FRANCIS D.K. CHING is a registered architect and a professor at the University of Washington. He is the author or coauthor of numerous architecture and design books, including A Global History of Architecture; Architectural Graphics; Building Construction Illustrated; Architecture: Form, Space, and Order; A Visual Dictionary of Architecture; and Design Drawing (all published by Wiley).

STEVEN R WINKEL, FAIA, an expert in building codes and regulations, is an architect managing the San Francisco office of The Preview Group. Winkel is the architect member of the California Building Standards Commission, a past national board member of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), and past president of the AIA California Council.

The INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL (ICC), a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties, and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the ICC. The ICC mission is to provide the highest quality codes, standards, products, and services for all concerned with the safety and performance of the built environment.