New monthly column answers trending code questions

Want to know more about roof truss failures? Have a question about fire-rated assemblies? Confused about safety glazing on windows and door? In a new monthly column — Talking in Code — International Code Council code experts will address some of the typical questions asked of our technical services team regarding current code issues. The new column is not an ICC code opinion, nor is it a committee interpretation, but it is intended to provide clarification of code text for adopting jurisdictions, design professionals and members of the construction industry. The first article in this series discusses the differences and similarities between technical opinions and committee interpretations.

What is a staff code opinion?

Technical opinions, also known as staff code opinions, on the International Codes are an exclusive benefit of Code Council membership. Issued by Code Council technical staff in either a verbal or written format, they are designed to provide technical support and clarification of code text for adopting jurisdictions, design professionals, and members of the construction industry.

Written staff code opinions are issued by Code Council staff after receipt of a written request, either by mail or online submission. Mailed staff code opinions must be submitted in writing to one of the International Code Council Regional Offices and must include the Code Council membership number and the member’s name. Online staff code opinions are available on the Code Council website to members who log in using their email address and password.

Verbal staff code opinions are available by calling 888-ICC-SAFE (888-422-7233), ext. 338077 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Written staff code opinions are not provided for verbal staff code opinions.

All code opinion requests, verbal and written (online or mailed), require the Code Council membership number and the member’s name (e.g., John Doe, #12345). Staff code opinions issued by Code Council technical staff do not represent the official position of the International Code Council. The final authority of code opinions is the responsibility of the code official. Staff opinion is not intended to influence the code official.

What is a formal committee interpretation?

Committee interpretations on the International Codes are also an exclusive benefit of Code Council membership. Any Code Council member may request a written committee interpretation in accordance with International Code Council Policy CP–11. Due to the extensive time requirement for processing committee interpretations, they are not intended to resolve code issues that are time sensitive.

Committee interpretations requests are limited to the two most recent editions of the International Codes. Requests must be submitted in writing and must be written so that they can be answered either “yes” or “no”. Questions requiring an “essay” type answer will not be considered, or will be returned to the petitioner to be rewritten. Each question must address a specific code section. Questions addressing multiple code sections will be processed as a separate interpretation for each code section.

A request for a committee interpretation can be made by members on the Code Council website using their email address and password to log in. All committee interpretation requests require the Code Council membership number and the member’s name (e.g., John Doe, #12345). Proposed committee interpretations are posted on the Code Council website for 30 days to permit Code Council members to review and comment. Completed committee interpretations are also posted on the Code Council website and are available to both members and non-members.

Committee interpretations approved by the Code Council Interpretation Committee represent the official position of the International Code Council; however, the final authority of code interpretations is the responsibility of the code official.

Interested in ICC membership?

Code Council membership opens the door to technical code experts for both technical opinions and committee interpretations as well as a range of other benefits, such as networking, savings on products, industry resources, top-tier education and training, and more. Membership benefits are available to only the individual on the membership and cannot be used by anybody else. Code Council membership status falls into one of three categories:

• Governmental Member – Government/municipality (includes agencies, departments and units) engaged in administration, formulation or enforcement of laws, regulations or ordinances relating to public health, safety and welfare.
• Corporate Member – An organization such as an association, society, testing laboratory, institute, company, manufacturer or corporation, interested in the purposes and objectives of the Code Council.
• Individual Member – An individual interested is the purposes and objectives of the Code Council.