Examining the Risk-Responsiveness Levels of the US Building Codes for Healthier and Safer Future Building Practices

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced the design and operation of office buildings, prompting a heightened awareness of the need for adaptive building practices to mitigate transmission risks of airborne diseases. Recent studies suggest that improved building codes can promote safer and healthier practices, enhancing occupants' well-being and productivity. However, the current understanding of the status and adaptability of building codes to address such risks remains largely limited. In response, this study aims to comprehensively examine the US building codes concerning factors crucial for mitigating airborne transmission risks, specifically focusing on COVID-19. Utilizing the Delphi method, this research systematically identified key factors to perform building codes examination. Subsequently, an in-depth analysis of building codes was performed, using a dataset comprising thirty states and thirty cities as case studies. This examination revealed that four states—Washington, California, Nevada, and Wisconsin—and four cities—Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston—demonstrated a relatively higher degree of risk-responsiveness than others. The study’s findings will offer valuable insights and contribute to efforts to enhance the adaptability of building codes to airborne transmission risks in the future.