Building Codes

Fire Officials Unite Nationally to Advance Home Sprinklers

April 22, 2019

Home fire sprinklers can help eliminate tragedies, but legislative barriers and a general unawareness of this technology have prevented its use in new homes. America’s fire service and safety advocates will be able to take action in unison to raise national awareness during Fire Sprinkler Week.

Survey: 77% of Buyers Want Insulation Above Code

April 17, 2019

The latest study of recent and prospective home buyers (people who purchased a home in the last three years or are planning to do so in the next three years) provided insight into energy efficiency preferences.

Public Comment Sought on ICC Code Changes

April 4, 2019

The International Code Council is hosting its 2019 Committee Action Hearings from April 28 to May 8, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Several State Legislatures Take Action on Energy Code

April 3, 2019

Below are summaries of state legislative actions that could have an impact on the energy code.

New 'Building Benchmark' Created. Valuable?

March 26, 2019

A just-released “Buildings Benchmark,” the first of 19 Community Resilience Benchmarks—will support efforts to create more resilient structures in local communities that can withstand natural disasters.

WV Updates Commercial Energy Code to ASHRAE 90.1-2010

March 20, 2019

The State of West Virginia has updated its State Commercial Building Energy Code from ASHRAE 90.1-2007 to 90.1-2010, which will become effective April 30, 2019. The bill was signed by the Governor last week. 

Builders Admit Needing Help Choosing Insulation & Installers

March 20, 2019

In an Omnibus Survey of Builders fielded by Home Innovation in December, we asked, “What are your biggest challenges in constructing homes to meet current energy codes?” We received 250 write-in, unaided responses that provide insight into difficulties many builders are having.

UT, NM & ME Seek to Update State Energy Codes

March 13, 2019

The following three state legislatures have introduced measures that would have an impact on the states’ energy code.

Building Official: We're More Educators than Enforcers

March 4, 2019

“(Building officials) are educators more than we are administrators. If we do the education thoroughly, administration is easy,” says Roger Axel, a longtime building official and valued partner of the Structural Building Components Association.

Ask Your Vendor About Hanger Allowable Load Reductions

February 25, 2019

If you are designing to the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) or later, it’s important to take a close look at the allowable load ratings you are referencing for some companies’ connectors and hangers.