National Model Codes Development

Today very few state or local jurisdictions have the resources to develop a complete building code on their own. States and local jurisdictions tend to base their code on national model building codes and modify, or amend, these models as necessary to address the needs of the jurisdiction. More.

State and Local Code Development

The national model codes may be adopted by state and local jurisdictions with or without modifications or amendments, depending on their needs. The building code enacted or adopted via a legislative and/or regulatory process at the state or local level becomes the minimum legal requirements to which buildings are designed and constructed. More.

National Guide Development

The standardization process for new technologies and methods usually starts in the form of research, which leads to papers on the topics and then to the development of guides. The guides are used by specific industry interests to assist in gaining code acceptance for new products and applications, typically through a third party evaluation service. More.

National Reference Standards Development

Due to lack of sufficient time and resources in the model building code process, design and construction provisions for many materials, components and systems are developed by voluntary industry or societal consensus organizations or processes. These standards are then referenced in the building codes. More.

Fire Safety in Multi-Family Buildings

An area of primary concern since the passive fire protection requirements in the national model building codes have been drastically relaxed due to fire sprinkler trade-offs. More.

Technical Support

PCA Codes and Standards staff provides support for regional, state, and local cement-based product associations working with an AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) to assure that any modifications impacting the use of cement-based products adequately reflect the needs of the local constituents. More.

Sustainability and Green Buildings

To integrate functional resilience as a key component of truly sustainable buildings PCA compiled provisions to modify applicable codes and standards. PCA offers modifications to the 2009 International Building Code and the National Green Building Standard - 2008 that combine functional resistance (enhanced robustness, durability, and disaster resistance) with energy conservation, water conservation, material resource considerations, indoor air quality and site development. More.

Download a free copy of the technical overview and justification for integrating functional resilience into the design and construction of green buildings: Functional Resilience: Prerequisite for Green Buildings.

Download a free copy of the High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability, a compilation of modifications to the International Building Code that results in a green building code.

Download a free copy of Functional Resilience Requirements to Modify ICC 700, National Green Building Standard for one- and two-family homes under the purview of the International Residential Code.

Download a free copy of Functional Resilience Requirements to Modify ICC 700, National Green Building Standard for residential buildings under the purview of the International Building Code.

Download a free copy of Recommended Revisions to LEED for NC and CS, prerequisites for the design and construction of green buildings using voluntary programs such as the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for new construction (NC), core and shell (CS), schools, retail, data centers, warehouse and distribution centers, and hospitality.

Download a free copy of Recommended Revisions to LEED for Homes, prerequisites for the design and construction of green homes using voluntary programs such as the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes.