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Development
The model buildings codes are just that, models to be considered
by state and local jurisdictions for adoption. A code or standard
is not mandatory until enacted by state or local legislation or
regulation. See State and Local Codes.
This section provides a brief discussion of the:
History of Model Code Development
At one time nearly every jurisdiction with a building code developed
the code themselves. In order to gain some needed uniformity and
to reduce administrative and development costs regional model codes
were developed. While some states and jurisdictions continued to
write their own codes, there were three (3) regional model building
codes:
- National Building Code (NBC) published by the
Building Officials Conference of America (BOCA) used primarily
in the Northeast;
- Standard Building Code (SBC) published by the
Southern Building Code Congress, International (SBCCI) used primarily
in the Southeast; and
- Uniform Building Code (UBC) published by the
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) used primarily
west of the Mississippi River.
Each of the 3 model codes had different provisions addressing regional
climatic, geologic, and political, and societal needs. For example,
seismic design and construction provisions tended to be more advanced
in the UBC which was used by states in very high seismic design
categories. More advanced provisions for protection form hurricane
and other high wind events tended to first appear in the SBC. Cold
weather and frost protection provisions tended to be addressed first
in the NBC.
In addition to these regional model codes there was a model residential
and a model energy code published by the Council of American Building
Officials (CABO):
- Model Energy Code (MEC)
- One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code
In 1997 the regional codes writing organizations and CABO agreed
to cease publishing their codes and to have one series of national
model building codes published by the International Codes Council
(ICC).
The National Electrical Code, Life Safety Code, and other codes
were and continue to be published by the National Fire Protection
Association. Other organizations developed other model codes, such
as the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code published
by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
(IAPMO).
Current Model Building Codes
In the United States there are two organizations actively involved
in the development of model codes: the International Codes Council
and the National Fire Protection Association.
 International
Codes Council (ICC) publishes codes commonly referred
to as the “I-Codes.” Most states and local jurisdictions
have opted to base their building codes on the I-Codes. PCA actively
participates in the development process of the:
International
Energy Conservation Code (IECC) regulates the design of
building envelopes for adequate thermal resistance and low air leakage
and the design and selection of mechanical, electrical, service
water-heating and illumination systems and equipment. PCA contact:
Steve Skalko.
International
Fire Code (IFC) establishes regulations affecting or related
to structures, processes, premises and safeguards regarding the
hazard of fire and explosion, conditions hazardous to life, property
or public welfare in the occupancy of structures, fire hazards in
the structure or on the premises, and matters related to fire suppression
or alarm systems.
International
Residential Code (IRC) provides minimum requirements to
safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare for residential
construction limited to one- and two-family dwellings and multiple
single-family dwellings (town homes) not more than three stories
above grade.
PCA contact: Steve Skalko
International
Urban-Wildland Interface Code (IUIC) addresses all buildings
within urban-wildland areas. These areas are defined as geographical
areas where structures and other human development meets or intermingles
with wildland or vegetative fuels. PCA contact: Jay Hall
ICC
Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities provides
appropriate health, safety, welfare, social value, and economic
value, while promoting innovative, flexible, and responsive solutions
that optimize the expenditure and consumption of resources.
Other I-Codes are beyond the purview of the normal operations of
the PCA Codes and Standards Department: International Codes
Council Electrical Code (ICCEC), International Property
Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Fuel Gas Code
(IFGC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International
Plumbing Code (IPC), International Private Sewage Disposal
Code (IPSDC) and International Zoning Code (IZC)
 National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops numerous
codes intended for adoption by state and local jurisdictions. Several
of these codes address general building construction and requirements
for special occupancy or historic structures. Other codes address
a range of topics including: electrical requirements, fires on vessels,
rocketry, and pyrotechnics. PCA’s involvement in NFPA Code
development is primarily focused on:
PCA staff also participates in the development of:
NFPA
Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) addresses construction, protection,
and occupancy features necessary to minimize danger to life from
fire, including smoke, fumes, or panic.
Both the ICC and NFPA develop national reference standards and
guides in addition to model building codes. These standards are
addressed in National Reference
Standards Development.
Who Submits Code Change Proposals?
Anyone can submit a code change proposal to a model building code
or standard. Some scenarios that exist include:
- Competing material groups, including but not limited to: steel,
wood, and plastic, pursuing market share gains may propose revisions
to building codes and standards.
- Builders and developers pursuing avenues of least initial cost,
often proposing, encouraging, or supporting the development of
codes and standards that are favorable for alternatives to cement-based
products and providing the builder or developer with increased
profitability
.
- Systems manufacturers, such as those producing automatic sprinkler
systems, propose, encourage, and support code and standards revisions
that reduce the requirements for the use of cement-based products
as passive fire protection to justify the additional costs for
their systems and gain support from builders and developers
.
- Government agencies may propose codes and standards changes
that reflect the results of research and development; support
their issues and views; or satisfy their obligations to comply
with mandates from legislative bodies.
- Building code officials and administrators may propose changes
to enhance life safety or to simplify the codes and standards
or the inspection process.
- General public and legal counsel may submit changes with the
intent of increasing consumer protection.
Model Code Process
Over a thousand code changes are proposed during each cycle of
either the International Codes Council (ICC) or National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) code change cycle. Both national model code writing
bodies are on an 18-month cycle. While there are some differences
in the processes, both the NFPA
Compressive Consensus Codes and ICC
Code Development Process basically provide opportunities to
introduce, review and comment, support or oppose, and challenge
actions. The ICC process is:
- Introduction of Code Changes
A deadline is set for receipt of proposal for code changes. PCA
Codes and Standards staff, directly or by working with other organizations,
prepares and submits proposed code changes favorable to satisfying
the intent of the building code with cement-based products.
- Code Change Proposal Reviews
Approximately 90 days before the code development hearings the model
code writing body publishes the proposed code changes. PCA Codes
and Standards staff with industry allies share in the review of
numerous requests for code changes submitted by others. Priorities
are set and assignments made to address code change proposals that
have a significant impact on the use of cement-based products. Industry
representatives may speak in favor of a code change, request to
modify a code change, remain silent on a code change, or oppose
a code change. Preparations and technical substantiation are developed
for verbal testimony at hearings. On significant issues handouts
or other materials are also prepared.
- Code Development Hearing
At a scheduled time and place individuals are allowed approximately
2 minutes to speak in favor of a code change, modify a code change,
or speak against a code change. A committee then decides the action
for each code change: approval as submitted, approval as modified,
or disapproved. In a coordinated effort PCA staff and industry allies
testify at the code development hearings.
- Report of Hearing
A report of the actions at the hearings is published and public
comments are requested. PCA staff and industry allies review the
reports to see where proposals favorable to the cement-based products
industries are support and where they were challenged. Further testimony,
substantiation and handout materials are prepared for the final
action hearings. In addition, on key issues, PCA and other industry
representatives work to educate government officials on our positions
and to provide them with adequate substantiation.
- Final Action Hearing
Following the public comment period, anyone can testify at the final
action hearings. PCA and allied industry representative provide
testimony. Decisions are made to agree or disagree with actions
at the previous hearings or to offer further revisions. Decisions
are made by vote of the active governmental members of the model
code organization.
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