Update on performance-based building code research

As announced in June, the International Code Council has undertaken a process to reimagine the ICC Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities (ICCPC) to understand how the code might be improved in order to expand its use and incorporate best practice elements from the past two decades of increasing use of performance-based codes around the world. The first stage of the process is designed to provide Code Council staff with a better understanding of current thinking and perspectives across multiple disciplines about how performance-based approaches are viewed in the United States and internationally.

Since the effort was announced, the Code Council has updated its landing page for this project and included a substantial amount of content as a resource for interested stakeholders, in the form of useful websites, online resources and media presentations. Members and stakeholders who are interested but have not yet engaged in the effort to view these resources are welcome to join the LinkedIn discussion forum that has also been created to support this effort.

Additionally, Brian Meacham, who is leading this effort on behalf of the Code Council, has conducted eight separate roundtable discussions with specific stakeholder groups, including architects; building and fire officials; fire protection engineers; structural engineers; and MEP, energy and resilience experts. The recordings of those roundtable discussions will be posted on the media page in January and will provide the foundation for a two-part workshop open to all interested parties from all sectors. The workshop is slated for 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST on both Feb. 2 and Feb. 16, 2022. For planning purposes, the aim is to have a few presentations and one to two breakout sessions on Feb. 2, 2022. Breakout groups will be assigned “homework” to complete over the subsequent two weeks. The breakout groups will report back to everyone on Feb. 16, 2022. Registration information and links will be posted and publicized in January 2022.

The Code Council looks forward to continued engagement from a range of stakeholders in this educational effort and welcomes any questions or suggestions at performance@iccsafe.org.