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New Building Codes
are Coming!
Kristi Sutterfield
Executive Vice President
As we all know, residential construction must cost of construction and the cost of operating the
adhere to comprehensive building codes and home. The model codes are typically updated
standards governed by local and state laws. every three years. When changes are proposed,
Because of the cost and complexity of developing we are fortunate that NAHB analyzes their impact
and maintaining such codes, state and local on new home construction and existing residential
governments typically adopt nationally recognized buildings. We also work on the local, state and
model codes, often amending them to reflect local national levels to ensure that all proposals are
construction practices, climate and geography. evaluated objectively by the ICC and that any
Most U.S. communities adopt the International changes or additional code requirements that are
Code Council’s I-Codes for this purpose. adopted are necessary and cost-effective.
The I-Codes address all aspects of single- and This is one of the many benefits of your
two-family as well as multifamily construction, membership with the Greater San Antonio Builders
including structural elements and the electrical, Association (GSABA). Once you join GSABA, you
plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning automatically become a member of the Texas
systems, and energy conservation requirements. Association of Builders (TAB) and the National
The requirements established by national code Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
bodies, the modifications made by state and Through our combined efforts, the International
local governments, and the standards set by Code Council’s Board of Directors now requires
national organizations that are used in developing cost impact information. If that information is not
the model codes can significantly affect the included, the proposed change will be rejected.
construction, configuration and cost of new Association policy addresses several specific
residential buildings as well as remodeling or code-related concerns including cost effectiveness,
additions to existing ones. affordability, safety, fire sprinklers, resiliency,
The original purpose of codes was to protect hazard mitigation, performance-based
public health and safety, but government design, voluntary energy and green programs,
agencies have increasingly turned to codes to accessibility, stair geometry and other important
implement other policies, such as energy efficiency, factors.
resiliency, sustainability, and property protection. Moving Forward
In the past, we have seen agencies advocate for As we move forward as an industry, we need
energy code changes benefiting specific product to fight together to enact legislation to prohibit
manufacturers and against providing code users federal agencies from advocating on behalf of
options and flexibility that is very much needed in certain products or technologies and require that
our industry today. proposed changes to codes and standards be
Why It Matters to Our Industry posted publicly and include supporting data, cost
Building codes can have a profound impact on impacts and quantified payback periods.
the comfort and safety of residents as well as the We also need to come together to enact
8 MAY 2018 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
