Ethical And Regulatory Issues

Ethical and Regulatory Issues

Identify Regulatory Issues

In the past couple of years, Las Vegas has experienced a real estate boom that has taken the market to a new level. Each builder struggles to maintain name brand recognition and be known for their product and the trust and quality behind it. Homebuilders are required to comply with regulatory issues in order to strengthen the quality and trust in the home buying business. These regulations provide for safety, quality, and peace of mind for both consumers and employees. In the construction industry these are some of the regulatory issues:

1. Building Codes - established by local authorities to set out minimum public-safety standards for building design, construction, quality, use and occupancy, location and maintenance

2. Zoning, Noise Level - 25 Decibel Noise Level Reduction Standards

3. Environmental Compliance - handling of non-hazardous and hazardous materials

List of Best Practices

As we examine the three regulatory issues further we focus on the construction industry and how they smoothly handle each regulatory issue.

Building Codes:

Construction and building inspectors are responsible for examining any new or existing property that is being modified. In most cases, they inspect prior to construction and then after completion. They base their building codes on regional codes set by the BOCA, Building Officials and Code Administration. Ryland Homes set up a new process they call "Houseworks" program where they focus on all the components of the home's A/C and heating units. Because they work with qualified companies to install and maintain the home's heating and cooling system, they have fewer complaints.

Zoning - Noise Level:

Clark County has 25 Decibel Noise Level Reduction Standards requirements that builders must conform to. This includes walls, windows, doors and even fireplaces. Along the same lines, the construction industry must also make sure they are reducing noise as they are building homes. In Las Vegas, Pulte Homes has committed to the Engineered for Life program announcing that all of its homes, beginning in 1999, will be incorporated into the new home construction program.

"Engineered for Life differentiates our homes in this market," said Steve Petruska, division president for Pulte Las Vegas. Their program allows Pulte Homes to deliver a more comfortable and energy efficient home than our competitors while adding benefits such as noise reduction, pest control and more.

Environmental Compliance:

The Las Vegas office of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection covers many areas of the environment and works closely with the Clark County Health District. There are proper ways to dispose of paint so that it does not get into the drinking water or ocean water. In most cases, special collection programs have been established to accept paint for recycling or proper disposal. In Las Vegas, the Environmental Technologies on Gowan Road has been set up to accept such hazardous waste materials. According to a Best Practices from the Stormwater Quality Management Committee, you should do a dry clean up and not spray it into the gutters where it could affect the water.

Best Practices Applications

In the construction industry these regulatory issues come up on a daily basis and in some instances can apply to other industries such as the Military and the Newspaper Industry. As we examine each team members work industry some of these best practices with some modifications can apply to these industries.

Building Codes:

In most cases each branch of the military has Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in place to deal with these regulatory issues. As for the building codes, any time each base is planning on any new construction or modification of existing buildings, they must abide by the City and County of that particular location as well as their own Military SOP which may include outside contractors and additional inspections. And in some instances the Military SOP exceeds the requirements of the City and County requirements.

In the newspaper industry adhering to the building codes is important when remodeling and expanding the facility. Construction inspectors must ensure that the facility is in compliance with the building codes. Each year the City inspects the Facility for any violations; this is an insurance requirement as well as a general safety requirement for the well-being of all employees.

Zoning - Noise Level:

Nellis Air Force Base has a zoning, noise level issue that they must comply with, which means any structure in the flight path is subject to the noise level reduction requirements. Similar to the construction industry, the military best practice sets requirements and standards for the development to include such areas as; exterior walls, windows, doors, roofs, ceiling, floors and ventilation of newly constructed structures (Data file).

The zoning noise level regulatory issue for the newspaper industry is different from the construction industry. The newspaper industry has its own noise reduction program which pertains to working with the heavy machinery, where each employee is required to wear proper hearing protection. Although their machinery does not measure up to the aircraft equipment that the military may have, nevertheless these printing machines can produce their own loud noise. As in the case of the military, the noise level policies are strictly enforced as well in preventing any permanent damage to employees.

Environmental Compliance:

The military has to conduct internal environmental compliance self assessments at least annually, and external environmental compliance self assessments at least once every three years at all major installations (Hourcle, 1993, para 2 and 3). Schedules for other installations shall be determined by the responsibility DoD (Department of Defense) Component. Prohibit the use of DoD installations for the storage or disposal of non-DoD owned toxic or hazardous materials. The storage and disposal of non-DoD owned toxic or hazardous material reported or discovered in areas outside of DoD installations are primarily the responsibilities of civil authorities.

The military is required