Overview of the U.S. Building

Codes and Standards System

Mark Johnson, ICC

June 4, 2018

• ICC Background

• Code Implementation: Building Code Regulations• How Codes & Standards are Developed

• Adopting Codes and Standards

• Code Implementation: Conformity Assessment • Training and Certification of Personnel

• Evaluation of Building Products and Systems

• Accreditation

• Additional Resources Available From ICC

• Conclusion: An Effective Building Regulatory System

What We Will Cover

• Nonprofit U.S. corporation

• Committed to making buildings safe to protect

people and property

• Develops building regulations used to design,

construct and maintain residential/commercial

buildings

• Headquartered in Washington DC

• 64,000 member organization with 383 Chapters

• Staff of more than 260 engineers, architects and

administrators

ICC Background

ICC Background: Family of Companies

Building CodeRegulations

Effective Code Enforcement

Process• Open & Transparent • Census Process• Balanced with Due Process• Strong Technical Committees• Family of comprehensive, coordinated codes

Effective Code Implementation: A

Balanced Regulatory System

Development of ICC Codes

• Process used is Governmental

Consensus Process

• Over 3,000 code changes

submitted each cycle

• New edition of codes every

three years

• Important role of Code

Committees

Five Tenants of the Code Development Process

• Openness– Participation open to everyone at no cost

– Anyone can submit a code change proposal

• Transparency– Hearings and results done in public forum and webcast to those unable to

attend in person

– Committee vote, with reason is documented and shared with public

• Balance of Interest– Composition of Code Committees has balance of stakeholders with 1/3

made up of regulators

• Due Process– Opportunity to testify and rebut opposition

– Committees required to hear all views and the cost impact of proposals

• Consensus– Committee vote to approve, disapprove or modify code change

– 2/3 or more vote by eligible Voting Members can overturn Committee Vote

Development of ICC Codes

Development of ICC Codes

• cdpACCESS:

• Automates the Code Development Process

• Expands participation

• Removes geographical barriers

• Reduces costs

• Allows greater collaboration

• Supports ICC’s global outreach

Development of ICC Codes

15 Codes for Building Safety

• Building Structure

• Fire & Life Safety

• Plumbing, Mechanical & Fuel Gas

• Energy Efficiency & Green Construction

• Swimming Pools & Spas

• Property Maintenance & Zoning

• Etc.

Development of Codes

• Standards referenced in ICC codes

developed and maintained through

consensus process such as ASTM or ANSI

• Standards referenced in ICC codes still must

be approved through ICC’s Code

Development Process

• ICC Codes reference over 1,400 Standards

• Nearly 40% of standards referenced are

published by ASTM

Development of Standards

13 ICC Standards

• A117.1 Accessibility & Usable Bldgs/Facil.

• 300 Bleachers

• 301 ERI (RESNET)

• 380 Airtightness of Bldg. Envel.(RESNET)

• 400 Log Structures

• 500 Storm Shelters (NSSA)

• 600 High Wind

• 700 Green Building (ASHRAE & NAHB)

• 802 Irrigation Sprinklers (ASABE)

• 805 Rainwater Harvesting Systems (CSA)

• 900 Solar Thermal System (SRCC)

• 901 Solar Thermal Collector (SRCC)

• 902 Solar Pool & Spa Heating System

(SRCC/APSP)

Development of Codes: ICC

Standards

Code and Standards Hierarchy

• 50 States + District of Columbia

• U.S. Territories

• Federal Agencies

• Middle East

• Mexico

• Caribbean Region

• Central America

• Eastern Europe

Implementing Codes and Standards

• Adopted by Federal Agencies of US Government

• Adopted for use at State level

• Adopted locally by municipalities

• Adoption by Reference versus Transcription

Implementing Codes and Standards: US

Model

• Currently publishes custom codes for 29 State/Country/Local Jurisdictions

• Translates into more than 115 specific titles

Implementing Codes and Standards: US

Model

Effective Code Implementation: A

Balanced Regulatory System

Building CodeRegulations

Effective Code Enforcement

Process• Open & Transparent • Census Process• Balanced with Due Process• Strong Technical Committees• Family of comprehensive, coordinated codes

Infrastructure• Education and training• Certification of Personnel • Certification of Building Products/Systems• Accreditation• Building Inspection • Plan Review

Conformity Assessment System

• Training and Certification of Personnel

• Evaluation and Certification of Building

Products and Systems

• Accreditation of:

• Building Departments

• Third Party Building Safety Providers

• Testing & Calibration Laboratories

• Inspection Agencies

• Product Certification Agencies

• Special Inspection Agencies

Conformity Assessment: Training &

Certification of Personnel

Conformity Assessment: Training &

Certification of Personnel

Training

• 44 ICC Online Courses

• 70 ICC Onsite Courses

• 430 Active Preferred Providers

• Approx. 16K individuals trained

per year

Certification

• 99 Certification exam offerings

• 61,000 certified individuals

• 45,000 certifications renewed per

year (12,000 applications

received)

By the Numbers

By the Numbers

• Products listed to Code/Standard

• ES Listing Prescriptive

• Section 104.11 IBC

• ES Acceptance Criteria

Performance

Conformity Assessment: Role of

ICC Evaluation Service

Conformity Assessment: Role of

ICC Evaluation Service

New Product

Conceived or an

Existing Product

is modified

Evaluation

Report

(ESR) is Issued

Code/Standard

Incorporates

Provisions

from AC

ESR

transitions

to a

Listing

A new

Acceptance

Criteria (AC)

is developed

or an existing

criteria is

revised

The Role of ICC Evaluation Service in Innovation

Conformity Assessment: Role of

International Accreditation Service (IAS)

Procedure by which an authoritative body (IAS) gives formal recognition that a body (laboratory/inspection agency) or person (signatory) is competent to carry out specific tasks (scope) - ISO/IEC 17000:2004

• Assures the client that the procedures are technically valid

• Recognizes the technical competence of organization staff

• Assures the client that the results are technically valid

• Endorses the quality management system

ISO 9000

17065

1702417025

BDA/FPD

17020

IAS Accreditation

Metal Buildings & Fabrication

Additional Resources Available from ICC

• Commentaries (12)

• Significant Changes (6)

• Study Companions (9)

• Building Code Essentials (5)

• Pocket/Inspectors Guides (5)

• Handbook (1)

Leveraging ICC Resources: Electronic

Public Access

PublicACCESS site: codes.iccsafe.org

Contains 2018/2015/2012/2009/2006/2003 I-Codes, ICC Standards,

State Codes, Haiti Building Code, Mexico Energy Code

Leveraging ICC Resources: Electronic

Premium Access

Key Features:

• Cloud-based

• Built in hyperlinks

• Enhanced search features

• Add notes, images, figures

• Versioning features

• Bookmarking

• Cut and paste

• Simo user feature

• Etc.

PREMIUM CLOUD BASED CODES AND STANDARDS SERVICE

• 383 Chapters Globally

• 9 International Chapters– Australia

– Canada

– Cayman Islands

– Kenya

– Mexico

– New Zealand

– Nigeria

– South Korea

– Trinidad & Tobago

• Conducted business in 117 Countries in last 5 years

Where We Operate Globally

Requirements for International Chapter:

• Minimum of 10 ICC members

• Organization name, contact information for elected

officers

• Roster of members

• Constitution and/or bylaws

• Description of geographical area of coverage

• Application and approval by ICC Board of Directors

• No cost to start a Chapter

ICC Resources: Formation of

International Chapters

• Programs include:• Assist countries in enhancing regulatory

systems to properly administer and

enforce codes and standards

• Development and adaptation of model

building codes.

• Training and certification programs for

plan reviewers, inspectors, code

administrators.

• Evaluation of building products, materials,

components and systems.

• Accreditation of laboratories, fabricators,

quality control agencies, etc.

ICC International Consulting Services

Effective Building Regulatory System

Accreditation

Access to

Resources

Sufficient

Staffing

Codes & Standards

Development

Process

Training &

Certification

of Personnel

Supportive

Community

Leaders

Mark Johnson

Executive Vice President

Western Regional Office

3060 Saturn Street, Suite 100

Brea, CA 92821

mjohson@iccsafe.org

888-422-7233 x3248

THANK YOU!