What is the best thing a building professional can do in given situations? The answer is often based upon ethics accepted as being relative to that profession. What are ethics? A brief definition is “a set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field or form of conduct.”  

 

Ethics seek to address questions and conflicts that may arise within many occupations before they actually occur. The point of discussing ethical standards for any profession is to clarify or identify standards that can be used to govern responses applicable to different possible scenarios. This discussion will be no different. Because once such principles are defined and agreed upon, lengthy debate is not needed when complex issues arise.  

 

There are various sets of guidelines seeking to establish ‘standards’ or ‘rules.’ The distinction between these two terms is significant because standards are advisory, whereas rules are enforceable. Rule violations are grounds for disciplinary actions like expulsion from a professional organization or forfeiture of a license to practice a profession.  

 

 

Gain an understanding of what is being referred to when ethics are being discussed for building professionals.  

 

Describe an overview of the different types of ethics.  

 

Identify sources of ethical standards, with which building professionals are expected to comply.  

 

Describe how ethical principles are incorporated into actual laws governing the licensure of building professionals.    

 

Clarify the difference between ethical standards or canons and rules incorporated into laws.  

 

Present a review of case studies that demonstrate how ethical guidelines are applied in real life situations.  

 

Define the proper prioritization of obligations between the public, self and the client during the provision of professional services.  

 

Identify the point at which ethical violations by fellow professionals or clients should be referred to higher authorities for resolution.