An Overview of Model Codes

WHAT IS A CODE

A Code is a collection of requirements which pertains to a specific subject and regulates specific practices.

For example, military schools have a code of honor. The requirement is “personal honor”. This requirement regulates specific practices such as test taking,
dealing with other cadets, and reporting infractions of the code.

Another example is a traffic code. In this case, the requirements – driving and parking rules – regulate the use of motorized vehicles on public thoroughfares.

WHAT IS A MODEL CODE?

A model code is a written set of regulations which provides the means for exercising reasonable control over construction, and is available for adoption by cities,
counties, states or countries, with such changes as may be desirable for legal or local needs.

You could think of a model code the same way you think of the model of a car. For example, a car manufacturer comes out with a 1995 station wagon model equipped with certain features and options. Based on technological advances and consumer preferences, the 1996 model may have some additional features such as airbags. While the model of the car remains basically the same, the manufacturer continues to address functionality by adding to, or subtracting from, the base model.

PURPOSE OF CODES

The purpose of the plumbing code is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling
the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation, and maintenance or use of plumbing equipment and systems.

HOW CODES PROTECT THE PUBLIC

Who needs plumbing codes? Well, since the purpose of codes is to protect the public, we all do. Whether in our homes, offices, schools, stores, factories,
or places of entertainment, we rely on the safety of plumbing systems every day. Exactly how do codes protect the public health, safety, and welfare? Let’s
look at four ways:

Reduce Potential Hazards
Lower Construction Costs
Provide Standards in Construction
Contribute to Community Well-Being

Codes reduce potential hazards. We all need protection from possible tragedy due to contamination of the potable water supply, improper disposal of wastes, and structural deterioration or collapse caused by leakage. Plumbing codes provide protection by reducing potential hazards to building occupants. Safe buildings are achieved through proper design and construction practices, and a code administration program that ensures compliance. Home and business owners have a substantial investment that is jeopardized through incomplete code enforcement.

Codes keep construction costs down. Codes provide uniformity in the construction industry. Uniformity allows plumbers, contractors, and materials
manufacturers to do business on a larger scale – statewide, regionally or nationally – than if construction was unregulated. Larger scale allows cost savings that
are ultimately passed on to the consumer.

Codes provide consistent standards in construction. Codes establish predictable and consistent minimum standards that are applied to the quality
and durability of construction methods and materials, and a practical balance between reasonable safety and cost to protect life and property. The term “minimum requirements” means that construction meets the criteria of being both practical and adequate for protecting the life, safety, and welfare of the public.
Inspection during construction is the only way to verify that code compliance has been achieved. An average of 10 inspections are conducted to homes, offices,
or factories to verify conformity to minimum standards.

Codes contribute to the well-being of a community. The preservation of life and safety as well as the maintenance of property values over time are
a direct result of the application and enforcement of codes.

USES OF CODES

You know now how codes protect the public, but how are they used and by whom?

Governments
Codes are adopted as laws or ordinances by governments such as states, counties, townships, and cities. Once the code is adopted as law, structures in that jurisdiction must conform to that law.

Code officials/inspectors
Codes drive the permit and inspection processes. Once a jurisdiction adopts a code, a code official cannot issue a permit unless a review of the construction
documents determines the proposed construction is in compliance with the code. At the same time, inspections of new and existing structures must verify code
compliance in order for work to progress.

Designers, builders, homeowners
Codes provide performance standards for the design, construction and maintenance of homes and businesses. Performance standards are used by architects, engineers, plumbers, contractors, builders, and manufacturers. They protect the homeowner’s investment.

MODEL CODE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

You now have a basic understanding of model codes in construction. Next you’ll learn how model codes are put into operation.

Members of code organizations consist of state and local code officials/inspectors, design and construction professionals, trade associations, and manufacturers,
and distributors.

Codes throughout the country are regulated and enforced at both the state and local levels. Many jurisdictions adopt one of the families of model codes. Some
jurisdictions amend the code to meet specific local needs. A small number of municipalities write their own codes, which are usually based on one or more
of the models. Some rural jurisdictions have no building codes at all. As just mentioned, some jurisdictions amend a model code to meet local needs;
however, it must be noted that this is discouraged by model code organizations for several reasons.

Amendments:

Increase construction costs, such as when highly expensive building materials are substituted.
Cause inconsistent application of the code from one jurisdiction to another.
Compromise the uniformity of the entire code.
Frequently have no technical basis and cannot be supported or defended by the model code organization.

Four model code organizations promulgated complete sets of construction codes in the United States. Three of these organizations had loosely “settled”
into distinct geographical areas and have since merged into one code agency:

Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA), Inc. Merged into ICC- 2000
Serving Eastern and Midwestern states, BOCA is the original professional association of construction code officials. Founded in 1915, the organization was established to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas concerning building safety and construction regulation. Today, BOCA offers a wide variety of membership services to promote code professionalism. The organization conducts training and education programs; offers a wide variety of model construction codes and code-related publications; provides code interpretation assistance to its members; and provides various other code-related services in the public interests. The BOCA National Codes are updated and published every three years. Its corporate headquarters is in Country Club Hills, Illinois. Regional offices in four states complement the organization’s headquarters in making responsive model code services available to a membership that reaches across a large geographic area.

International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) Merged into ICC- 2000
Serving Western and Midwestern states, ICBO (originally the Pacific Coast Building Officials Conference) was founded in 1922. ICBO publishes the Uniform
Building Code, which is available in English, Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese. ICBO’s corporate headquarters is in Whittier, California.

Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) Merged into ICC- 2000
Serving the Southern states, SBCCI first published its code, now known as the Standard Building Code, in 1945. Its corporate headquarters is in Birmingham,
Alabama.

International Code Council (ICC)

The development of a single set of comprehensive and coordinated family of international codes in 2000, the continued development and maintenance of the model codes individually promulgated by BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI was discontinued. There are two important model codes, for inspectors, within ICC. They are IRC (International Residential Code), and IBC (International Building Code).