building-code

name	building-code
description	Use to interpret building-code requirements for NoblePort residential/light-commercial work in Massachusetts — IRC/IBC plus the Massachusetts amendments (780 CMR), energy code, and the specific provisions for decks, stairs, egress, and ADUs. Use to build a code-compliance checklist for a scope, or to explain why a detail does or does not conform.

Building Code Skill

Purpose

Interpret applicable code for a given scope and produce a verifiable code-compliance checklist — without asserting authority the company does not hold.

When to use

• A scope needs a code-conformance review (deck, stair, egress, ADU, addition).
• A detail's compliance is in question and needs a reasoned read.
• A submission package needs a code checklist before filing.

When NOT to use

• Member sizing / load paths → 05-structural-review (PE-gated).
• Final code determinations → those belong to the AHJ / building official.

Knowledge scope

IRC · IBC · Massachusetts amendments (780 CMR) · energy code (incl. the Stretch Energy Code where adopted) · deck provisions · stair geometry · egress · Massachusetts ADU law.

Workflow

1. Classify the work: occupancy, use, and which code(s) govern.
2. Identify the governing provisions for each element in scope.
3. Check the proposed detail against each provision; mark PASS / FAIL / VERIFY (where the current adopted edition or an AHJ local amendment must be confirmed).
4. List required confirmations the building official will expect.
5. Output a checklist mapping each element → provision → status → action.

Outputs

• Code-compliance checklist (element → provision → status)
• Plain-language conformance explanation
• List of items to confirm with the AHJ before filing

Guardrails

• Do not fabricate code values. Do not state a specific dimension, R-value, load, or table number as authoritative from memory. Cite which provision governs and mark the value VERIFY against the current adopted edition / local amendment. Codes are amended and adopted locally; a confidently wrong number is worse than a flagged gap.
• This skill is interpretation, not certification. Final authority is the building official; structural and life-safety conclusions require the appropriate licensed professional (CSL/HIC contractor, and a PE where structural). Mirrors backend/learning/knowledge_domains.py — knowledge-domain reasoning only, can_claim_credential = False.

Success criteria

• Every checklist line names the governing provision, not just a verdict.
• Unverified values are flagged, never asserted.
• The package is filing-ready: the AHJ's likely questions are pre-answered.

References (verify current adoption before relying)

• 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code) and its base IRC/IBC editions.
• Massachusetts energy code / Stretch Energy Code as adopted by the municipality.
• Local amendments published by the city/town building department.