ICC Update
August 1997
The International Code Council (ICC) continues to make very
significant progress in its effort to develop a single series
of model construction codes suitable for adoption by units of
government in the United States and beyond. The International
Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code and International
Private Sewage Disposal Code are established documents with on-going
code development cycles in place. With the cooperation and involvement
of a broad segment of the construction and code enforcement community,
momentum has surged in the development of the entire International
Codes series.
Work Continues on Initial Drafts
The initial working draft of the International Building Code
has been published for the purpose of generating public comments
and views which will be considered by the IBC drafting Technical
Subcommittees for inclusion in the IBC First Draft. A public
hearing on the First Draft will be held in May 1998 and a public
hearing on the Second Draft will be held in January 1999. The
first edition of the IBC will be presented for adoption by BOCA,
ICBO and SBCCI in September 1999 and will be published in April
2000.
The first working draft of the International Fire Code is
in the process of being developed through a joint effort of ICC
and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The IFC
is also expected to be presented for adoption by BOCA, ICBO,
SBCCI and NFPA in 1999.
A public comment forum on the International Fuel Gas Code
was held in July, 1997 and is expected to be available for adoption
in the next year. This code is being developed through a joint
agreement between the American Gas Association and ICC (See
related story).
Drafts of the International Property Maintenance Code and
International Zoning Code have also come before the memberships
of the model code organizations and are undergoing review. In
addition, performance provisions for the IBC and the IFC are
also being developed by separate ICC committees (See
related story).
Residential Code Development Commences
In a joint effort with the National Association of Home Builders,
work has begun on the International Residential Code (IRC). A
code drafting committee has been appointed which consists of
three representatives each from the home builders, the ICC and
the ICC Industry Advisory Committee.
The IRC will contain prescriptive provisions and criteria
for engineering solutions consistent with the performance provisions
of the other International Codes. The other International Codes
will not contain requirements specifically for the regulation
of construction under the scope of the IRC. The IRC is expected
to be available for adoption by the members of ICC in 1999.
Cooperation Results in Substantial Progress
The ICC's steady progress reflects an unprecedented level
of cooperation toward common objectives by the three model code
organizations. It has also resulted in an increasing opportunity
for partnerships with other organizations whose members will
benefit as a result of a single series of model construction
codes.
©1997 Council of American Building
Officials
The CABO Newsletter
Volume 4 Number 2
|
