flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Undisclosed ICC agreement with NAHB alleged to thwart more stringent efficiency codes

Codes and Standards

Undisclosed ICC agreement with NAHB alleged to thwart more stringent efficiency codes

Homebuilders’ seats on ICC made it easier to block new provisions, report alleges.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | November 6, 2019

Courtesy Pixabay

The International Code Council made an unpublicized deal with the National Association of Home Builders that has effectively blocked efforts to boost energy efficiency and structure resiliency in the ICC’s code development, according to a report in the New York Times.

The previously undisclosed written agreement guarantees NAHB representatives four of the 11 voting seats—enough to stymie certain new code provisions—on two committees that approve building code revisions, according to critics. This pact has helped enable the trade group to prevent changes that would have made new houses in much of the country more energy-efficient or more resilient to floods, hurricanes, and other disasters, the Times report says.

Before NAHB members gained seats on the energy committee, the energy efficiency of those building codes increased 32% over six years. After the homebuilders’ industry’s influence expanded, that number was less than 3% over the same amount of time, the Times report says.

NAHB officials say that the agreement is appropriate, given that its members are most impacted by the codes. Critics charge that the arrangement has thwarted important code provisions such as mandates for tougher foundations in flood-prone areas and measures to ensure that roofs were less likely to blow off during hurricanes.

Related Stories

| Nov 3, 2011

OSHA Publishes Information on Rights and Safety

OSHA recently published new and revised information that explains workers’ and employers’ rights, as well as how to protect workers from hazards in the construction industry.

| Nov 3, 2011

Sierra Club Critical of Albuquerque Mayor’s Push to Weaken Green Code

The mayor’s plan to move to a less environmentally friendly code would mean confusion for people in the construction industry and a loss of energy efficiency and money for consumers, said Shrayas Jatkar of the Sierra Club.

| Nov 3, 2011

Lax Code Enforcement Blamed for Deaths in Turkey’s Earthquake

Despite tough safety codes approved a decade ago after earthquakes killed 18,000 people, lax enforcement led to hundreds of deaths after a recent earthquake in Turkey.

| Nov 3, 2011

International Green Construction Code Will Provide Template for Local Codes

A uniform code for green construction is being readied for publication in March.

| Oct 31, 2011

NIST issues new code requirements

Buildings taller than 420 feet are now required to include an extra exit stairwell or a specially designed elevator that occupants can use for evacuations.

| Oct 28, 2011

Los Angeles County mulling building codes for improving health

An ordinance would amend county building codes to promote better walking environments, encourage more bicycling, improve access to healthy foods (farmers markets, community gardens), and enhance project review requirements to ensure that developers include healthy-lifestyle components in their building plans.

| Oct 28, 2011

Bipartisan opposition to federal 3% withholding for contractors

Both major political parties and the Obama Administration support repealing a law that would withhold 3% of all government contracts.

| Oct 28, 2011

OSHA requires training module on top causes of construction deaths

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) now requires a training module on the top four causes of death for construction workers.

| Oct 28, 2011

New York City requiring building energy use to be posted online

Owners of every New York City commercial and residential building larger than 50,000 sf will have to post each building’s energy use online by 2013.

| Oct 28, 2011

New ISO standard for escalator safety

A new ISO standard specifies safety requirements for escalators and moving walks.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021