Seven states, dozens of cities among latest to adopt I-Codes

Used in more than 14,000 jurisdictions, the International Codes (I-Codes) developed by the International Code Council continue to be the most widely adopted building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation.

Recent adoptions of one or more of the I-Codes at the state level include Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Rhode Island and Texas. Local jurisdiction I-Code adoptions have recently been recorded in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

In Arkansas, the state has adopted the 2003 International Plumbing Code and the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code.

Connecticut amended its State Building Code to include the 2003 International Residential Code and 2003 International Energy Conservation Code.

The 2004 Maine State Building Code went into effect July 30. Maine towns that adopt or change their building safety codes after this date must adopt the 2003 International Building or Residential Codes.

On Sept. 20, Maryland updated its codes to the 2003 International Building and Residential Codes.

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services based its new 2004 Oregon Structural Specialty Code on the 2003 International Building Code and its 2004 Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code on the 2003 International Mechanical Code.

Rhode Island updated its State Building Code to reference the 2003 International Building, Residential, Energy Conservation, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes.

In Texas, the Commissioner of Insurance updated to the 2003 International Building and Residential Codes. The new building specifications are applicable to structures constructed, repaired or renovated in the designated catastrophe areas along the Texas coast for which the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association provide coverage.

Also in Texas, the Department of Licensing and Regulation adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes for the construction of Industrialized Housing and Buildings.

The Commissioner Court of Harris County, Texas, the third most populous county in the U.S., adopted the 2003 International Fire Code for commercial and public buildings in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The Alabama city of Gulf Shores will use the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes for its building safety codes.

Mesa, Ariz., adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fire, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes. The Golder Ranch Fire District in Oro Valley, Ariz., adopted the 2003 International Fire Code while the town of Oro Valley adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fire, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Property Maintenance Codes.

I-Code implementation is strong in Colorado, where the International Code Council has recorded dozens of adoptions this year. Most recently, Arvada selected the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fire, Energy Conservation, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes. Aurora adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes. Eaton updated its codes to the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes. Garfield County and Hudson will enforce the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes. Meeker adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fire, Fuel Gas and Mechanical Codes. Moffat County adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Energy Conservation, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Property Maintenance Codes. Sheridan adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fire, Energy Conservation, Existing Building and Property Maintenance Codes. Windsor adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes. The Aspen Fire Department, Littleton Fire Protection District and Pleasant View Fire Department opted for the 2003 International Fire Code. The Genessee, Golden Gate Inter-Canyon, North Fork and North Metro Fire Districts all adopted the 2003 International Fire and Urban-Wildland Interface Codes.

Southaven, Miss., adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes.

The Kansas City, Mo., City Council approved adoption of the 2003 International Building, Residential, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Private Sewage Disposal Codes. The legislation updates Kansas City's codes from a previous version of the I-Codes.

Hastings, Neb., adopted the 2003 International Building, Residential, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Mechanical and Property Maintenance Codes.

In Ohio, the city of Lorain adopted the 2003 International Residential and Property Maintenance Codes, Lucas County selected the 2003 International Residential Code and Upper Arlington chose the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code.

Gallatin, Tenn., selected the 2003 International Building, Residential, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Property Maintenance Codes.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.