Code Development
The International Code Council (ICC), a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops and publishes 13 codes used to regulate residential and commercial building construction, including the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt energy codes choose the IECC. The ICC’s code development process is open to the public, and proposed code changes can be submitted by any attendee.
Any interested person or group may submit a code change proposal to be considered during the ICC code development process. This process is primary chance for representatives from industry, environmental advocacy groups, builders, and designers to submit their ideas to highlight their issue and improve the existing code. Following proposal submission and processing, each proposal is publicly reviewed and discussed during public hearings. The overall code development process follows a public hearing format outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order.
After the public hearing, a summary report is made available, at which point participants submit their comments identifying issues that were addressed in the code change proposal or committee action. Next, the ICC and public stakeholders convene one last time for the Final Action Hearings and review the actions made during the first hearing and public comments before the final vote. It is important to note that the ICC leaves the final determination of code provisions in the hands of public safety officials who, with no vested financial interest, can legitimately represent the public interest. All codes are updated every 18 months using this process, and new editions are published every three years.
It is critical that building energy code provisions are consistent and that conflicts between codes are minimal. The ICC’s iterative code development process minimizes potential conflicts by giving stakeholders an opportunity to evaluate new technologies, explore construction challenges, and engage in an open discussion—both during code hearings and during the intervening months.
BCAP Comments on Code Development in States:
BCAP Public Comments to Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Supporting 2009 IECC
BCAP Public Comments to Texas State Energy Conservation Office on 2009 IRC
BCAP Public Comments to Iowa Department of Public Safety on 2009 IECC
BCAP Public Comments to Montana Building Codes Council on 2009 IECC
Other Links:
ICC New Code Development Process
This resource outlines the structure of the state codes office that oversees all aspects of New Mexico's energy code, including its incorporation of new green features into the code.
September 23, 2009
Overview of strategies for achieving zero energy status for both new and existing homes.
This resources covers major proposals from a number of building energy efficiency advocacy and research groups for Chapter 5 of the 2012 IECC. These proposals were presented in October 2009 at the ICC code hearings in Baltimore, MD.
This resources covers major proposals from a number of building energy efficiency advocacy and research groups for Chapter 4 of the 2012 IECC. These proposals were presented in October 2009 at the ICC code hearings in Baltimore, MD.