Florida state codes based on IBC and IRC;
cities large and small adopt I-Codes
The 2003 International Building® and Residential
Codes®, developed and published by the International
Code Council, will be the base documents for the Florida
Building and Residential Codes. The Florida codes
will contain amendments to the I-Codes™, including modifications
to address the state's strict hurricane standards. The Florida
Residential Code will be a first for the state. There
is no current Florida Residential Code.
Construction industry representatives expressed their support
for the I-Codes to the Florida Building Commission, which
selected the I-Codes from several codes it reviewed. To safeguard
its residents, Florida already enforces statewide the International
Fuel Gas®, Mechanical® and Plumbing
Codes®.
In addition to the state of Florida, hundreds of cities across
the nation with a wide range of populations are adopting and
enforcing ICC building safety and fire prevention codes.
Among the jurisdictions that recently enacted I-Codes to
safeguard the citizens they serve is Fountain Hills. The Fountain
Hills (population 22,000), Arizona, Town Council adopted the
2003 International Building Code, International
Fire Code®, International Fuel Gas Code, International
Mechanical Codeand International Plumbing Code,
effective in February.
The City Council in Houston (population 2 million), Texas,
approved a new fire code. The updated City of Houston Fire
Code includes the 2000 International Fire Codewith
amendments. It goes into effect Oct. 6.
The Lacey (population 32,000), Washington, City Council adopted
the 2003 International Building Code, International
Existing Building Code®, International Fire Code,
International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical
Code, ICC Performance Code™ and International
Residential Code. The codes go into effect Aug. 23.
Effective Aug. 30, Lakewood (population 144,000), Colorado,
will have new construction safety codes. The city adopted
the 2003 editions of the International Building Code,
International Energy Conservation Code®, International
Fire Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International
Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Codeand
International Residential Code.
The North Lyon County, (population 38,000), Nevada, Fire
Protection District passed an ordinance adopting the 2000
International Building Code, International Fire
Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International
Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International
Property Maintenance Code® and International Residential
Code for the district.
Other cities that use I-Codes include: Anchorage, (population
269,000), Alaska; Belle Meade, (population 3,000), Tennessee;
Cape Girardeau (population 36,000), Missouri; Cheyenne, (population
54,000), Wyoming; Fargo, (population 91,000), North Dakota;
Mobile, (population 195,000), Alabama; New Rochelle, (population
72,000), New York; Oklahoma City, (population 519,000), Oklahoma;
Seneca, (population 2,000), Illinois and Toledo, (population
309,000), Ohio.
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. The majority
of U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose
building safety and fire prevention codes developed by the
ICC.
Population source: U.S. Census July 1, 2002 Population Estimates
