Building Codes and Innovation |
Competition for business in today's tough economy requires companies to be at the top of their game and introduce innovative products to the marketplace. When thinking of innovation in building products, building codes can seem to get in the way. However, it is often the general lack of understanding of building codes that serves as the biggest obstacle or deterrent to innovation. A closer inspection of the International Building Code, published by the International Code Council—especially Section 104.11—reveals a window of opportunity and offers a world of possibilities for those who manufacture or incorporate new and innovative products and materials in building construction projects. Confirming an Innovative Product Complies with Code The final approval of building products is the responsibility of the authority having jurisdiction. As building professionals have more and more choices when it comes to selecting and approving building products, it creates the need to assure that the products used are code-compliant. The independent source preferred by code officials as well as designers to verify that new and innovative products meet the building code requirements is ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. (ICC-ES®). ICC-ES is a subsidiary corporation of the International Code Council—the promulgator of the I-Codes—and works closely with industry in the development of ICC-ES Evaluation Reports. |
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ICC-ES Evaluation Reports result from a thorough evaluation and verification of technical data, and are created in an effort to facilitate the acceptance of new building technologies in the marketplace without compromising the safety of the public. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports provide the code official with the information needed to approve an innovative product. |
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