New brief explores implementation of ICC/MBI standards 1200 and 1205 for off-site construction

The Advanced Building Construction Collaborative (ABC-C) Working Group (WG) on Codes, Standards, Permitting, Testing, and Accreditation released a brief detailing the role of newly developed Off-site Construction Standards 1200-2021 and 1205-2021 in transforming the construction industry. The brief highlights the current fragmented landscape of code compliance pathways for off-site construction inspections and approvals. The resource suggests the opportunity to provide uniformity and consistency for future projects through widespread implementation of the off-site construction standards—further driving off-site construction forward as an advanced building construction strategy.

Developed by the International Code Council (ICC) and Modular Building Institute (MBI), ICC/MBI Standards 1200 and 1205 are a coordinated set of standards that cover the entire off-site construction process, capturing best practices and supporting a consistent approach to verifying compliance. ICC/MBI Standard 1200-2021: Standard for Planning, Design, Fabrication, and Assembly in Off-Site Construction provides requirements for designers, manufacturers, transporters and assemblers to assure that off-site construction components are produced under a quality assurance/quality control process and that they can demonstrate compliance with building code requirements. While ICC/MBI Standard 1205-2021: Standard for Inspection and Regulatory Compliance in Off-Site Construction addresses the compliance verification process including permitting, in-plant and on-site final inspections, third party inspections, the role of Industrialized Building Departments, state modular programs and the authority having jurisdiction. The brief discusses the pathway for adoption of the standards and explores how Salt Lake City, Utah’s adoption process has been able to increase their housing supply in an efficient and flexible manner.

In addition to discussion of the standards, the brief outlines the development and adoption processes of the International Code Council’s International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC). The report suggests building codes and standards have the opportunity to integrate ABC processes, like off-site construction, to increase the efficiency and reduce timelines in the approval and permitting processes.

Leading authors of the brief include Ryan Colker, Vice President of Innovation at the International Code Council; Diana Fisler, Senior Principal at ADL Ventures; Lucas Toffoli, Manger of Carbon-Free Buildings at RMI; and Alyssa Watson, Associate at ADL Ventures. The brief incorporates valuable elements and insights from members of the ABC-C WG on Codes, Standards, Permitting, Testing, and Accreditation, drawn from working group discussion sessions. The ABC-C is supported through a grant provided by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Building Technologies Office.

The ABC-C WG on Codes will be developing a subsequent brief exploring additional strategies to advance construction, including more uniform code adoption and leveraging product evaluation processes and emerging concepts like productization. The following brief will highlight experiences around successful off-site code compliance, roadblocks, zoning regulations, and suitable areas for adoption of the standards.

The ABC-C is a diverse network of incumbent and emergent buildings sector actors — across manufacturing, construction, real estate investment, and development. The network includes some of the most innovative businesses working to accelerate the uptake, scaling, and mainstream adoption of high-performance industrialized construction solutions to enhance building decarbonization efforts. The Collaborative’s work leverages its collective knowledge to assist the U.S. construction industry modernize and create a sustainable built environment.

For more information on off-site construction and available solutions like the ICC/MBI standards, visit www.iccsafe.org/offsite.