• Commercial buildings are regulated by several laws.building it image by Vanessa van Rensburg from Fotolia.com
  
  While any kind of building or construction can be dangerous, commercial building can be especially dangerous. Many commercial structures are built much higher than houses and require more elaborate electrical systems. Additionally, a construction error in a commercial establishment can claim hundreds of lives and millions of dollars in property in the event of a collapse. Because of this, many states have passed strict laws regarding the commercial building process both for the safety of the builders and the inhabitants of the future structure.
  
  

Egress

• One of the most important parts of a commercial building is the exit. Having conveniently located and well constructed exits are key in the evacuation of a building in the event of a fire or other catastrophe. Additionally, people may require objects and assistance devices (e.g. wheelchairs) to enter or leave the building. Because of this, many states have chosen to regulate exits in commercial buildings. For example, Oregon code requires that all buildings housing 10 or more people have an egress point that complies with the standards of the international fire code. This means that while ordinary glass doors may be used in the front, there must also be an easily accessible fire door on premises for emergency situations.
  
  

Erosion Control

• Buildings are constructed in any type of climate and on several types of soil. Sediment from eroding buildings can cause problems when rain water washes it into the water supply. Because some building sites can take heavy tolls on man made structures, states such as Wisconsin have introduced measures to control erosion and sediment from buildings. Wisconsin requires that a plan for erosion control be submitted before building. This plan includes considerations of foundations and ground covers, and may include plans for contoured ground design that drains flowing water quickly before it can cause erosion.
  
  

Electrical

• Many types of structures, including commercial buildings, require electricity inside to prevent the outside temperatures and pressure changes from destroying the foundation of the building over time. While buildings must remain powered, commercial structures can sometimes draw enough energy to become serious carbon dioxide threats. Because of this, many states have implemented energy codes designed to limit the amount of energy drawn by a commercial building. This electrical code requires that electrical systems in buildings be high efficiency, under penalty of fine on inspection.