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	A Conference on Architectural SuretyÒ
	Assuring the Performance of Buildings and Infrastructures
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Guidelines for Use of the ICC Performance Code

Robert D. Weber

Clark County Building Department, Las Vegas, NV

ABSTRACT

In an ongoing effort to streamline the building regulatory process, the model code groups have created the International Code Council (ICC). The intention of this organization is to produce a single set of construction codes for the United States without regional limitations. In addition to reducing the number of codes, a performance based code system is being developed. The major difference and benefit of this approach is that performance based codes clearly state the intent of the code, in other words, the rationale behind the requirements. This ICC effort does not entail losing the current prescriptive provisions; it is intended as a restructuring of our current code system. This restructuring will include the prescriptive code as a design option, and will no longer consider a design utilizing the alternate materials and methods section as a variance from the code. The benefits of this initiative are numerous. Such a system will encourage research and development in many areas, including areas lacking support for such work. As a result, this new structure will also serve as a catalyst to improve the current prescriptive code by removing redundancies or locating deficiencies. Finally, this movement will force the code enforcement, design, and construction communities to evaluate how we do business and where improvements and changes need to occur.

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1997 Conference Contents