Overview of the U.S.

Building Code
Regulatory System

ICC Overview

Standards Institution of Israel (SII) March 30, 2008

 Outline:

 Model Codes in the US

 ICC - Consolidation
 ICC’s Mission and vision
 About Us
 Profile
 ICC subsidiaries
 Overview of construction industry
(Codes and Standards)
 Model Codes in the U.S.

International Code Council established in

1994 by BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI to
develop a single code series

First ICC Code published was in 1995

starting with the International Plumbing
Code

Complete family of International Codes

were published in 2000
 ICC Mission and Vision

 Providing the highest quality codes, standards,

products and services for all concerned with the
safety and performance of the built environment

 Protecting the health, safety, and welfare of

people by creating better buildings and safer
communities
The International Code Council

A 42,000 member association

dedicated to building safety

Members include Code Officials, Designers,

Contractors, Manufacturers, Academia,
etc.

Develops the codes used to construct

residential and commercial buildings
 The International Code Council

 ICC Profile
 Nonprofit Organization
 Headquartered in Washington DC
 Regional Offices in US (California, Alabama, & Illinois)
 Satellite Offices Outside US (Argentina, Puerto Rico)
 Annual Budget of more than $75 million
 Self Funded (receives no funding from federal or state
government)
 Staff of nearly 400 engineers, architects, and support staff
 ICC Subsidiaries

 International Code Council Foundation (ICCF)

 ICC Evaluation Service (ICC ES)
 Leader in US in evaluating building products for code
compliance
 International Accreditation Services (IAS)
 Accreditation Programs (Building Department, Fabricator
Inspection, Inspection Agencies, Product Cert. Agencies,
Testing Labs, etc.)
 ICC Evaluation Service

 Code Officials Technical Source for Approving New and Innovative

Building Products

 New products end up in construction projects, requiring approval by

the code official

 Adopted codes and standards tend to lag behind new technology

development and deployment

 It can be difficult for building departments to determine if new building

products and materials meet minimum building code requirements
 Code Basis for Alternative Products

Alternative Materials and Products

IBC Section 104.11 provides the code official with a

means to accept the use of any material or product
not specifically prescribed in the code

…an alternative material, design, or method of

construction shall be approved where the
building official finds that the proposed design
is satisfactory and complies with the intent of
the provisions of this code….
 New Product Technology

Recent Examples of New and Innovative Products

 Structural Bamboo Poles – “Bamboo Technologies” introduced

structural bamboo poles as structural elements in wall, roof and floor
trusses.
 International Accreditation Services
(IAS)
 Building Department Accreditation

 The first nationally recognized accreditation program for building

departments

 Sets a standard of excellence for the profession

 Provides a new level of professional recognition for building

departments within the construction industry and public sector

 IAS Accreditation Criteria for Building Departments (AC 251) available

at www.iasonline.org.
 Overview

 Building construction in
the U.S. is governed by
coordinated codes and
standards adopted as construction
regulations.

 Construction regulations cover:

 Building
 Plumbing
 Mechanical
 Fire
 Electrical
 Energy
 Etc.
 Overview

 Codes and Standards are developed by the

private sector.

 Codes and Standards development process

is dynamic and includes the public and
private sectors.

 Adoption of building construction

regulations is primarily the role of local and
state government.
 Purpose of Codes

Minimum requirements for

public safety, health and welfare in the
built environment

Safety to life and property from fire

and other hazards
Structural Strength
Means of Egress
Sanitation
Light
Ventilation
Energy conservation
 How is a model code developed?

 New edition of codes published every

three years

 18 month Code Development Cycle

where Supplement is produced

 Changes are made during an open public

hearing and voting process

 Participation open to anyone

 Process Used is Governmental

Consensus Process
 Responsibility of the Code Official

 Responsibilities include, but are not limited

to:

 Management of a code enforcement department

 Supervision of building, plumbing, mechanical,
electrical and elevator inspectors and support
staff
 Supervision of building performance, electrical,
plumbing and mechanical plan review
 Other duties, as deemed necessary
 Effective Building Code Enforcement
Procedures

Procedures:

1. Submission and process of building permit

applications to construct or remodel
4. Conduct detailed plan review of construction
drawings for compliance
5. Once compliance is achieved on construction
plans, issue building permits
6. Perform regular and periodic inspections
during the construction phase
 Effective Building Code Enforcement
Procedures

Procedures (cont’d):

5. If a deficiencies exist or if the building or a

component does not comply with approved
plans, issue corrections for violations
4. Verify all corrections and approve prior to final
Certificate of Occupancy C/O
5. Once C/O is issued, power, water and gas is
authorized to be turned on and building owner
is allowed to occupy and operate
 A Balanced Building Code
& Enforcement System

Building Code Effective Code

Regulations Enforcement

• Open and continuous Code • Code Administration

Development Process • Plan Review
• Input from ALL interested parties • Building Inspection
• Technical committees Code Complying • Education and Training
• Final Decisions by Membership Building • Certification & Accreditation
Construction • Building Product Evaluation
ICC International Codes

A family of
14
coordinated and correlated
codes
International Building Code®
International Fire Code®
International Mechanical Code®
International Plumbing Code®
International Residential Code®
International Energy Conservation Code®
International Existing Building Code®
International Fuel Gas Code®
International Property Maintenance Code®
International Private Sewage Disposal Code®
International Zoning Code®
International Wildland Urban Interface Code®
ICC Electrical Code® Administrative Provisions
ICC Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities®
 ICC Custom Codes

 ICC Provides Flexible Solutions

 ICC offers custom code services

 Available to countries, states, and local municipalities
 Includes complete publishing and distribution services
 Licensing Intellectual Property to third parties

 ICC currently produces custom codes for more than 30 states and
major jurisdictions

 ICC also provides some custom support services (Training/Technical

Publications)
 Standards

 Codes reference
more than a thousand standards

 Material Specifications
 Design Standards
 Testing Standards

 ASTM most widely referenced

standards
 ICC Standards
 ICC Standards are developed through ANSI Process

 ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and

Facilities)
 Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures: ICC
400-2007
 ICC 300-2007: Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating, and
Grandstands
 ICC Storm Shelter Standard (Release Date: Early 2008)
 Standards

 Three classifications used in codes:

 Design - methods, procedures, practices
 ASCE 7-05 Minimum Design Loads
for Bldgs and Other Structures
 Materials - quality, properties
 ASTM C1167 Specification for Clay
Roof Tiles
 Testing
 UL 10B Fires Tests of Door
Assemblies
 Codes and Standards Support
Services
 Technical Publications that facilitate an
understanding of the codes and enhance their
application

 Comparisons of various editions of the codes

and historical information on the genesis of code
requirements

 Professional interpretation
of the code requirements

 Plan Review Services

 ICC Communication Tools

 Building Safety Journal – Magazine (Mailing distribution: 44,000)

 Building Safety Newsletter (Mailing distribution: 44,000)

 ICC eNews – Electronic newsletter (Subscribers: 85,000)

 http://www.iccsafe.org/news/ePeriodicals/subscribe.html
 Code Commentaries

Published and cover all ICC codes

Provide
code and commentary
application examples
explanatory material
code development history
illustrations
bibliography of additional references
 Code Interpretations

Telephone anytime - over 100,000 provided

annually

Informal written staff opinion through internal peer

review - over 5,000 annually

Formal published position of the ICC through a

review committee
 Codes and Standards Support Services
- Plan Review

 Comprehensive review for designers

and code officials

 Provide plan review worksheets and

comprehensive professional report
outlining code deficiencies
 Certification &
Licensing Services

 Certification of Personnel ensures that

competent individuals are involved in
the building regulatory process and
are familiar with the adopted codes

 Certification eliminates the need for

individual state and local agencies to
design, implement and maintain their
own testing programs
 Training and Education Services

 Ensures everyone involved in the building design,

construction and code enforcement process is familiar
with the adopted codes

 Eliminates need for individual state and local agencies to

design, implement and maintain their own training
programs

 Can be easily tailored to meet the needs of state and

local agencies
 Training and Education Services

 Conducts more than 1,400 seminars

per year

 Instructors are technical experts and

experienced in code enforcement

 Extensive curriculum directed toward

professional growth
 ICC Membership Services

Key Benefits

 Toll-free numbers for interpretations of code

 Complimentary publications
 Annual Subscription to magazine and online
newsletters
 Discounts on all services
 International Consulting Services

 Programs Include:

 Assisting countries in setting up or enhancing regulatory systems to

enforce construction codes and standards

 Assisting countries with creation of certification and testing programs

for plan reviewers, inspectors, code administrators, etc.

 Laboratory Accreditation Programs

 Training

 Assisting in development of model codes and standards

How to Reach Us

For more information, please visit our web site at

www.iccsafe.org or contact us at 1-888-422-7233.

Thank you for your attention