An Introduction to the Updated 2024 International Codes

Excitement is brewing as the International Code Council continues to work on the development of the highly anticipated 2024 International Codes® (I-Codes).

As an essential resource for building safety professionals worldwide, the I-Codes undergo continuous updates and improvements to ensure they reflect the latest advancements and best practices within the industry. However, the upcoming 2024 I-Codes will hold more than just updated content – they will arrive in a new style and format, tailored to meet the evolving needs of customers and members.

As part of the Code Council’s digital transformation strategy, these changes will not only streamline accessibility but also promote a more unified user experience.

Initiating the International Code Design Updates

Within the Code Council’s 2025 Strategic Plan, digital transformation was introduced as a way to increase value for members and the building safety community. With this in mind, and to better act on the needs of customers and members, the Code Council created the Content Hub, an internal initiative, to help deliver and organize resources in different, more innovative ways.

Through the Content Hub, the Code Council launched a membership survey for print and digital users to gain insight into user experiences with the I-Codes. The survey included questions on how users used the code books and engaged users in the proposed style changes to determine their comfort with the updates.

With the survey responses in mind, the Code Council implemented several style and formatting updates in the 2024 I-Codes which will ultimately unify and align the print versions of the I-Codes with the International Code Council’s Digital Codes®. These changes will offer the same user experience to print users as digital users, allowing those who prefer a print copy to still experience the benefits of digital.

Now, let’s dive into the updates that you will see within the 2024 I-Codes.

1. QR Codes 

The 2024 I-Codes print editions will replace the previous marginal markings with QR codes to identify code changes more precisely.

By scanning a QR code, users will be sent directly to the digital version of the code change. A QR code is placed at the beginning of any section that has undergone technical revision. If there is no QR code, there are no technical changes to that section. 

For those not interested in using the QR codes, users can manually access the code change through their browser with the provided ID within the QR code. 

2. Style and Formatting Updates

The style and formatting changes implemented in the print version of the 2024 I-Codes aim to create a consistent experience across print and digital formats. 

The changes, promoting a cleaner, more modern look and enhancing readability and sustainability, include: 

• Switching from double to single-column text 
• Streamlined lists 
• Shading added to table headers and notes 
• Modernized font styles 
• Expansion of the index to three columns 
• Consistent grouping of associated content (e.g. tables immediately follow their parent sections)

3. New NFC Tag Pilot Program

As a way to enhance security and improve the product registration process, the Code Council is piloting a new Near Field Communication (NFC) tag within the 2024 International Mechanical Code® (IMC) and the 2024 International Plumbing Code® (IPC). This will be a six-month pilot period, and pending the success of the program, the NFC tag technology will be gradually applied to other codes. 

Through the NFC tag program, new users will have the ability to validate the authenticity of their code book and register it with the Code Council to receive a free subscription to ICC Digital Codes Premium.

To register a code book, users will need to hold their iPhone or Android device near the Code Council tag located on the 2024 I-Codes books. The Code Council has created a FAQ page on how to use the NFC tags for further assistance.

When to Expect the 2024 International Codes

By leveraging the advantages of technology, the style and formatting changes within the 2024 I-Codes deliver an aligned and unified experience to members and customers, no matter their preferred way of accessing Code Council resources.

These style and formatting changes will begin with the launch of the 2024 I-Codes. The 2024 I-Codes will begin rolling out in late 2023, starting with the IPC and the IMC.

You can visit the 2024 I-Codes update website, here.