A Complete

Building Safety System

I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O D E S

CODE RESOURCES

ICC MEMBERSHIP

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

C E R T I F I C AT I O N

TECHNICAL SERVICES

I C C E VA L U AT I O N S E R V I C E

I N T E R N AT I O N A L A C C R E D I TAT I O N S E R V I C E

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 Building Safety System

A Complete Building Safety System —

Not Just Codes The I-Code family includes the following:
Building safety depends on more than codes and ■ International Building Code®
standards. Building safety results from providing ■ International Residential Code®
trained professionals with resources and ongoing ■ International Plumbing Code®
support necessary to stay current with the latest ■ International Mechanical Code®
advancements in the building safety field. More
cities, counties and states in the United States
■ International Fire Code®
have used ICC’s comprehensive package of ■ International Energy Conservation Code®
building and fire safety services than any other. ■ International Property Maintenance Code®
ICC’s building safety system is well equipped to ■ International Existing Building Code®
meet the needs of any jurisdiction with code ■ International Fuel Gas Code®
interpretations, education, personnel certification, ■ ICC Performance Code™ for Buildings
plan review, building product evaluations, code and Facilities
commentaries, handbooks and more. ICC offers
■ International Private Sewage Disposal Code®
targeted and customized services for the
professional development of code enforcement ■ International Urban-Wildland
officials, fire officials, architects, engineers, Interface Code™
builders, plumbers, contractors and building ■ International Zoning Code®
owners and managers. The ICC building safety
system is founded on the participation of building The I-Codes combine the strengths of the legacy
and fire safety officials, the building design and codes without regional limitations. They are a
construction industry, and its members for code single set of codes that are effective, efficient and
development and revisions. meet government, industry and public needs.

International Codes™: Comprehensive, The ICC governmental consensus development

Coordinated and Contemporary process allows input from all interested
The International Codes (I-Codes™), ICC’s individuals and parties. The final determination
family of building and fire safety codes, provide of code provisions is left in the hands of public
safeguards for people at home, at school and in safety officials who, with no vested financial
the workplace. The I-Codes are a complete set of interest, can legitimately represent the public
coordinated, comprehensive and contemporary interest.
building and fire safety codes adopted by
jurisdictions across America and used as the
basis for other countries’ building codes.

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Code Resources ■ Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA)
ICC invests considerable resources to support ■ U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
the I-Codes. ICC provides the end users the ■ U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

appropriate support services in order to ■ U.S. Federal Emergency Management

implement and enforce the codes successfully. Agency (FEMA)

■ U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Commentaries on the I-Codes assist in under-
Development (HUD)
standing the background and application of
■ Western Contractors Association
the codes to building design, construction
■ Western Wall & Ceiling Contractors
and approval activities. For example, the two-
volume commentary on the International Association (WWCCA)
■ Window and Door Manufacturers
Building Code® provides application examples,
Association (WDMA)
explanatory material, code development history,
a comparison with the previous edition,
illustrations and a bibliography of additional
reference material.

Widespread Support
The following is a partial list of organizations
that support the adoption of the ICC International
Codes:
■ American Gas Association (AGA) ICC Membership
■ American Institute of Architects (AIA) Members are the greatest asset of ICC. Providing
■ American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) quality services to I-Code users is a high priority
■ American Planning Association (APA) for ICC. The organization offers several
■ American Seniors Housing Association
membership categories and an extensive system
(ASHA) of regional offices, chapters and key relationships
■ Building Owners and Managers Association
with officials at the state and local levels of
(BOMA) government. Code enforcement and fire officials,
■ Insurance Building Code Coalition (IBCC) designers, architects, construction professionals,
■ Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
corporate representatives and others involved in
the development and maintenance of our built
■ International City/County Management

Association (ICMA) environment are all valued members of ICC.

■ National Council of Architectural ICC members have a voice in code development
Registration Boards (NCARB) and enforcement issues throughout the U.S.
■ National Apartment Association (NAA)
For instance, Governmental Member Units are
■ National Association of Home Builders given multiple votes (according to population)
(NAHB) regarding code changes as well as election of
■ National Association of Industrial and Office council officials and other issues decided at
Properties (NAIOP) ICC’s Annual Business Meeting. All members,
■ National Multi Housing Council (NMHC)
regardless of membership category, receive
■ Northern California Drywall Contractors valuable benefits. These benefits include toll-free
Association (NCDCA) numbers for access to service in ICC locations
■ Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau (NWCB) throughout the U.S., complimentary monographs

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Building Safety System

Campus Online can customize its curriculum

and other publications regarding proposed for any governmental unit or discipline.
revisions to ICC codes and unlimited use of all
The 4-day-long ICC Code Official Institute
ICC administrative, computer, technical and
addresses building department personnel
educational support services. Members also
management, financial management, public
receive valuable discounts on ICC publications,
information, ethics, and legal aspects of code
software, videos and related code support
administration.
products and services. The ICC has 300 local
chapters across North America and around the A video series teaching Residential Inspection is
globe to help members stay up to date on both available to provide a visual and straightforward
local and national building safety issues. ICC also demonstration of residential inspection. This
offers free code training on an annual basis for series is widely used by states and local
chapter members. jurisdictions to train new inspectors.
Code Officials have the opportunity to complete
Professional Development Services
an academic degree program in a non-traditional
ICC’s Professional Development Services (PDS) delivery format. ICC partners with community
provides many services to assist cities, counties, colleges across the country such as Red Rocks
states and the federal government in providing Community College in offering an Associates
education and training programs for their of Applied Science Degree available via the
employees and constituents. Internet. This degree has a strong code
The technical curriculum for the codes is enforcement component and is transferable
comprehensive. More than 100 courses are toward a Bachelor Degree with the University
available in various lengths and delivery modes; of Phoenix online.
targeted to entry-level, intermediate-level and
advanced-level code professionals. PDS provides
timely curriculum based on recent editions of
each code. Transition programs are available
which are designed to assist jurisdictions with
the adoption of the I-Codes.
ICC Campus Online provides around-the-clock
opportunity for the busy professional to obtain
basic knowledge about codes and information
to enhance knowledge and skills. ICC Campus
Online currently offers more than 60 courses.
Approximately 7,000 students have registered
and more than 2,500 courses have been delivered
in all 50 states and 22 foreign countries. ICC

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Virtual Seminars are also offered and are any code deficiencies in the proposed plans.
“attended” right from the office. The audio Plan reviews are typically completed within three
is delivered over the telephone. Using a speaker- weeks of submittal. On a more limited basis, ICC
phone allows several individuals to participate provides technical consulting for portions of
and provides the feel of a talk-radio program.

Certification
Certification ensures that competent building and
fire safety individuals are involved in the critical
building approval process. It also ensures that a
level of professionalism is available to attract a
continually increasing level of competence and
professionalism into the building code community.
Over the past three decades, ICC has developed
the nation’s most robust and recognized
certification credential for code administration
professionals. Through ICC, professional
certifications are available, which are specific to
state, regional and national codes and standards
throughout the U.S. Since 1973, 500,000
projects where staff will meet face-to-face
certifications have been issued, and over 75,000
during the concept phase of the project and
individuals hold current certificates in one or
provide guidance on code compliance prior to
more of 65 areas of expertise, including 500
formalization of the final plans and
Master Code Professionals (MCP), the highest
specifications.
designation recognized in this profession.
Currently, 20 states recognize the benefits of ICC Evaluation Service
such certifications and require them as a ICC Evaluation Service (ICC ES) provides
condition for service. assurance that building products and technology
meet building code provisions. The activities of
Technical Services
ICC ES are undertaken in a way that supports the
ICC staff provides code interpretations to facilitate exercise of the code official’s approval authority.
the approval of building designs. More than This eliminates the time and effort associated
100,000 telephone interpretations are addressed with each state or local agency designing an
each year. In addition, approximately 5,000 evaluation method and then performing the
informal ICC staff opinions are issued each evaluation independently. The ICC ES evaluation
year with a one-week turnaround. Formal report provides a benchmark for all parties
interpretations can be requested at any time and throughout the U.S. to rely upon when
are processed through a committee primarily considering new and alternative building
composed of code officials. technology.
ICC provides comprehensive plan reviews for The introduction of new construction technology
designers and code officials. ICC technical does not usually coincide with the publication of
staff provides plan review worksheets and a new building safety codes and standards.
comprehensive and professional report outlining Consequently, ICC ES provides “alternative

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Building Safety System

materials, design and methods of construction” International Accreditation Service

as the basis for acceptance of new building The term “approved agency” is used throughout
technology that is not specifically covered in the model codes to refer to an agency “regularly
the codes and standards. engaged in conducting tests or furnishing
An ICC ES evaluation report provides the inspection services” when “such agency has
supporting rationale for and a statement of been approved by the Administrative Authority.”
compliance with the U.S. model building That administrative authority can be a Federal,
codes (2000 or 2003 International, 1999 BOCA state or local code official, fire marshal,
National, 1999 Standard and 1997 Uniform) mechanical inspector or a number of other
along with any special conditions of use or entities. Implementation of this provision of the
limitations. An ICC ES evaluation report code requires each such authority to adjudge the
provides documentation and assurance of the capabilities of third-party testing, inspection
and fabrication agencies. The efforts of those
agencies are fundamental to the process of code
compliance that the administrative authority is
entrusted to ensure.
The International Accreditation Service (IAS)
assesses and monitors the acceptability of testing
laboratories, calibration laboratories, inspection
and quality control agencies and fabricator
degree to which a product or building technology inspection programs for manufacturers using
meets the model building codes. The report specific materials (e.g., steel, concrete or wood)
helps the code official consider approval of the to certain standards contained in the model codes
technology in an informed and timely manner. As and international standards associated with
a result, it reduces the burden on the technology conformity assessment. IAS eases the need for
proponent and fosters the timely deployment of each authority to conduct ongoing investigations
the technology. of these agencies.
ICC ES has issued over 1500 evaluations of new IAS is fully accredited to carry out this function
building technologies and software with respect and can certify testing laboratories, quality
to code compliance. These evaluations have been assurance agencies, fabricators and others who
performed for many companies and facilitate the are integral to the conformity assessment
acceptance of new products by the building equation worldwide. That expertise can be
design, construction and code communities brought to bear in deployment and enforcement
throughout the U.S. To facilitate international of any federal, state or local code, and can bolster
cooperation, ICC ES also participates as a the level of conformity to the adopted codes and
member of the World Federation of Technical continued building safety. IAS provides the basis
Assessment Organizations. for seamless and transparent interaction among

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state and local government and with foreign
countries on the subject of testing, quality
assurance and fabrication. Follow-up
inspections, evaluations and re-assessments by
IAS ensure that administrative authorities using
the codes do not have to perform these
functions nor burden the building design and
construction community.
To facilitate trade with other countries and
help ensure importation of safe products into
the U.S. market, IAS has mutual recognition
agreements with foreign organizations. IAS
is a member of the International Laboratory
Accreditation Cooperation, the Inter-American
Accreditation Cooperation, the Asia Pacific
Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation and the Here to Help
National Cooperation for Laboratory Building safety in a community begins with
Accreditation in the U.S. adopting a proven set of building safety codes.
But, it takes much more than a set of codes
International Involvement to protect the public. It requires qualified
ICC is also involved in international laboratory professionals to implement the day-to-day
certification and evaluation services. ICC has application of the codes. It also requires proven
an international program that is intended to infrastructure to provide the resources and
foster increased communication with other training necessary to keep the building safety
countries on building construction regulations. professionals up to date with the latest building
The international program assists other countries safety requirements and enforcement practices.
in the development, adoption and deployment of ICC provides these services to the code
building regulations. It also educates them on enforcement community. Call us today at 888-
how the “U.S. system” works. ICC occasionally 422-7233 for more information on how ICC can
hosts foreign delegations of building industry partner with you to help make your community a
technologists or government officials. ICC safer place to live, work and play.
facilitates foreign delegations’ review and
understanding of the U.S. building regulatory Web Site — www.iccsafe.org
system. ICC’s work addressing “inquiries to The ICC web site is an invaluable tool for code
the U.S.” enables ICC to be the information users. It provides the latest code news, offers an
resource for other countries on the U.S. building active selection of code-specific bulletin boards, a
code system. This promotes good will and section for posting or finding jobs in the building
facilitates the acceptance and use of products, safety field, and extensive information
designs, personnel and other U.S. programs in on code publications, products, seminars,
those countries. certifications, membership and more.

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 Headquarters
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Birmingham District Office

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For More Information visit

www.iccsafe.org
or call 888-ICC-SAFE (888-422-7233)

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