Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
WINDBREAK PLANNING, WIND PATTERNS
With a 40 mph wind from the left, velocities will be reduced to about those shown. For
other speeds, the reductions will be proportional. (From
Horse Housing and Equipment
Handbook,
MWPS-15. Ames, IA: Midwest Plans Service, 1994.)
Your buildings must be constructed in accordance with the local building code, a group
of regulations or construction standards concerning structural soundness, enacted by law.
The regulations cover topics such as height and area restrictions, room size requirements,
required method for design, minimum design loads for wind and snow, building materials,
electrical requirements, plumbing and septic requirements, heating, ventilating, air condi-
tioning, and sprinkler specifications. There are various building codes in the United States;
the Uniform Building Code (UBC) is the most common. You can buy a copy of the UBC
at bookstores or from your local building department. For information on local building
codes, contact your county clerk or commission or your city building and zoning depart-
ment.
Your local building official will advise you about which codes you must follow. You will
need to submit plans for approval and get a building permit. The local building inspector
will visit the construction site to ensure that the building is being constructed according to
the approved plan and to applicable codes.
Finally, you must check with the health department and the Environmental Protection
Agency to be sure you are designing your farm to comply with public health requirements,
pollution criteria, and pest control standards.
