NRMCA Testifies at Building Code Development Hearings in Dallas

Along with industry allies, Tien Peng, NRMCA senior director of sustainability, codes and standards at NRMCA, testified last week at the International Building Code (IBC) hearings in Dallas in support of proposals to enhance the disaster resilience of buildings. There were mixed results from the industry recommendations that aligned with the goals of the International Code Council to enhance life safety of our built environment.

A proposal to included storm shelters for hurricane and tornado prone regions was approved. However, the majority of recommended changes to increase fire, wind, snow load and flood criteria for most buildings were ultimately disapproved. Although the proposed comprehensive inclusion of enhanced design requirements in the Appendix and in the main body of the Code was rejected due to "initial cost considerations", the Code Committee did support the intent of the proposals. The concrete industry code activities are a part of a sustained effort to integrate resilient construction requirements into the model building code that can then be adopted by state and local jurisdictions.

Although the concrete industry was not successful in having the IBC adopt disaster resilience standards, it continues to pursue changes at the local level. Local jurisdictions often adopt modifications to building codes to address potential hazards in their region. NRMCA, along with other industry partners, are delivering a series of workshops to engage local stakeholders in adopting disaster resilience criteria.