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building-code-checker skill

/plugins/babysitter/skills/babysit/process/specializations/domains/science/civil-engineering/skills/building-code-checker

This skill helps verify building code compliance for occupancy, construction type, area, and fire-resistance per IBC to support design decisions.

npx playbooks add skill a5c-ai/babysitter --skill building-code-checker

Review the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.

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SKILL.md
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---
name: building-code-checker
description: Building code compliance checking skill for IBC occupancy, construction type, and area requirements
allowed-tools:
  - Read
  - Write
  - Glob
  - Grep
  - Edit
  - Bash
metadata:
  specialization: civil-engineering
  domain: science
  category: Code Compliance
  skill-id: CIV-SK-030
---

# Building Code Checker Skill

## Purpose

The Building Code Checker Skill verifies building code compliance including occupancy classification, construction type, allowable area, and fire-resistance requirements per IBC.

## Capabilities

- IBC compliance verification
- Occupancy classification
- Construction type determination
- Allowable area calculation
- Fire-resistance requirements
- Means of egress analysis
- Height and story limitations
- Mixed-use provisions

## Usage Guidelines

### When to Use
- Verifying code compliance
- Determining allowable areas
- Checking height limits
- Evaluating fire resistance

### Prerequisites
- Building use defined
- Construction materials identified
- Building area calculated
- Fire protection systems known

### Best Practices
- Use current code edition
- Consider local amendments
- Document compliance path
- Check all occupancies

## Process Integration

This skill integrates with:
- All structural processes
- Permit Application Preparation

## Configuration

```yaml
building-code-checker:
  codes:
    - IBC-2021
    - IBC-2024
  check-categories:
    - occupancy
    - construction-type
    - area
    - height
    - fire-resistance
    - egress
```

## Output Artifacts

- Compliance reports
- Area calculations
- Fire-resistance requirements
- Code summaries

Overview

This skill verifies building code compliance for projects using the International Building Code (IBC). It analyzes occupancy classification, construction type, allowable area, height and story limits, means of egress, and fire-resistance requirements to produce clear compliance findings and calculation artifacts. It is designed to support permit preparation and early design decision-making.

How this skill works

The skill ingests basic project inputs—occupancy use, construction materials, building area, number of stories, and fire protection systems—and applies selected IBC editions and local amendments. It determines occupancy group and construction type, computes allowable area and height limits, evaluates fire-resistance and egress requirements, and flags noncompliant conditions. Outputs include compliance reports, area calculations, and concise code summaries for each checked category.

When to use it

  • During schematic design to confirm feasibility
  • Preparing permit applications and code narratives
  • Estimating allowable building area and required fire ratings
  • Assessing mixed-use projects with multiple occupancies
  • Reviewing changes in materials or fire protection that affect compliance

Best practices

  • Always select the applicable IBC edition and note local amendments
  • Provide complete inputs: use, areas, materials, sprinklers, and heights
  • Check each occupancy separately for mixed-use buildings
  • Document the compliance path and assumptions in the report
  • Use results to guide design options rather than final approval—coordinate with local code officials

Example use cases

  • Calculate allowable area and required fire-resistance ratings for a new three-story office building
  • Determine occupancy classification and egress needs for a mixed retail/residential project
  • Assess the impact of adding automatic sprinklers on allowable area and construction type requirements
  • Produce a concise code compliance summary for permit submittal or early contractor pricing

FAQ

Which IBC editions does the skill support?

The skill supports user-selected IBC editions; configure the edition in the project settings and include any applicable local amendments.

Can it handle mixed occupancies in one building?

Yes. The skill evaluates each occupancy separately and applies mixed-use provisions to determine overall allowable area, separation, and egress requirements.