The International Code Council (ICC) continues to develop
the International Building Code (IBC) for publication in the
year 2000. In early 1997, five technical subcommittees completed
the preparation of the International Building Code Working Draft,
which will ultimately become the 2000 IBC following numerous
public hearings and code change opportunities (See
related story). Concurrently, the IBC Performance Committee
is drafting the ICC Performance Code, a document which describes
the intent of a requirement without providing detailed specifications.
Similar efforts are underway for the International Fire Code
(IFC).
Purpose of the Code
The purpose of the ICC Performance Code is to enable the use
of innovative materials and methods of construction, or alternative
designs, while retaining the level of protection afforded by
the specific requirements in the building or fire code. The concept
of a performance code places additional responsibility on the
architect, who must thoroughly analyze design features which
were prescriptively permitted under current code requirements.
Although higher design costs may result, overall construction
costs will likely be reduced.
Code Structure
Each performance-based requirement is structured to provide
the following information:
Objective. Topic-specific expectation.
Functional Statement. Explanation of purpose.
Performance Requirements. More detailed criteria to
achieve the goals of the functional statement.
Solutions. Specific technical solutions and verification
requirements.
The ICC Performance Code will provide detailed intent and
objective statements, and the performance-based provisions will
expand significantly beyond the current option for alternative
materials, methods of construction, modifications, and tests
found in current prescriptive codes. The Performance Code will
afford the design team the opportunity and responsibility to
focus on creative project goals and to verify through the code
intent and multiple objectives that the design provides a safe
building. (Weber, Bob; Guidelines for ICC Performance Code, 1997.)
