Technical Resources
Alternative/Complex Designs and Performance Codes
Purpose
The purpose of this portion of the ICC Website is to provide
relevant resources with regard to alternatively designed and
complex buildings components. This includes a short discussion
related to performance-based building codes, specifically
the ICC
Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities (ICCPC).
A list of relevant resources along with links to international
activities, a bulletin board and upcoming related conferences
is provided.
Alternative Designs
The I-Codes deal with most typical situations very well but
on unique and complex buildings there is often a need to look
at alternative solutions to achieve the intent of the code.
Each of the I-Codes contains a provision which allows designs
and products to be used that differ from but are equivalent
to the associated code provisions. The provision from the
2003 IBC is as follows:
104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods
of construction and equipment. The provisions
of this code are not intended to prevent the installation
of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction
not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that
any such alternative has been approved. 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, and that the material, method or work offered
is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of
that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness,
fire resistance, durability and safety.
The above section allows what are often termed “equivalencies”
and sometimes termed “performance designs.” In many
cases when the equivalency clause is used the designs are
often termed performance designs as the focus becomes achieving
the intent of the code instead focusing upon compliance with
specific rules. The code gives little guidance on how the
process of reviewing, accepting and maintaining such designs
and products must be undertaken. With regard to product assessment,
organizations such as the ICC
Evaluation Service, Inc. can help achieve local approval
of alternative methods and materials.
Designs of a specific building must ultimately be approved
by the jurisdiction in which the project is located. When
a jurisdiction is involved with an alternative design, review
outsourcing and peer review may become more critical due to
the unique expertise required.
There are several tools to assist in the process for everyone
involved. Most specifically the ICCPC
Section 103 has a thorough administrative process. Also, ICC
and SFPE have published a document titled Code
Official's Guide to Performance-Based Design Review that
may also assist in the approvals, construction and maintenance
process. In addition documents such as the ICC publication,
Performance-Based
Building Design Concepts (Meacham 2004),
provides additional resources for dealing with unique designs.
SFPE also publishes a document geared towards designers which
guides the fire protection engineering process titled Engineering
Guide to Performance-Based Fire Protection: Analysis and Design
of Buildings.
The SFPE has also produced “Guidelines
for Peer Review” which can be downloaded.
Complex Designs
In some cases compliance with the prescriptive code can be
achieved without undertaking alternatives but the building
design, construction and maintenance process has a multitude
of issues which requires additional assistance beyond what
the building code and the staffing capabilities of a building
or fire department can anticipate or provide. Complexity of
systems (traditional or otherwise) may require outside review
assistance. A third party or peer review may be needed for
some structural and fire designs that fall within the prescriptive
code. Also special inspections may be required that must be
outsourced due to the unique expertise required or the staffing
limitations of the building or fire department. For example,
some of the special inspections required by Chapter 17 of
the International Building Code are required to be
continuous during the construction process. It is important
to set up guidelines and procedures for outside reviews and
special inspection agencies (often term quality assurance
agencies).
Additionally organizations such as International
Accreditation Service, Inc., a subsidiary of ICC, provide
some support in the area of special inspections. IAS accredits
inspection bodies (including special inspection agencies),
testing and calibration laboratories and runs a fabricator
inspection program to assist in the monitoring of fabrication
that occurs away from the construction site. Their services
are intended to reduce the burden to the special inspection
process.
Performance Codes
Why Performance-based Codes?
The drafting and use of a performance-based building code
(regulation) is a concept discussed and applied throughout
the regulatory drafting community internationally. There are
many countries that have adopted performance-based building
code. A performance-based building code is a code that focuses
on intended outcomes (i.e. what do you expect a building to
look like after an earthquake) versus prescribing a solution
(i.e. travel distance is limited to 150 feet). The popularity
of this type of document can be traced to several issues.
- General frustration with the complexity of current prescriptive
codes
- A need for codes that facilitate
- International trade
- Innovation
- Overall movement towards deregulation
How do performance-based codes benefit the building industry
now?
Issues like international trade are difficult for most of
us to think about on a daily basis. The more apparent and
immediate benefits include having a code that more clearly
explains what the code intends. This will assist in the application
of prescriptive codes. Also, when a complex project is undertaken
through the equivalency approach a performance code would
provide more rigorous administrative guidelines and a stronger
understanding of the intent of the code to assist in the design
process.
Reality Check
In the countries that have adopted performance codes they
are almost always supported by Acceptable Solutions (terminology
varies) which closely resemble documents like the IBC and
related codes. In some countries they are purely advisory
and in others are considered the baseline. Looking deeper
into the activities of these countries one would likely find
that there is still a very strong dependence upon the prescriptive
solutions in most cases. There are a variety of reasons for
the dependence. In many cases a complex design process is
not warranted but the other major reason is that many of the
methodologies and criteria for designs outside the traditional
approaches are not mainstream information found in standards
and guidelines.
Despite these realities the general feeling is that switching
the codes to a performance-based approach has been beneficial.
As stated the traditional codes did not completely go away
they simply became acceptable solutions. Prior to the conversion
to performance some countries had to send there entire prescriptive
code (IBC Equivalent) through parliament which placed unreasonable
delays on the process.
United States
First, it is important to note that the International
Building Code has various provisions that may be considered
to be performance-based or have the history of being based
upon more mature and well accepted performance measures such
as the structural provisions of the code. The smoke control
provisions are also an example of performance where the system
is based to a certain degree on what is known about fire behavior.
These provisions however do not make the code performance-based.
As the original ICCPC was written, the intention is that
if the document was to be adopted by a jurisdiction it would
mean that the ICCPC would be the dominating document supported
by the prescriptive codes such as the IBC, IFC, IMC, IPC,
etc. Figure
1 provides an illustration of this structure. Since our
code system is one of the most unique systems in the world
(i.e. the federal/national government has no role) sweeping
changes are unlikely and the style of adoption and use of
such a document is up to the state and local jurisdictions.
What has been seen in more recent times is a move to allow
the ICCPC as a compliance option. In some cases the document
has been adopted but typically along with other I-Codes. At
the very least it is suggested that the administrative provisions
of the ICCPC be reviewed to see how they might assist with
alternative approaches.
It should be noted that the ICCPC contains a “User’s
Guide” that may provide additional background. Also with
the resources listed under publications there are a variety
of documents that give insight on what is happening internationally
and how that may relate to the United States. Specifically
the document titled Performance-Based
Building Design Concepts.
Resources
One of the key reasons for this portion of the website is
to link to as many relevant resources as possible. The following
contains both free guides and checklists and also a list of
relevant publications free for download or that ICC offers
for purchase. The resources focus on the design, construction
and maintenance of buildings that have unique features or
features that the I-Codes consider critical enough to require
a higher level of review such as smoke control.
Publications
Other
Bulletin Board
This bulletin board is provided as a networking tool for
those involved or interested in alternative designs, complex
designs, performance design and performance based building
codes. Reviewing a design? Want to know what other jurisdictions
have been doing? Concerns about performance codes? Go ahead
and post your questions!
Come
join the discussion!
International Activities
- IRCC
(Inter-jurisdictional Regulatory Code Collaboration Committee)
IRCC was formed in 1996 as a mechanism for those, on
a national level, involved with the drafting of performance-based
building regulations to discuss relevant issues. This
activity has become an excellent networking opportunity
for code drafting bodies and ICC continues to stay active
with this group. Performance based building codes was
the catalyst to this activity but the exchange goes well
beyond the performance building code itself.
There are a variety of papers and other resources located
on this website. Please take a look.
- CIB
(International Council for Research and Innovation in Building
and Construction)
- General - CIB is an organization which provides an
international network that promotes the exchange and
cooperation in research and innovation in building and
construction. Topics they are involved include technical,
economic, environmental, organizational and other aspects
of the built environment. These networks are created
through the use of Working Commissions (standing committees)
and Task Groups (short term focused committees 2- 3
years).
- CIB
Proactive Approach - Performance Based Building
- CIB Task Group 37 - Performance based Building Regulatory
Systems—note this committee has recently completed
its work and the final report will be available very
soon.
- PeBBu
(Performance Based Building)
Conferences/Workshops
June 14-16, 2006
SFPE’s
6th International Conference on Performance-Based Codes
and Fire Safety Design Methods, Tokyo, Japan
Please send links on other conferences to
If you have any suggestions for additional links or general
feedback please e-mail
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