The International Code Council (ICC), a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, 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, building safety codes developed by the ICC. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States.
The ICC is a United States-based non-profit, non-governmental organization which allows governmental jurisdictions around the world and other stakeholders to collaborate to create model building codes.
The International Codes, or I-Codes, published by the ICC, provide minimum safeguards for people at home, at school and in the workplace. The I-Codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency codes. Building codes benefit public safety and support the industry’s need for one set of codes without regional limitations.
Fifty states and the District of Columbia have adopted and enforced at least one of the I-Codes at the state or jurisdictional level. Federal agencies including the Architect of the Capitol, General Services Administration, National Park Service, Department of State, U.S. Forest Service and the Veterans Administration also enforce the I-Codes. The Department of Defense references the International Building Code for constructing military facilities, including those that house U.S. troops, domestically and abroad. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands enforce one or more of the I-Codes.
ICC members include state, county and municipal code officials and fire officials, architects, engineers, builders, contractors, elected officials, manufacturers and others in the construction industry. The International Code Council has nearly 340 chapters. Each chapter has its own personality and focus, representing all International Code Council member professional disciplines.
The ICC develops the International Energy Conservation Code, a model energy efficiency code. This is one of many sustainable, green safe construction initiatives of the Council.[1]
The ICC develops a standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.[2] It is a nationally recognized standard of technical requirements for making buildings accessible.[3]
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The ICC conducts code development through the governmental consensus process. The ICC governmental consensus process meets the principles defined by the National Standards Strategy of 2000; OMB Circular A-119, Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities (1998)[4]. It complies with Public Law 104-113 National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995.[5]
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson each wished to have the creation of building regulations[6]. The idea was to provide minimum standard to guarantee the well-being and safety of the public would not be compromised, especially due to lack of stable and secure building structures. As modern America progressed, most[7] of the country became covered by a network of building regulations and codes ranging from fire and structural safety to health, security and conservation of energy.
In the 1900s, model building codes were created by the code officials within various communities. They had key aid from all sectors of the building industry. Today, programs in cities, counties and states in the U.S. have codes that are the central regulatory basis.[8]
Public Safety encompasses several other areas pertaining specifically to disaster situations. ICC has developed codes in the following areas to ensure that when disaster strikes, codes are in place ensure the safety of citizens. Along with these codes, ICC has led the development of accessibility codes, along with supporting consumer safety and advocating awareness during Building Safety Month. Here are some ICC Consumer Safety publications, distributed to consumer media and residents searching for specific building safety advice and tips.
The International Code Council was created in 1994 as a non-profit organization dedicated to developing a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes. The founders of the ICC are Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), and Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI). Since the early part of the last century, these three non-profit organizations developed individual sets of codes used throughout the U.S. The individual codes created by these organizations helped shape regional development, but as the country became more cohesive, the need for a single set of codes became apparent. These three organizations responded to the call by creating the Code Council and began developing codes that were no longer regionally focused but nationally focused. The codes that came out of this endeavor are known as the International Codes, or I-Codes.[14]
The International Building Code and International Residential Code are just a few of the comprehensive I-Codes the Code Council has created and distributed across the country. The publications of the codes allow for easier following from members and allow them to observe and study the model code. Some of these codes have specific practices, such as the International Fire Code and the International Green Construction Code, or the IGCC. The specific practices in this comprehensive green construction code focus on green building construction and building sustainability.[15] Here is the current list of I-Codes developed and published by the Code Council:[16]
The International Code Council offers many services, among them are technical, educational and informational products and services in support of the I-Code. Some of the products and services readily available to code users include code application assistance, educational programs, certification programs, technical handbooks and workbooks, plan review, automated products, monthly magazines and newsletters, publication of proposed code changes, training and informational videos.[17]
Since codes are adopted at the jurisdictional level, the ICCs relationship with all levels government is important. From training and certification on the I-Codes to providing educational information to residents, the ICC provides services to large and small governments.
Some of the recent undertakings The ICC's Government Relations has been involved with are a large scale. Recently the Community Building Administration Act gained momentum after being offered as a manager's amendment by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) during a House Financial Services Committee mark-up and was passed by a voice vote to become part of the Green Act, HR 2336.[18]
The Community Building Administration Act is a federal grant program designed to assist communities across the country as they adopt and administer construction safety codes that protect property and the public. The act was refined and re-introduced to Congress under bi-partisan support.[19]
The act had great support but was derailed as Congress turned its attention to battling the economic crisis. Now it is part of the Green Act.[20]
ICC's Evaluation Service evaluates building products for compliance with the I-Codes. ICC-ES is a nonprofit, limited liability corporation. The process ends with a report on compliance with the code. These reports are then made available free of charge to code officials, industry practitioners and anyone else who has an interest in the information.[17]
ICC-ES publishes reports, commonly called ESRs, on products that are found to be code compliant. Manufacturers wanting to show their products meet code requirements would apply to obtain an ESR.[21]
ICC-ES also evaluates to codes and standards for plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas products through a different program called the PMG Listing Program, and evaluates "green" building products through the Sustainable Attributes Verification and Evaluation Program (SAVE).[22]
The International Accreditation Service accredits testing and calibration laboratories, inspection agencies, building departments, fabricator inspection programs and IBC special inspection agencies. IAS is also a non-profit public benefit corporation that has been a recognized accreditation body since 1975.[17]
The ICC Foundation Around a non-profit organization that attempts to alleviate the effects of natural disasters and other building accidents through education initiatives for consumers. This is an attempt to increase understanding of building codes, standards and mitigation options.[17]