When it comes to avoiding church building mistakes, one of the most fundamental steps is doing due diligence before considering the purchase of property or starting to create a church design. So far, we’ve discussed utilities, infrastructure, and zoning—now let’s address another key element: building codes. Building codes affect various aspects of a church design, such as accessibility, energy efficiency, fire safety, and structural integrity. Failing to comply with these codes can lead to costly delays, retrofits, and even safety hazards. Here are some of the building code topics to review.
Bringing a Building Up to Code: What It Means
The first thing to understand about building codes is that any change to a building’s use may require it to be brought up to code across the board. This means that even if a building met code when it was initially constructed, converting it to something different —like turning an office or school into a church—could trigger the need to comply with all current codes. For example, if you’re converting a 12,000-square-foot office into a church, even if the office wasn’t originally required to have a sprinkler system, the change of use may or may not mean that you’ll now have to install one.
Similarly, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance is another factor. Converting a structure without ADA-compliant features could require you to implement upgrades, like accessible entrances, bathrooms, and seating. We’ll cover the ADA more in-depth in our next post.
Structural Codes: More Than Just Load Bearing
One easy mistake to make when planning a church design to convert an existing building is neglecting to account for structural codes. It’s not just about whether a building can stand up—it’s about whether it’s structurally suited for its new use. For example, a property that was originally designed as an multi-story office or retail space may not have been built to support the weight loads required for an assembly of people.
Here’s a cautionary tale that illustrates the issue. We once talked with church leaders who had purchased a two-story department store. It was on a hill, so that the upper level opened to the higher side and the bottom floor opened to the back at the lower level. They planned to place the worship space on the top floor and the children’s area on the bottom level. However, the department store floors were only built to handle loads of 40 pounds per square foot, which was fine for displaying clothes and other goods, but insufficient for a church assembly. The building required significant retrofitting—specifically, additional steel reinforcement—on the top floor to meet the 100 pounds per square foot requirement for assembly areas. The added expense and time nearly derailed the entire project.
Insulation and Fire Codes: Don’t Underestimate the Scope
Older buildings are often missing key features required by modern energy and fire codes. For instance, many older structures lack the R30 or R40 insulation required by today’s energy efficiency standards. Converting an office or retail space to a church may mean adding significant amounts of insulation to bring the building up to code, which can add unanticipated costs.
Fire codes are another important factor to consider. Churches, especially those that will hold large gatherings, must meet strict fire safety standards. If a building isn’t big enough to need a sprinkler system, it could still mean that fire-rated corridors and hallways are necessary. Fire alarms, fire-rated doors, and specific types of drywall also may be required to comply with fire codes. These seemingly small changes can quickly add up to a significant project cost.
Wrap-Up and Next Steps
Building codes are complex, but The McKnight Group is here to help church leaders navigate them. Reach out to us for help.
Yes, there are still more building code issues to discuss. Our next post will provide the details. Meanwhile, be sure to sign up for our free i3 webinars. Through these presentations, our experts provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions for your church building projects.