IAS to celebrate 10th anniversary for Metal Building Systems Accreditation.

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In 2017, the International Accreditation Service will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the AC472 Accreditation Program, which was created to verify the competence companies that design and manufacturer metal building systems. The IAS Inspection Program for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems is a comprehensive accreditation program based on the requirements of Chapter 17 of the International Building Code (IBC). The criteria used to assess manufacturers pursuing accreditation is IAS Accreditation Criteria for Inspection Programs for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems (AC472). The accreditation criteria (AC472) covers all metal building system elements that are essential for code officials, architects, specifiers and contractors to confidently design, specify, build or approve, IAS-accredited fabricators of metal buildings. Of particular significance to code officials is the fact that AC472 covers all Chapter 17 requirements of the IBC that apply to quality control and inspection of metal building manufacturers. Among other things, IAS accreditation measures a manufacturer's ability to conform to approved construction documents and standards referenced in the building codes through, on-site assessment by IAS staff and periodic monitoring by IAS-accredited third-party inspection agencies. The origin of the program dates back to October 2007 when the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) approached IAS with a request that IAS develop an accreditation program for inspection of its member metal building manufacturers. The program was to be designed to serve the needs of both MBMA members and code officials and other regulators. Over the next several months, IAS staff worked with the MBMA to develop a comprehensive accreditation program for the inspection of the metal-building fabrication process, based on the requirements of Chapter 17 of the IBC. The culmination of the cooperative efforts of IAS and the MBMA is the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Inspection Programs for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems (AC472). Since its initial approval, AC472 has undergone several revisions approved by the IAS Accreditation Committee. IAS criteria are revised periodically to take into consideration technical matters, code changes or other refinements to maintain them up-to-date both administratively and technically. For more information, click here.