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Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
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August 2025 #17313 Page #116
Bringing Innovation to the Forefront of the Construction Industry
By MiTek Staff
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oday’s construction industry is governed by a complex network of building codes and standards. In the U.S., the development cycle for new building codes spans three years, while the creation of new standards may take even longer. As a result, adoption and acceptance of innovative, cutting-edge building materials can be slow. Fortunately, the International Code Council (ICC) I-Codes include a pathway for recognizing alternative building products through product evaluation reports. While the code official must approve product evaluation reports, they can significantly accelerate the process of bringing new building materials to market. Previously addressed in Sections 104.11 and R104.11 of earlier editions of the International Building Code® (IBC) and International Residential Code® (IRC), the 2024 IBC and IRC now cover these provisions in Sections 104.2.3 and R104.2.2. These code provisions address alternative materials, designs, construction methods, and equipment. They also outline the approval authority, application process, and evaluation criteria— such as compliance with the intent of the code, equivalency in performance, required testing, reporting, and peer review. The administrative requirements create a framework for evaluating new building products and determining whether they meet code requirements and intent.
Building Codes and Standards – A Strong Foundation U.S. building codes are developed by the International Code Council (ICC) and published as the I-Codes. The most widely used I-Code volumes are the IBC and IRC, which include performancebased and prescriptive requirements for the design and construction of buildings and one- and two-family dwellings, respectively. The most current editions of the IBC and IRC are 2024, but development of the 2027 editions is underway. Some jurisdictions and building departments have already adopted the 2024 I-Codes in some form, including the states of Colorado, Mississippi, Wyoming, the cities of Phoenix, Arizona, Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, Austin and San Antonio, Texas, and the U.S. General Services Administration. More jurisdictions and building departments are expected to adopt the latest I-Codes as time moves on.
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