This "fluid personality" of a model code is beneficial in that it allows the code modification process to take a very adaptive attitude toward new technologies in materials and installation methods. It also helps keep references to the standards that are incorporated in the code up-to-date and relevant. However, the personality also has an unfortunate "dark side": an alter ego that occasionally causes problems for both code officials and contractors.
The primary negative aspect of the fluid nature of a code is its tendency to facilitate incorrect or uninformed interpretation. By its very character, a model code is subject to interpretation-put enough words down on enough pieces of paper and no two individuals are going to read them the same way-but because a code's content is revised every few years, the consequences of faulty analysis can be compounded when the effect of an interpretation that was once slightly incorrect becomes substantially wrong over time.