One Thing About the Code Council: Spotlighting ICC-ES and ICC NTA

The One Thing About the Code Council series offers focused insights into our people, services, codes and standards. The series showcases different parts of the Code Council family of solutions and their activities, from the development of building codes and standards to the dedicated professionals behind them. 

As key pillars of the International Code Council family of solutions, the Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) and ICC NTA play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and reliability of building materials through comprehensive testing and evaluation.

This article will provide an overview of these organizations, highlighting their significant contributions to the building safety industry.

ICC-ES and ICC NTA: Cornerstones of the Building Safety Industry

ICC-ES

ICC-ES is the leading provider of evaluation reports for building and plumbing products and materials. Its mission is to assess and verify that building products meet the rigorous standards set forth in the International Codes®.

ICC-ES reports also offer detailed analysis on the performance and compliance of new or unconventional materials not referenced in the codes via proprietary Acceptance Criteria, helping to assure their safety and efficiency in construction projects. Additionally, ICC-ES operates several testing laboratories and offers inspection services, streamlining the certification process for clients as a one-stop-shop provider.

ICC NTA

ICC NTA specializes in off-site construction services, including plan review, engineering, inspection and certification.

ICC NTA is also one of only five private companies approved by the Federal government to complete design approval and perform quality audits as a HUD-approved Design Approval Primary Inspection Agency (DAPIA) and In-Plant Inspection Agency (IPIA) services provider for manufactured housing.

Supporting Code Officials

The conformity assessment services provided by ICC-ES and ICC NTA are integral to the work of code officials. Conformity assessment involves providing proof that products and systems adhere to established codes and standards, verified by test data. For code officials, this process is essential for ensuring that construction materials meet safety requirements.

By offering reliable evaluation reports, ICC-ES provides code officials with the information they need to make informed decisions about the use of building and plumbing materials and technologies. Their reports and certifications are trusted resources that help maintain the integrity of the building process.

“Building product testing and evaluation are imperative to ensuring safe homes and buildings”, said Anna Mullen, Vice President of Marketing, at ICC-ES. “Our evaluation reports support code officials in the important decision-making process of approving products for installation by providing proof of compliance and peace of mind.”

To learn more about ICC-ES, click here. To learn more about ICC NTA, click here.

Also, stay tuned for the next episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast launching September 2024, which will dive into the roles, functions and importance of ICC-ES and ICC-ES Labs in the construction industry, featuring expert insights on evaluation, certification and industry innovations.