Sign In or Register Here


8 minus four

Please enter your e-mail address below. We will email you a link to reset your password.

9 plus two

To complete your registration, please verify your email address.

5 minus zero

We have sent an email to the address you provided. Please click the link in the email to confirm your email address.

Your account has been marked for password reset. Please change your password.

5 plus one

Only registered ICC members have access to this article at this time.

Explore all the benefits that ICC Membership has to offer and become a member today to gain access to this exciting content.

If you're already an ICC member Sign In Now.


Can We Help?
  • Reset My Password
  • I Need More Help
Family of Solutions menu icon
  • ICC Family of Solutions
  • ICCSafe
  • myICC
  • Digital Codes
  • cdpACCESS
  • Store
  • Support
Skip to Main Content
  • ICC Main
  • myICC
  • BSJ
  • Journal
  • Store
  • Store
  • cdpACCESS
  • cdpACCESS
  • Digital Codes
  • Help
  • Help
    • ICC Family of Solutions
    • ICCSafe
    • myICC
    • Digital Codes
    • cdpACCESS
    • Store
    • Support
Building Safety Journal Logo
Building Safety Journal Logo
  • Archive
    • May, 2023 Articles
    • April, 2023 Articles
    • March, 2023 Articles
    • Febuary, 2023 Articles
    • January, 2023 Articles
    • December, 2022 Articles
    • 2023 Articles
    • 2022 Articles
  • Browse by Category
    • Deep Dives
    • Member News
    • Personal Perspectives
    • Quick Hits
    • Technical Topics
    • Press Releases
    • Sponsored Content
    • View All
  • Browse by Topic
    • Buildings, Construction, Architecture/Design
    • Fire, Wildland-Urban Interface
    • Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Pools/Spas
    • Energy, Solar, Green, Sustainability
    • Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Resiliency
  • Subscribe
  • Family of Solutions menu icon
    • ICC Family of Solutions
    • ICCSafe
    • myICC
    • Digital Codes
    • cdpACCESS
    • Store
    • Support

Join today!

Keep up-to-date on crucial industry news, innovative training and expert technical advice with a free subscription to the award-winning Building Safety Journal.

Subscribe
  • Archive
    • May, 2023 Articles
    • April, 2023 Articles
    • March, 2023 Articles
    • Febuary, 2023 Articles
    • January, 2023 Articles
    • December, 2022 Articles
    • 2023 Articles
    • 2022 Articles
  • Browse by Category
    • Deep Dives
    • Member News
    • Personal Perspectives
    • Quick Hits
    • Technical Topics
    • Press Releases
    • Sponsored Content
    • View All
  • Browse by Topic
    • Buildings, Construction, Architecture/Design
    • Fire, Wildland-Urban Interface
    • Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Pools/Spas
    • Energy, Solar, Green, Sustainability
    • Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Resiliency
  • Subscribe
  • Archive
    • May, 2023 Articles
    • April, 2023 Articles
    • March, 2023 Articles
    • Febuary, 2023 Articles
    • January, 2023 Articles
    • December, 2022 Articles
    • 2023 Articles
    • 2022 Articles
  • Browse by Category
    • Deep Dives
    • Member News
    • Personal Perspectives
    • Quick Hits
    • Technical Topics
    • Press Releases
    • Sponsored Content
    • View All
  • Browse by Topic
    • Buildings, Construction, Architecture/Design
    • Fire, Wildland-Urban Interface
    • Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Pools/Spas
    • Energy, Solar, Green, Sustainability
    • Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Resiliency
  • Subscribe

Towards codes on every continent: Antarctica adopts the International Codes

November 2nd, 2021
by Jacob Karson
  • Quick Hits

In the years since their creation in the United States, the International Codes (I-Codes) have truly earned their “international” prefix. In the Americas, the I-Codes are used in all 50 of the U.S. states and in the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Mariana Islands. They are used in the Caribbean, Mexico, and in Central and South America. The I-Codes are used as the basis for building codes in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, including in the Republic of Georgia, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Many other jurisdictions around the world, such as Qatar and Dubai, will accept architectural plans drawn to the International Building Code. However, there has always been one icy holdout: Antarctica.

In Antarctica, the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) is managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs. The USAP furthers the United States’ goals of fostering cooperative research with other nations and supporting research that can only be, or is best accomplished, in Antarctica. The NSF maintains three year-round research stations on the continent comprised of several hundred buildings and structures, supporting research and logistical support personnel.

Antarctica is a holdout no longer. In June of this year, the NSF formally adopted the I-Codes for its stations on our planet’s southernmost continent. The USAP has adopted the 2018 editions of the International Building Code, the International Fire Code and the International Existing Building Code. This is by far the furthest south that an I-Code has been adopted.

Mike Gencarelli, a planning manager in the NSF’s Office of Polar Programs, explained how the I-Code adoption will help the NSF solicit outside design and construction work with smoother processes and greater confidence. “The formally amended and adopted codes provide NSF with a standard baseline to which all buildings and structures must comply, along with a process for enforcement,” Gencarelli explained. “This is important to us because Antarctica is the coldest location on earth, and we want to utilize code requirements to our advantage. Adopting the I-Codes will also mean USAP can provide facilities that meet a consistent set of standards and allow outside architects, engineers and contractors with a known way to meet our requirements on future work.”

Beyond keeping America’s scientists and support staff safe and warm, International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO, adds that “adoptions of the I-Codes increases health and safety in the built environment, increases resiliency, provides clear standards for builders and increases confidence for building occupants. The Code Council is delighted to welcome Antarctica into the I-Codes family.”

About the Author
Jacob Karson is the government relations coordinator for the International Code Council.
Submissions
Check out upcoming BSJ topics and send us articles for consideration:
Or send by email

Want to advertise in the BSJ?
Click Here

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

  • 23 22579 COMM BSM BSJ Sponsors 400x400 WAD FINAL1 HIRES
  • CISPI BSJ ROS Ad 270x270 April
Live Chat
Live Chat
ICC ICC

Subscribe to the Building Safety Journal

Subscribe

Connect with Us

    

ICC Family of Solutions

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Policy