The Importance of Testing Products for Building Safety

Building safety is essential to protecting lives and property. From the materials used in construction to the systems and products integrated into buildings, it is important to ensure that every component functions as intended. Partnering with an accredited testing laboratory is an essential first step of the safety process.

Testing building products not only supports safety but also advances innovation, trust and compliance in the construction industry. The International Code Council’s ICC Pulse Podcast episode 58 explored the testing labs in the construction industry. The episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of how the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) and ICC-ES Labs contribute to safety, compliance and the future of building standards.

Why Test Building Products?

Testing serves as a cornerstone of quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Here are some key reasons why testing is essential:

• Compliance: Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) often require products to meet specific codes or standards before they can be used in construction projects. Testing ensures compliance and eliminates uncertainties about product sustainability.
• Sales: Meeting compliance standards can provide access to specific markets, enabling manufacturers to expand their customer base.
• Marketing: Demonstrating performance through rigorous testing improves a product’s reputation, providing customers and stakeholders with an elevated level of trust.
• Benchmarking: Comparing products against competitors through the same standardized tests can reveal strengths and help identify areas for improvement.
• Suitability: Testing ensures that a product performs as intended, avoiding costly errors or failures during or after installation.
• Safety: Products that undergo testing reduce risks associated with unsafe use or malfunctions, safeguarding people and property.
• Research & Development: Throughout the research and development process, testing reveals how well a product performs, allowing for refinement and fostering innovation.

A Foundation for Confidence and Safety

Testing extends beyond meeting regulatory demands; it also creates confidence. Architects, contractors, code officials and consumers rely on the assurance that tested products will meet high-performance and safety standards.

This trust is critical for fostering community safety and resilience, especially in the evolving construction industry.

“To bring these innovative products to market it’s essential that manufacturers have this information so that they can go to their local building official and say ‘here’s why you should accept our product,’ and in a lot of cases they aren’t going to be able to have those products accepted at all if they don’t utilize our services,” said David Tompos, Executive Vice President, Conformity Assessment Group 

The International Code Council’s Role in Product Evaluation and Testing

The International Code Council family of solutions is a leader in advancing building safety through comprehensive product evaluation and testing services. ICC-ES accredited testing laboratories help manufacturers demonstrate that a building product complies with nationally recognized standards, criteria, or building codes, which instills confidence that the product will perform as promised.

As the author of the world’s most widely accepted building codes and standards, the Code Council ensures that its evaluations align with essential benchmarks. 

To learn more about the Code Council’s product evaluation and testing services, listen to Episode 58, Behind the Scenes at ICC-ES/NTA and ICC-ES Labs, of the ICC Pulse Podcast here.