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The Department of Buildings has launched the initial phase of a citywide campaign to help industry members and the public learn about new city construction codes.

The new rules, which go into effect July 1, 2008, differ from the current building code. The initiative is designed to help those who use the code to understand it before it is changed and to understand the differences between the old code and the new one. Phase two of the initiative is still being worked on.

“We spent four years working hand-in-hand with dedicated professionals from industry, real estate, labor, government and academia to overhaul and modernize New York City’s 40-year-old building code,” said Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster. “Now we need them to come back to the table to assist us in ensuring that everyone is brought up to speed.”

The department will also update its Web site in coming weeks with training materials for industry members.

The initiative kicked off Sept. 21 with a training session held at the New York Society of Architects’ 27th Professional Technical Forum in Manhattan.

An event Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. will be held at the Bayside Historical Society and sponsored by the America Institute of Architects. The Bayside Historical Society is located on the grounds of Fort Totten in the Officers’ Club.

The Department of Buildings is partnering with different organizations to put on the presentations, and it plans to sponsor programs in all boroughs.

The new construction code was signed into law by Mayor Mike Bloomberg in July. Professionals will have the option to use either the old building code or the new construction code from July 2008 to July 2009. After this point the new code will be mandated for all new construction.

E-mail questions about the new construction code to constructioncode@buildings.nyc.gov.