cities and other municipalities add their own twist to meet specific local needs. In one city electrical wiring within the walls of a home must be encased in metal tubing. Where this code usually applies only to commercial construction, the city in question feels that the danger of fire is reduced with metal tubing.

Building departments aren't perfect. Like most organizations they are made up of human beings. There are as many goofy building officials as there are bad medical professionals and/or bad tradespersons. But, the good thing is that most building agencies have people you can count on. For best results, never perform a project at your home without first checking with your local building department. Ninety-nine percent of the time you will enjoy the services of a low-cost, highly experienced helper doing what can be done to help you end up with a winning project, one that is sturdy and safe.