A National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) study recommends the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) drop its Minimum
Property Standards (MPS) in favor of model codes developed by International
Code Council (ICC). HUD building standards guarantee housing insured by
the Federal program meets minimum requirements for construction quality,
safety and durability.
The NIBS study recommended the 2000 International Residential Code
for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (IRC), published by the ICC and
successor to the CABOOne- and Two-Family Dwelling Code,
replace HUD's MPS. In areas without building code enforcement, the report
called for HUD to receive written certification by a licensed architect
or engineer that the dwelling meets requirements of the IRC or the prevailing
state residential code.
"We are honored that the NIBS report recommends the use of I-Codes
as the residential construction benchmark for HUD," said ICC CEO
Bob D. Heinrich. "I-Codes are the most widely used codes among cities,
counties and states that adopt building safety and fire prevention codes.
The Department of Defense references I-Codes for military construction
worldwide. Developing the safest codes possible to protect people at home,
school and where they work is a top priority for ICC. It is rewarding
to be recognized for quality."
HUD, through a series of regulatory reforms during the past 20 years,
significantly reduced the role and importance of the MPS program for single-family
housing, according to NIBS. Since 1983, HUD has allowed compliance with
the CABO One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code or a model building
code to satisfy mortgage insurance requirements, thereby rendering the
MPS irrelevant, the NIBS report says.
The NIBS study also suggested HUD discontinue its Technical Suitability
of Products (TSP) program and instead rely on ICC's Evaluation Service
(ICC-ES). ICC-ES is a voluntary program that evaluates building materials
and products for code compliance.
"ICC-ES is recognized and respected by code enforcement officials
and builders," Heinrich said. "To building safety officials
and builders, the ICC-ES seal of approval says the product meets code
requirements."
The NIBS report found that TSP acceptances are redundant because most
manufacturers already maintain product evaluation reports through ICC-ES.
The report also stated that the TSP Program product acceptances are outdated.
The program does not meet Congress' intent of speeding the introduction
of new technology and reducing entry barriers for new products, according
to NIBS.
The ICC, a 50,000-member association dedicated to building safety, develops
the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including
homes and schools.
