To complete its package of model codes, the International
Code Council (ICC) continues to work on developing a building
and fire code. As reported in the April 1996 edition of the CABO
Newsletter, the three model code organizations -- Building Officials
and Code Administrators International (BOCA), International Conference
of Building Officials (ICBO), and Southern Building Code Congress
International (SBCCI) -- are working through the ICC to develop
a single set of model codes known as the International Codes
by the year 2000.
International Building Code
The development of the first draft of the International Building
Code involves the evaluation of technical requirements of current
model codes promulgated by BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI, through five
subcommittees with representatives from each organization. In
May 1997, a working draft will be published for the purposes
of obtaining comments from interested parties.
Following public hearings in August 1997, the subcommittees
will complete the first draft of the code. The second and final
drafts will be developed through the submission of proposed changes
that will be processed in accordance with ICC code change procedures.
International Fire Code
The ICC and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
recently announced an agreement to jointly develop and publish
the International Fire Code by the year 2000. Both organizations
will appoint representatives to participate on the code developing
committee. The committee will use a joint process that involves
both the ICC's open, democratic governmental-consensus code development
process, and NFPA's ANSI-accredited open consensus code- and
standard-making system.
